While some are pointing fingers at Samsung’s success, perhaps Apple is just tired of companies like Gazelle from making all that money from the secondary iPhone sales market. Whatever the case, the electronics behemoth is preparing to introduce its own iPhone trade-in program; although, Apple has not officially announced the program’s existence. Reports speculate the program is being introduced to spur consumer adoption of the iPhone 5.
To facilitate the trade-in program, Apple is apparently partnering with Brightstar, a company that already manages the same program for providers AT&T and T-Mobile. It should also be noted that AT&T already offers an iPhones-for-cash program, and the other major service providers offer some kind of technology recycling/exchange program.
Apple’s will operate independently of these, and will, instead, be available at an Apple Store near you:
The new trade-in program with BrightStar will only be available at Apple’s retail outlets, letting consumers receive payments instantly and avoid the hassle of shipping their older gadgets, the [sources] said.
These used devices will be passed onto “developing markets” where Apple’s reach doesn’t match the influence it has on United States consumers. While awaiting the announcement of the program, something Apple representatives declined to comment on (which means it’s coming soon), the question becomes, will such a step boost interest in the iPhone 5, or is it too little, too late?
When you consider the strong showing from Samsung’s Galaxy lineup, this is, perhaps, a step in the right direction. The fact that these programs already exist, however, courtesy of the service providers that connect these otherwise bricks to the outside world, and yet, the iPhone 5 still hasn’t succeeded as expected, the “too little, too late” position looms large.