Apple prepping iPhone trade-in scheme – report

iPhone owners wanting to upgrade to a new handset could be about to receive a new money-saving deal from Apple.

9to5 Mac reports that Apple will shortly reveal an iPhone trade-in program that will allow owners to hand over their old handset at the point of purchase and receive a significant discount on alternative models.

Although this has not been confirmed, it is presumed that the offer is being prepared in time for the anticipated launches of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C next month.

The site attributes the plan to Apple CEO Tim Cook’s desire to increase the number of iPhones sold at Apple stores, which currently only claim about 20 per cent of the market.

Many mobile operators already offer their own trade-in schemes that can be used at the point of purchasing a new device.

Apple has allegedly this week implemented a staff-training program to get store workers familiar with the new trade-in process. This is required to be completed by the first week of September.