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Will Apple create a trade in program for the Watch ?

P

pdxa4

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 4, 2008
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With the rumors of an Apple WATCH 2 coming out in the Spring time, I was curious if Apple are thinking about having a trade in program for the original watch owners.

iPhone Upgrade Program already exists, it would make sense if they create something similar for the Watch.

In my opinion it would be harder to sell a used Watch online than selling a used iPhone, so having an Apple program would make upgrading to newer hardware easier for the early adopters and keep loyalty in place.

I would hope that such a program (if they want to create one) would also include the SPORT models.
 
Maybe not since the :apple:Watch is such a personal device. Even if Apple does offer a program it will likely not be until gen 3 is introduced. Many early adopters will do 'what ever it takes' to buy again. Also the market is not nearly 'saturated' so there will be plenty of first time buyers ready to jump on a 2ed gen :apple:Watch. Another point is Apple does't yet know what consumers in general will consider for an upgrade cycle. We all accept that we 'need' a new phone every year or 2 but the smart watch is still a new category.
 
Zorn said:
I can see them doing it for the Edition, but not the others.
Click to expand...

Unlikely, since the Edition is marketed to the uber wealthy who can well afford to replace it with a new model on a yearly basis. Heck, even buying multiple Editions is a drop in the bucket for these individuals.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
Unlikely, since the Edition is marketed to the uber wealthy who can well afford to replace it with a new model on a yearly basis. Heck, even buying multiple Editions is a drop in the bucket for these individuals.
Click to expand...
I guess we'll agree to disagree. Unless you are talking just about celebrities who often have more money than brains, most rich people I've known are not stupid and certainly don't just waste money.
 
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I go back and forth on this, I can see apple doing it, and yet, I can see them not. They only started the phone trade in program because others were doing it and making money off of it. ITs like the leasing program, Apple saw everyone go the leasing route for the phones (by everyone I mean the carriers) and so they jumped on board.


Yet I don't see this really being a thing for the apple watch and I don't see how apple could make it work, other then maybe enticing current owners to upgrade.
 
If we are talking upgrade program. id say no. The upgrade program is aimed at continuing to be able to offer a subsidized phone without the carriers. That isnt needed with the watch

If we are talking trade-in program. i dont see why not. All it is is a partnership with a company. it wouldnt be as much as you could sell it in the market though.
 
convergent said:
I guess we'll agree to disagree. Unless you are talking just about celebrities who often have more money than brains, most rich people I've known are not stupid and certainly don't just waste money.
Click to expand...

That's why they don't buy the Edition in the first place, as Apple hasn't announced a trade-in/update/swap out program. It's a poor buy compared to shelling out $10,000-17,000 for, say, a Rolex and be guaranteed a lifetime of service.

In fact, I and others are of the opinion that Apple intended it to be that way because nothing screams "I have money" more than dropping $10,000-17,000 on a watch that'll quickly become obsolete. Hence why the Edition is aimed at the uber wealthy rather than "most rich people who are careful with their money."
 
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Most people guessed Apple would wait 2 years to release a new watch but here we are on an annual release. I'm guessing there will be no trade-in. Just a guess.
 
gsmornot said:
Most people guessed Apple would wait 2 years to release a new watch but here we are on an annual release. I'm guessing there will be no trade-in. Just a guess.
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This does surprise me greatly because it took apple a very long time to basically catch up with the demand. Being an annual update, I think means the improvements will be rather minor

Another point to consider is that it may not be a watch 2.0 but just different flavors of the watch i.e., different color options
 
maflynn said:
Another point to consider is that it may not be a watch 2.0 but just different flavors of the watch i.e., different color options
Click to expand...

Perhaps not, given Apple's obsession with thinness. The second generation iPhone and iPad were a design change, then they got on a two-year cycle in terms of form factors. I think, however, that they'll retain the same connectors until they make the case so thin that it's unworkable (much like the switch to Lightning port and USB-C).

We already got different color options mid-year (gold/rose gold aluminum, new Sport bands, new SS models, etc.).
 
I don't think the new Watch would replace first gen ,it's a watch not a phone.The watch industry they usually not replace the first model ,they just release another model. How many Rolex model in the market - Submariner , Daytona , GMT Master II , Yacht Master, Datejust ,Airking and more. I'm not talking about the material.

To make it happen, Apple must allow user to pair more than one Apple Watch with iPhone.
If you could have more than one watch watch pair with iPhone, what would you do ?
For me I could not run with Apple Watch Edition.

DSC04291%20copy_zpsgmb5g24a.jpg


Trade in should be great. But I don't think It gonna happen.
Apple should do something to make user keep the old one.
 
tonoboon said:
I don't think the new Watch would replace first gen ,it's a watch not a phone.The watch industry they usually not replace the first model ,they just release another model. How many Rolex model in the market - Submariner , Daytona , GMT Master II , Yacht Master, Datejust ,Airking and more. I'm not talking about the material.

To make it happen, Apple must allow user to pair more than one Apple Watch with iPhone.
If you could have more than one watch watch pair with iPhone, what would you do ?
For me I could not run with Apple Watch Edition.

DSC04291%20copy_zpsgmb5g24a.jpg


Trade in should be great. But I don't think It gonna happen.
Apple should do something to make user keep the old one.
Click to expand...
The Apple Watch selection in the Apple Watch App does look like it is setup for listing more than one device. I do see the possibility of having more than one watch paired to the phone. If they do, I hope they can be paired at once because the pairing process is too long to swap often.

I also see the Apple Watch as the other end of the spectrum from high end mechanical watches. A mechanical does not need change over time to remain relevant. Its moving parts continue without the need to keep up with software which over time requires/depends on hardware updates. Already the Apple Watch is under-powered for most applications. Replacement is surely what they have in mind. An original iPhone is not much use today but my old basic phone on the counter still works the same because it comes from the same era as a mechanical watch.

My other point is now, most things are designed with the idea they will be thrown away sooner than later. Apple Watch is not your dads watch.
 
convergent said:
I guess we'll agree to disagree. Unless you are talking just about celebrities who often have more money than brains, most rich people I've known are not stupid and certainly don't just waste money.
Click to expand...

This is exactly right. Just because most people who have the cash to spare for an Edition can afford to buy another one, most wealthy people are not the stereotypical villain in a top-hat & tuxedo lighting a cigar with a burning $100 bill as they chuckle. Being able to afford something and just plain pissing away money for the lols over and over are very different, buyers of an expensive Rolex expect an item that they will pass to kids or hold over time, the expectation would be different on a technology-oriented watch which is why I could see Apple doing some type of trade for the Edition.
 
Zorn said:
This is exactly right. Just because most people who have the cash to spare for an Edition can afford to buy another one, most wealthy people are not the stereotypical villain in a top-hat & tuxedo lighting a cigar with a burning $100 bill as they chuckle. Being able to afford something and just plain pissing away money for the lols over and over are very different, buyers of an expensive Rolex expect an item that they will pass to kids or hold over time, the expectation would be different on a technology-oriented watch which is why I could see Apple doing some type of trade for the Edition.
Click to expand...

Then they should've announced such a program in the beginning, which would've made saving up for an Edition a much better value knowing that the innards can be upgraded. The fact they've not done this and lose out on potential sales from such customers should tell you something.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
That's why they don't buy the Edition in the first place, as Apple hasn't announced a trade-in/update/swap out program. It's a poor buy compared to shelling out $10,000-17,000 for, say, a Rolex and be guaranteed a lifetime of service.

Probably off topic, but since you brought it up ... Have to share my Rolex Lifetime Guarantee of Service experience. I received my Mom's Rolex on her passing. It was purchased in the 1960's. The watch Had stopped working several years prior to her final illness. We took it to several Rolex authorized jewelers who were unable to fix it. And so, we sent it to Rolex to be repaired. They kept it for two months. And then, they returned it with a typewritten note saying they no longer manufactured parts for the watch and it was irreparable. So much for their worthless lifetime guarantee. "
Click to expand...
 
But one thing I'm curious, Why traditional watch has to pass to next generation?
My child (my wife just pregnant) might don't like the traditional watch anymore .
I love traditional watch and want to keep it as long as I can. But today is not yesterday.
30 years ago watch produce not much like now, It's very easy to find .

Can't wait till March.
 
tonoboon said:
But one thing I'm curious, Why traditional watch has to pass to next generation?
My child (my wife just pregnant) might don't like the traditional watch anymore .
I love traditional watch and want to keep it as long as I can. But today is not yesterday.
30 years ago watch produce not much like now, It's very easy to find .

Can't wait till March.
Click to expand...

It's not that it has to, but when some people spend $10k-100k on a Rolex or similar, it's not exactly something you just toss away. They are incredibly high quality as well so these watches stay functional and relevant for a very long time.
 
Zorn said:
It's not that it has to, but when some people spend $10k-100k on a Rolex or similar, it's not exactly something you just toss away. They are incredibly high quality as well so these watches stay functional and relevant for a very long time.
Click to expand...

Exactly right. That's why it makes absolutely no sense from a business standpoint for Apple to severely limit the number of potential Edition customers by not announcing an update program from the beginning if they were planning to have such a program. Shelling out $10,000-17,000 for a watch that can't be updated is a tougher pill to shallow, which is why many of us think Apple intended the Edition for the uber wealthy who can well afford to purchase a brand new Edition on a yearly basis.
 
I suspect there will be no trade in program for sport watches. There will be a minor trade in program maybe for the apple watch customers, and for the edition folks they actually will get a trade in upgrade program. So if you have an edition you can trade it in and for 300 more dollars get a new latest gen back.

I suspect this update is nothing more than a chip upgrade to make the die more in keeping with the 6s fab size. The current chip i believe is 32nm or 24nm well off the 14nm we could get with a TSMC 6s die. So this would let them bring it up to spec and in doing so provide a 20% upgrade in performance. This will look great on a slide. There will be a new color and band options thanks for coming out guys we have them in the tent for you get your hands on right now we just know your gonna love them. Wait I just outed my self as Tim Cooks teleprompter opps lol
 
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