The Programme has just recently opened in the US, where the majority of Apple stores are located, and is speedily on its way to the UK, with some speculating that it may be getting on its feet in the late fall of 2013. Watch for announcements from 9to5 Mac, and, of course, Apple itself, who is purported to be now training its UK associates on the ins-and-outs of the new program.
The programme seems to be Apple’s most serious effort yet to get a new iOS 7 platform mobile phone in the hands of anyone who’s not already drooling for an iPhone 5c or 5s. As Android keeps creeping in on more and more of their previously dominated market, Apple is stepping up its game to offer would-be platform switchers an incentive to get a new iPhone instead.
Users will be asked to actually physically go to Apple’s landmark stores with their old backed up iPhone, turn it in and have its condition assessed and an offer made before they walk away with their new generation mobile - as long as it’s not sold out.
The whole process will only take a few minutes (minus the time you may have to spend waiting in line). Brightstar Global Wireless Solutions will be heading up the buying, recycling and refurbishing aspect of the whole operation.
While there ought to be plenty of the rainbow-toned iPhone 5c’s to go around, watch out if you have your heart set on a 5s (particularly in gold), as that model tends to be selling like hotcakes. Customers whose dream phone is not in stock at the time of their trade-in will not be able to complete the transaction; you must take your new phone home the same day as you trade your old one in.
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| Image Credits: hklucky.blogspot.com |
Fortunately for those who tend to hang on to relics of past electronic ages, all generations of iPhones will be accepted into the barter bin, even the very first one - remember this? But phones with water damage or those that do not power on will be turned away. Those with cracked screens will be welcomed, but the trade-in price will certainly be lower than average.
16 GB iPhone 4 and 4s versions are expected to produce a trade value of about £77-129, depending on their condition. Last year’s iPhone 5, on the other hand, in pristine condition might earn as much as £160.
This will take a good quarter to third off the price of your brand new unsubsidized iPhone 5c - at £469-549 - or 5s - at £549-709. Of course, you will end up paying less for your data and talk plan in that case, as the cost of your new phone will not be integrated into your monthly charge.
The estimated offers that Apple will be making on its previously mint phones are good, but they are not great. The trade-in price difference here is likely worth it, though, simply based on the convenience, reliability and simplicity of handing your iPhone across the counter to Apple and getting a new one, rather than going through the hassle of trying to sell it.
If you’d rather ship your old device in to another company, you might try O2’s Recycle programme. The process is entirely online and automated, where you simply tell them about your phone, they make an offer and ship a package to you, and you send off your device and get a bank transfer of cash the same day. O2 offers a whopping £241 same day payment for the iPhone 5, if you choose to go that route.
Faizan Ahmad About the Author:
This article is posted by Faizan who is the Author and Founder of TechSenser. He is a Professional Blogger from India and a passionate writer about Technology, Gadgets, How-to-Guides, etc. You can connect him on Google+.