Apple Offering Pre-Approvals to iPhone Upgrade Program Customers Ahead of iPhone 8

Wednesday September 13, 2017 7:43 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

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.

iphone upgrade program iphone 8
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.

(Thanks, Timothy!)

Tag: iPhone Upgrade Program

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Top Rated Comments

Bryan Bowler

118 months ago

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.

Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)

78Bandit

118 months ago

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.

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

GREEN4U

118 months ago

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.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

TheShadowKnows!

118 months ago

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.

Did I get this right?

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

b3ats

118 months ago

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!

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Return Zero

118 months ago

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.

Did they discount your monthly plan after you didn't take advantage of another subsidized phone purchase? If not, you have been effectively overpaying for your service and would have been better off upgrading and selling the old devices.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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Apple Offering Pre-Approvals to iPhone Upgrade Program Customers Ahead of iPhone 8

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