Motives for Apple’s trade-in program likely include keeping iPhone users loyal to the smartphones as well as the lucrative iTunes shop for digital music, films and books.
Samsung has found global success with smartphones powered by Google’s free Android software, which now dominates the market.Īs the smartphone market in the United States and other Western countries matures, companies may have better luck encouraging upgrades rather than reaching out to first-time buyers, according to Gartner analyst Van Baker. Speculation has centered around whether Apple will shift its strategy of focusing on premium devices priced at the high-end of the market to include a lower-cost handset appealing to people with tight budgets.Ī survey by Gartner said Apple’s share of the smartphone market worldwide fell to 14.2 percent in the second quarter, while Samsung’s rose to 31.7 percent. The Wall Street Journal earlier this month reported that Apple had asked its Taiwan-based supplier, Hon Hai Precision, to begin shipping two new versions of the iPhone in September, including a lower-cost model. consumer electronics shops that buy handsets. She would not specify how much Apple is paying for old iPhones, but they can fetch $300 or so depending on the model at an array of websites or U.S. “iPhones hold great value,” Apple spokeswoman Amy Bessette said in an email to AFP. “So Apple Retail Stores are launching a new program to assist customers who wish to bring in their previous-generation iPhone for reuse or recycling.” 10 event at which Apple will unveil new iPhones, with rumors ranging from a gold handset to a low-price version aimed at emerging markets. The California company’s trade-in program kicked off in the wake of unconfirmed reports of a Sept. iPhone owners trade in their smartphones for credit toward buying new models. SAN FRANCISCO, California – Apple on Friday began letting U.S.