AT&T Raises Early Upgrade Smartphone Fee to $200

Humberto Saabedra

AT&T has confirmed in a press message that it has raised the Early Upgrade fee for smartphones to $200 from the previous $75 rate as of last Sunday.

The reasoning given for the increase was due to the increased subsidies and increased complexity compared to other devices. The increase only applies to smart devices (the iPhone is excluded) and does not affect other phones, while the fee actually reduces the cost of certain smart devices (Ex.  BlackBerry Torch at $199.99 + $200 Early Upgrade = $399.99 compared to $499.99 No Commitment pricing) and is applied when a customer needs to purchase a phone either due to damage or loss, but is outside the eligibility timeframe for upgrade pricing.

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Journalist since 2006, initially covering the retail wireless sector before pivoting to anime and manga trade reporting in 2008. Founder and publisher of AnimeNews.biz (2008–2017), followed by a 13-year tenure at Crunchyroll News (2011–2024) and launching K-Comics Beat with Comics Beat in 2024. Now stripping away consumer noise to build independent, data-backed intelligence desks focused on cross-border licensing telemetry, production committee balance sheets, and industrial supply-chain forensics.

Date Updated Category General News

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