What’s the Best Way to Upgrade a Phone at Verizon?
An upgrade occurs when you buy a new mobile device to replace a device already linked to one of your Verizon account lines. If your current Verizon phone doesn’t perform as well as it once did, or if you just want to switch to the latest model, you can often upgrade your device.
Verizon allows you to upgrade your phone in one of two ways. You can pay full price for a new phone and upgrade at any time. Your other option is to pay for an upgrade using Verizon device payments over 36-months. If you choose this option, your old device must be “upgrade eligible.” Here we’ll explain how to check if your device is eligible for an upgrade and discuss the best way to upgrade a Verizon phone.
How Does a Phone Upgrade Work?
Verizon makes upgrading your mobile device a simple process. Your account cannot be past due, and your phone or tablet must be eligible for an upgrade. You may be able to upgrade a mobile device after as little as thirty days of use, provided you have paid at least fifty percent of the retail device and the original device is in good working order with little to no damage.
The best way to upgrade a phone at Verizon is to open your Verizon account and navigate to the Device Overview page in My Verizon. Scroll down to the device you want to upgrade. “Upgrade Now” will appear next to any eligible devices. Tap Upgrade Now and follow the prompts.
How Can I Find out if I’m Eligible for an Upgrade?
If you want to check the eligibility of your mobile device without logging into your account, dial #UPG on the device you want to replace, and you’ll get a text message informing you of the device’s eligibility. If you prefer, you can drop by any Victra retail store and our staff while helping you discover your upgrade options.
Consider your new needs before upgrading
Give some thought to your needs before upgrading to a new device. What do you need your new device to do? Would a tablet with a high-resolution screen be more to your liking than a smartphone if you enjoy gaming? If you travel for work and need to edit and review documents on the go, would a flip screen phone like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G offer the best balance between portability and screen size? If you’re an avid photographer, you might want to consider a phone like the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with its high-end camera and photo-editing capabilities. Storage is also a consideration: if you’re a heavy app user, you may need extra memory to ensure you have enough space for apps, photos, and other files.
Find the right operating system for you
Android or iOS? It’s a question that’s led to many heated online arguments between proponents of each operating system. The fact is the right operating system is the one that works best for you, no matter what anyone else says.
Apple’s iOS system is ideal for those who want a reliable, easy-to-use phone. An iPhone provides a straightforward, simple, and intuitive operating system that’s reliably consistent from one OS version to the next, with the bonus that iOS tends to be less susceptible to hacking and viruses than other systems. Apple offers exceptional support for their operating systems. With new models like the iPhone 13 Pro Max coming out every year, it’s possible to upgrade frequently – a tempting selling point if you absolutely must have the latest tech. Mac users should also consider iPhones and iPads, as the systems are compatible.
Android devices, in contrast, are better suited to people who like to customize their devices by personalizing home pages with widgets, photos, and live wallpaper. Android has the advantage of being compatible with Google’s suite of apps and services, including Chrome, Google Drive, Google Maps, and Gmail. If you use Google services frequently, you should seriously consider Androids. An Android such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra has all the features you’d expect in a high-end phone and compares well with the latest iPhone offering.
Does Verizon Charge Upgrade Fees?
Verizon charges a one-time $35 fee for every device upgraded on a Verizon plan. The Verizon upgrade fee applies to all device types and is charged whether you buy a new device at full retail price or use the company’s device payment plan. Should you decide your new device is not for you, return it within fourteen days of purchase and you’ll receive a refund for your Verizon upgrade fees.
Switching Device Upgrade Eligibility With Another Device
If your device is eligible for an upgrade but you’re happy with it, you can transfer the upgrade to another device on your plan. To do so, log in to My Verizon and go to the Upgrade Device page. Select the eligible device and click Transfer Upgrade.
Next, enter the mobile number of the device you want to upgrade. Doing so will transfer your device’s eligibility to that line. Go to the device whose mobile number you just entered, click Next, and follow the instructions to upgrade to the new device. One word of warning: once you transfer upgrade eligibility to a different device, your current device will no longer be eligible for an upgrade, so be sure you want to make the transfer.
Verizon’s Device Trade-In Program
If you have a phone that is not eligible for a Verizon upgrade, you may be able to trade it in, depending on what the phone is worth. If you wait to trade in a device until Verizon offers a trade-in promotion, you may even be able to trade in phones with cracked screens or similar damage, usually for a set amount towards your new device.
Stop by any of our Victra-Verizon retail stores and speak with a specialist about the ways to upgrade, for an on the spot evaluation of your existing phone’s trade-in value, and about the discounts Verizon offers existing customers.