Apple shaking up carrier promos for iPhone, will allow damaged devices and other exceptions
Sales for Apple devices, including the iPhone 16, have been sluggish due to a myriad of factors currently in play. To counter that, the company is going to announce some major changes to how it handles carrier promotions and deals at its retail stores from June 26.Apple insider Mark Gurman — in the latest edition of his newsletter Power On — reports that the company is relaxing its stance on carrier promos to help boost sales. He expects that this change will net Apple almost double the number of promotions at its stores.Apple's retail stores have usually only allowed carrier deals where a customer would have to turn in an old device in good condition. If the company deemed it too damaged, the promotion would be off the table. In addition, deals without required trade-ins, as well as deals for turning in damaged devices, were not accepted.
Gurman claims that Apple is even going to allow devices with an appraised value of zero Dollars from June 26. Carrier promotions that don't require any devices to be traded in will also be honored from now on.
Turning in your iPhone 16 for the iPhone 17 will net you some credit, though. | Video credit — Apple
This is, in my eyes, yet another way that Apple is being forced to diversify and stop clinging to its old ways. The 'walled garden' ecosystem has already come crashing down in regions like the E.U. because of laws like the DMA ( Digital Markets Act ). Apple users in the E.U. can sideload apps, change default app choices, and use third-party NFC payments, amongst other new features.
Having to allow more carrier promotions and deals to boost sales was inevitable, perhaps, given the state of the industry. Apple is already considering raising the prices of the upcoming iPhone 17 series to combat the uncertainty of tariff rates. While U.S. carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon have always offered these promotions at their stores, it'd be nice to have Apple accept them at its own stores as well.
Phone manufacturers may also have to get used to American consumers upgrading less often, and opting for older phones instead, due to the current economic situation. But perhaps these companies had already prepared for this in advance, considering that they now offer five or more years of software support for their newest phones.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Phone Arena
12 hours ago
- Phone Arena
Apple will reportedly use this tool inside the iPhone 17 Pro models to beat the heat
If you believe that where there's smoke there's fire, it probably means a lot that at the start of this year, we told you about another report stating that Apple would be adding a vapor chamber to keep the internals of the iPhone 17 series nice and cool thus preventing the A19 and A19 Pro application processors (APs) from causing the phones to overheat. Tipster Majin Bu has yet another vapor chamber rumor to tell us about and we will get to that in a second. First, you should know that currently, Apple uses Graphene sheets to draw heat away from the A18/A18 Pro chipsets on the iPhone 16 series and move it toward cooler parts of the phone. Apple also replaced the foil covering the batteries powering the iPhone 15 line with a metal covering for the cells used to power the iPhone 16 series. This is another way to draw heat away from the battery and spread it out through the inside of the phone. Apple also tends to rely on the metal and glass body of the phone itself to cool it down internally. A thermal plate using a copper surface could be used to distribute heat inside the iPhone 17 line. | Image credit-Majin Bu The latest rumor, again, this one from tipster Majin Bu, claims that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will each use a vapor chamber which is a small sealed metallic plate or chamber with a small amount of liquid inside it. When the device heats up, the liquid in the chamber evaporates. The vapor moves across the device returning to a liquid state when it is cooler inside the phone. This constant cycle allows temperatures to drop quickly allowing the device to cool down without having to resort to throttling the performance of the chipsets. Majin Bu, who has a mixed record when it comes to accuracy, says that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max both face a higher degree of thermal issues. That's because the two models feature a more advanced and powerful application processor and display features. The non Pro models, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air, will use traditional methods to dissipate the heat. If the vapor chamber does its job, users should notice the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max remaining cool to the touch even during extended use. For example, a long video game playing session would typically heat up an iPhone. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area.
GSM Arena
20 hours ago
- GSM Arena
Trump launches carrier and T1 Phone, Phone (3) gets 7 yr support, Week 25 in review Comments
Huawei has switchable lenses on the Pura 80 Ultra, iOS 26 is here, Week 24 in review
Phone Arena
a day ago
- Phone Arena
Want free AirPods or an Apple Pencil? Apple's back-to-school deals are changing
In previous years, Apple handed out gift cards with eligible purchases, which students could use toward apps, services, or accessories. But now, those gift cards are being replaced with specific hardware incentives. For example, buying an iPad can get you a free Apple Pencil Pro, while a MacBook includes a free pair of noise-canceling AirPods 4 or a wireless keyboard. iMac buyers also receive AirPods. Other accessories, like the Magic Keyboard for iPad, are being offered at a discount rather than included for free. This approach may seem like a simple change, but it's a calculated move. By bundling popular accessories instead of generic gift cards, Apple is likely trying to draw users further into its product ecosystem. Accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro are only compatible with higher-end models such as the iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad mini. That could nudge buyers toward more expensive devices. In the case of the MacBook, the free accessory options are interesting. A laptop usually doesn't require an external keyboard or trackpad, but by providing one, Apple may be encouraging users to expand their setup later with a Mac Studio or iMac. It's a way to create future demand while offering short-term value. AirPods are also a key part of this strategy. Customers who start using AirPods often stick with them, even after losing them or when the battery wears out. Giving them away for free with a Mac could build long-term loyalty and drive repeat purchases down the line. I think this is a smart move that benefits students, especially those who would likely end up buying these accessories anyway. Many users don't buy a Mac or iPad without pairing it with at least one first-party accessory, and Apple's own products tend to work better with its software and ecosystem. So getting some of that hardware for free rather than having to buy it separately might make the deal more attractive. At the same time, it's clear Apple is being strategic. This isn't just about giving things away — it's about investing in future customers. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
