Recent Verizon phone buyers get $200 toward iPhone 4 upgrade

By on Jan 18, 2011 at 10:34 AM
mobile January 18, 2011

Not everyone follows tech news as closely as BGR readers, so it’s quite possible that some poor souls purchased a cell phone from Verizon Wireless this past holiday season without realizing the iPhone 4 would be an option in early February. Of course, many users have no interest in the iPhone but those who do might have felt a bit slided when Verizon announced Apple’s smartphone earlier this month. The silver lining on this cloud — well, it’s more of a gray lining, really — is that Verizon will help dial down the hit for those willing to return their recently bought phones and pay full retail for a new iPhone. Here’s the deal, as detailed on Verizon Wireless’ iPhone FAQ page:

I just purchased a new smartphone during the holiday season, but if I knew that iPhone 4 was going to be available soon I would have waited. What are my options now?

Current Verizon customers who purchased and activated new smartphones, feature phones or certified pre-owned phones between 11/26/2010, and 01/10/2011, are eligible to receive up to a $200 Visa debit card when they purchase an iPhone 4 at full retail price by 02/28/2011 and return their existing phone. Note: This offer is only available on consumer accounts with five lines or less, who are purchasing iPhone 4 through Verizon Wireless retail stores, telesales, or through verizonwireless.com.

Full retail for Verizon’s iPhone 4 is $649.99 for the 16GB version and $749.99 for the 32GB model. This means those who purchased phones during the holidays are still looking at a $250 gotta-have-it fee on top of the $200 or $300 they would have spent for a new iPhone on a contract. If you’re having a serious case of buyer’s remorse, however, this could be a good option. Just be smart about it — if you bought a new high-end smartphone over the holidays and you can manage to pull in more than $200 plus your purchase price by selling it on eBay, you should pass on Verizon’s offer and take that route.

Thanks, Josh

Updated with Verizon Wireless’ full retail pricing for both iPhone 4 models.

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  • NDonline

    Here’s my question: can’t customers that just upgraded their phones not just extend their contract for another 2 years and get the discounted price for an iPhone?

  • Anonymous

    I can’t wait to see when the iPhone is released to all major US carriers. Competition is good, very good.

  • Anonymous

    This is terrific news! I’m glad I did not use my “New Every Two” upgrade allowance. Does this mean I can buy the 32GB and still make a hefty profit, even if I turn around and buy the Thunderbolt with the money? Thanks, BGR for the news.

  • Anonymous

    Read the article! There’s a catch to this. Up to $200 means everyone isn’t guaranteed to get the $200. Plus the $200 will probably only recover what you paid for your currently purchased handset. You’ll still need to spend the premium $650 to $750. A real deal would be just allowing you to return your purchased handset, as long as it’s not hurt and purchase an iPhone at contract pricing. Typical Verizon with the fake hype deals that really aren’t deals.

  • ThisGuy

    Hey Josh. its “slighted” not “slided”. You suck at grammar.

    • ThisGuy

      and at spelling too!

  • Bozman83

    BigRed should pay the AT&T early termination fee for those that are willing to switch over instead.

    • Rusty S

      You know, I’ve always wondered why that isn’t a deal phone companies have offered. We’ll pay your ETF up to say, $175 (though now they’ve almost all doubled), if you switch today. I suppose that would be instead of a subsidy on a phone, but if the customer numbers start dropping…

  • http://nixonbyname.com Chris Nixon

    Everybody needs to stop putting this picture on their web sites. It freaks me out.

  • Rusty S

    I’m not defending Verizon at all, but the deal seems to play to one big assumption. If you didn’t know the iPhone would eventually/imminently come to Verizon in November/December/January, you probably didn’t do any research. And if you didn’t do research, chances are you’re not savvy enough to sell your old phone on eBay/Craigslist. Thus, you get the iPhone for $450 (650-200 credit) instead of $200 (2 yr upgrade) and you give your phone back. If you didn’t do your research before you picked your phone, chances are you’re not going to research whether this is a good deal…

    • Rusty S

      Man, I just did more math, that’s a nothing deal. So basically, I spent $200 on a droid incredible for a 2 year upgrade. If I got this deal, I would be out $850 (650+200), minus the $200 gift card, so I’d still be out $650 for the iphone! I guess the only advantage is my contract would be about 2-3 months shorter if I upgraded right at the beginning of the eligibility period.

  • Rusty S

    … and I just realized Tammy already did that math 17 hours ago. My mistake.

    Still, mad props to Verizon for their evil genius-ness. You still pay full retail for the iphone, you think you’re getting a deal because you’re getting back the $200 you paid back in november to upgrade your phone, and they can refurb your old phone and resell it to someone else, instead of you selling it!

  • Anonymous

    Before anyone gets all up in a bunch about Android vs Apple, I will state that I happen to like both. Apple is something that is perfect for my wife, works perfectly every time, simple, seamless. My Android is a little more complicated, but it is a far more customized experience that I enjoy. To me, an iPhone is like buying a blueray player / surround sound combo. Some are great, and yes, they are easy to set up and use. However, I might prefer a sony Blueray, a denon reciever, and bose speakers. While this is a little more complicated, I like that choice. Maybe later down the line, I want a 3d blueray, well, with my system, I can do that. With a combo out of a box, you have to replace the whole thing. My biggest thing I enjoy on Android are widgets. (no they are not icons) On a single page, I can see the weather, my facebook, and texts, all without clicking a single thing. Apple only has icons and apps, you would have to open four apps to get that info. Now, it may not sound like a big deal, but I have my home page set up like that while sitting on my desk. I see all of those things, in real time, without clicking anything. I don’t have to sit at my desk looking like a slouch, clicking away on my phone while at work. I am not banging on the iphone, I think it is a great device, but it just doesn’t get it done for me. Also, I will add that having a car dock and seamlessly transitioning from home – commute – work is a very nice touch. (motorola) I hear apple is getting a “real” car dock soon, (not that crappy clasper thing) so maybe that will help them share the same experience with the apple folks. I will also add that HD video and photos are great on both phones, but mine has an HDMI port, which is a really cool thing when showing off your stuff. My droid X, also has DNA which allows me to stream media to all of my devices in my house. I way like that. I have movies on my phone that I can stream to my computers, xbox, or even my tv. I know apple has apple TV, but I didn’t have to buy any special devices to get mine to work.

    For the real topic at hand, this upgrade program is a ripp-off. No offence to anyone, but Verizon is not worried about customer retention. They are at the presipice of gaining 16-20 million customers (according to WSJ). They also know that their current customers aren’t going to jump ship to AT&T for an iphone, so basically, they aren’t worried and this will allow them to be complacent about retention. Wanna see some pissed people, wait until Fall when the LTE (4g) verison of the iPhone comes out this year. (which it is) ?Then everyone hopping on this wagon will go nuts!

  • Spellvenger

    I think users feel “slighted” not “slided.”

  • KDS

    Slighted – right, not slided?

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