when you buy new now the payment remains the same. So i had an 8 on the payment plan and for $3 more, i now have a ten. Payments are done because it ties you to the company theoretically forever. I can have the latest phone because i am impulsive.
I reality I tread in ever 2 models. Even my high tech kids don’t do that often.
My phone is much smarter than I am, as you have already deduced.
Best wishes.
We buy ours outright, not on some payment plan.