Can I return my iPhone 6 and go back to my 5?

Question

Hi folks,
I mail-ordered an iPhone 6 because my current phone's a 5, and I've been doing the every-other-generation dance since my first iPhone, a 3G. For the very first time, though, I think I regret my upgrade. I'm probably going to allow a few days to get used to this new, big phone, but I feel doubtful.
My question, then: is there a way I can say "Ha ha oops never mind", switch my US AT&T service back to my 5, and return the 6? My best guess based on experience is that Apple would take the phone back in 30 days (at least they do that with Mac purchases), and AT&T would be happy to fine me $150 for early-termination on my old phone and sign me up for a new two-year commitment on my old one, again. Which would be kind of awful.
Is there a better way, or do I just have to see this as an expensive life lesson?
Motivation: I find the 6 very uncomfortable to hold and use one-handed, and I have no desire for a larger screen if the tradeoff is that I am obliged use this device two-handed now. I feel quite frustrated every time I need to tap any screen's "Back" button, now physically out of my thumb's reach way up there at the top of the screen. Double-tapping the home button to push the top controls within reach feels like an ugly hack, and reminds me every time I do it that this phone is larger than I'd like it to be. Perhaps most worrying of all, I find myself unable to keep my wrist straight while holding this bigger, heavier phone, and I can feel my nascent RSI tingling while I'm trying to read a book on it. Add all these up and you have the very first time I'm using a new iPhone and am not just not in love with it, but really alarmed and half-panicking that this essential life-tool doesn't even feel like it fits with my body any more.
So yeah. Pretty sure I wanna go back to the light, wonderful 5. Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

In the exact same boat here. Life-long iPhone user. Got a 6 on Tuesday and absolutely hate it to the point where I dread using it. Upgraded from an iPhone 4 I'd had for 4+ years. After making several phone calls, my understanding is that Apple will take it back no problem, within 14 days. My iPhone 4 was out of contract with AT&T but when I bought the 6, I renewed my previous contract for 2 years. My AT&T contract also has a 14 days, cancel for any reason with no early termination fee, clause. I assume your AT&T contract would have the same. But I don't think you need to worry about canceling your contract. Since you still have your iPhone 5, you should be able to bring it to the AT&T store, have them switch the existing contract from the 6 to your old 5 and then you can go return the 6 to the Apple store where you bought it. That's no different than being halfway through a two year contract, your phone is stolen and you have to buy a new one at retail price to replace it on your existing contract. You're essentially just bringing your own device you already paid for (the 5) to the existing AT&T plan.
I would just caution that assuming you want to keep your phone number, get the service put back on your 5 at AT&T and have them deactivate the 6 before you go return the 6. Or just make sure the Apple store is capable of transferring the service from the 6 back to the 5 while you're there to do the 6 return.