AT&T, is it cheaper to get 2 year contract or AT&T Next (you pay every month)?

Well, I'm really confused here.

My parents and I had the family plan for our phones and they were all 2 year contract. We pay over $100 every month for all the costs like network, phone bills and everything. I have 200MB of data plan allowed any extra will cost me $15. BTW, every message we send or receive costs money.

Well, that's basically everything I know, I have no idea how the 2 year contract really works, why do I have to pay so much every month(it's a lot to me, or is it normal to pay that much?) or why does every text message costs money.

Now it's been over two years and the contract seems to continue(?), but I wanna get an iPhone 5s, so what should I do? When I go to the store what should I tell them? What about the 2 year contract for my family's old phones? How does the family plan works is it better if I don't get it? I'm thinking of getting the AT&T Next instead of the 2 year contract because I don't want to use a phone for 2 year anymore. And my parents are not getting iPhones but me.

Sorry, I know this is long, I may not express well, and I sound like an idiot, but please try to answer as many question as you can or at least the question of the title. Do you have to pay for the messages and other stuff for over $100 as a family plan if you get AT&T Next?

Apple says I have a glitch on my iPhone and for a $140.00 support tech fee they will fix this. I just had my phone factory reset by Apple. They know there's a problem, has been since day one. What can I do other than pay this fee to fix my phone?

  • Verizon upgrade fee? Can I pay at the store or do I have to pay it the next bill? I plan on upgrading my phone and renewing my contract next month in January. I plan on getting the iPhone 5s. I'm on this family plan with one line. Is there's an activation fee that I have to pay? Can I pay the upgrade fee at the store while purchasing the new phone? Or do I have to pay it on the next bill?
  • Should i buy the iphone 8 plus/X next month or wait for the next release which is in September 2018? I'm thinking of getting a new iphone next month but my dad suggested i wait for the new ones in September, what do you guys think and if you think i should get one of the current iphones which should i get the 8 plus or the X?
  • Phone upgrade next month, do I get a free iphone5s or do I pay a little extra? I have an iPhone4. My upgrade is next month on O2, I pay £22 a month, I want to get an iphone5s, I don't get the world of upgrades, do I get my iPhone 5s for free or do I have to pay extra? Especially if the iPhone is the newest edition! Do I get the iPhone for free with the same data and calls limits and all that? Please could you explain some good info as I don't get the world of upgrades! I'm so confused!
  • Opinions! What do you pay at AT&T every month? I was gifted a pink Iphone 5c for AT&T from a friend who got an upgrade. I want to switch but I'm wondering what someone might pay? Their customer service is no help at all and their plans make no sense… Or maybe its just me and a lack of coffee. I'm not sure of what plan I want but I have Metro now and I would like to change, I've had AT&T before and I loved it. Opinions! Or do you have another carrier you like? I'm open to just about anything!