Apple has emailed customers enrolled in its iPhone Upgrade Program with instructions on how to get a head start on the iPhone 8 pre-order process.
Apple advises customers to open the Apple Store app on their current iPhone, choose their preferred iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus model, and get pre-approved for an iPhone Upgrade Program loan. The window to get pre-approved ends tomorrow, Thursday, September 14, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Pre-approved customers can then return to the Apple Store app when iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus pre-orders begin on Friday, September 15 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time to complete the process.
This year, it appears that iPhone Upgrade Program members will be able to use a Trade-in Kit with a prepaid shipping label to return their old iPhone to Apple, rather than being forced to visit an Apple Store to complete the upgrade process. The mail-in option should make this year's launch a less frustrating experience.
While the iPhone X is Apple's new flagship smartphone, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus shipping estimates could become lengthy soon after pre-orders begin, so getting pre-approved is highly recommended.
Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program lets customers upgrade to a new iPhone after they have made at least 12 payments towards their current iPhone and trade it in upon upgrading. The full cost of the iPhone and included AppleCare+ coverage is spread out over 24 months with zero percent interest.
Here's the monthly cost breakdown for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X in the United States. The program is also available in the UK.
At this time, the pre-approval process doesn't appear to apply to the iPhone X, which can't be ordered until Friday, October 27.
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Even though I love tech, at the price these devices now cost, I’ve now decided to just upgrade every 2-3 years. I have the money, but just can’t justify the cost.
If your credit score is so marginal that a credit check is going to be the tipping point that makes you pay a higher interest rate or be denied a loan then you probably don't need to be financing a phone. Buy something decent for $250 outright that will last a couple of years and put the extra money toward paying down the other balances that would be ultimately causing your credit problems.
Ridiculous pricing. I long miss the days of subsidized iPhones. I'm still using my iPhone 5 which I paid $200 for. It has a cracked screen now and not the best battery, but in retrospect, it was the steal of a lifetime.
What gets me is that in the UK, the 64GB iPhone X is £56.45 compared to $49.91 in the USA. I've said it before and I'll say it again - Apple are definitely ripping Brits off!
I cannot fathom why do people fall into Apple's creative-financing rabbit hole.
Maybe I do not understand.
But this is what I have distilled (maybe possibly wrong):
1. The device is financed across 24 monthly payments without interest as a hard loan. 2. The loan is loaded with AppleCare+ and taxes, even though AppleCare+ is neither discounted (B&H) nor fully executed (see No. 5 below). 3. After twelve months (50% of loan) one can opt-in for a new hard loan. 4. But that requires turning-in as trade-in the fully-functioning device. 5. However, the market value of this unit is probably closer to 85% of its original cost (with AppleCare+ remaining for 12 months). 6. The AppleCare+ expense, which still has 12 months before expiration, gets washed-out. 7. The new loan will force another hard entry on your credit report, diminishing your credit score. 8. And, most insulting, if you decide to pay-off early the loan, Apple will pay back your used iPhone with an Apple Gift Card, for a fraction of its value. 9. Of course, you are responsible for the outstanding difference in cold cash.
A great deal for Apple and the financing company; lousy to every one else.
I really cant believe the 8 has those bezels heading into 2018. If not doing the X, at a minimum give it something like the old Xperia XA. iPhone bezels are ancient.
