Aside from the new release of iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, Apple also introduced the new Upgrade Program for iPhone users which offers customers a chance to upgrade their old iPhones to the latest model after 12 months, CNET reported.
Upon purchasing an iPhone, users can sign up for the iPhone Upgrade Program that entails a monthly fee for 24 months. An upgrade can be done after 12 months while the remaining 12 months could be settled by trading in their existing phone.
The new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus phones were sold as part of the Upgrade Program. The phones are Unlocked which means users aren't committed to a contract and could change carrier and switch SIM cards when desired. The advantage of having Unlocked iPhones is mainly flexibility and greater choice.
To qualify for the program, one needs to complete the status check, and have a valid U.S. personal credit card and needs to activate the phone with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon, Digital Trends reported.
Prices for the Upgrade Program starts at $32.41 a month for a 16GB iPhone 6S and $44.91 for a 128GB iPhone 6S Plus, which is an additional fee to the users monthly bill for their carrier. Part of the program is a subscription to Apple Care+, Apple’s insurance and extended warranty program worth $129. AppleCare+ covers for up to two incidents of accidental damage with a service fee of $99 for the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
Aside from Apple retail stores, four major carriers AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon also offer early upgrade programs but don't include insurance or an extended warranty.
Customers who decide not to upgrade will still need to pay off the 24 months in full and own the device.
Apple’s Upgrade Program is perfect for people who want to upgrade to the latest iPhone every year and don’t want to wait. With this, you can keep your device and would not need to spend extra money on the Apple Care+ service.
Said program is currently available in the U.S. and users can sign up only at Apple retail stores and not on Apple's website.
