Apple Launches iPhone Trade-in Program

Rumors of an Apple-run iPhone trade-in program have been doing the rounds for months. Things heated up this week, though, with reports that Apple planned to launch the program in its retail stores by the end of August. On Friday, those rumors came to fruition, as Apple confirmed that its iPhone trade-in program would be rolling out at Apple retail stores around the country.

Apple confirmed its plans with several news outlets, and CNBC states that gift cards offered for old iPhones will range from $125 to $250. It sounds like the program will operate much the same way rumors indicate. Customers will come in with their old iPhone and an Apple store employee will determine the value of their device based on a number of factors including physical condition of the device itself and the model. Customers must resign a new contract if they wish to take part in the trade-in program, and the program will accept all generations of iPhone.

Apple is expected to announced the rumored iPhone 5S at a yet-to-be-confirmed event on September 10. If previous rumors are true, the phone will be available in black, white, gold and slate. There's also talk of a budget iPhone called the iPhone 5C. This model is thought to have a plastic casing and will apparently come in a range of different colors.

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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.

10 Comments Comment from the forums

the1kingbob

Wow, I would take it that the $250 represents a mint iP5; that is quite a steal. I wonder if they except anything older than a iP4.
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daekar

It says that they will accept any generation iPhone. To me, that's exceedingly generous given the age and obsolescence of the early models. I wonder what recycling or refurbishment arrangement they have going?
Reply
ubercake

I don't like Apple products myself, but there's something to be said about their customer service if your near one of the Apple stores.

They've actually been doing things like this unofficially for at least six months that I know of. I even know someone whose phone was dropped in a sink full of water. They took the no-longer-functioning phone into the Apple store and was given a new one for the old one+$120 even though it was outside the warranty period.
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eklipz330

meh, they're gonna resell for a huge markup. gamestop just got shitted on, theyve been selling preowned iphones for about a year or so, now nobody is gonna go there
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damianrobertjones

"I don't like Apple products myself, but there's something to be said about their customer service if your near one of the Apple stores." - Not every person has a positive experience of Apple... Be it the stores, support forums or tech. That goes for ALL of the oems.
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house70

YAWN....
Must be a REALLY slow day...
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memadmax

They had me up to the part were you had to sign a new contract >_>
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leon2006

I had an IPHONE 4S a few months after it was released. It is my most reliable smartphone...I had htc, and Samsung phones before. I don't even plan to replace or trade in my phone. Its a perfectly working device at excellent condition.
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eddieroolz

Considering Apple hasn't done something like this in a long time, could it be another sign of worrying data?
Reply
Naer

I don't have am apple product worth that little
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