Oh, you wanted to get an iPhone 6s? Sorry, read the fine print.
Last year, Apple rolled out one of the best things to happen to consumers since the original iPhone launch. It created the iPhone Upgrade Program. The program lets you uncouple your phone purchase from your phone company, which gives you more choices in carrier (and lets you evaluate their service offerings without having to worry about who has the best phone deal). In addition, it automatically gives you AppleCare+ for your device - handy if you’re anything like me and your iPhone has a predilection for taking swan dives in parking lots.
But the best part, for those who never met an iPhone version that they didn’t like, was that you could get a new iPhone every year. But just because Tim Cook is showing off the new iPhone 7 doesn’t mean you get to walk down to your local Apple Store, chuck your old phone at them, and get the new shiny. There are a few hoops you have to jump through.
First, is your phone in good condition? If it’s cracked or chipped in any way, you’re going to have to resign yourself to taking advantage of that $99 AppleCare+ phone replacement when you turn it in. Apple doesn’t want to recycle your 3 a.m. “oops, I suppose the roof of the car wasn’t the best place for me to set my phone down” mistake.
The bar is green because that's where the cash money is.
Second, when did you purchase your phone? If you cooled your jets and didn’t jump on the 6s or 6s Plus when it was first released, you’ll either have to wait a bit or shell out some cash. But as long as you’re within a six-month window, you can upgrade. You’ll just have to pay Apple the difference for any part of the first 12 payments that you still owe.
But what if you don’t remember? Don’t worry, Apple’s got you covered. Grab the iPhone you want to trade in, open Safari, head to the Apple iPhone Upgrade Program home page and scroll to the “Getting the latest iPhone has never been easier” section.
Then you’ll just need to enter your phone’s serial number and the last four of the IMEI code (found in Settings > General > About) and Apple will look up your device to check to see if it’s in that six month window. It will even let you know when you started your Upgrade Plan so that you can figure out if you’ll owe any extra at activation.
If you’re eligible, scribble down your iPhone’s digits, head back to the site at 12:01 PST on the 9th, and make an Apple Store reservation. Oh, and if you're thinking about getting an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus on the Upgrade Plan? You're out of luck. Now that pre-orders for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have been announced, those are the only phones eligible for the plan.
