Apple Allowing iPhone Upgrade Program Customers to Get a 'Head Start' on iPhone X Upgrade

by

Starting on Monday, October 23, iPhone Upgrade Program customers will be able to get a "head start" on the iPhone X pre-order process by getting pre-approved for an iPhone Upgrade Program loan.

Apple started notifying customers about the option this morning through its website and via a notice in the Apple Store app.

iphoneupgradeprogramheadstart
Customers will need to download the Apple Store app and choose their preferred iPhone X model to get pre-approved for a loan ahead of the launch of iPhone X pre-orders. Apple says this process, which was also offered for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, will let customers "speed through checkout on 10/27."

Once approved for a loan on a device, customers can use the Apple Store app when iPhone X pre-orders kick off to complete the purchase, making the pre-order process faster for iPhone Upgrade customers as no approval will need to be completed at the time orders are placed.

Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program is designed to allow customers to upgrade to a new iPhone after at least 12 payments have been made towards an existing iPhone. The Upgrade Program, which includes AppleCare+, requires customers to trade-in their current phones to get a new phone. Customers can choose to make payments for 24 months and keep their devices, however.

iPhone Upgrade Program members are able to use a Trade-in Kit this year to return their existing devices to Apple, alleviating the need to visit an Apple Store to purchase a new device.

Apple has made marked improvements to the iPhone Upgrade Program since last year. In 2016, new customers were forced to reserve an iPhone from a local Apple retail store due to in-store trade-in requirements, which left upgrade customers with limited stock to choose from.

A smooth and quick pre-order process for iPhone Upgrade customers will be important when it comes to the iPhone X, as rumors have suggested supplies are heavily constrained. It's likely available stock will sell out quickly, so it could be difficult to get an iPhone X for the remainder of the year.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple Creator Studio

Apple Introduces New 'Creator Studio' Bundle of Apps for $129 Per Year

Tuesday January 13, 2026 6:11 am PST by
Apple today introduced a new Apple Creator Studio bundle that offers access to six creative apps, as well as exclusive AI features and content, as part of a single subscription. In the U.S., pricing is set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Here are the six apps included with an Apple Creator Studio subscription:Final Cut Pro on the Mac and iPad Logic Pro on the Mac and iPad Pixelmator...
Read Full Article • 407 comments
Verizon New

Verizon is Down: iPhones Show 'SOS' Mode Due to Network Outage [Resolved]

Wednesday January 14, 2026 10:18 am PST by
Verizon is experiencing a major outage across the U.S. today, with hundreds of thousands of customers reporting issues with the network on the website Downdetector. There are also complaints across Reddit and other social media platforms. iPhone users and others with Verizon service are generally unable to make phone calls, send text messages, or use data over 5G or LTE due to the outage....
Read Full Article • 142 comments
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...
Read Full Article • 58 comments
iOS 26

Here's What's New in iOS 26.3 So Far

Monday January 12, 2026 1:15 pm PST by
Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 26.3, nearly a month after the first beta. So far, the update includes a couple of new features for iPhones. iOS 15.3 through iOS 18.3 were all released in late January over the years, so it is thereby likely that iOS 26.3 will be released towards the end of this month as well. The update is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. Below,...
Read Full Article • 47 comments
airpods pro 3 design

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 3 Firmware Update

Tuesday January 13, 2026 11:29 am PST by
Apple today released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 3. The latest firmware has a version number of 8B34, up from the previous version 8B30. Apple has a support document for AirPods firmware updates, and it indicates that the 8B34 update contains unspecified "bug fixes and other improvements." No other AirPods models received firmware updates today. How to install AirPods Pro...
Read Full Article • 55 comments

Top Rated Comments

KrisLord Avatar
KrisLord
108 months ago
If you need a loan to get a phone, maybe you shouldn't be getting it in the first place. I know I sound like an elitist or something, but still....
It’s a 0% finance, so even if you can afford to buy immediately, you’d be better off getting the finance and putting the $1000 in an interest earning bank account.
Score: 82 Votes (Like | Disagree)
filmantopia Avatar
filmantopia
108 months ago
If you need a loan to get a phone, maybe you shouldn't be getting it in the first place. I know I sound like an elitist or something, but still....
It's not about that for me. It's about upgrading every year without having to worry about selling the previous device.
I intended to use the upgrade program for many years to come-- so I'm effectively paying only half the price for every phone before the very last one I use while on the program.
Score: 58 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mmm1345 Avatar
mmm1345
108 months ago
If you need a loan to get a phone, maybe you shouldn't be getting it in the first place. I know I sound like an elitist or something, but still....
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mms13 Avatar
mms13
108 months ago
If you need a loan to get a phone, maybe you shouldn't be getting it in the first place. I know I sound like an elitist or something, but still....
Yeahhhh...you're missing the point. It's not about the loan, it's about having the newest phone every year. Apple, along with all the carriers, are encouraging customers to sign up for these programs.

But even if you wanna use the "if you need a loan you shouldn't be getting the phone" argument...zero interest loans are smarter for you financially than a lump sum up front...
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stulaw11 Avatar
stulaw11
108 months ago
I've seen this posted by various tech sites and it is HIGHLY misleading. They are not "giving iphone upgrade members a head start/advantage". Not that MR worded it that way but I've seen it worded INCREDIBLY deceptively and misleading.

The IUP requires a credit check unlike carrier installments since the carrier already has your financial info; there is no additional credit check. This is giving the IUP people a chance to get the eligibility and credit check done early others dont have; then on equal footing hitting checkout and paying tax etc at 12:01.

There is no special treatment for IUP people. Some tech sites have dangerously implied IUP people are getting an advantage with this causing a frenzy.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The Game 161 Avatar
The Game 161
108 months ago
If you need a loan to get a phone, maybe you shouldn't be getting it in the first place. I know I sound like an elitist or something, but still....
Or maybe people would rather not pay over a grand upfront and want to upgrade their phone every year.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments