Apple adds mail-in option for iPhone Upgrade Program customers ahead of iPhone X

AppleInsider

Ahead of the expected launch of Apple's hotly anticipated iPhone X, the company recently updated its iPhone Upgrade Program to include a new trade-in feature that allows customers to mail their old handset instead of visiting an Apple store.

Apple is now advertising the new option on its iPhone Upgrade Program webpage, saying customers taking advantage of the service no longer have to make the trek down to an Apple retail location to turn in their old iPhone.

The new option was first spotted by a MacRumors forum member on Monday.

As noted on Apple's page, customers can expect their trade-in kit to arrive in the mail after their new phone ships. The kit includes a box and prepaid shipping label, which customers use to send the old unit back to Apple for processing.

Previously, members of the program in the market for a new phone were required to schedule a trade-in appointment with an Apple store specialist. The process led to issues last year, when customers were impacted by constrained iPhone 7 supply. Some Apple stores set aside handsets for iPhone Upgrade Program customers, but most were limited to stock on hand, meaning many members missed out on a launch day unit.

The new mail-in system could bypass that hurdle, but incoming handsets are still expected to power on, be free of cracks and have an intact and working display.

Apple introduced the iPhone Upgrade Program alongside iPhone 6s in 2015 as a means to promote annual handset upgrades. The service has been popular with customers, with early analyst estimates suggesting customers used the program to purchase some 250,000 units during its first quarter of availability.

Apple could see record upgrades this year with the introduction of a newly designed iPhone X device, which is expected to boast a full-face OLED screen, facial recognition technology, wireless charging and more. The flagship will be joined by two iPhone 8 series handsets that include incremental upgrades over last year's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

rob53

I bought four iPhone 6s using the upgrade program and I paid my last installment this month. I already have someone who's willing to pay the going rate for my current iPhone so I can go ahead and buy a new iPhone, probably using the Upgrade Program again. There's no reason to send mine in when I've already paid for it. One thing I don't like is that Gazelle is only willing to pay $220 or so while charging in the mid $400's for the same model. My buyer is willing to pay just about anything so he doesn't have to buy a brand new phone to get rid of his old iPhone 5.

viclauyyc

So what will people use by the mean time?

if I send the iPhone in right after the announcement, and I want iPhone X. I might end up without a cellphone for 2-3 months, if I am lucky.

that is a little tricky situation.

ihatescreennames

viclauyyc said:

So what will people use by the mean time?

if I send the iPhone in right after the announcement, and I want iPhone X. I might end up without a cellphone for 2-3 months, if I am lucky.

that is a little tricky situation.

The article is slightly confusing but I think it says the return kit is sent after the new iPhone ships. So you would mail the old phone back after your new phone was in-hand and working. 

StrangeDays

viclauyyc said:

So what will people use by the mean time?

if I send the iPhone in right after the announcement, and I want iPhone X. I might end up without a cellphone for 2-3 months, if I am lucky.

that is a little tricky situation.

“As noted on Apple's page, customers can expect their trade-in kit to arrive in the mail after their new phone to ships.”

typo aside, you get the return kit after your new phone ships, so no outage.

GeorgeBMac

rob53 said:

I bought four iPhone 6s using the upgrade program and I paid my last installment this month. I already have someone who's willing to pay the going rate for my current iPhone so I can go ahead and buy a new iPhone, probably using the Upgrade Program again. There's no reason to send mine in when I've already paid for it. One thing I don't like is that Gazelle is only willing to pay $220 or so while charging in the mid $400's for the same model. My buyer is willing to pay just about anything so he doesn't have to buy a brand new phone to get rid of his old iPhone 5.

Isn't that a bit like saying you don't need to turn in the car that you leased because you have "already paid for it"?

StrangeDays

GeorgeBMac said:

rob53 said:

I bought four iPhone 6s using the upgrade program and I paid my last installment this month. I already have someone who's willing to pay the going rate for my current iPhone so I can go ahead and buy a new iPhone, probably using the Upgrade Program again. There's no reason to send mine in when I've already paid for it. One thing I don't like is that Gazelle is only willing to pay $220 or so while charging in the mid $400's for the same model. My buyer is willing to pay just about anything so he doesn't have to buy a brand new phone to get rid of his old iPhone 5.

Isn't that a bit like saying you don't need to turn in the car that you leased because you have "already paid for it"?

No, because the iphone programs aren’t leasing arrangements, they’re just monthly financing programs. 

DrBop

GeorgeBMac said:

rob53 said:

I bought four iPhone 6s using the upgrade program and I paid my last installment this month. I already have someone who's willing to pay the going rate for my current iPhone so I can go ahead and buy a new iPhone, probably using the Upgrade Program again. There's no reason to send mine in when I've already paid for it. One thing I don't like is that Gazelle is only willing to pay $220 or so while charging in the mid $400's for the same model. My buyer is willing to pay just about anything so he doesn't have to buy a brand new phone to get rid of his old iPhone 5.

Isn't that a bit like saying you don't need to turn in the car that you leased because you have "already paid for it"?

Apple's legal explanation for the upgrade program describes the phone acquisition as a "purchase." So does the confirmation from Citizens One bank that I received. You own the phone; you are not leasing it. Honestly, I was confused about this when I took advantage of the program in October of 2015 shortly after it was introduced.

I did not trade-in \ upgrade to the iPhone 7 when I could because of that headphone dongle! Now I'm glad I held on to my 6S+. I will have some residual value and do with it as I please, when I please. (And save on my Verizon bill all the while, having de-coupled phone and service.)