I've always had good luck with phones, though no I have never kept one past two years, even though they were still in perfect condition.

Are you sure you're monster paws didn't have something to do with your poor screen being molested? :-)
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I didn't want to overload you all at once, so i failed to mention that you can pay it off at any time you choose, but you have to pay it in full if you go that route.
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That actually did help me; thanks.
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I saw that part when I checked my "equipment charges" on my bill online, Greg.

For some reason I'd been thinking someone could "lease" for a lesser amount and turn in the phone without paying it's full cost.
That's not the case.
A person can just choose how many months they want to pay back their phone.
You mentioned 30, I did 24 on my phone.
So I confused myself thinking it was a conventional lease where a person pays 150% or more for the cost of an item, and that's not the case at all.

This has just saved the phone company from paying those subsidies for iphones, which is a great move for them.
Our bills go way up, they buy some more wheelbarrows to push the money around. :-)
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:-) I Take Care Of Them, Hardly Ever Drop One. I Only Buy New When They Quit Working.
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Yah but you are dropping them from way way up there! :-)

Ok I'm done haha :-)
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NewEgg has them for $800

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-351-_-Product

I plan to buy another phone in Singapore; cheaper prices and better selection.
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Thanks Moses. Not sure I see the benefit of buying "unlocked" unless you just don't want to stick with any provider. You still have to get the data plan and pay someone for the network as I see it. Leaning towards a 2 year contract with one company and buying the phone at a reduced cost. I was confused as to why anyone would buy unlocked at these prices.
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I'm not bound to any contracts is the big one for me. I'm not into owing anyone, anything. Deal complete, shake hands and move on... I can switch providers as I want and not on the hook for paying off the phone if I leave. Even if it costs me a little more. I can sell the phone if I want and have done so before.
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How do the monthly service costs compare for a BYO unlocked vs one of their phones?
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Here's a kinda sorta related question. I just bought the wifey and I new 6s+ Eye Phones. These are the first Apple thingies we've ever owned. Always been non Apple types up til now. Are Eye Phones more delicate and prone to breaking than non Eye Phones? Neither of us have ever broken a phone before, not even a Princess or candlestick phone. Due to our gentle natures I've never seriously looked at extended warranties or insurance before. But after reading this thread I'm wondering if I should rethink things. Are these Eye Phones really that delicate and susceptible to problems? Should I look into some type of insurance plan?
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I know people think that but it's not usually the case. The bill in fact should stay about the same. What I mean by that is this: I will pay about 28 bucks a month for an iPhone 6 Plus. I also have the mobile share value plan that gives me $25.00 discount on the data access fee. So it's pretty much a wash. I have a 10 gig a month (talked them into doubling it it) mobile share value plan that costs $100 per month. I have three phones on the plan that are not on contract because I bought two of them using NEXT. I paid mine off early but am still paying on the wife's. The third line is my dad's and his isn't under contract either. Usually a smart phone comes with a $40.00 per month access fee per phone. But with the discount I only pay $15.00 per month for the access fees on all three phones. My bill is $145 for the phones and data bucket plus the $28 for the next on my wife's phone. If all three phones were under contract (which happens if you upgrade the old way) you would not have the $25 per line discount.

But let's say I only bought one of the phones using the old upgrade method my bill would be $100 for the data, plus $15 x2 for the two phones that aren't under contract, plus $40 for the phone that is under contract. For a total of $170 per month which if you add up my above that I am paying with none of them on contract comes to $173.00 per month.

I have read that tons of people saying it's a ripoff and a scam, but there are also tons of breakdowns that show it's basically the same deal either way. The truth is you are paying retail price for the phone one way or another, you either pay it outright, by using next, or you pay it in monthly access fees for the two years that it's on contract using the old upgrade path. You still with me?

The trick to this is having certain plans though. Mobile share value is what I have.
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I started out on an android and found the build quality as well as materials to be much cheaper in quality and feel than the iPhones. I wouldn't believe everything you read as far as people trolling Apple. I have had 4 iPhones since I switched (upgrades) and have never been happier, even dropped a couple with no issues. I'd also recommend the tech 21 case for them (and that's a good endorsement considering a good friend does the marketing for life proof cases.
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That's encouraging. :-)

When I see people talking about them breaking and whatnot, I start wondering how robust they really are. Guess I'll find out.
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Here is an article about Apple's version of the "new phone every year" program. I just saw someone's new 6s and I really like the new features … it would cost me a fortune to upgrade since I'm only a few months into this one :-)


http://bgr.com/2015/11/02/iphone-6s-...mobile-sprint/
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If you go to the lower tier providers they can be really cheap.
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