I’m guessing when you select your preferred model during pre-approval, it will also allocate you a preferential spot or phone of your choosing during final checkout. Similar to how IUP customers started getting priority on select color preferences for in store reservations. Or at least that would make some sense with introduction of pre-approval.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Offering Pre-Approvals to iPhone Upgrade Program Customers Ahead of iPhone 8
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This was the problem last year that we picked a phone and by the time we got to the end, it was gone. With now not needing 'our store' to have it in stock, but 'Apple Central Shipping' to have it, we should all be much better off.
Agreed. Not sure how in store pickup would work with this system, but it’s conceviable that if you are pre-approved for an 8 or X, the model you select at the time of approval would be set aside at central processing for delivery.
Yeah, nice idea, but I doubt it. I think (love to be proven wrong!) that it's just to give you a head start Friday AM or a chance to fix anything that blows up on the loan side in advance.
i think they were referring only to the bezels themselves not the overall size of the phone. i actually don't mind bezels (must a be a young person thing?). I do play games and must admit having bezels is nice as it leaves a place to rest your fingertips when you don't actually want to touch/affect the screen
No, it's for 'Upgraders' with phones already in the process. If you are totally new or just adding a phone to a new/existing line, you can't do anything until the phones are available at 12:01 AM PT Friday.
See the last FAQ in the Apple Store App under the IUP.
Ok.. so I am confused, can someone provide me with their opinion on what the best option is:
I want to optimize my 24 months as a new user under the IUP, should I just go ahead and order the iPhone 8+ so that my 12 month mark lands next September? or is having to pay the 2 extra months next year worth the iPhone X? (Will next years model land in September or November again?)
I am looking to upgrade regardless and I feel like the successor to the iPhone X will be better next year but that doesn't mean I won't buy it this year if it's worth the price/time difference, anyone's opinion would be greatly appreciated.
I want to optimize my 24 months as a new user under the IUP, should I just go ahead and order the iPhone 8+ so that my 12 month mark lands next September? or is having to pay the 2 extra months next year worth the iPhone X? (Will next years model land in September or November again?)
I am looking to upgrade regardless and I feel like the successor to the iPhone X will be better next year but that doesn't mean I won't buy it this year if it's worth the price/time difference, anyone's opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited:
If you are a new IUP user and you want the X this year, and the X's successor next year, it's the same thing. You get the X this year, and pay the 'penalty' of the extra two payments next year. You are paying 12 payments either way. If you got the 8 (whichever one) it's 12 payments, and then the next year-X-whatever (assuming it comes out on schedule in September, of course).
It's those of us that are in the program now that have the problem, as we are paying 14 payments *this* year, and then next year will have to pay two extra to get to 12 for the next X version.
You are 12 no matter what!
Alright perfect, thanks for the detailed response.
As far as trading in my current iPhone (6S), I thought it was stated you can trade-in by mail?
Was I mistaken or is apple.com simply not updated?
With all due respect, I'm not interested in what random people last year said. If you call Citizens One, they will tell you there will be a hard inquiry into your credit when you upgrade under the iPhone Upgrade Program.
There is trade-in for people that are in the IUP (which is trading-in the current phone that is part of the program), and there is trading in for $$ a phone just to get the money.
As far as I know, the only thing that is part of the IUP is the new 'you can send in the phone that is/was already in the program'. If you were never in the program, a random phone you have is something that you have to see what they will give you for it.
WTF is a Rioja and how does that even apply to this?? Dude, Apple offers you a small and large phone with bezels, a more expensive phone with no bezels, and even a brand new phone for $350. Whatever you want, Apple has you covered. If you don't like it, I'm sure Samsung will be happy to sell you something that'll explode in your pocket.
Also, I wouldn't be caught dead in Brooklyn with those hipster f*cks, don't insult me.
Anyone miss the 128gb size. 256gb way over kill and very pricey. 64gb while not that bad in price not enough.
So you have a choice, if you've not done any hard inquiries for credit in recent months, this "ding" won't hurt so much and if you have no planned loans or other credit cards there should be no problem.
If you have had a lot of other inquiries on your credit recently, then you have to weigh whether you really want the phone bad enough to do another one.
I believe th US iPU program is run over 24 payments whereas the U.K. program is over 20 payments
I don't think that's right. I've contacted Apple support on this and they said it's only a soft pull. Anyone else have experience here?
Mine was a hard pull when I joined the original IUP back in 2015, when I got the 7 plus last year, there was no hard pull.
I like the idea of no bezels for a bigger screen in a smaller phone, but totally agree that having non-touch surfaces can actually be useful. I have a new MBP with touchbar, and the larger trackpad sometimes causes accidental clicks. I'd be happier with a smaller trackpad.
I plan on going with the X so I have time. Unfortunately I'm enrolled in the Next program with AT&T so I'm debating maybe next month either paying off the full amount so I'm free to get an X without having to trade in the phone. It looks like I could re-sell the phone on ebay for the same price I owe on it anyway that might be a better deal in the long run.
I'm on T-Mobile so my upgrade situation will be a little bit different. Probably can just upgrade to the new phone as soon as T-Mobile has availability as part of the "Jump" program of theirs (turning in my existing phone), or pay off any remaining balance on my current 7 Plus I've got with them and start a brand new lease deal.
Still, the rest of your logic still applies. I bought the highest-end 7 Plus last year, knowing that the 256GB storage would ensure I don't run into any limitations using it for a while. I have my whole music collection in it and can stream that to my car stereo while driving, and still have plenty of space to take photos without worrying if its all filled up. Things like that actually matter in daily use. Having the next fastest processor in my new phone. or inductive charging, or facial recognition to unlock it instead of a fingerprint to unlock it? None of that *really* makes my phone more useful as a portable device. If wireless charging meant I could just have the phone anyplace in a room and it would charge, sure. THAT would be worth buying. But saying it has to sit on a special mat now, instead of attaching a cord to it? That doesn't mean much.
Meanwhile, the new tech, from facial recognition to augmented reality, to even the "studio lighting" camera processing feature? Those are all things that need to evolve and mature over time to really work 100% properly and do useful things. There's a good chance you'll need at least a years' time for that to all happen. So why not wait and get the NEXT iPhone, next year -- or at least buy the current model at a better price once the new models hit? Buying a new iPhone X now is just paying a premium for bragging rights that you've got the latest thing, first. Sometimes I admit I've enjoyed doing just that. But it's really not a wise use of money ... and I think I can hold off this time.
Still, the rest of your logic still applies. I bought the highest-end 7 Plus last year, knowing that the 256GB storage would ensure I don't run into any limitations using it for a while. I have my whole music collection in it and can stream that to my car stereo while driving, and still have plenty of space to take photos without worrying if its all filled up. Things like that actually matter in daily use. Having the next fastest processor in my new phone. or inductive charging, or facial recognition to unlock it instead of a fingerprint to unlock it? None of that *really* makes my phone more useful as a portable device. If wireless charging meant I could just have the phone anyplace in a room and it would charge, sure. THAT would be worth buying. But saying it has to sit on a special mat now, instead of attaching a cord to it? That doesn't mean much.
Meanwhile, the new tech, from facial recognition to augmented reality, to even the "studio lighting" camera processing feature? Those are all things that need to evolve and mature over time to really work 100% properly and do useful things. There's a good chance you'll need at least a years' time for that to all happen. So why not wait and get the NEXT iPhone, next year -- or at least buy the current model at a better price once the new models hit? Buying a new iPhone X now is just paying a premium for bragging rights that you've got the latest thing, first. Sometimes I admit I've enjoyed doing just that. But it's really not a wise use of money ... and I think I can hold off this time.