Apple has reportedly informed Apple retail store employees that there are significant changes on the way for how iPhones will be sold via AT&T and Verizon.
As we reported last month, Apple has indicated that iPhones sold via AT&T at both physical Apple Retail Stores and on the Apple Online Store will move exclusively to Next financing plans this month, in June. This means that a customer who wants to buy a new iPhone on AT&T will no longer be able to do so on a subsidy…
The AT&T next program allows customers to buy an iPhone and spread the payments for the hardware over a period of time, (20, 24, or 30 months), along with being able to upgrade to a new handset earlier than before (after 12, 18, or 24 months). 9to5Mac reports that two-year subsidies will remain for business purchases through Apple.
Verizon customers will purchase an iPhone via the Edge program, with hardware upgrades every 24 months. (The Edge Up program, where customers became eligible for an upgrade after 18 months is going away.) After the iPhone is paid off, the customer can keep the handset. 9to5mac also notes that they have been told that Verizon will match AT&T by the end of summer, dropping their two-year contract subsidy programs.
