Upgrade fee (Why)?

[Anonymous]

This is really a question rather than a moan. I fancied upgrading my iPhone 12 to the new iPhone 15 pro max with the same SIM card and number. Three offered me a good price with no upfront payment. BUT wanted £492 early upgrade fee. When I wanted to trade in my current phone the website is continually down which is kind of neither here or there I suppose.I know all networks will do it this way so there is no criticism solely towards Three. But my question is why do they charge this? I would be renewing my two year contract at £4 per month more for the same allowances. Anyway I’m passing and sticking with my original iPhone which will be perfectly fine and my wife is secretly happy as it’s cheaper. 

Any clues anyone? 

[Maddy]

Three is the only network that will charge you for the remaining airtime balance you then get a upgrade and you then carry on paying for the first phone and start a new 3 year contract with your new phone. Go to any of the other networks they will only charge you for the phone balance not the remaining airtime way better than the 3 network after all why should you pay for airtime that you won't be using. Say if you owe £1000 between the phone and the airtime if say £500 of it is airtime the other networks write it off but 3 network makes you pay for both 

[Millie18]

Hi Maddy, is this correct? Are three the only network to charge you for the remainder of your airtime contract if you upgrade early, even though you are staying with them as a customer? I'm in the middle of a dispute with them, I'm sorry I stayed with three, over the years my experience has been abysmal to say the least!

[sc1999]

This explains upgrade fee.

https://community.three.co.uk/t5/Devices/Upgrade/m-p/18145

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Thank you. Now I understand!

[sc1999]

You pay for the phone over the length of your contract. It could be that the fee is actually the balance of the original cost of the phone. 3 have now changed the way they charge and the cost of the phone is listed separately to the airtime contract. This means that once the phone element has been paid your monthly payment will only be airtime.

[Anonymous]

No the phone cost is something like £45 monthly plus the airtime contract. It baffles me but I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation. It’s just that I can’t think of one. lol 🤔