You might have seen my post in the 950 thread. I actually was looking into upgrade options, because I have 5 lines. I was going to upgrade the kids (3) to iPhone 6, wife to Galaxy S6 Edge, and me to 950, all for Christmas.
I haven't bought a phone through ATT for probably 5 years, and have had no contracts for that long at least. But, I was thinking, what the heck, because all of the above is awful pricey.
That was when I found out that they would hit me for another $25 per line if I get the 2-yr contract deal. That's $3,000, plus the initial phone prices, which is another $800 or so.
I can buy all of them on NEXT, which will cost the full retail ATT prices, which will be around $4,000.
So, what I have decided to do is buy used iphones (around $350 each), and S6 edge (around 350). That's $1,400. Then, I can get a 950, new or used, when the mood hits me (which will likely be sooner rather than later, because I am jonesing for the 950).
Anyways, total cost is around $2k, as opposed to the $4k ATT wants to charge me. If I want to pay full retail, I'll just buy through Apple, Samsung, and MS, and pay the same but still have no contracts.
I just don't get the "I have to buy through ATT" thing, unless it's a finance purchase through NEXT, which I then understand.