Owning the iPhone 5S, and even the iPhone 6, on release date has become a lot easier as numerous trade-in deals begin to surface, most notable of which are from Apple and an online gadget swapping site.

Gazelle, according to Apple Insider, further sweeten the already juicy deals it dangles to owners of iPhone 5 and below models by extending the lock period on a given price through Oct 15.

This ensures that consumers planning an iPhone 5S buy right after its commercial debut will get a tight grip on a particular price deal, in exchange for their old iPhones, way beyond the purported 5S release on Sept 20.

"Our price lock promotion allows savvy consumers to maximize the value of their old iPhone and lets them wait until after the new iPhone is here to send in their old one," the device swapping firm was quoted by Apple Insider as saying.

Note that Gazelle appraises the value of iPhones based on their current conditions - inside and out. A unit that works perfectly and without nicks and scruffs should fetch "enough to cover the full cost of upgrading to a new phone," the company said.

Unlocked iPhones normally get the highest value though Gazelle noted that telco-issued handsets are most welcome, even those coming from the not-so-big service providers.

All models, except the first-generation iPhone, are candidates for trade-in but the company reminded that it is the most recent that comes with the best value. For instance, a fresh-looking iPhone 5 with no glitches under the shell should easily get its owners around $330 or more than enough to pay for a newly-minted iPhone 5S that comes with a 2-year contract.

And as if to affirm that it is indeed rolling out an avalanche of new iOS 7 gadgets, Apple is reportedly prepping for its first ever trade-in program, MacRumors said in a report.

The retail promo appears to achieve two things, the same report said, quoting Bloomberg as its source. One is to increase customer traffic on Apple Store and second is for the tech giant to stock previous iPhone and iPad models.

Subsequently, these units will be refurbished for later distribution on emerging markets across the globe.

Like in other trade-in deals, all units are subject for thorough inspection to determine their corresponding cash value. It should be noted that customers planning to swap iPhones with existing contracts need to clear first the termination fee with their respective service providers for smoother transactions.

Like in Gazelle, it is the unlocked versions that are easier to turn in, consequently locking in too on better cash credit.

Citing reports from TechCrunch, MacRumors added that the trade-in deal is already underway on select Apple Stores in the United States. However, the program is only expected to go full blast shortly after the 5S debut.

The iPhone 5S is all set for a Sept 20 release date or 10 days after the Sept 10 media event that Apple has previously announced. The iOS 7-powered device, along with the low-cost iPhone 5C, should make its way first in the U.S. and Japan then onto other markets in the immediate weeks to follow.