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Apple is rumoured to be launching an iPhone trade-in scheme next month, which will allow users to upgrade to a new handset for less.
9to5Mac.com reports that Apple hopes such an initiative will get more of its customers walking into Apple Stores, and thus made aware of its other products such as Macs and iPads.
Apple is said to begin training the majority of its retail staff with details of the iPhone trade-in scheme this week in time for the first week of September.
A couple of Apple Stores in Texas, US, have already internally tested procedures for the new programme, according to the report. Plus, the stores have apparently received empty shipping boxes, which will be used to ship the customers’ second-hand iPhones to be refurbished and resold in emerging markets.
The iPhone trade-in programme was apparently going to launch during the last week of July, but was pushed back for unknown reasons.
Several retailers and vendors already run similar iPhone trade-in schemes, such as Carphone Warehouse, O2, AT&T and of course CeX.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the company’s most recent earnings call that he would not be "opposed” to launching Apple’s own iPhone trade-in scheme.
“I see channels doing it, and I like the environmental aspect of it, and so that part of it really is encouraging to me,” he commented.
