Apple launches ‘Upgrade’ program to lease new devices

Apple has officially introduced “Apple Upgrade,” a new leasing program that aims to make it easier to get your hands on the latest iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch models. The service is launching today in the US, and works like a car lease — allowing users to keep a device at the end of their subscription period, pay off the device early, or upgrade early to a new model.

This leasing program is rolling out just weeks after Apple hiked the prices of its MacBooks, iPads, and other devices in response to the ongoing memory and storage shortages. While iPhones were spared, current Apple CEO Tim Cook warned last month that “the situation has become unsustainable,” meaning the iPhone 18 series could be pricier than expected when it launches later this year.

The new Apple Upgrade program will be available both online and in physical retail stores, with Klarna serving as Apple’s financial backer. Users will need to be approved for the program via a soft credit check. 24 month-leases are available for iPhones and Apple Watches under the new program, while Mac and iPad plans will run for 36 months.

Leasing prices start as low as $17.99 per month for the iPhone 17e, $11.99 for Apple Watch series 11, $24.99 for the MacBook Air, and $11.99 for the iPad Air. At the end of their lease term, customers can upgrade their device to the latest generation, purchase it with a one-time payment, or return it and exit the program.

Apple Upgrade is replacing the existing, more limited iPhone Upgrade Program that first launched back in 2015, and is no longer accepting new enrollments. Beside the new program covering a wider range of devices, another notable difference is that Apple Upgrade doesn’t include AppleCare, the warranty extension plan that was also recently impacted by price hikes.

The new leasing service is a continuation of the goals Apple had for the iPhone Upgrade Program: to provide an in-house alternative to the upgrade plans offered by many US carriers. Just remember to keep up with your payments — some code discovered in the iOS 27 beta last week suggests that Apple is working on a way to lock financed iPhones out of apps if it detects you’re in arrears.