Apple Store customers can kiss subsidized AT&T iPhones goodbye

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iPhone-6-Plus-cam
The next iPhone is getting some big upgrades.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Looking to buy a new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus from Apple on AT&T but don’t want to sign up for the carrier’s Next plan? Too damn bad.

Just days after AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega promised subsidized phones are going away, the company has completely removed subsidized options for the iPhone from the Apple Store as well.

The quick removal stands in contrast with de la Vega’s comments earlier this week that the subsidized option was going to “go away slowly” not because AT&T would insist on it, “but because customers will choose it less often.” Looks like AT&T just couldn’t wait for customers to choose Next more often so they’ve insisted on removing the subsidized option altogether so that it’s your only choice.

iPhone buyers can still pay $199 or $299 for the new model from Verizon and Sprint, or buy a fully unlocked device from T-Mobile, starting at $699. AT&T is still offering subsidized iPhones in retail stores and its own website, but the option is a bit hidden. AT&T’s Next plans allow customers to buy new smartphones for $0 down while spreading the rest of the into equal payments for the next 12 to 24 months.

Here’s a breakdown of the new iPhone pricing:

iPhone 6

  • 16GB – $21.64/month
  • 64GB – $24.97/month
  • 128GB – $28.30/month

iPhone 6 Plus

  • 16GB – $24.97/month
  • 64GB – $28.30/month
  • 128GB – $31.64/month

 

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