iPhone Upgrade Program Pre-Approvals Now Available Ahead of iPhone X Launch

[MacRumors]

Apple customers who participate in Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program and are planning to buy an iPhone X can now use the Apple Store app to get pre-approved for a purchase ahead of iPhone X pre-orders. Pre-approvals will be available for a limited amount of time.

To initiate the pre-approval process, customers will need to download the Apple Store app and choose their preferred iPhone X model to get their loans approved before pre-orders go live this Friday. The process is designed to make it easier for customers to get through the checkout process when pre-orders kick off.

Image via David Martin​

When pre-approval has been obtained, iPhone Upgrade Program customers can use the Apple Store app to complete an iPhone X purchase once pre-orders are live. According to the Apple Store app, pre-orders will begin at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, October 27.

Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program is designed to allow customers to upgrade to a new iPhone after at least 12 payments have been made towards an existing iPhone. The Upgrade Program, which includes AppleCare+, requires customers to trade-in their current phones to get a new phone.

iPhone Upgrade Program members are able to use a Trade-in Kit this year to return their existing devices to Apple, alleviating the need to visit an Apple Store to purchase a new device.

iPhone Upgrade Pricing on the iPhone X costs $49.91 per month for the 64GB model and $56.16 per month for the 256GB model.

Upgrading to a new device through the iPhone Upgrade Program last year was a hassle because customers were required to reserve a device at a local retail store and supply was limited, but this year, iPhone Upgrade Program customers will go through the same order process as other customers. Though the wording makes it sound like iPhone Upgrade Program customers will be able to pre-order more quickly than others, that's not the case. This process offers pre-approval for the credit check portion of the iPhone Upgrade Program and does not otherwise speed up pre-ordering.

A fast and easy upgrade process will be essential this year, as rumors have suggested the iPhone X will be in seriously short supply. Available iPhone X stock is likely to sell out quickly, perhaps within minutes of when pre-orders go live. There may be a long wait for an iPhone X throughout the rest of 2017, with supply picking up during the first few months of 2018.

Following pre-orders on October 27, the first iPhone X devices will ship out to customers on November 3.

Article Link: iPhone Upgrade Program Pre-Approvals Now Available Ahead of iPhone X Launch

 

[TurboPGT!]

It's funny to me how inferior Apple's IUP program is compared to AT&T NEXT. Seems they're getting their act together this year but just barely.

 

[tigres]

Hopefully a speedy process for those of us just paying full upfront.

 

[John Connor]

I upgraded to the 8 Plus and now want to upgrade again to the X. Sigh.

 

[jkdsteve]

If production numbers are anywhere near accurate, no-one but Apple Upgrade members will be getting phones this year...and they are likely to be backordered too, heh!

 

[Markjkc]

Not working in the UK for me. Anyone else try?

 

[igneousc]

looks like I'll be paying up front. I'd like to sign up for the program, but the credit check will push me too far in the line

 

[MarkAllf]

Is this only in the US? Can't see this option in the UK....

 

[Brookzy]

Not working in the UK for me. Anyone else try?

It's still in-store only in the UK.

 

[Markjkc]

It's still in-store only in the UK.

Balls - Can it still be reserved on the app and then collected instore with the programme?

 

[haqsha23]

Canada doesn't have a program like this, so I'll be buying mine up front. Doesn't matter though, I'll be privately reselling the phone a month before the X plus comes out next year and should be able to recoup a heft portion of the upfront cost.

 

[carlos916]

Ordered done!

Or should i say pre-approved

 

[Brookzy]

Balls - Can it still be reserved on the app and then collected instore with the programme?

Yes, reserve in the app or online on Friday morning.

 

[spellnight]

Do we have an update for the UK market? I am still not able to get pre-approved and it seems that will be just an in-store pickup.

 

[Rugbydman]

I’m in the uk and have never used the programme how would I start with the iPhone x

 

[ripper998]

If production numbers are anywhere near accurate, no-one but Apple Upgrade members will be getting phones this year...and they are likely to be backordered too, heh!

You do realize you have to preorder still like everyone else? Just because you got a preapproval doesnt put you at the head of the line. Your still making your monthly payments no matter what

 

[MoreAwesomeDanU]

how do people new to the program enroll? Or is this only for people who are already in the program?

 

[SuprUsrStan]

I'd like to sign up for the iPhone upgrade program in the USA but I can't seem to figure out how to get to the preapproval page.

Anyone else have any luck?

 

[MR-LIZARD]

looks like I'll be paying up front. I'd like to sign up for the program, but the credit check will push me too far in the line

Same for me. I tried IUP with the 7 launch and got such a slow site that I was bumped all the way down the list for a 3-4 week wait.

I gave up as I wasn’t too fussed about the 7 in the end and thought I’d wait for the rumoured 10th anniversary iPhone (at the time).

I was hoping IUP would be easier this time around but it seems likely to be a lose wait again.

I think I’m going to pay in full for the X and then join IUP for the XS ( or whatever it will be release). If I don’t get the XS on launch day I probably won’t be too fussed and at that I’ll be in the program.

 

[chunology]

For those of us that went through the pre-approval process for the iPhone 8 pre-order can you describe your experience? What happens when I open up the app on pre-order day if I've been pre-approved?

 

[djuzi]

So close I can taste it

 

[Braderunner]

Soooo....the pre-approval process is for those enrolled in the upgrade program already? Or, am I missing something?
This is why I have never joined. To go thru the approval process when ordering goes live will take waaaay toooo long. And, there is no way I'm going to wait in line at store. So, I'll just pay up front...like always.

 

[goobot]

how do people new to the program enroll? Or is this only for people who are already in the program?

This is what I'm trying to figure out.

 

[sniffies]

If production numbers are anywhere near accurate, no-one but Apple Upgrade members will be getting phones this year...and they are likely to be backordered too, heh!

And why is that?

 

[C7 POWER]

I keep trying and when it goes to validate my carrier verification it says the PIN does not match, WTF? Its only has lines for my number, billing zip and last 4 of my social.