I've been using the old iPhone Upgrade Program and normally upgrade every year from one Pro model to the next. After making payments for about a year, I would return the phone and continue the cycle without paying the full 24-month balance.
Now that the old program has ended, it seems I may have to keep making payments for the entire loan term. Is there any way to transfer the remaining value of my current phone into the new upgrade program or receive credit toward a replacement? I'm considering trying a foldable, but having to pay a large amount upfront would defeat the purpose of the upgrade program. If there's no equivalent trade-in or upgrade credit, I may simply buy the newest Pro model, although that would still cost more than I planned.
2 Answers
The transition seems confusing, and account information may not be working correctly for everyone. One member said their account claimed they weren’t enrolled even after Apple confirmed several times that they were. Apple support reportedly indicated that an upgrade should qualify for some kind of credit and that the missing option could be a temporary system problem. An Apple Store may also be able to process the return and close out the existing loan in person.
Apple’s upgrade-program FAQ appears to explain how existing members can upgrade. After signing in, check the eligibility and upgrade instructions there. However, the account may show that you’re eligible to upgrade without displaying a separate trade-in value or rollover-credit option.
That’s what I’m trying to confirm—whether upgrading means I receive credit for the value I’ve already built up, rather than having to finance the entire replacement phone. I’ve received similar answers from support, but the option still isn’t showing in my account.