I have an iPhone 15 Pro through Apple’s Upgrade Program, but I recently switched from AT&T to US Mobile, and upgrading to the iPhone 16 isn’t as easy now.
Here are my options:
Buy it outright.
The Apple Upgrade Program is no longer an option because it needs a postpaid plan with Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile.
0% financing with the Apple Card is also out because it requires a postpaid plan.
Are there any other ways to upgrade? I’m hoping US Mobile might offer financing through Affirm, but I’m not sure when that’ll happen after the phone is released.
Just to add on about Apple Card financing… there are two possible workarounds that might help.
You can try buying the T-Mobile version. They apparently don’t ask for account info, and you can skip the T-Mobile login when setting it up by pressing continue three times. The phone still comes unlocked.
You could buy the phone with your Apple Card, then chat with customer service and ask them to convert it to interest-free payments.
Both options might not work, though. I haven’t tried them myself.
Ellery said:
Just to add on about Apple Card financing… there are two possible workarounds that might help.
You can try buying the T-Mobile version. They apparently don’t ask for account info, and you can skip the T-Mobile login when setting it up by pressing continue three times. The phone still comes unlocked.
You could buy the phone with your Apple Card, then chat with customer service and ask them to convert it to interest-free payments.
Both options might not work, though. I haven’t tried them myself.
I’ve heard about the first option before and might give it a try, but I’m not getting my hopes up.
The second option is new to me. Thanks for sharing!
Ellery said:
Just to add on about Apple Card financing… there are two possible workarounds that might help.
You can try buying the T-Mobile version. They apparently don’t ask for account info, and you can skip the T-Mobile login when setting it up by pressing continue three times. The phone still comes unlocked.
You could buy the phone with your Apple Card, then chat with customer service and ask them to convert it to interest-free payments.
Both options might not work, though. I haven’t tried them myself.
Just a heads-up, the phone will be locked to T-Mobile, and they won’t be able to unlock it.
Ellery said:
Just to add on about Apple Card financing… there are two possible workarounds that might help.
You can try buying the T-Mobile version. They apparently don’t ask for account info, and you can skip the T-Mobile login when setting it up by pressing continue three times. The phone still comes unlocked.
You could buy the phone with your Apple Card, then chat with customer service and ask them to convert it to interest-free payments.
Both options might not work, though. I haven’t tried them myself.
Just a heads-up, the phone will be locked to T-Mobile, and they won’t be able to unlock it.
That’s not true. Any phone bought directly from Apple is unlocked, unless it’s with AT&T Next or Boost Mobile.
Ellery said:
Just to add on about Apple Card financing… there are two possible workarounds that might help.
You can try buying the T-Mobile version. They apparently don’t ask for account info, and you can skip the T-Mobile login when setting it up by pressing continue three times. The phone still comes unlocked.
You could buy the phone with your Apple Card, then chat with customer service and ask them to convert it to interest-free payments.
Both options might not work, though. I haven’t tried them myself.
Just a heads-up, the phone will be locked to T-Mobile, and they won’t be able to unlock it.
I talked to an Apple rep because I had the same issue. As of August 2023, you can’t finance an iPhone with the Apple Card unless you pick a carrier. They said if you pick T-Mobile or Verizon, the phone will still come unlocked. I went with T-Mobile so I could finance it, and if they ask for a postpaid account, I’ll use a family member’s T-Mobile number. Hopefully, they won’t ask for any info, and if it’s locked, I’ll just pay it off and get it unlocked. But the Apple site does say that you’ll get an unlocked iPhone if you finance with Apple Card and choose a carrier.
Zephyr said:
I talked to an Apple rep because I had the same issue. As of August 2023, you can’t finance an iPhone with the Apple Card unless you pick a carrier. They said if you pick T-Mobile or Verizon, the phone will still come unlocked. I went with T-Mobile so I could finance it, and if they ask for a postpaid account, I’ll use a family member’s T-Mobile number. Hopefully, they won’t ask for any info, and if it’s locked, I’ll just pay it off and get it unlocked. But the Apple site does say that you’ll get an unlocked iPhone if you finance with Apple Card and choose a carrier.
*Just a correction: You have to pick a carrier to finance with Apple Card. You can’t finance an unlocked iPhone straight out.
So when the iPhone arrives, do you need an account with the carrier? I ordered the T-Mobile one and have a family member with T-Mobile, but I also have a T-Mobile home internet account that comes with a phone number.
So when the iPhone arrives, do you need an account with the carrier? I ordered the T-Mobile one and have a family member with T-Mobile, but I also have a T-Mobile home internet account that comes with a phone number.
Usually, you don’t need to log in. It’ll ask you to purchase an eSIM, but you can fully reset the phone to factory settings.
So when the iPhone arrives, do you need an account with the carrier? I ordered the T-Mobile one and have a family member with T-Mobile, but I also have a T-Mobile home internet account that comes with a phone number.
Usually, you don’t need to log in. It’ll ask you to purchase an eSIM, but you can fully reset the phone to factory settings.
Got it, thanks. Makes sense because they won’t ask for a T-Mobile eSIM after every factory reset, only the first time. Thanks! Hopefully, the phone comes unlocked this year like they say because I want to use it with Darkstar/AT&T.
So when the iPhone arrives, do you need an account with the carrier? I ordered the T-Mobile one and have a family member with T-Mobile, but I also have a T-Mobile home internet account that comes with a phone number.
Usually, you don’t need to log in. It’ll ask you to purchase an eSIM, but you can fully reset the phone to factory settings.
Got it, thanks. Makes sense because they won’t ask for a T-Mobile eSIM after every factory reset, only the first time. Thanks! Hopefully, the phone comes unlocked this year like they say because I want to use it with Darkstar/AT&T.
I’m pre-ordering as well. I’ll make a video or guide on how to set up the new iPhone 16 Pro.
