Apple fanatics are chomping at the bit to get their digits on the new iPhone which is allegedly scheduled to hit the shelves within the next few weeks. As an incentive for owners of older versions of the phone to ditch those archaic hunks of metal, Apple has started a Reuse and Recycle Program. Through the program, Apple owners can swap their iPhones (either original, 3G, 3GS, 4 or 4S) for a rebate up to $345.

HOW TO DETERMINE THE VALUE OF YOUR OLD iPHONE

If you’re not sure what your old phone is worth, you can check in with Apple’s online wizard. Just by answering a few questions regarding the shape in which your older device is in, and the program will perform a quick analysis and then spit out a guestimate regarding what your phone is worth. Obviously, varying models will fall subject to varying appraisals. Even if your phone is in less-than-desirable condition – falling apart, in fact – you may be surprised to find out you can eke out a good $50 bucks for the thing. Not to mention free shipping and packaging when you turn in the device. Pitch in your power cable, too and Apple will reward you with a gift certificate that can be used to purchase just about anything on their online marketplace. The gift certificate incentive is courtesy of Apple and one of its recycling partners, PowerON, which is the company that will receive and evaluate your device, and then determine the value of the gift certificate that you are eligible for.

TRADING IN IS AS EASY AS 1-2-3

According to Apple’s Recycling Program page, getting your gift card is pretty simple and entails only providing Apple with the details of your device (note: only iPhones, iPads, Mac or PC desktop computers and notebooks will be considered for the R & R Program), waiting for Apple to consult with PowerON regarding the value of your gadget, and then waiting for your gift card to arrive via mail.

ANOTHER INCENTIVE

Apple has an alternate recycling program as well. Old iPods can be redeemed at Apple retail locations for a 10% discount on a new iPod. The transaction can even be made online, too.

On a side note, there is a buy-back company called Gazelle that is also in the trade-in business lately when it comes to iPhones. Gazelle has in fact extended its price-lock guarantee in an effort to bring in some earlier iPhone swaps before this Fall. iPhone owners interested in trading in their phones to Gazelle can do so via snail mail before October 1 of this year.

*cc image from flickr

Citations:

• cc-image-flickr-cellphones

The writer of this article, Janice Bevilacqua, is a major contributor to CPS, a service plan provider for consumers of electronics.