iStore offers cash for SA's Samsung phones

Cape Town - As Samsung prepares to launch its anticipated Galaxy S6 series around the world, the iStore is tempting South Africans with cash to switch to the iPhone.

The retailer is offering cash back of up to R3 500 for South Africans to trade in their old Samsung models for a new iPhone.

The move comes as Samsung prepares its latest Galaxy S6 in major markets. Mobile networks such as Vodacom are also launching the S6 in SA on Friday.

But the iStore has moved to tempt South Africans to switch to the iPhone with R3 500 cash for the Galaxy S5 to R1 000 for the SIII.

"Customers can get money back when upgrading or renewing their contract on any of the four major cellular networks (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom), and all contract types, or when they buy a new iPhone for cash," the iStore said.

Previously, the cash programme had been reserved for iPhones, but the change is reflective of the competition between the smartphone giants.

Market share battle

Apple sold 74.8 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of 2014 versus Samsung's 73 million, pushing its market share to 20.4% for the quarter.

For the year though, Samsung remains dominant with a market share of 24.7%, having sold 307.597 million units versus Apple's sales of 191.426 million (market share of 15.4%).

However, iPhone remain hugely popular even if people cannot always afford the devices featured in multiple realty TV shows.

According to the 2015 Student Tech Survey by World Wide Worx and Student Brands, with the support of Standard Bank, around 50% of students said they would buy an iPhone if cost was not an issue, followed by Samsung (29%) and Sony (9%).

"There is a vast affordability gap between what students wish they could get and what they intend to get," said Arthur Goldstuck, managing director of technology market research organisation World Wide Worx.

The iStore has developed its website for customers to lock in the trade in price for an iPhone.

Here's the full breakdown of trade-in prices offered for Samsung devices:

What would it take for you to switch to an iPhone? Let us know

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