Читать книгу iPhone For Dummies - Bob LeVitus - Страница 32

You will typically activate the iPhone where you bought the thing, just as you do with other cellphones. However, if you buy your iPhone from Apple’s online store, the folks there will ship it to you, and you then activate it at home, likely wirelessly through iCloud or even via an older iPhone you may have lying around. If you’re already a customer upgrading from an earlier iPhone or a different phone, you can convert your plan during the ordering process.

As mentioned, we aren’t going to go through all the wireless options here. Suffice to say that plans vary by wireless carrier and are subject to change. Unlimited data plans are more common than they used to be, thanks to industry competition.

Many “unlimited” plans are subject to data-speed throttling after a customer reaches a certain threshold of data, though such levels are being raised in the consumer’s favor.

iPhone 12 series model owners may also owe their carrier a bit more for a 5G wireless plan. 5G (fifth generation) promises blazing fast wireless speeds, though speed and coverage were still hit or miss as this book was being published.

iPhones are available also from smaller regional carriers such as C Spire and UScellular.

Certain prerequisites for enjoying the iPhone have been in place since the original release and remain — at least for most US customers:

 One, unless you’re already in the fold, there’s the aforementioned business of becoming an AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile/Sprint subscriber or a customer of any other company that subsequently sells the devices. Or you can bring your own SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) from a pre-paid carrier and insert it into your iPhone.

 Two, you may have to free yourself from any wireless contract that you’ve already entered into. As we point out, such contractual obligations are getting liberalized and ironclad two-year contracts are disappearing in favor of installment pricing. Heck, your new wireless company may even pay any early termination fees due your old carrier. A number of retailers will at least give you a credit for your old iPhone that you can use toward a new model. The amount of the credit depends largely on the condition of the device. You must pay off the phone over a set period, again typically two years. But at least you’re shifting to the latest models.Under its own trade-in program, Apple will give you estimated trade-in values that range from $30 for a (first-generation) iPhone SE or iPhone 6 up to $500 for an 11 Pro Max. Keep in mind that you may get a better trade-in deal elsewhere.Apple has its own in-store upgrade program, based on a 24-month installment. Consult Apple’s website for current pricing and storage capacities, always subject to change. Under Apple’s upgrade program, you get to choose your own carrier. AppleCare warranty protection is included.