When Apple announced its iPhone Upgrade Program, some were quick to point out that it is the best way to get a new iPhone every time a new model comes out, rather than relying on your carrier to upgrade. But there’s more to this upgrade plan than meets the eye.

First, you’d need a valid U.S. personal credit card, a 24-month installment loan with Citizen’s Bank, N.A. and an iPhone activation via AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or Verizon – which means when you leave the store, you will still be under a carrier contract.

Confusing? Hang on a bit. On Apple’s site, it claims that the new iPhone are unlocked.  Yes, it will be sold unlocked, but you can’t leave the store without activating it under one of the above-mentioned carriers.

Do you still think Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program is the best? There are better options.

T-Mobile’s JUMP! On Demand

T-Mobile US Inc. announced a new JUMP! On Demand offer that allows consumers to get the new iPhone 6s for only $5 a month and the new iPhone 6s Plus for only $15 a month. The only catch is that you need to trade in your old iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to avail of the offering.

If you don’t have an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, and you only have the iPhone 5s, you can still upgrade to a new iPhone 6s for only $10 a month, you just have to trade in the old device. If you don’t have an iPhone to trade in, you can still get a 16GB iPhone 6s for only $20 a month for 18 months.

Sprint’s iPhone Forever

Sprint Corp. may top T-Mobile’s offerings with its iPhone Forever scheme. You can get a new 16GB iPhone 6s for only $1 a month, provided you trade in your old iPhone 6. If you have a 16GB iPhone 6 Plus, you can trade that in for a new 16GB iPhone 6s Plus for only $5 a month. When you trade in your iPhone 5s for a 16GB iPhone 6s, you only pay $10 a month, and $14 if you want an iPhone 6s Plus.

A better deal is, even if you don’t own an iPhone you can upgrade to the new iPhones at a very low price. Turn in any smartphone and you can get the 16GB iPhon 6s for $15 a month. The offer stands until December 31, 2015.

Sticking to older models

If for some unknown reason you aren’t too eager to get the latest iPhone models and wouldn’t mind getting an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, Gazelle, Inc. has rolled out a new offering that lets you get last year’s model at $180 off. The catch is, you need to pre-order your iPhone 6 and 6 Plus until September 30 to take advantage of the low-priced offering.

Photo by hurk (Pixabay)