Is Apple's iPhone Plan Enough To Boost Share Prices?

Last week, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) unveiled its latest iPhone and iPad models to a muted response. The company's share price lost nearly 2 percent following the launch event as many complained that the new products didn't deliver a "wow factor". However, it's the firm's iPhone Upgrade Program that most investors are looking to as a money maker, with some saying the program has the potential to add 50 percent to Apple's shares in the coming months.New PhonesApple appears to have recognized that smartphone turnover is on the rise for US consumers who are increasingly interested in having the latest and greatest new device. In order to meet that demand, Apple rolled out a plan in which users can pay a monthly fee in order to get a new, unlocked Apple smartphone each year. Cutting Out CarriersThis is bad news for carriers like Sprint (NYSE: S), T-Mobil US Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), because it takes away from the companies' own strategies to lock customers in for a set period of time. Before Apple's plan took shape, wireless providers were luring customers in by offering phone upgrades in which customers paid monthly to have a new device. Now, customers can simply pay Apple for their device and choose their carrier based on which company has the best deals and most complete coverage. Their ability to entice new customers by offering cheap upgrades or yearly smartphone refreshes will be lost. Brand LoyaltyApple's new plan will also take the company's brand loyalty a step further. Apple customers are already very loyal to The Fruit and typically upgrade to the latest iPhone model rather than switching to an Android competitor. However, the plan will strengthen that bond even further as it will make customers commit to Apple-only upgrades.