How-to: check your iPhone 4 upgrade eligibility

AT&T's made it pretty clear how this upgrade sitch is going to go down for existing customers moving to an iPhone 4 on the 24th of the month, but if you want to double-check and make sure you're good to go (we can't blame you), there's an easy way that was briefly mentioned yesterday: dial *639# on your current phone. You'll be returned a text message from AT&T detailing your situation -- either you'll be told you can get a full upgrade price (meaning $199 / $299 for the 16GB and 32GB, respectively) or you'll be eligible at some particular date in the future. Not all's lost in the latter case -- you can still pay $200 more for the phone as an "early upgrade," which is less than the no-commitment price of $599 / $699. We'll have a more comprehensive breakdown in our full iPhone 4 guide coming later today, so stay tuned!

[nsfw Posted Jun 9th 2010 12:04AM]

@who You forgot to add.. I've been a loyal customer for X years and thats makes me extra special. "Versus the un-loyal cell phone customer that cheats on their provider with another provider"

[John Lennon Posted Jun 8th 2010 8:05PM]

Finally, ATT does something I like.

[jaygutta6559 Posted Jun 8th 2010 10:55PM]

Engadget is full of shit that new iPhone look like a girl phone if I see any grown man with this phone imma smack them real talk

[Levi Posted Jun 8th 2010 11:39PM]

I've been an AT&T customer since Cingular, probably for 6 or more years now... But because I'm in the dead center of a contract, I'm not a "valued customer..."

[rcbates Posted Jun 9th 2010 12:50AM]

I'm pissed, my upgrade date is January 5th 2011...that's 5 days too late. Think AT&T will let me go ahead and upgrade if I call them?

[dizom Posted Jun 9th 2010 2:19AM]

This was unexpected ... I got my 3GS last year at release, and to my surprise I tried this and see "As a valued customer, we can offer you an upgrade with a new 2-yr commitment and an $18 upgrade fee." I am on a discounted plan through the company I work for, and with the discount I usually pay about $110/month ... that including my $45 corporate data plan (for Exchange access). I'm STOKED!! Definitely going to upgrade now. :)

[Faxmonkey Posted Jun 9th 2010 3:03AM]

If you bought your iPhone last year and you're not on a family talk plan, odds are you get your upgrade. I've heard of people who bought in November and December getting it.

If you bought it on a family talk plan, only one phone per FT account no matter how many lines. It's bullshit. You save $10 bucks a month for a 129.99 FT plan vs 2 69.99 plans. You have fewer minutes, but over a year you save $120 dollars.

For that sin, you now have to pay an extra $200 dollars. Thought you'd save money? AT&T showed you! You get to pay an extra $80 dollars! How do you like those Apples?

[rcbates Posted Jun 9th 2010 10:23AM]

@Faxmonkey
I have a single line and I bought mine in August and it says I'm not eligible till 1/5/11. Isn't that some shit!

[nick Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:32PM]

@Faxmonkey I got my 3gs november 09 and im on a family plan (5 phones, 4 of them iphones) and it says im eligible

[Ted45 Posted Jun 9th 2010 8:43AM]

I hardly see how paying what a new customer would is doing me any favors. AT&T has decided to boost their standing with their customers who are loyal to their troubled network by "allowing" them to do an extra early upgrade for only $200 more than a new customer. That's a really bright business plan. They've made it cheaper for me to cancel my plan, pay the fee, and buy a new Android for less than an iPhone upgrade. Smart...

[eddyrayb Posted Jun 9th 2010 8:51AM]

I'm driving a 1G and I don't get the waived fee. At least is says that. I can assure you, I'll get it waived.

[AttOrlando Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:53AM]

Your eligibilty depends on a few factors. Mainly how much your bill is every month. Also being the primary line helps as it looks like you spend more. So that line will be eligible faster.

I bought my 3GS on 12/16/09 and I'm eligible now for full the discount

[Dan57 Posted Jun 10th 2010 2:07AM]

Came from sprint and bought my first AT&T Iphone on 1/4/10. Added my girlfriend to my account around April. We both have 3GS. Called the number and it says I'm eligable
for the discount with an $18 activation fee. My girlfriend does not have an upgrade. Can't complain about upgrading 1 1/2 years early. Hope it isn't a glitch when I go down there to
buy it the week it comes out.