In anticipation for its Sept. 10 unveiling of the new iPhone 5S, Apple has reportedly been working on a trade-in program that would allow people to bring in their old devices and receive credit for them based on what Apple's employees appraised the price to be at. Now the company has announced that it is launching this service on Friday in the United States.
Customers who bring in an iPhone will be able to receive credit that they can then put toward the purchase of a new iPhone 5S or iPhone C when and if they launch on Sept. 10 as expected. According to Amy Bessette, a spokesperson for Apple told USA Today.
This lends a lot of credence to the rumor that the iPhone will in fact be released in the next week or so. Apple has a history of keeping things like release dates and new potential new products under wraps. However, between iOS 7 in its last phases of beta testing, the iPhone C plastic backing being leaked all over the Internet left and right and now the iPhone trade-in program, it would seem the Sept. 10 release date might just be correct.
Users can take their phone to any Apple Store and talk to an employee. Their phone will be appraised for value and users can expect anywhere from $150-$350 assuming the device is not in poor condition. Lower-grade models will fetch a price closer to $150 and well-intact iPhone 5 models will probably see a $350 buyback price.
Some have pointed out that this isn't exactly the price differential that they were hoping for. Especially since there is no new device to immediately put the money towards. Users will have to be without their smartphone for another week or more before they can take advantage of the store credit they receive.
