According to a report over at Bloomberg, Apple is to begin an iPhone trade-in program with a little help from wireless distribution specialist Brightstar. The report cites the all-too familiar sources "with knowledge of the plans" in suggesting Apple is planning such a move, but if true, would certainly help to drive up adoption rates of the iPhone 5 as it continues to edge towards the end of its tenure as the Cupertino company’s flagship device.
The Apple iPhone is one of the most expensive smartphones on the market, and naturally, the latest and greatest iPhone 5 is the priciest of all the iPhones still retailing. But while many will consider holding off the purchase of an iPhone 5 what with it being around eight months old and all, the fruit company appears to have other ideas, and with Brightstar on board to help run this exchange program, Apple will be looking to get as many iPhone 5s in hands before the next-gen arrives later on this year.
The iPhone, like most flagship releases, has a shelf live that seldom exceeds the twelve month mark, and with WWDC just around the corner now, consumers know that getting an iPhone 5 at this point could see it trumped in a matter of a few months. But by incentivizing the process of trade-ins by bringing a more instantaneous system in-store, perhaps Apple is hoping that folk will decide to nip down to their local Apple Retail Store and grab a shiny new device.
Apple has, of course, made no suggestion or indication to suggest any of the above is true, but with WWDC beginning next Monday, we certainly won’t have to wait very long to find out if there is any weight to this report.
With the online shipping processes for trade-ins online taking days, sometimes weeks, I’d say this is a very good move on Apple’s part, and despite the fact that most of us prefer to do our shopping online with a few clicks nowadays, sometimes it is just less hassle to go into a store and speak with humans.
What do you think, will in-store trade ins really help ramp up demand for a device edging close to its sell-by? Do share your thoughts with us via the usual mediums below!
(Source: Bloomberg)
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