Hi gml,

    You won't be able to 'upgrade' technically from pre-paid, however there really isn't a need to. You may be eligble for better deals than your average upgrade by starting a post-pay account with Verizon. You might be able to get a little money back from your old phone by going to Verizonwireless.com and under Plans, Deals & More at the bottom of the page there is a link to a trade in program. There they will ask you a few questions and depending on current value of your phone offer you a Verizon gift card. They will send you an addressed,postage-paid,padded envelope to send your old phone in and mail out the card after they have recieved it.

    Contractually, for the benefit of a deeply discounted or even free smart-phone, you would be required to agree to a two year Customer agreement that you will continue to be thier customer and maintain the line that you have activated on your new smartphone, depending on your credit they may require a deposit. You don't have to agree to stay on the same rate plan that you originally choose, you can change that at any time without effecting your contract, and 20 months into your agreement you will become eligible for an upgrade to a new phone at a deep discount, which will renew another two year agreement. Post-pay is awesome, you can control your own phone plan via the "my Verizon" website. I say go for it! You won't regret it!

Hope that covers some of the info you were looking for.

-Pollix11