[__abc]

I'm on this plan (the zero interest loan plan designed to drive an annual upgrade) and it isn't exactly free.

The loan is absolutely zero interest, but I get ~$200 in fees when I upgrade from AT&T. It's enough where I didn't upgrade from the X to the 11.

I have also since switched to Google Fi and don't know if that same fee exists with them ....

[reaperducer]

I get ~$200 in fees when I upgrade from AT&T

Ouch. Maybe it's your plan?

When I upgrade iPhones (financed through Apple) on AT&T, the fee is $35.

"Line activation fee" or some such lie. Why do I have to pay a fee to activate a line that's already active?

[majormajor]

How do you get hit with this fee? I've not done any financing, but I've updated iPhones several times on Tmobile (2013-2016) and Verizon (2018-2019) without even having to tell the carrier...

[sjg007]

If you go into the Apple Store and use the financing option then they will register your phone as a convenience to one of the big 4 carriers. I imagine you could finance and "activate" it later yourself and maybe avoid the fee if you have a physical sim card. But the new phones are eSim so that may play a role. I was told I could not participate in the iphone upgrade program if I wasn't on one of the big 4 carriers. I was on a big 4 but then I went MVNO with no issue. I haven't upgraded since tho.

[lotsofpulp]

If you use the Apple upgrade program, all the mobile networks charge an activation fee.

The only way to avoid the activation fee is to swap the SIM by yourself, I think.

[scarface74]

We didn't get an activation fee from T-mobile. We also didn't swap the sim.

[lotsofpulp]

Maybe I'm wrong about Tmobile, I can't find anything via searching about it, but Verizon and ATT of course charge it. I thought I had heard Sprint and Tmobile do too since the SIM comes with the phone and they have an excuse to charge, but they might be nicer than Verizon and ATT.

[pbreit]

The $35 I think is an activation fee. I do believe you might also have to pay sales tax which on a $1200 device might be $100.

[yungstevejobs]

Just call them when the transaction hits your statement and ask them for a refund. I’ve done this every year they tried to charge me and have been successful. The rep likely also knows it’s a bs fee as well. If not just hang up and speak with another until you get someone who will.

[__abc]

Thank you so much. I'll give this a whirl next time.

[lotsofpulp]

Because Verizon also has the same fee.

[RandallBrown]

What fees are you getting from AT&T?

I've been a part of the iPhone upgrade plan since it started and haven't been charged any fees by AT&T.

[jedieaston]

He’s talking about the fees associated with AT&T’s lease plan, not Apple’s.

[yungstevejobs]

No. AT&T started charging an upgrade fee, regardless if you went through a 3rd party or not. This started in 2018 iirc.

[pastor_elm]

line access and sim card fee?

[enos_feedler]

$200 sounds a bit insane. Is this across many devices on a multi-device shared plan? AT&T charges me $40-$50 each time I upgrade the device. Anything > $0 still seems silly, but $200!

[lotsofpulp]

Those activation fees for devices you own are bullshit, and I can’t believe the government allows it. $30 to do NOTHING.

[kccqzy]

Why would your carrier charge a fee for phone upgrades? I'm with T-Mobile, and during an upgrade I pop the SIM card out from the old phone and put it in the new phone. Everything works now. The one time I lost the SIM card, I was charged just $10 for a replacement.

[rtpg]

I think it’s fees to front the costs of the phone, so you can pay monthly

[yungstevejobs]

No. There’s an upgrade fee even when you buy your phone through the iPhone upgrade program now.

[thirdsun]

That seems outrageous to me. Replacing my device, whether purchased outright or through Apple's upgrade program, shouldn't be of any concern for my provider.