AT&T is going to introduce a new AT&T Next option on May 28, according to sources of ours. The new plan, called “AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment,” will offer customers who wouldn’t normally qualify for AT&T Next a chance to buy new phones, upgrade often, and not worry about signing a contract (because those are going away soon).
The new plan, as the name suggests, requires participants to make a down payment of 30% of the device. That 30% is due at the point of sale, with the remaining device price then financed over a 28-month period. Since this is an AT&T Next 12 plan, customers will be able to upgrade to a new phone after 12 months of payments.
This new AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment plan really only differs from AT&T’s Next 12, Next 18, and Next 24 plans in that it requires customers to pay 30% of the phone upfront. With all of the other options, no down payment is due at the point of purchase.
AT&T Next 12 With Down Payment will be available March 28 at AT&T direct channels, as well as retailers like Sears, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, and Micro Center. Best Buy stores will get access to the option on June 1 and Apple will get it some time in July. If you want to try and sign-up for this new device payment plan earlier, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and Bestbuy.com may be live as early as May 21.