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It occurred to me a few days ago that Apple could presumably offer some kind of recurring upgrade program for its Mac, iPad, or even wearable devices, similar to what‘s currently offered for iPhone.

I thought of it after realizing that the broader Apple Silicon transition makes it much easier for Apple to plan around consistent timing for future releases. Will it happen? I don’t know…people don’t upgrade their laptops, desktops, or iPads as often as they upgrade their phones, but Apple clearly is moving toward more of a subscription or service model around their growing ecosystem. I’m sure it would make sense for a lot of power users who want the latest devices.
 
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I’m guessing the new Mac Pro will be subscription. They’ll need to build a much more expensive machine to surpass the current Mac Pro, but few people will shell out $50k for a computer. Find a reasonable monthly payment, and they get customers, while also addressing the “upgradability” argument since you’ll have access to the latest version.
 
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People who don't have the funds to buy this device in the first place should not subscribe to that kind of services. There's no way the would be cheaper on the long run, and you can't resell the device afterwards
I wouldn't do this for a computer or even iPad, which I tend to keep for several years, but I'm already doing this with the iPhone upgrade program, and I think it's well worth it. I pay $55 a month and I get a new phone every year. I also don't have a drawer full of old iPhones like i used to, and I never have to decide if the newest iphone is worth upgrading to. I'd be interested to see what the pricing would be like compared to the current upgrade program, which isn't paid through Apple.
 
interesting, wondering about the terms? interest free? cancel ny time? compete with Apple cars 24 months 0 interest? and the list goes on ... would also be interested to see AW offered as that trade-in value esp for SS/Ti sucks big time
 
Wouldn’t this be similar to the iPhone upgrade program?
Good question. Would this allow you to upgrade after 12/24 months or would it just be paying off hardware over time? I’m paying off my iPad Pro in monthly installments on my Apple Card but there is no trade in component. I’m guessing it would be the latter except maybe for Apple Watch as that gets updated every year?
 
Wouldn’t this be similar to the iPhone upgrade program?
I guess the big difference is with the upgrade program you either renew for a new phone turning the old one after 1 year in or to keep paying and own the phone after two years (you are locked in for at least two years or have to pay it off in full to own it, no option to turn in and stop paying) ... with the subscription you will never own anything, but are also not locked into paying for two+ years, the subscription you should be able to stop any time which should stop payments
 
I thought it was.

It may not be liked, but among professionals, it’s just part of doing business.
Yep. As much as people rave about Affinity Publisher and Sketch and the like, at the end of the day many aspects of the design industry are locked into Creative Cloud. I could see replacing it for personal projects, but the minute you have to freelance and deliver files in a format your client expects, you'll be right back to Adobe.
 
I'm surprised they didn't mention this in the article, because the upgrade program is pretty much an iPhone subscription.

I guess the differentiating factor would be that with a true subscription you'd have to give the iPhone back if you cancel, and I guess it would also be cheaper?

Subscriptions are a lot cheaper each month because you will never get ownership of the device.

This is different in that it targets the low-end market who don't even have the means to finance an iPhone.

Think of it as dollar store vs. Costco strategy.
 
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I have been wanting this for a while. Much easier than selling my device every year so long as the math works out. If the rental is less than 25% MSRP over 12 months, I would switch to it.

Current iPhone Upgrade Program on my device I have in my pocket is $66 a month or $792 a year for a device that costs $1599. I can get $1000 for this device after 12 months for a total cost of about $49 a month with the headache of having to sell the device to someone on swappa.

I doubt Apple will get the price that low. I'm paying $35 a month for Apple One.

If I add up all of my apple spending in 2021, it's about $850 a month spread over 12 months. I doubt Apple would let me lease everything for 12 months (headphones, phone, iPad and MacBook and display) but I'd be down for it.
 
It's pretty much already in place. I traded in my 2nd Gen SE for a 3rd gen, got a $150 credit, and put the rest on my Apple card with 0% interest for 2 years. My next upgrade will probably be in 2 years, where I'll do the same thing all over again. Effectively a subscription plan already in place.
 
Maybe it’ll be like a car lease? Pay depreciation, essentially, and of course an Apple tax.

I could get behind not owning the phone, depending on price point. Why do I need to own the device? As someone said above, it probably won’t be worth it in the long run, but there are definitely (potential) benefits.
 
This may be a good option for some people but not me and I will continue to pay in full up front. This insulates me somewhat from Apple raising their rates (ala Netflix). Also, you never know where life will take you and being able to keep my device if times get tough is attractive.
 
I guess the big difference is with the upgrade program you either renew for a new phone turning the old one after 1 year in or to keep paying and own the phone after two years (you are locked in for at least two years or have to pay it off in full to own it, no option to turn in and stop paying) ... with the subscription you will never own anything, but are also not locked into paying for two+ years, the subscription you should be able to stop any time which should stop payments
Right so I wonder if this would be bundled in with Apple One or something separate just for hardware? The question would be if they structured it as an upgrade program or if it was just a way for people to pay off a hardware purchase over time, interest free.
 
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you'll own nothing and you'll be happy
Seriously, this whole concept of owning nothing and making payments on everything you “own” in perpetuity is nuts. I’ll keep my mortgage and my paid-for car thank you. Same goes for my electronics. I’m not a Rent-a-Center customer and don’t intend to be a customer for this either.
 
This could be a workaround for not being forced to sign up with one of the big carriers overpriced plans when renting the phone. You can sign up with a cheaper provider elsewhere while paying for the phone separately.
 
There is perhaps a very good reason why Apple is exploring this route.

Many of the disputes surrounding Right to Repair and specifically the App Store and its 30% commission center on the fact that the user owns the device and should therefore be able to do whatever they want with it. Having a hardware subscription service where Apple owns the device renders that argument moot.

This means that Apple can stipulate that self-service repair and sideloading are not allowed because Apple owns the hardware, not the customer, fulfilling the vision of computers and smart devices as appliances. It would be not unlike leasing a car.

The good part about this is that it opens the door to allowing sideloading and self-service repair on devices that the customer owns outright should such regulations be passed enforcing it, while still protecting Apple's core market and their App Store revenue. Apple might also raise the prices of their hardware to make sure that the subscription service becomes the "default" option for the average consumer, and buying outright is reserved for enterprises and pros who have the money and acumen to modify and repair their devices.
 
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