In addition to the dour news that Verizon will be strictly enforcing a 24-month upgrade cycle, the company is extending a small olive branch. Customers who want to get a new phone before their contract is up (or, presumably, anytime) will be able to do so without paying the full device cost up front. Instead, Verizon will let consumers sign up for a "Device Payment Plan" that will break up the full retail price into monthly payments over the course of a year. A Verizon spokesperson tells The Verge that smartphones and tablets costing more than $349.99 will be eligible, but there's also a $24 "finance charge, billed at $2 each month."