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Apple Ends iPhone Upgrade Program in the UK

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Apple has discontinued the iPhone Upgrade Program in the United Kingdom, moving to a more traditional financing system.

apple-creation-uk-upgrade.jpg

The change appears to be related to Apple ending its partnership with Barclays bank, which supported the iPhone Upgrade Program in the UK. The iPhone Upgrade Program webpage in the country now says:

The iPhone Upgrade Program is coming to an end, but we think you'll love what's next.

You don't need to do anything right now, just keep making your remaining payments. When it's time for your next iPhone, the Flexible Finance Account will offer you a new, more flexible way to upgrade.
Click to expand...

The iPhone Upgrade Program allows customers to get a new iPhone annually with AppleCare+ included for a monthly fee. It essentially provides a 0% APR, 20 or 24-month loan, usually with an upfront payment. After 11-12 payments, users can upgrade to the latest model, provided they trade in their current device in good condition.

To replace the program in the UK, Apple has debuted a new "Flexible Finance Account" in partnership with Creation.

The Flexible Finance Account provided by Creation is a line of credit that lets you spread the cost of your next Apple device, and it's available exclusively at the Apple Store. The good news is, it gives you even more options when it's time for the latest iPhone. Whether applying in-store or online, choose a plan that works for you and get ready to upgrade.
Click to expand...

When a new iPhone is released, users can trade in their old device, and use the credit to pay off their associated plan.

Creation and PayPal Credit now fully replace Barclays for general Apple device financing in the UK. The iPhone Upgrade Program continues to be available in other countries.


Article Link: Apple Ends iPhone Upgrade Program in the UK
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/30/apple-ends-iphone-upgrade-program-in-the-uk/
Last edited:
  • Sad
Reactions: Z-4195 and alternamelka
It seems the new Creation terms are more expensive.

For an iPhone Pro Max 256gb with AppleCare+Theft and Loss:
Currently paying £68.45 a month via iPhone Upgrade Program.
With Creation I would be paying £71.90 a month.

The increase in price sucks.

A major positive is that you can now sign up online rather than having to go in-store. (Although I did really enjoy my yearly trips on release day)
 
  • Like
Reactions: AngPa, coordinated, Brenster and 5 others
alternamelka said:
It seems the new Creation terms are more expensive.

For an iPhone Pro Max 256gb with AppleCare+Theft and Loss:
Currently paying £68.45 a month via iPhone Upgrade Program.
With Creation I would be paying £71.90 a month.

The increase in price sucks.

A major positive is that you can now sign up online rather than having to go in-store. (Although I did really enjoy my yearly trips on release day)
Click to expand...

But does this mean you can still be on upgrade annually with this?

Never mind I should’ve read it lol
 
  • Haha
Reactions: bayportbob
This sucks. I hope they don't do that in the states as well, it's how I afford my development phone. It's financially easier for me to essentially lease my phone since my work doesn't pay for ****.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tech_enthusiast_
I am an iPhone Upgrade Program user living in the United States of America. I wish to pay a 3-year cycle iPhone price for 1 year cycle iPhone once 36 months loan term is available for that program. I currently have 24 months loan term, so I pay a 2-year cycle iPhone price for 1 year cycle iPhone before tax and fees.
 
  • Like
Reactions: knappeduivel
Does anyone know how to get the 20 months 0% option? When adding an iPhone to basket the option selected is 30 months 0% with no way to change.
 
19callum93 said:
Being an iPhone upgrade program user this absolutely sucks. I really enjoyed going to the store each year for the hype. Looks like the price is going up too 😭
Click to expand...
Same! I’ll miss the ritual
I’ve been on the upgrade programme since iPhone 8 Plus! 🙂
 
Got as far as Creation. No thank you! Just ask anyone who had an IHG credit card in the UK to see what a complete and utter mess they made of that.
 
Bummer. Not currently on the iUP plan but have been more than once in the past, effectively treating it as a 20 month 0% interest purchase with AppleCare. Only done the ‘pay for 12 months then hand back and start again with the new model’ but did appreciate the facility when I used it.

alternamelka said:
It seems the new Creation terms are more expensive.

For an iPhone Pro Max 256gb with AppleCare+Theft and Loss:
Currently paying £68.45 a month via iPhone Upgrade Program.
With Creation I would be paying £71.90 a month.

The increase in price sucks.

A major positive is that you can now sign up online rather than having to go in-store. (Although I did really enjoy my yearly trips on release day)
Click to expand...
The in-store only iUP was always a pain given it’s a 2 hour round trip to my nearest store, so being able to sign up online when pre-sale goes live definitely appeals. Will see what the new plans look & feel like when Sept/Oct rolls around as I’m ‘due’ my next upgrade.

EDIT: Nice to see that the Barclays funded 0% over 20/24 months option is there 1:1 under Creation. Other than the hand back after 12 months and start again new contract, this looks like a good replacement for iUP & Barclays 0% financing.IMG_0588.jpeg
 
Last edited:
WillRRRR said:
I am an iPhone Upgrade Program user living in the United States of America. I wish to pay a 3-year cycle iPhone price for 1 year cycle iPhone once 36 months loan term is available for that program. I currently have 24 months loan term, so I pay a 2-year cycle iPhone price for 1 year cycle iPhone before tax and fees.
Click to expand...
WillRRRR, iPhone Upgrade Program user living in the United States of America, thanks for sharing. Your call is very important to us. Please hold.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: mblm85
A glimpse at things to come. I think the refurbished iPhone market is going to collapse and they are going to pay less and less for trade-ins.
 
Last edited:
This is no loss - fwiw, the iPhone Upgrade Program UK was not the same as iPhone Upgrade Program US. Same branding, far worse experience.

First, none of it was online, you had to go in-store to both apply and request upgrades.

You're handed an iPad with a very long Barclay's loan application form. It took ages without a proper keyboard, and they run a hard credit check against you. Financing my car was quicker

After 12 months I went back for an upgrade - the process was even worse. They inspect your phone, you're handed the iPad application form to start all over again, they check your ID again, then they run another hard credit check. Once the second loan is approved, they call Barclays to cancel the first.

When I realised he was just repeating the process, I changed my mind and ran down the remaining 12 months.
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: AngPa, freedomlinux, fatTribble and 2 others
it’s still interest free if you choose one of the designated payment plans. Though it’s like any credit facility you can make other purchases on the account that are not part of a payment plan and interest will be applied to those . I hear from Apple friends that this was due to Barclays wanting to increase the interest rates.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: hajime
We were on the programme until one year where they approved my upgrade in store, but denied my wife's. Barclay's couldn't explain why - just a flat "computer says no". We had excellent credit history. Wife was rather annoyed that I walked out with a new phone and (because you couldn't reserve one online) she walked out with nothing. We stopped using the programme and just bought outright. Apple lost out since we reduced the frequency of upgrades.
 
There is no way to pick the 20 month option

Edit: looks like when you checkout you can tailor the loan length.
 
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