Apple has launched a new leasing programme that allows customers to pay monthly for selected iPhones, Macs, iPads and Apple Watches, making its premium devices more accessible as prices continue to rise.
The new service, introduced in partnership with Klarna, became available in the United States on Tuesday through Apple retail stores, the company’s website and the Apple Store app.
Under the programme, customers can lease iPhones and Apple Watches for either 12 or 24 months, while Macs and iPads are available on 24- or 36-month plans.
The eligible devices include:
- iPhone 17 lineup
- iPhone Air
- Apple Watch Series 11
- Apple Watch Ultra 3
- MacBook Air
- MacBook Pro
- iMac
- Mac Studio
- iPad Air
- iPad Pro
- iPad Mini
However, the programme does not cover Apple’s lower-priced products, including the iPhone 16, MacBook Neo, base-model iPad and Apple Watch SE.
Apple said the new leasing option replaces its previous iPhone Upgrade Programme, which only covered iPhones. The latest initiative expands monthly payment options to more Apple products while reducing monthly costs.
According to the company, the cheapest iPhone lease starts at $17.99 per month, a significant drop from the previous upgrade programme, which started at around $42 per month.
Industry experts believe the move is designed to encourage customers to treat Apple devices like subscription services rather than expensive one-time purchases.
Analysts also say the programme comes at a time when consumers are holding onto their smartphones for longer, while expectations continue to grow that future Apple products will become even more expensive.
Apple recently increased prices on some Mac and iPad models, blaming a global memory shortage. Experts have also predicted that future iPhones could see major price hikes.
Mike Howard, Vice President of Memory Coverage at TechInsights, recently told CNN that consumers may soon need to prepare for much higher iPhone prices.
“We should start thinking about a $1,500 iPhone instead of a $1,000 (or) $1,200 iPhone,” he said.
The leasing programme also arrives just weeks before Apple’s expected September event, where the company is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 series, including what could be its first foldable iPhone.
Analysts believe the new payment option will help Apple keep customers upgrading regularly despite rising device prices and changing spending habits.
Source: CNN.
