Upgrade from iPhone 5 to 5s

[dszlucha]

I bought an iPhone 5 in January and am wondering what my options are to upgrade to the iPhone 5S.

I understand I can simply pay full price for the 5s but am wondering if I can pay the EFT to be eligible for the subsidized price which would save some money.

Thanks!

David

[Nicodémus]

Possibly but even better would to add a new line of service swap the mobile numbers around trade your Iphone 5 in perfect condition for the $300 to pay off the new $350 ETF and activate it on your current number.

[Nicodémus]

So you end up paying two year contract price and $50 for an early upgrade.

[ronnae91]

when are we going to be able to pre order the phone anyway?

[ashtontr]

The speculation is as soon as the 13th, however it can change. As of now, you can preorder the Iphone 5C 09/13, the 5S Is not going on preorder.

[vzw_customer_support]

Let's review options dszlucha! Yes, ultimately you can do that but as mentioned you can add a new line and receive the discounted pricing for that line. You can also check out our device payment program here http://vz.to/ZILXBT Thank you and enjoy!

TominqueBo_VZW
Please follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport 

[JimKirk]

Need a bit more advice on this topic please.  If VZW Customer Support could clarify the answer right above this post it would also be helpful.

I also would like to upgrade from a 5 to 5S and I would like to do it on the VZW website w/o going into the store.  I am on the family share plan and have 5 devices on my account: 2 iPhones, 2 iPads, 1 LTE modem.

I would like to keep my iphone 5 active till I get the 5S in my hands and operating.

Can you clarify the steps I should take to get the new 5S and trade in my old 5 so I can use the trade in value gift card to pay my ETF or apply it as a credit to my account?  From what I read in this thread it appears:

1. Place an order for the 5S with a new phone number and add the 5S to my family plan.
2. Receive my new 5S.
3. ? Swap phone numbers between 5 and 5S.  I don't see that this is possible on the "change your phone number VZW page."   Do I have to call VZW to make this change?
4. ? Before I can trade in my 5 it has to be deactivated and off my account.  So how do I do this so the VZW gift card can be used to pay for the ETF?  This is the part I'm confused about about because I don't want to be w/o an operating phone but also want to apply my trade in value to either the ETF or as a credit to my VZW account to be used against my monthly bill.

Thanks.

Jim

[vzw_customer_support]

Help has arrived, JimKirk. I'm sure you're excited about getting one of these awesome new iPhones. TominqueBo_VZW suggested our Device Payment Plan because then you can keep your same number and there's no need to cancel your existing line. It's a great way to spread out payments, but it can only be done at a VZW owned store http://bit.ly/3SdsA. I wouldn't suggest doing it, but if you decide to add a line to your account to get a new phone at a discounted rate, you absolutely can by visiting www.vzw.com/addaline to place your order for a new line to be added to your account. You'd go on using your existing phones and lines as-is. Once you receive your new 5s, it can be activated to any line on your account that you'd like.

I have sent you a follow request here in the forum. Please access https://community.verizonwireless.com/actions to accept my request and follow me back so you can send me a private message with your name and mobile number so I can check the best options for you and how you might be able to complete your request with ease.


Thank you
JenniferH_VZW

Please follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

[JimKirk]

Hi JenniferH,

I think the best option for me would be to add-a-line.  Now, by this you mean (and that's what the link shows) I will be adding a device to my account (in this case I would add the 5S) and I will choose a new number for the device.  So far this is easy to understand and to do on the VZW website.

As I proceed with adding a new line I can select several ways to pay for it.

1. I can purchase the 5S 64GB at a discounted price of $399 and commit to a 2 year contract.
   
   
2. I can purchase the 5S 64GB on the Edge plan if accept all the rules that go with the plan.  I read the rules and I understand them.  This is an option I'm considering because I can, at my option, upgrade my phone in as little as 6 months as long as I have have paid off 50% of the phone price.  I would have to make a cash payment to reach this 50% if it wasn't at this payoff yet from my monthly payments of $27.15/mo per the 5S 64GB VZW purchase page.
   
   Correct this example if I am in error.  Make 8 payments (8x$27.15=$217.20.  Decide to upgrade.  Assuming the phone price is $849.99 (this is the month-to-month cost of the 5S 64GB) then 50%x$849.99=$425.00.  I would have to pay VZW $425.00-$217.20=$207.80.  And I would have to turn in my 5S. I would get a new phone.  All well and good.
   
   Can you help me here?  Am I now on month to month with the new phone?  According to the purchase web page it says "The initial 6-month grace period only applies to your first upgrade, after which it can be traded in anytime for a new one."  What does this mean?  Can I turn in the new phone in 1 month and get yet another new phone?  How much is this next trade in going to cost?
   
   
3. I could also purchase the phone for $849.99 and go on a month-to-month contract.  I would own the phone and I could terminate my month to month service with no "early termination fee."  Is this correct?

Now let's assume I've got my 5S and a new phone number.  You said "...it can be activated to any line on your account that you'd like."

So I could call VZW and change the 5S number to my existing 5 number, right?  Then I could pay off the early termination fee (ETF) on my 5 and I would own it.  I could then sell it back to VZW on the trade in program and get $350 as a gift card.  I could then apply the gift card to pay my VZW monthly bill.  Am I correct here.

Jim

[JimKirk]

JenniferH,

When I went to purchase my 5S, but before I added it to my card, I choose the 64GB.  The Edge price doesn't update on the 5S buy page when you change to 64GB.  The 2 year contract price does update.  This appears to be a problem with the VZW page.

When you put the 5S in your cart the price is correct.  The Edge contract price for the 5S 64GB is $849.84 (24 payments are required under the contract).  Each payment is listed as $35.41.  So, as expected 24 x $35.41 = $849.84.

The example math in my previous post will change because of this.

I have a follow on question now.  When I get the 5S I plan on exchanging the SIM's between my 5S and 5.  Then my new 5S will have the old phone number.  Can I then deactivate my 5 (now having the 5S SIM), pay the ETF, and then sell my 5?

Can you tell me how to compute the ETF for the 5 assuming I have been on contract for 10 months?  Or is the ETF for the 5 a fixed charge and doesn't drop with months on contract?  Need a number please.

Jim