Living in Texas as a migrant from Colombia, Venezuela, Perú, Ecuador, Argentina, Guinea Ecuatorial, Guatemala, República Dominicana or México, it's important to understand your mobile phone options — especially when it comes to **upgrading your device periodically** without large upfront costs. 

Below is an updated, trustworthy guide (as of 2025) to U.S. wireless carriers' upgrade/renewal programs, what’s legal, what to watch out for, and suggestions to take advantage of what's offered — so you stay connected, affordably.

**Stay connected without big upfront costs** — explore [Phones Finance](https://www.phones.finance/) for flexible monthly plans that include insurance, unlimited calls, and guaranteed upgrades. Perfect for migrants building a new life in Texas.  




## What are “device upgrade” or “phone renewal” programs?

These are plans by **telecom** carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.) that allow customers to get a new phone after a period of payments, or via trade-in, often with part of the cost subsidized. They spread out the cost over months (“installment plan”), and include conditions like paying off 50% of the device cost, trading in the old device in good condition, etc. They’re not exactly “automatic renew every three years,” but many of these programs allow upgrades *sooner* than three years depending on which plan you choose.  

Texas law as well as U.S. federal consumer protection laws (e.g. rules about credit / financing — Truth in Lending Act, etc.) require transparency: carriers must clearly disclose how much monthly payments are, what you owe, what conditions for upgrades are.  

**If you want to explore a plan that helps you keep up with new phones without paying a lump sum, it’s smart to compare these carrier plans. And if you’re ready, you could even check phone-finance offers like those at [Phones Finance](https://www.phones.finance/) — you might find a plan that fits your budget and allows a reliable phone now, paying over time, with built-in upgrades.**





## U.S. Carriers & Their Upgrade Programs

Here are the main **wireless carriers in Texas**, and what they offer regarding upgrades. I’ve included a table to compare the key terms.

| Carrier | Name of Program / Plan | When You Can Upgrade / Conditions | Monthly Fees / Extra Costs | What to Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **AT&T** | *Next Up Anytime* | You can upgrade early: after paying **33%** of your installment payments + the extra “Next Up Anytime” fee. You can do this *up to 3 times per year*.  | + **US $10/month** for the “Next Up Anytime” add-on. Requires being on AT&T Installment Plan and eligible service plan.  | The old device must be in good condition and turned in. If you cancel service, credits or benefits may stop. Also, many people expect upgrades every year but realistically paying off enough of the device is essential. |
| **T-Mobile** | *Go5G Next* + *Yearly Upgrade* benefits | Once on an eligible plan, after paying at least **50%** of the cost, and device is financed via T-Mobile’s EIP (Equipment Installment Plan). You may upgrade every **12 months** under these plans.  | Higher cost plans (Go5G Next) tend to include these benefits. Some trade-in or device payment obligations.  | Must keep your plan eligible (sometimes special or premium plans). Device trade-in must be in good working order. Not all stores/retailers accept the same upgrade conditions. Unlocking device might require full payment. |
| **Verizon** | Device Payment Program / “Edge” (older) | You can upgrade once the device is fully paid off. Historically Verizon had some “Edge” programs but many of those are phased out or limited.  | Installment plans, possible upgrade fees. Promotions affect trade-in values.  | Because full payoff is required often, may not make sense if you want to wait three years: you might pay for three years anyway, so costs add up. Make sure you understand the fees. |





## Tips & Things to Consider (especially for migrants)
- **Requirement of good credit or credit check**: Carrier financing often depends on credit. If you don’t have established credit in the U.S., the offer may require paying a deposit or having a co-signer.  
- **Condition of trade-in device**: Cracked screen, water damage, or missing parts often reduce trade-in value or disqualify trade-in altogether.  
- **Locked devices**: Phones financed through carriers are often “locked” to that carrier until paid off. If you plan to travel or use SIMs from other countries (Colombia, Venezuela, etc.), check unlocking policies.  
- **Taxes and activation fees**: These are often due up front or with first bills. They can add hundreds of dollars.  
- **Plan eligibility**: Sometimes only specific plans (premium, “unlimited” data, military, etc.) qualify for upgrade benefits.  
- **Frequency of upgrade doesn’t always mean savings**: Upgrading every year might cost more in total than keeping a good phone for 2-3 years and then doing trade-in.





## Examples for Latin American Migrants: Which Program Makes Sense?

Suppose you migrated from Colombia and now live in Dallas, Texas, working full time; or someone from Guatemala in Houston, or from Venezuela in El Paso. You might prefer:
- A plan that lets you upgrade *every two or three years*, allowing more time to pay off device and maximize value.  
- Avoiding very premium plans if income is tight — but balance that with long-term cost of phone.  
- Buying “locked” phones only if you intend to stay with that carrier; otherwise consider “unlocked” devices (though they may have higher upfront cost).  

For example, if you choose **AT&T Next Up Anytime**, and you anticipate keeping a phone for ~3 years, you might skip upgrade until after ~33% payment, trade-in, etc., to get better discounts. If you're on **T-Mobile’s Go5G Next**, then upgrading every 12-24 months might be possible but comes with higher plan costs.  





## Legal Protections & Institutional Resources in Texas
- **Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DTPA)**: protects consumers from false, misleading, or deceptive business practices (including terms in contracts).  
- **Federal Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA)**: requires clear disclosure of cost, interest (if any), fees, etc., when financing devices.  
- **Federal Communications Commission (FCC)**: has rules about unlocking phones, consumer protections for wireless service.  
- **Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas**: can receive complaints when carriers mislead or misrepresent terms.  





## Summary & Final Thoughts

While *automatic three-year renewal upgrades* are not widely advertised as such, many major carriers do offer flexible upgrade/renewal programs that can allow you to get a new phone in 2-3 years (or sooner) under the right conditions. For migrants from Colombia, Perú, México, Guatemala, etc., it's essential to **read terms**, check **plan eligibility**, maintain service in good standing, and be mindful of device condition and credit requirements.  

If you want to see **phones financed with clear, predictable monthly payments** and possibilities to upgrade over time (without shocking fees), you might want to check trusted providers like **[Phones Finance](https://www.phones.finance/)** — they often have plans that include insurance, large data, and no down payment, which can help keep your communication reliable in Texas.

**Take action now**: compare your current wireless plan with what AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon offer — you might be able to save or upgrade sooner than you expect. And **if you're ready**, consider applying through a phone financing program (maybe even via Phones.Finance) to get a high-quality device with manageable monthly costs.




Which U.S. Wireless Carriers Let You Upgrade Phones Every Three Years?

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