Report: Apple Launching iPhone Trade-In Program

Tired of friends laughing at your bulky iPhone 3GS? Soon, you might be able to head to your nearest Apple Store, and trade it in for the newest model.

Citing people with knowledge of the plans, Bloomberg reported that Cupertino is starting an iPhone trade-in program this month, in an effort to boost iPhone 5 adoption. Owners can bring their older iPhone to Apple Stores and get cash on the spot, depending on how much their device is worth.

The exchange program will be managed in partnership with mobile phone distributor Brightstar, which also handles trade-ins for AT&T and T-Mobile, as well as other carriers, Bloomberg said.

In Oct. 2011, Apple started offering up to $200 for old iPhones via its Reuse and Recycle program. That program, however, is Web-based and requires owners to mail in their gadgets and then wait for a check to arrive. With the in-store trade-in program, Bloomberg said, iPhone owners can get cash for their old device immediately.

Apple has provided a recycling discount on certain products since 2006; more recently, it offered gift cards for older iPads.

Apple has not released a new iPhone since fall 2012, and Tim Cook said recently that we probably won't see too many new gadgets until this fall and into 2014. But as competition with rival Samsung heats up, Apple is trying new tactics to increase growth, including turning to the refurbished iPhone market.

Neither Apple nor Brightstar immediately responded to PCMag's request for comment.

Bloomberg said that used iPhones collected by Apple will be resold in emerging markets. More details might be revealed during next week's Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco.

The news comes amidst rumors that Cupertino is boosting its AppleCare warranty packages and opening its retail stores to same-day iPhone 5 screen replacements for $149.

For more, see PCMag's review of the Apple iPhone 5 and the slideshow above.