What It Means Before You Upgrade
Apple has launched a new leasing program called Apple Upgrade, which allows customers to lease hardware through Klarna instead of purchasing it outright. This program replaces the previous iPhone Upgrade Program and covers a wider range of Apple devices.
Why it matters
This shift changes the consumer ownership model for Apple products, moving toward a subscription-style leasing structure that impacts long-term financial planning for users.
Buying Apple hardware just became a little more like leasing a car.
The tech giant has launched Apple Upgrade, a new US leasing program that lets eligible customers lease iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches through Klarna instead of purchasing them outright. The program replaces Apple’s long-running iPhone Upgrade Program for new customers and expands the concept beyond the iPhone to nearly the company’s entire hardware lineup.
For consumers who upgrade every year or two, Apple Upgrade could lower upfront costs and make it easier to switch to newer devices. But unlike traditional financing, the program is a lease, meaning customers should understand what happens at the end of their term before signing up.
Apple Upgrade is available through Apple Stores, the Apple Store app, and Apple.com in the United States. Customers can choose from several lease terms depending on the product:
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