Wal-Mart to offer smartphone trade-in program

Walmart has announced plans to launch a smartphone trade-in program on the same day Apple announced the iPhone 5s, featuring an all-new A7 chip and a 64-bit desktop-class architecture for fast performance, as well as the iPhone 5c, which builds on the iPhone 5 and comes in five different colors.

Starting Sept. 21, consumers will be able to receive immediate credit toward the purchase of a new smartphone when they trade in their current smartphone at more than 3,600 participating Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Club locations across the U.S. Wal-Mart's trade-in program offers an immediate credit from $50 to $300 for more than 100 smartphones.

Consumers will bring their working smartphone to an electronics associate. In partnership with CExchange, the value of the smartphone will then be assessed by answering questions on the device's condition and specifications. Once accepted, the trade-in value will be applied to a new smartphone of the customer’s choice. Wal-Mart customers can also apply the trade-in value to smartphones available with prepaid plans.

“Smartphones have become a part of our customers' everyday lives and as new devices launch more frequently, trade-in programs are becoming more popular," said Steve Bratspies, executive VP of general merchandise for Wal-Mart U.S. "More and more, customers are choosing where they purchase new smartphones based on where they'll get the best value for their trade-ins. Our goal is to give them more value for their old devices and the lowest price for their new one, all part of our promise to be the best destination for wireless."

In addition, customers looking to trade in electronics like tablets, MP3 players, video games, cameras, laptops and more can turn "gadgets to gift cards" on Walmart.com.