Apple expected to being iPhone trade-in program soon


9 to 5 Mac:

While formal training will begin this week, Apple has been conducting limited pilot testing for the program in recent months. According to one person with knowledge of the piloting, a couple of Apple Stores in the Dallas, Texas area have internally tested procedures for the trade-in program. In addition to this week's training, deliveries of empty shipping boxes have arrived at Apple Stores. These boxes will be used for Apple Stores to ship traded-in handsets. It is plausible that these devices will be refurbished and re-sold in emerging markets.
Mark Gurman also reports that the program may get rolling next month, which may be in time for the iPhone launch. That would seem to be an ideal time to start as certainly a lot of iPhone users will be looking to upgrade.

Just the number and variety of iPhone trade in programs suggest both popularity among consumers and profits from retailers. Consumers can turn existing phones into cash, which can go a long ways towards upfront handset cost and even ETF fees. As noted, not only could Apple turn these old devices into profits but make for a good vehicle for emerging markets that are far more sensitive to price.