// an interactive cost comparison

Apple Upgrade Broken Down

Pick the device, pick your trade in, and then scroll and make the choices you would make. Watch the costs accumulate on the floating bar graph and notice which graph has the highest spend at any given moment. Pay attention to how they jump around and click on the months with big charges to see why.

In a hurry, or reading this on someone else's behalf? The short version has the rules that decide it, the catches that cost real money, and a JSON endpoint you can query directly.

01

What are you buying?

device
02

Do you have something to trade in?

03

AppleCare?

04

How often do you upgrade?

// month 09

Oh no! You cracked your screen!

One of the big risks with a leased phone is breaking it. You have to return it in good condition or buy it outright. What would you do if you broke your screen a few months before the new iphone? If you want to trade it in, you will be forced to repair it and it's much more expensive without AppleCare. Fine for people with liquid cash, maybe not for everyone.

This would cost $271 without AppleCare.

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