Experience the new and modern iPhone purchasing method announced by Apple today! The new "Shop with a Specialist" feature allows Apple's US customers to interact with an in-store expert via a live video chat without ever leaving the convenience of the apple.com website.
Apple said it would eventually be made available for all its major goods, not only the iPhone.
What to expect?
According to TechCrunch, this service is offered at no cost to clients. It lets users look at the newest iPhone models, compare their features, ask questions, and get advice from an Apple professional about the Apple Trade-In program and other carriers' offers.
Apple claims that its customers can have access to a wealth of information, including detailed explanations of the iPhone's capabilities, guidance on making the transition to iOS, and assistance in choosing between various iPhone models, colors, sizes, and more.
To coincide with the release of the new yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, the service is now available!
Better Online iPhone Shopping Experience
According to Apple, the new live shopping experience can be accessed via apple.com/shop/buy-iphone, available daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PT in the US.
The Apple expert will be on camera throughout the live video session and share their screen with the client, but they will not be able to see the customer. When you have a query about anything from technical specifications and discounts to AppleCare and financing, they have the answers.
At launch, buyers in the US may obtain a credit of up to $600 toward the purchase of a new iPhone 14 by trading in an iPhone 11 or later using the new service, either through the Apple Store app or in person at an Apple retail store.
The new service is an extension of Apple's current customer care technologies like the Apple Support app, where users may chat with a human for assistance with fixing technical issues.
Attracting Greater Audience
The decision to bring Apple retail specialists online is part of a larger shift at the company to steer more consumers to its e-commerce website. This is despite live video shopping struggling to take off in the US, with even Facebook and Instagram recently departing the market.
Customers no longer often queue up at Apple shops on the day a new iPhone is released since so many people now buy their phones in advance online. Without visiting a physical location, TechCrunch believes that customers miss out on Apple's other strong suit: the personalized attention of its retail gurus.
Furthermore, this new feature is essential for smartphone manufacturers since 2022 saw sales the lowest in almost a decade, down by 11% from the previous year's total.
Even though Apple shipped more units in the fourth quarter than anybody else, Samsung shipped more units overall in 2022 with 257.9 million and captured a larger proportion of the market, which reached 22% compared to Apple's 19% share.
