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iPhone Upgrade Program Customers Able to Trade In Old Devices by Mail for iPhone X Launch

Monday September 11, 2017 3:27 pm PDT by Juli Clover
When customers who are members of the iPhone Upgrade Program go to trade in their devices this fall, they will likely be able to use a Trade-in Kit that's delivered by mail rather than being forced to visit an Apple Store to purchase a new device and trade in the old one.

Mail-in Trade-in Kits, highlighted this afternoon on the MacRumors forums, have been available as part of the iPhone Upgrade Program at least since July, and perhaps even earlier, but they were not an option during the iPhone 7 launch.


Based on wording on the iPhone Upgrade Program website, once a customer's new iPhone ships, Apple will send a Trade-in Kit with a prepaid shipping label to allow customers to send their current device back to Apple.

Last year, many iPhone Upgrade Program users were forced to reserve a new iPhone from a local Apple retail store due to in-store trade-in requirements, which left them with limited stock to choose from. Many customers were unhappy, perhaps prompting Apple to offer a mail-in exchange option.

With the new trade-in by mail option, iPhone Upgrade Program users may not be restricted to in-store stock this year, preventing many of the problems that surfaced last year.

Unfortunately, T-Mobile customers who are members of the iPhone Upgrade Program will still need to visit an Apple Store and will not be able to upgrade online.

Related Roundups: iPhone 8, iPhone X
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 8 (Caution), iPhone X (Neutral)
[ 195 comments ]


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GTDaveMac
10 months ago
I was probably not the only one, but I wrote an email to Apple expressing my displeasure and suggested a program similar to the Express Repair option. I actually got a call back from senior executive assistant and I am happy to see this program going in place!
Rating: 14 Votes
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anson42
10 months ago
As I am participating in the upgrade program, I hope the trade-in kit is indeed how I can conduct the iPhone X transaction!
Rating: 8 Votes
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budselectjr
10 months ago
I was very excited until I saw the last paragraph. Oh well. Happy to see Apple is improving the program none the less.
Rating: 5 Votes
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Michaelgtrusa
10 months ago
Having it sent to you is the best option unless you crave human interaction.
Rating: 4 Votes
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techdude13
10 months ago

I don't get why the carrier has to be involved at all on a unlocked phone.

It cuts down on scalpers and black market resellers getting all the launch day phones and screwing the rest of the customers.

By forcing service with a phone, even unlocked, it tracks the sale and deters people from buying phones outright to resell. Best Buy has the same policy.
Rating: 4 Votes
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budselectjr
10 months ago
I find a third credit check in three years ridiculous so I will most likely stop doing it anyways. If all payments are received on time prior to the upgrade this should really be waived for returning customers.
Rating: 4 Votes
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iapplelove
10 months ago
I'm just keeping my 6 plus as a spare, it's old and the screen is cracked.

Plan on ordering an iPhone X full amount out of pocket
Rating: 4 Votes
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verniesgarden
10 months ago
As great as T-Mobile is, upgrading is a pain in the ass.
Rating: 3 Votes
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jomo25
10 months ago

I hope T-Mobile customers will be able to reserve phones like Apple had everyone do last year. I don't mind having to complete the process in an Apple store, but not being able to pre-order/reserve a new iPhone is going to suck.

Or why can’t they do a ship to store? Instead of shipping the phone to you (like they will for Vzn, ATT, and Sprint customers), ship it to a store near you and you complete the iUP process there. So T-Mobile upgrades aren’t limited to store stock, and they save the money of a “return kit” shipment and return. Problem solved.
Rating: 3 Votes
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dancefreak
10 months ago

Having it sent to you is the best option unless you crave human interaction.

Unless your carrier is T-Mobile.
Rating: 3 Votes

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