Phone Upgrade Cost Calculator
Compare carrier financing vs buying outright, calculate your real monthly cost, and find when buying unlocked pays off.
New Phone Details
Carrier Financing
Cost Breakdown
Payment Schedule (first 6 months)
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Financing vs. Buying Outright
Carrier installment plans are convenient and often 0% APR, but they lock you into a carrier — and you may be charged an early upgrade fee if you leave. Buying unlocked gives you freedom to switch carriers and take advantage of competitive SIM-only plans, which can be $20–$40/month cheaper than postpaid carrier plans.
The real math requires comparing total 2-year cost: (phone + plan) for financed carrier vs. (unlocked phone + cheaper MVNO plan). Often, buying outright on a budget carrier saves $500+ over two years even if the phone costs the same.
About the Break-Even Point
The break-even month represents when cumulative savings from a cheaper unlocked plan offset the upfront cost difference. If you switch to a $25/month MVNO instead of a $70/month carrier plan, you save $45/month — meaning a $999 phone pays for itself in about 22 months compared to financing plus a carrier plan.