Apple Reuse and Recycling Programme Accepts Android Trade-ins

Apple’s Reuse & Programme – Android/Windows/iOS

As part of its Reuse as well as Recycling programme, Apple now will be accepting Android, Windows and other non iOS smartphones where customers can take their old or unwanted handset to Apple stores to receive an outright valuation.

Customers will be provided with an option to receive store credit for new iPhone or iPad and the service will also be available online. Currently accepted brands are Blackberry, HTC, LG, Samsung, Sony and the staffs advises Android users intending to switch to iOS on how to export contacts, set up email as well as download apps together will guidance in selecting tariffs.

Apple introduced this reuse and recycling programme to UK market somewhere in October 2013 after its proposal two months earlier in the US. The company requires that the smartphone should be able to turn on in orders appropriate for the programme’s requirements and if not suitable for credit, it would recycle responsibly on behalf of the customer.

 The service is part of its commitment to environmental responsibility which Tom Cook, chief executive had spoken in the past wherein he had commented on Apple’s site video that `they had a long way to go and lot to be learned and now more than ever, they would work to leave the world better than it was found’.

Trade-programme –Online/In-store

The trade-in programme is available on the company’s in-stores as well as online on some of the models mentioned above and on trading in a device; customers can receive credits for their old smartphones. This credit comes in two options, an Apple Store gift card or bank transfer which could be used in purchase of a new iPhone 5c, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus though this trade-in programme is not available all over the world. It is only available in France, Italy, the U.K and the U.S.

According to MacRumors, Apple will not be handling the process but the same will be handled by third parties enabling it to sell its primary products and not spend much time with the trade-ins while the smartphone section of the program will be arranged in partnership with third party device buyback and trade-in company, Brightstar Corporation. The PC part is handled by third party vendor Dataserv. Apple will also be accepting PCs from some specific manufacturers.

Hardware Running iOS Nemesis Android 

Apple had earlier run this programme in August 2013. According to BuzzFeed report, Apple is planning to expand its reuse and recycling programme to include non-iOS handset which includes hardware running iOS nemesis Android, but the specific hardware grading criteria is not clear.

Sources have not indicated the exact start date but have reported that the program extension would probably take effect shortly. The trade-in program expansion would be another way in enticing smartphone users away from Google’s Android platform. For instance, Apple had launched a webpage committed to migrating content from an Android device to one running iOS, last September.

Tim Cook, CEO, had mentioned in January, that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus introduction had driven the highest Android switch rate of any iPhone launch during the last three years and the new models also assisted iPhone in a record of 89% of global smartphone operating profit during the 2014 fiscal quarter, pushing Android down to 11.3%.