Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 21
Apple Plans 24- to 36-Month Device Leases as Prices Climb Past $4,100
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 21

Apple Plans 24- to 36-Month Device Leases as Prices Climb Past $4,100

3 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 21

Summary

  • July 28 is the reported launch date for Apple Upgrade, a leasing program covering most iPhones and Apple Watches for 24 months and Macs and iPads for 36 months.
  • Klarna would handle payments, with customers able to pay off devices early, buy them at lease end, or upgrade—terms Bloomberg says should cost less upfront than current financing.
  • Leased devices would leave users without ownership at the start and, according to the report, without AppleCare eligibility, a key tradeoff for lower monthly costs.
  • Apple is pursuing the program after recent price hikes pushed high-end models to $2,500 for an M4 Max Mac Studio and $4,100 for an M5 Max MacBook Pro, with a folding iPhone seen above $2,400.

Insights

As credit markets tighten, can Apple's new leasing program sidestep the looming risks of the 'Buy Now, Pay Later' model?
Is Apple's 'Upgrade' program a sales boost, or a final move to make you a permanent subscriber to its ecosystem?