The Apple Logo Is Pictured Inside The Newly Opened Omotesando Apple Store At A Shopping District In Tokyo
Check out the cool and useful features of the new Apple iOS 9. Pictured above: The Apple logo is pictured inside the newly opened Omotesando Apple store at a shopping district in Tokyo June 26, 2014. Reuters/Yuya Shino

Apple is apparently gearing up to launch a new trade-in program to promote the iPhone sales via its official stores. And this time around, the new initiative reportedly targets non-Apple devices as well.

Based on the 9To5Mac report, Apple will be introducing a new “recycle trade-in program.” And thereby, the tech giant will apparently accept non-Apple smartphones like Android and BlackBerry devices in exchange for gift cards, which in turn can be used to purchase new iPhones. It is worth reminding that, Apple already has a similar process in place where the company buys back iPhones from owners at a rate determined by Apple store employees, by carefully evaluating the cosmetic and functional condition of the handsets.

Meanwhile, the new program will reportedly be put to work in the upcoming weeks, after the retail store employees complete a massive training program slated for this week. Adding a cherry on top, Apple store employees will also help in transferring address book contacts from the non-Apple devices to the iPhones. In any case, other forms of data like photos, music will not be transferred by Apple, notes 9To5Mac.

In hindsight, Apple apparently introduced the “iPhone reuse and recycle trade-in program” in mid-2013 in order to make the older iPhone user to switch to the iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C. Having tasted success with this initiative in the U.S., Apple has expanded this program to many countries like Canada, Europe and Australia. The same site also points out that, the result of this Apple iPhone trade-in program has been tremendous in boosting the iPhone sales and thereby, resulting in record-breaking quarter results for the tech giant.

Meanwhile, readers should note that, even though the Apple iPhone trade-in program has reportedly been very effective, the iPhone pricing has not been on par with other competitors in the smartphone trade-in arena. For instance, the Amazon trade-in program apparently offers instant online quotes. And adding a cherry on top, the company also provides free shipping label for trade-ins. In any case, 9To5Mac says, the Apple iPhone trade-in program prices will eventually be adjusted. However, readers should note that, Apple has not confirmed the new recycle trade-in program yet.

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