We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article at no cost to you, though all opinions are our own. For more information, please read our ethics statement. Please note that pricing and availability are subject to change.
Apple is revolutionizing the way customers buy iPhones with the introduction of the “shop with a specialist over video” feature. This new feature lets you shop for your iPhone online with the assistance of a specialist over a one-way video call. This service allows customers to have an online shopping experience combined with the guidance of an Apple specialist, ensuring that customers are well-informed before making a purchase.
The one-way video call provides customers with the ability to see the specialist on their screens while the specialist is unable to see the customer. This feature allows customers to make a call from any device that has a microphone and speaker, even if the device doesn’t have a camera. With the “shop with a specialist over video” feature, customers can receive guidance on various iPhone features, trade-in offers, financing options, and iOS information.
The “shop with a specialist over video” feature is an extension of Apple’s existing “shop with a specialist” program, which allows customers to make a reservation at one of its stores to purchase products with the assistance of an Apple employee. However, unlike the in-store program, customers can only purchase iPhones through the “shop with a specialist over video” feature.
Apple has yet to confirm whether the specialists on the other end of the call are Apple store employees or if they are part of a dedicated remote team. Regardless, the video service is a welcomed addition to Apple’s arsenal, especially in the wake of the upcoming launch of the iPhone 15. The feature is only available from 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT to 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
To access the feature, customers must visit the iPhone product page (apple.com/shop/buy-iphone), click “Ask an iPhone Specialist,” and hit “Connect With A Specialist” from the resulting pop-up menu. From there, customers can choose to “Shop with us over the one-way video” and get redirected to a page where the call can be initiated.
