Apple Pushing iPhone Upgrades During Holiday Shopping Season

Friday December 11, 2015 6:58 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple this week has encouraged customers to trade in and upgrade to a new iPhone through its website, email and an App Store banner advertisement.

Apple's new section on its iPhone website reminds customers about trading in their current smartphone at the Apple Store or online through partner Brightstar for up to $320 instant credit. Apple accepts the iPhone 4 or later for trade in.

Apple's website, left, and email, right, promoting iPhone upgrades this week

Apple's mass email to U.S. customers promotes the iPhone Upgrade Program and shares details about how the financing program works. The email also provides similar details about trading in a smartphone for up to $320 instant credit.

Apple has also made the controversial decision to advertise the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus to older iPhone users directly in the App Store, with a pop-up banner advertisement that can be dismissed by tapping on "skip" in the top-right corner.

App Store banner advertising the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus

iPhones are one of the hottest gifts during the holiday shopping season, so it is unsurprising that Apple is pushing its latest smartphones at this time of the year alongside free shipping, extended returns and complimentary gift wrapping. Undoubtedly, though, the move will also stir discussion about iPhone sales.

Apple sold 48 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, up from 39.2 million in the year-ago quarter. iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus sales topped a record 13 million during their launch weekend, but KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently predicted the iPhone 6s may not outsell the iPhone 6.

Tag: iPhone Upgrade Program

Top Rated Comments

Crosscreek

70 months ago

Phones are at the point like PCs where the upgrade is not needed that often anymore.

Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)

adbe

70 months ago

Hey Apple, I don't spend $600 on your hardware just so that you can use it as a billboard for spending another $600. If I wanted to see commercials, your competitors offer devices at much cheaper prices.

Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

69Mustang

70 months ago

I don't give a crap who you are, if you hit me with unsolicited pop-up banners...:mad:
Pretty sh!@#$&, imo

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

69Mustang

70 months ago

Isn't that what a company that sells phones supposed to do around the holiday season?

According to Apple, we are not the product. This is exactly why people rail against Google. Targeted advertising.

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Rogifan

70 months ago

Just had that popup ad myself when I opened the App Store app. Seemed very... odd. Could just be a coincidence, but it's not exactly helping quell the rumour about slumping iPhone sales to see a sudden change of sales tactic like this.

Someone needs to release a content blocker for the App Store. :D

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ch02ce

70 months ago

I too got this opening the app store, on my brand new 5S. Found it a bit tasteless. In fact, and this might take the discussion wildly off track, but it got me thinking on my way to work that the Cook years will likely be remembered for their focus on maximizing shareholder value.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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