I spoke with several representatives and they confirmed phones will no longer be offered that way. You must pay off devices in full in order to get into another device payment plan. Just look on the website, none of the phones in the VZW shop say you can upgrade after 50% is paid. Originally I called and spoke with sales, I was told yes I can upgrade after 50% but when I asked why it isn't on the website anymore, they only replied "I'm not sure." So finally, I was transferred to a different agent, this person took the time to do some research and told me any new phones purchased must be paid in full before you can upgrade. I want things in writing, contracts always said you could upgrade after a certain amount was paid but they don't do that anymore. This is not for anyone that already had an annual upgrade contract (like my daughters phone last year was annual upgrade eligible.) This is what they're doing from now on.