While there's plenty of arguments for and against carrier upgrade programs such as AT&T Next, T-Mobile JUMP and Verizon Edge it looks as though there's at least enough traction there to garner some attention from Apple. According to new information, Apple appears to be readying a significant upgrade to their retail sales plans by firing up a pilot program for customers to be able to purchase a new iPhone through such carrier upgrade programs.

The pilot program is said to be starting in late August, in time for it to be fully ready for the iPhone 6 launch as Tim Cook does not want to miss out on any possible sales for that device, and will skip over the current rules wherein any iPhone purchased at an Apple retail store must also come with a two-year contract or be purchased unlocked at full price.

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Previously, Apple was noted be looking to boost iPhone sales through pre-paid and month-to-month phone plans in Apple Stores with the help of AT&T and T-Mobile, so to see them move into using the carrier upgrade programs as well to boost sales wouldn't be any stretch of the imagination. At this point though, it remains unconfirmed.

Source: 9to5Mac