Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
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Apple Pushing iPhone Upgrades During Holiday Shopping Season
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.
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 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.
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.
[ 122 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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49 months ago
Phones are at the point like PCs where the upgrade is not needed that often anymore.
49 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 $600. If I wanted to see commercials, your competitors offer devices at much cheaper prices.
49 months ago
I don't give a crap who you are, if you hit me with unsolicited pop-up banners...:mad:
Pretty sh!@#$&, imo
Pretty sh!@#$&, imo
49 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.
49 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
49 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.
49 months ago
That banner was really un-Apple and tacky. Not its design, it's clean and just the way you'd expect it to look like for what it is, the problem is that this screams adware on an OS-level, which is... Eww...
The bar is lowered further and further.
People mock the "haters" as they refer to them for nitpicking, but it starts with little things and certainly what I (used to?) love in Apple was their focus on detail and trying their utmost in a most honest way to avoid slipping and being shady.
This exceeds slipping greatly and shows their focus.
It's gone. That value is gone and wherever they still act in the old way it looks more like a facade or design decision rather than a core value that's treated like a sacred way of thinking.
I'd much rather they advertised a new phone to me personally through a support contact when I face age-related performance issues (real age-related, not this suspicious stock-OS version + 2 = laggy animations) meaning the transition is natural and needed and not driven purely by "hey, you're running old tech and it's time to pony up the cash again!".
So maybe I'm nitpicking, but that's because with Apple you got used to a very high standard and you - or at least I and apparently many others - bought Apple for this high standard, for their clear "No" to adware, tackiness, negligence and such.
Glassed Silver:mac
The bar is lowered further and further.
People mock the "haters" as they refer to them for nitpicking, but it starts with little things and certainly what I (used to?) love in Apple was their focus on detail and trying their utmost in a most honest way to avoid slipping and being shady.
This exceeds slipping greatly and shows their focus.
It's gone. That value is gone and wherever they still act in the old way it looks more like a facade or design decision rather than a core value that's treated like a sacred way of thinking.
I'd much rather they advertised a new phone to me personally through a support contact when I face age-related performance issues (real age-related, not this suspicious stock-OS version + 2 = laggy animations) meaning the transition is natural and needed and not driven purely by "hey, you're running old tech and it's time to pony up the cash again!".
So maybe I'm nitpicking, but that's because with Apple you got used to a very high standard and you - or at least I and apparently many others - bought Apple for this high standard, for their clear "No" to adware, tackiness, negligence and such.
Glassed Silver:mac
49 months ago
More like: Ridiculously Huge!
I don't want a 4.7" phablet. I want a 4" phone. So I'm sticking with my iPhone 5S until Apple release a 4" iPhone with modern features like 3D Touch and support for Apple Pay. If it costs the same price as Apple's phablets, fine. I already have an iPad for when I want a two-handed device.
I don't want a 4.7" phablet. I want a 4" phone. So I'm sticking with my iPhone 5S until Apple release a 4" iPhone with modern features like 3D Touch and support for Apple Pay. If it costs the same price as Apple's phablets, fine. I already have an iPad for when I want a two-handed device.
49 months ago
Apple: If you care about the continued strength of your brand and its premium status, you may want to rethink your use of pop-up advertising.
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