With the iPhone Upgrade Program, users of older models of the famous smartphone line will be able to upgrade to the latest models without signing to a carrier contract. The new program will allow owners of older iPhone models to sign-up to Apple instead of a third-part company. The program calls for users to pay for a monthly fee as stated at the recent event in San Francisco. This will be the first time that the technological giant will offer a program for upgrading their devices.
Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program Gives Users of Older Models Easier Access to Newer Smartphones From the Company
Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, stated in the recent event that people usually go to carriers every year for a new iPhone. For a monthly fee for 24-months, Apple is able to give its customers an upgrade to their older iPhone models. With the iPhone Upgrade Program, customers are able to acquire a new iPhone each year and it will also be an unlocked phone. Meaning, a user will be able to insert a SIM card from different carriers into the smartphone without any hiccups.
The new Apple Upgrade Program has been created as wireless operators are slowly backing away from the conventional 2-year contracts. As of late, many carriers require customers to purchase devices at full price. This may not bode well for all types of markets, and thus this program from Apple was born.
Premium phones, like the iPhone, usually come with quite the price tag. Such a cost can set people’s budgets back for some time.
T-Mobile started the trend more than two years ago by doing away with letting their customers pay on a monthly basis for premium smartphones. They then instead to opt for a full, direct payment to acquire newer phone models. Many mobile carriers would then follow suit, which also included Verizon which recently announced the end of their own 2-year contract for their customers. Sprint and AT&T still offers the option for customers to opt for a 2-year contract, but they also have alternatives for device leasing and financing.
Apple stated that they will still offer the traditional 2-year contracts for their customers that want to avail of such an option instead of them opting for the iPhone Upgrade Program. Customers can still avail of a new iPhone each year even though the upgrade program calls for a 24-month installment plan.