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Verizon revamps free iPhone trade-in offer name

Following Apple’s release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Verizon announced it was giving them away in exchange for older model. However, Verizon has revamped its offer’s name to “Trade In & Trade Up,” because costumers assumed they would receive a new iPhone as a gift, according to the iDigitalTimes.

Unlike the previous offer, having an iPhone does not guarantee covering the full price of the iPhone 6, according to the Verizon trade-in website.

“[Customers] can trade in a good-working condition iPhone 4, 4S or 5 for up to $200 or trade in an iPhone 5S for up to $300, depending on the condition, of course,” Verizon sales associate Michael Pena from Inglewood, California said. “The 16GB iPhone 6 will be covered if you get $200 for your used iPhone, but if you want an iPhone with more memory the customer will have to pay the difference.”

According to Verizon, those who do not want to be locked in a two-year contract will have to pay at least $649 for the new iPhone 6.

“There’s always a catch to something being free, you either have to turn in your old phone or start a contract,” junior English major Christian Moore said. “I’d rather just sell my phone on Craigslist for more money and make a profit — although it’s more of a hassle.”

Since Verizon released the promotion, competing carriers such as Sprint and AT&T have also released similar offers on their websites.

Sprint announced on its website a new program that allows customers to lease an iPhone 6 for $20 a month. However, the offer requires customers to enroll in a two-year contract that includes unlimited calling, texting and data for $50 per month.

AT&T is offering a deal that’s similar as Verizon’s. AT&T’s website also says it is giving customers a $300 gift card in exchange for any iPhone 5S and up to $200 for earlier iPhone models.

It is also expected that some iPhone users may opt to buy the device from retailers like Wal-Mart, according to a report by NBC. The retailer has announced that customers who enroll in a two-year contract through them will be able to pay $179 for the 16GB iPhone 6 versus $199, the NBC reported.

“I’m not too crazy about the new iPhone, but if I were to get one, I would probably buy it from [Walmart],” sophomore communications major Brianna White said. “It may just seem like $20, but if you think about it, that’s enough to buy one or two phone cases.”

Those who are interested have until Sept. 30 to apply for the trade-in offer, according to the carriers’ websites.

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