Your assumption is incorrect. Upgrade eligibility date is not the same thing as contract expiration. AT&T is allowing some customers to upgrade after one year

Your assumption is incorrect. Upgrade eligibility date is not the same thing as contract expiration. AT&T is allowing some customers to upgrade after one year instead of two if they cross a certainly monthly threshold on their phone bill. So, you may be eligible to upgrade on November 22nd, but you're still going to pay a hefty early termination fee if you canceled your account. The reasoning behind this plan it to thwart people exactly like you (which I am).