Microsoft Is Trying to Buy Apple iPhone Users' Loyalty

Microsoft launched another trade-in program to try to coax iPhone users to switch to a new Nokia 1020 phone - or just to buy anything from the Microsoft Store.

Much like the iPad trade-in program, which Microsoft launched about a week before it announced the new line-up of Surface PC/Tablet hybrids, the iPhone trade-in deal will get you $200 minimum for a gently used iPhone 4S or iPhone 5. You can use that $200 towards the purchase of a Windows Phone, suggests the Microsoft Store website, or "other cool products at the Microsoft store." The offer expires on Nov. 3.

Microsoft has already tried this with iPad 2, and third and fourth-generation iPads, offering a similar $200 gift card for their store. As in both cases, you have to bring in your iPhone or iPad to a physical Microsoft store - of which there are 77 in North America - for an in-person evaluation of your iDevice, before getting the $200 or more. If you're enticed with this offer (like if you upgraded to iOS 7 and literally can't use your iPhone 5 because it's making you seasick) and want a list of the brick-and-mortar Microsoft Store locations, click here.

Be aware, that there are certain requirements your iPhone or iPad have to meet in order to qualify for the trade-in. According to Microsoft's site, "To be eligible for trade-in, device should include power cord, if available, and device cannot be password protected. Microsoft Store gift-card value will be equal to trade-in value, and is subject to Microsoft's discretion and manager approval. All trade-ins are final." Microsoft adds that it's limit 1 per customer.

Would you trade in your iPhone?

The answer to that question is, by averages, "probably not." A survey released in late July by the American Customer Satisfaction Index found that the previous three iPhones - the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 4 - all scored within the top five for customer satisfaction.

Sure, the headline with this study is that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Galaxy S3 out-scored the Apple smartphones in overall customer satisfaction, but with a minimum rating of 81, that leaves Microsoft very little room for returns on their trade-in program.

Not to mention that myriad other stores and programs offer trade-in deals for your old iPhone - without being tied to buying a Microsoft device. Apple itself began offering iPhone trade-ins late this summer at its Apple Store locations, and other places such as Wal-Mart and Amazon will give you at least $300 for an undamaged iPhone 5, and offer a way large selection of devices to use that credit toward.

The Microsoft program may be another sign of desperation, even as CEO Steve Ballmer tearfully quits and Microsoft begins searching for a new CEO. In response to lackluster sales, Microsoft recently launched a new lineup of Surface devices, including a Surface Pro 2 that gets up to 75 percent more battery life, due to the use of Intel's new Haswell chip in the tablet's architecture. Reviews have been mixed, overall, and it's not clear if the new Surface - along with Microsoft's multitude of buy-back programs - will impact the company's overall slump.