AT&T's early upgrade fee for smartphone skyrockets to $200

Are you an AT&T customer and thinking about trying to upgrade to a smartphone early? Think again.

Unfortunately, AT&T has decided to bump up its early upgrade fee for smartphones from $75 to a whopping $200. That's the price of most good smartphones on contract.

According to Boy Genius Report, AT&T explained that the change is "necessary to maintain our ability to provide customers with the best selection of devices and maintain our leadership in the Smartphone category.” Riiiight. That's the way to keep customers happy: charge them more.

Already in effect since October 3, the exception fee won't apply on regular feature phones or other low-end phones.