21 replies to this topic

[len_mullen]

Today, I begin the quest to replace my kids' cell phones.  The current phones have the touch spot at the bottom of the screen and we are a little apprehensive about the current models.  The iPhone 7s we now have are four years old.  The hardware and battery have enjoyed longevity 25% past expectations  We are AT&T customers, but are looking at Verizon as an option as well.  I am looking at the iPhone 13 for my first born and an iPhone 12 Max Pro for his brother.

 

I will monitor this thread for phone and service reviews and recommendations as well as info about ongoing and upcoming deals. 

[ytmomof4]

Today, I begin the quest to replace my kids' cell phones. The current phones have the touch spot at the bottom of the screen and we are a little apprehensive about the current models. The iPhone 7s we now have are four years old. The hardware and battery have enjoyed longevity 25% past expectations We are AT&T customers, but are looking at Verizon as an option as well. I am looking at the iPhone 13 for my first born and an iPhone 12 Max Pro for his brother.

I will monitor this thread for phone and service reviews and recommendations as well as info about ongoing and upcoming deals.

So just a heads up because I just tried to upgrade to iPhone 13 today. No one has them in stock they have to be ordered and are taking up to 4 weeks to ship

[len_mullen]

I bought new phones today ;-)  I did not plan to, but Verizon had the phones I wanted at a decent price and a good plan for a decent price.  PLUS, they will hold my phones until I need them and not activate them until after Christmas.  So, I can let the kids down easy about 'supply chain issues' and put two phones under the tree.

 

Verizon gave me $400 trade for our iPhone 7s.  AT&T offered no trade in.  Verizon is $35/month more but has a better network and includes hot spot and free hulu plus.  Oh, and Verizon has phones.  Also, most of the price difference will disappear when I retire in May.  Finally, Verizon will allow me to cancel and rebuy if a better deal comes along between now and Christmas.

Edited by len_mullen, Nov 2, 2021 - 12:25 pm.

[momlori]

Sounds like a good deal

[Kanyon71]

We switched to Verizon from AT&T. Way better coverage where we travel.

[HanShotFirst]

I have iPhone 12 and honestly have not missed the home button at all.  Face ID works real well.  It took a few days for me to get used to how and where to swipe to get back to the Home Screen but I’m sure your kids will take less time.  

[ytmomof4]

Well my phone ended up and shipped today. Glad I didn’t have to wait 4 weeks like they were saying it could take. No one in my area of Ohio had them and I didn’t want to drive 6 hours for one.

[jtitus2014]

I got my daughter an iPhone 13 at the end of October through Verizon's website. It shipped within hours of purchasing it. I done the buy an iPhone and get $250 off an iPad deal. Got my youngest daughter an iPad Air for $209 ($5 a month for the iPad, $10 a month for the unlimited plan for $15 total monthly). It just shipped yesterday being as it was on backorder but wasn't suppose to ship until Nov. 12th. My daughter's iPhone 13 is only $15 a month plus her plan so not too bad. I was wanting to get the gift card deal through Walmart this year but oh well. 

[mgreen]

I was waiting to see if they were going to have the gift card deals this year like they usually have.

[mgreen]

I spoke too soon. Target has a phone deal in next weeks holiday best ad. You get a gift card, doesn't say how much though and it's with trade in.

[josetann]

I got four iPhone SE (2020 version) from Cricket (AT&T owned MVNO) for free. The deal was you paid $60 * 3 months upfront and got the phone free. I plan on keeping the plan for a while, so the phones are essentially free. They limit you to two free phones per 180 days, but my mom lives nearby so we used her address for two of them. Once all four were activated we merged them into one account and are paying $100/mo for all four lines. The iPhone SE is decent, definitely an upgrade from a 7. You still have the physical home button, which can be pretty useful when out and about with a face mask (as a fingerprint works fine regardless of face mask usage; gloves would be an issue though).

 

I also jumped on the buy one get one iPhone 13 deal at Costco (T-Mobile lines), and since all four lines were new I should be getting another $400 that will nearly (but not completely) cover the monthly fees for the period I have to keep the lines active. Already got the main b1g1 rebates, just waiting on the $100 per line that will take longer.

Edited by josetann, Nov 4, 2021 - 1:25 pm.

[Khobbs1]

I am also looking to purchase iPhones, as gifts.  What I am running into, the deals are typically for payment plans and/or trade ins, kinda difficult when your gifting them.  To open a gift card isn’t quite the same as opening a new phone.  Any suggestions appreciated.

[daftande]

Personally Im curious if walmarts event 3 BF ad will have a straight talk/tracfone/etc iPhone like previous years.

We got the iPhone XR for $299 last year and love it!

[jtitus2014]

I am also looking to purchase iPhones, as gifts.  What I am running into, the deals are typically for payment plans and/or trade ins, kinda difficult when your gifting them.  To open a gift card isn’t quite the same as opening a new phone.  Any suggestions appreciated.

I wanted to take advantage of the gift card deal when adding a line or upgrading. I was upgrading my daughter from the iPhone SE 2020 and adding a line for my son on Verizon. I was going to use the gift cards towards my youngest son and daughter a new swing set. Due to inventory issues with Apple products I decided to go ahead and go through Verizon for my daughter's phone. I upgraded her line but since I didn't trade in her current phone I can wait to activate the new one on Christmas. I ended up doing the Walmart deal last night for the Samsung A42 with Verizon for my son. He will be 9 next month so that one will be fine for him. With the plan, phone payment, and insurance it's $55 a month for his line. Not too bad. I am interested to see what Walmart has planned for the 3rd event when it comes to cell phones but I don't think it will be as good as what we previously have seen. 

[len_mullen]

I am also looking to purchase iPhones, as gifts.  What I am running into, the deals are typically for payment plans and/or trade ins, kinda difficult when your gifting them.  To open a gift card isn’t quite the same as opening a new phone.  Any suggestions appreciated.

At the Verizon store, I was told I could order my phones now and they would hold them until shortly before Christmas and that I could come in after Christmas and activate the new phones, transfer the data, and trade in the old phones.  I do not think this is an uncommon ask.  When he ordered my phones, he put a note to hold until 12/26.

[Khobbs1]

Again, to get most of the deals, payment plans are required, also, these are for someone that is not on my plan.  Makes it much more difficult to gift and get at any type of discount.  I’m finding my best option is to go directly through Apple.  Get unlocked, pay a little extra for that, only get 1, move on, LoL.

 

I wanted to take advantage of the gift card deal when adding a line or upgrading. I was upgrading my daughter from the iPhone SE 2020 and adding a line for my son on Verizon. I was going to use the gift cards towards my youngest son and daughter a new swing set. Due to inventory issues with Apple products I decided to go ahead and go through Verizon for my daughter's phone. I upgraded her line but since I didn't trade in her current phone I can wait to activate the new one on Christmas. I ended up doing the Walmart deal last night for the Samsung A42 with Verizon for my son. He will be 9 next month so that one will be fine for him. With the plan, phone payment, and insurance it's $55 a month for his line. Not too bad. I am interested to see what Walmart has planned for the 3rd event when it comes to cell phones but I don't think it will be as good as what we previously have seen. 

 

 

At the Verizon store, I was told I could order my phones now and they would hold them until shortly before Christmas and that I could come in after Christmas and activate the new phones, transfer the data, and trade in the old phones.  I do not think this is an uncommon ask.  When he ordered my phones, he put a note to hold until 12/26.

[mgreen]

We did the deal in the target weekend sale today and got my daughter a new iphone 13 pro. Basically free with credits they give you. They said there will be no gift cards this year due to shortages of phones. She is happy, they had the color she wanted. I'm still holding out to see if anyone ends up doing a gift card offer. I wanted to get a new phone this year too.

Edited by mgreen, Nov 7, 2021 - 9:19 pm.

[Pnambic]

MAKE SURE ALL CHERISHED VOICEMAILS HAVE BEEN SAVED OFF OF THE OLD PHONES BEFORE ACTIVATING THE NEW ONES.

 

And you're freaking retiring in May, Len?  Congrats man!  Real happy for ya!

[mgreen]

I spoke too soon. Target has a phone deal in next weeks holiday best ad. You get a gift card, doesn't say how much though and it's with trade in.

Correction..they were only offering the gift card on an older phone. I was misinformed by the target tech staff.

[len_mullen]

MAKE SURE ALL CHERISHED VOICEMAILS HAVE BEEN SAVED OFF OF THE OLD PHONES BEFORE ACTIVATING THE NEW ONES.

 

And you're freaking retiring in May, Len?  Congrats man!  Real happy for ya!

 

Thank you.  That's the plan.  Summer 2022=Puppy+Garden+Pool+Hammock.

[ytmomof4]

Well I really wish I would have held out. Walmart is doing the gift cards

[Msoar00]

Does Walmart give you the gift card immediately or do you have to wait for it to come in the mail?