New AT&T; plan to allow customers phone upgrades once a year

In response to a new, similar option by T-Mobile, AT&T; is introducing a new plan later this month that will allow customers to upgrade their smartphone once a year.

AT&T; Next, as the plan is called, lets customers get a new device without paying any fees or a down payment. Instead, users pay for their device through monthly installments ranging from $15 to $50, depending on the device. A Galaxy S 4, for example, would cost $32 per month.

After users pay 12 of the monthly payments, they can trade their device in and pick a new one. Users can also choose to keep paying for their phone, which they own after 20 payments. And of course, users must also pay for their cellular plan.

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AT&T; Next is to be available to customers starting on July 26.

Earlier this month, T-Mobile introduced a similar plan called Jump, which allows customers to upgrade their phones as often as twice a year.

With Jump, T-Mobile customers make a down payment for their phone (normally $100), pay their device’s monthly payment (normally $20 or $25) and an extra $10 per month for the upgrade plan.

After six months, Jump customers can trade in their device and get a new one (they’ll have to make the down payment for the second device as well).

AT&T; Next and T-Mobile Jump are the first such plans adopted by the four major U.S. cell carriers. Verizon and Sprint have not yet rolled out anything similar.

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