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Apple Applies for Trademark of 'iPhone for Life' in Hong Kong

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Apple has applied for a trademark on the phrase "iPhone for Life" in Hong Kong, according to a partly-private filing discovered by Patently Apple.

iphone-for-life-hk.jpg


The phrase "iPhone for Life" is reportedly associated with telecoms providers and third-party Apple resellers, including U.S. carrier Sprint, to advertise iPhone rental programs. Apple itself has never used the expression.

The application was filed in early September 2020 by legal representatives hired by Apple in Hong Kong. It seeks to cover use of the phrase for "Retail store services and retail store services provided via communications networks" as well as "Financial services; financing services; banking services; financing of loans; extension of retail credit; installment loans; lease-purchase financing."

The trademark application does not specifically reveal how Apple may be intending to use it, but suggests that it could perhaps be used for a new direct-from-Apple iPhone rental program, or simply to block use of the phrase by other companies. Alternately, the trademark may be used to rebrand or rename the existing iPhone Upgrade Program.

Article Link: Apple Applies for Trademark of 'iPhone for Life' in Hong Kong
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/10/08/apple-applies-for-iphone-for-life-trademark/
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I wish they would introduce a better program here in Canada rather than their 'Trade In Program'. I would pay a nominal fee each month to know I'd be getting the latest iPhone after 12 payments like the US. Sucks it's not available here.
 
Drew Johnston said:
I wish they would introduce a better program here in Canada rather than their 'Trade In Program'. I would pay a nominal fee each month to know I'd be getting the latest iPhone after 12 payments like the US. Sucks it's not available here.
Click to expand...

I think they'll expand the IUP to more countries this year, for two reasons:
1) the economic crisis, less money to spend to buy the phone upfront
2) iPhone is getting "stable" as a product. There isn't a huge jump in performance and features from year to year, but if you are in the IUP you'll likely chose to upgrade every year and continue with the monthly payments.

I don't think I'll update this year, but if they launch the IUP I may be tempted, although it isn't the perfect year to start it. If they Pro launches in November, IUP users won't be able to upgrade till Nov 21, but after the pandemic is over iPhones will likely continue to ship in September. Maybe they'll give the possibility to upgrade early, like paying the equivalent of 3 months next September and be able to upgrade immediately
 
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So if I snitch on a pro-democratic protester (whose organs are good to be harvested) I always get the latest iPhone model at launch date for life? Or is it 1 iPhone for 1 life?

Can I snitch on multiple people so I can gift iPhones to family & friends?
 
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This is probably an incremental step towards "iPhone is life". Although judging by some comments on this website, a few customers beat Apple to the punch.
 
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And Apple Arcade is still not available in both HK and ( *cough* ) China for some strange reason .

I bet this programme is going to launch with Smartone. ( A Mobile Carrier in Hong Kong )
 
Drew Johnston said:
I wish they would introduce a better program here in Canada rather than their 'Trade In Program'. I would pay a nominal fee each month to know I'd be getting the latest iPhone after 12 payments like the US. Sucks it's not available here.
Click to expand...

We’ve had it for a couple of years in the U.K. (iUP) but you have to visit a store to take part.

Given the times we’re in and the fact quite a lot of us would have to travel a fair distance to our nearest Apple Store, and I’d agree with the poster above that they very well likely will expand into more countries this year.
 
While you could take "iPhone for Life" to mean a rental/leasing program, it could be used to describe the iPhone as an essential life enhancing tool as the article mentions: health, banking, e-commerce, communication, etc. I mean it already is, this is just putting some marketing spin on it.
 
recoil80 said:
Maybe they'll give the possibility to upgrade early, like paying the equivalent of 3 months next September and be able to upgrade immediately
Click to expand...
This is how iUp works now in the US. As long as you’ve made at least 3 on time payments you can upgrade by paying up to the 12 month mark in one lump sum.
 
Far more likely than further expanding the iUP program (through citizen’s one, at least in the US) is a rebranded upgrade program implemented through Apple Card.
 
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