That is how I am looking at it. Also, with the $20 unlimited data option on Framily, you get the ability to upgrade every 12 months for essentially no out of pocket cost. Simply turn in your current phone for a new one and keep paying the ~$30 per month, but for a new device. I see this as an attractive option for a lot of people.
That being said, my preference is to purchase the phone outright. However, if I don't have an extra $600-$700 laying around at the time I go to upgrade, I will likely switch to Framily and do Easy Pay, since I have family members who want to switch to Sprint and start/join a Framily.