Why not just buy the device from the manufacturer, swap the sim, and boom you’re “upgraded”.
It blows my mind how people think ‘carrier store’ = ‘cell phone store’ and it’s the only place to get them. Friends and family were baffled by this new information when I had this discussion with them. Imagine thinking that the only place you can buy a vehicle is at [your insurance company’s local office]. All the carrier is doing is offering the service, and they sell phones too for convenience (and to lock in customers but shhh).
Not everyone has the luxury of spending $1200 cash on a phone outright. Unfortunately, the payment plan is a big factor for a lot of people (in a “family” plan.)
Why not just buy the device from the manufacturer, swap the sim, and boom you’re “upgraded”.
It blows my mind how people think ‘carrier store’ = ‘cell phone store’ and it’s the only place to get them. Friends and family were baffled by this new information when I had this discussion with them. Imagine thinking that the only place you can buy a vehicle is at [your insurance company’s local office]. All the carrier is doing is offering the service, and they sell phones too for convenience (and to lock in customers but shhh).
Not everyone has the luxury of spending $1200 cash on a phone outright. Unfortunately, the payment plan is a big factor for a lot of people (in a “family” plan.)