Is Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program Worth It?

Thinking of getting the iPhone Xs Max but wondering if you should wait for next year’s model instead? Get both. Apple makes it easy to get a shiny new iPhone every year with its iPhone Upgrade program, which lets you choose the carrier you want. Apple also throws in AppleCare+, which will protect your new phone.

But carriers have been offering early-upgrade plans for years now, and at a lower price than Apple. If you're considering getting your new phone through Apple's program, here's what you need to know — and how it compares to other options.

What Is the iPhone Upgrade Program?

Introduced in 2015, Apple’s upgrade program lets you get the 64GB iPhone Xs Max for 24 monthly payments of $54.08 unlocked instead of forking over $1,099 up front. The 256GB version is $60.33 a month and the 512GB model is $68.66 a month.

The 64GB Xs is $49.91 a month instead of $999 in one shot. The 256GB model is $56.16 a month and the 512GB Xs is $64.50 a month.

You'll be able to pick your carrier, since the device you get will be unlocked and supports 25 LTE bands.

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That's a great solution for those who want an unlocked phone, but can't afford to plunk down hundreds of dollars at once.

More importantly, the iPhone Upgrade program lets you get a new iPhone every year (after 12 installments) without being tied to one carrier. Apple also throws in its AppleCare+ warranty, which includes up to two years of hardware repairs, software support and up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage (subject to an additional service fee). That would otherwise set you back $199, which is the full cost for both the Xs and Xs Max.

I Already Enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program. Now What?

Generally speaking, you can upgrade your phone once you’ve paid 12 monthly installments. You bring your iPhone into an Apple Store or request a mail-in kit and then upgrade to whatever you’d like. Apple also allows iPhone Upgrade Program participants to upgrade after six months or longer, if you’re willing to make all payments due by the 12-month mark early.

If you enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program last year, keep an eye on your email because Apple will let you know you’re eligible for an upgrade. If you haven’t gotten an email or you’d like to check manually, you can pop over to a page on Apple’s website where you can answer a few questions and check your eligibility status.

Apple allows Upgrade Program participants to submit their upgrade paperwork before preorders for new iPhones begin. For instance, iPhone 8 owners looking to upgrade to the iPhone X were able to request pre-approval the week before preorders began, so upgrading was as simple as clicking a buy button at 3 a.m. Eastern or midnight Pacific.

How Is It Different From Other Options?

In general, Apple's offering varies from what you might get from a wireless carrier by offering better protection for your iPhone with AppleCare+, and the freedom to jump carriers and pick the best rate plan for you. You’ll also have the benefit of a carrier-unlocked phone, which works more flexibly and carries a higher value on the reseller market.

When considering the value of an unlocked iPhone Xs or iPhone Xs Max, bear in mind this important distinction: An unlocked iPhone designed to work on T-Mobile and AT&T’s GSM networks will notwork on Sprint or Verizon Wireless CDMA networks. And to make it even more confusing, unlocked phones on Verizon or Sprint’s networks will work on AT&T and T-Mobile.

If you pick Apple's program you will only be able to upgrade to iPhones, whereas many carriers will let you update to a different brand. You'll want to look elsewhere if you think you might want to switch to Android down the road.

MORE: The Best iPhone X and iPhone 8 Carrier Deals: Take $350 Off at Sprint