I'm thinking about buying the new iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, or iPhone 12 Pro, but I'm not sure if I should wait for next year's iPhone 13 instead. Get both.

Apple makes it easy to get the latest iPhone every year with the iPhone Upgrade Program, and you can choose your favorite carrier; Apple also offers AppleCare+ to protect your new phone.

However, carriers have offered early upgrade plans for years. So is Apple's iPhone upgrade program worth it?

If you're considering getting a new phone through Apple's program, here's what you need to know.

Introduced in 2015, Apple's upgrade program allows you to purchase a new iPhone in 12 installments starting at $35.33 per month for the 64GB iPhone 12 mini; the 128GB version costs $37.41 per month and the 256GB model costs $41.58 per month.

The flagship iPhone 12 starts at $39.50/month for 64GB, $41.58/month for 128GB, and $45.75/month for 256GB.

The 64GB iPhone 12 Pro costs $49.91 per month instead of $999 per shot; the 256GB model is $56.16 per month and the 512GB is $64.50 per month.

The 64GB iPhone 12 Pro Max can be paid $54.08 per month instead of $1099 upfront; the 256GB version is $60.33 per month and the 512GB version is $68.66 per month.

Apple Card holders can use their Apple Card as a monthly payment method. Using an Apple Card as payment will earn you 3% Daily Cash every time you use it.

You will get a device that is unlocked and compatible with 25 LTE bands so you can choose your carrier.

This is a great solution for those who want an unlocked phone but can't afford to pay hundreds of dollars at a time.

More importantly, the iPhone Upgrade Program allows you to get a new iPhone every year (after 12 installments) without being tied to one carrier. Apple also offers an AppleCare+ warranty that includes up to two years of hardware repairs, software support, and coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage (additional service fees apply).

Generally, you can upgrade your phone by paying 12 monthly installments. Bring the iPhone to an Apple Store or request a mailing kit to upgrade to whatever you want. Apple also allows iPhone Upgrade Program participants to upgrade after six months or more.

If you enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program last year, keep an eye on your email as Apple will send you upgrade instructions. If you did not receive an email or would like to check manually, you can jump to a page on Apple's website and answer a few questions to see if you qualify.

In general, Apple's offerings differ from what you might get from a wireless carrier by providing protection for your iPhone with AppleCare+ and the freedom to jump carriers and choose the best rate plan for you. Carrier-unlocked phones also benefit from more flexibility and higher value on the resale market.

When considering the value of an unlocked iPhone Xs or iPhone Xs Max, remember this important distinction: an unlocked iPhone designed to work on T-Mobile or AT&T's GSM networks will not work on Sprint or Verizon Wireless CDMA networks; an unlocked iPhone designed to work on T-Mobile or AT&T GSM networks will not work on Sprint or Verizon Wireless CDMA networks.

You can only upgrade to an iPhone if you choose Apple's program, while many carriers will allow you to update to another brand. If you think you might want to switch to Android down the road, you'll want to look elsewhere.

T-Mobile's Jump program lets you upgrade to a new phone after 12 months of payments in 12-month installments. It is similar to Sprint's offer in that the current phone must be returned in good condition, but the monthly fee includes damage coverage.

MORE: T-Mobile's Cell Phone Plan Buying Guide

T-Mobile's 4G LTE footprint, which ranks second in network performance tests in major US cities and offers unlimited data plans, will serve data sharks well.

AT&T offers a major upgrade plan option called Next Up; AT&T offers several other upgrade plan options, but Next Up is most similar to Apple's iPhone upgrade program.

MORE: AT&T Phone Plan Buying Guide

This variety of options gives you the flexibility to pay less each month or clear your debt more quickly With AT&T, you own your device after you've made all your payments, and you can choose to upgrade to a new device at any time, not be tied to an iPhone as the only upgrade option.

Verizon's annual iPhone upgrade program also requires iPhone owners to make 12 monthly payments to upgrade to a new iPhone.

More Info: Verizon Phone Plan Buying Guide

Those looking for fast, reliable 4G coverage should choose Verizon. With its fast network and broad coverage, Big Red ranked #1 in our carrier speed tests.

iPhone upgrades can be purchased online from Apple Stores in the U.S. and from Apple's website. go to Apple.com and try to purchase an iPhone, and after selecting the phone model, color, capacity, and carrier, you will see a link to " iPhone Upgrade Program", you will be presented with the option to purchase through the "iPhone Upgrade Program.

Because of the high price, getting an iPhone 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max through the iPhone Upgrade is not for the budget-conscious. Of course, it comes with AppleCare+ (worth $199), but not everyone needs that kind of protection. You can find cheaper options at nearly every other carrier, and you won't be limited to just upgrading to an iPhone in the future (except Sprint).

Overall, the best value is T-Mobile, with its combo of low price, fast network, flexibility, and additional features making it an all-around deal.

Apple's program is best for those who are strictly mobile and need extra peace of mind.