Apple Ends iPhone Upgrade Program in the UK

[Se7enty]

Creation Finance declined my application for £890 despite I have excellent credit score among all agencies. Oh, I bought my iPhone 14 Pro Max through Barclays’ last time and I thought it is time to renew it. I ended up with a rejected hard search on my credit file now. Ridiculous company. I am shocked how Apple signed with them. I decided not to renew my phone. Their loss.

Note: I have enough budget to buy it right away, I just believe it is a no brainer to spread the cost since it is 0% interest.

 

[The Game 161]

Very.co.uk is 0% for 12 months so may as well do that if you don’t went to pay outright or put on credit card

 

[GraXXoR]

I honestly think that if one has to finance a particular model of phone, they should look elsewhere.
The more we support their prices, the higher they will get.

Me, personally, I'm going second hand/hanging on to old gear as long as possible.

 

[Adysubman]

For a lot of silly people who think they need a new phone every 12 months. Do it minimum every 36 and put the saves money in an ISA

 

[Brenster]

For a lot of silly people who think they need a new phone every 12 months. Do it minimum every 36 and put the saves money in an ISA

True that no one needs a new iPhone every 12 or even 24 months. On the other hand I work with plenty who ‘own’ cars with high end trim/features on PCP plans and upgrade every three years, if not sooner, and pay the equivalent of a second mortgage payment every month for the privilege of doing so. I think they’re mad for doing so, but their money, their choice.

Relatively speaking my iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch habit is barely a meal for one out at a restaurant in cost per month. I’m ok with that.

I suspect the only reason the now defunct iUP existed in the first place is that Apple had metrics that said an appreciable fraction of their customer base were upgrading annually and either trading in or selling their barely year old phones and wanted in on the action.

 

[realmccoy69]

£60+ a month to have new phone every same with same updated ios as everyone else plus mobile network fees ,that’s steep

 

[boyreinvented]

Amazon UK offers an interest free spread over 5 months option for iPhones, FYI

 

[svish]

Good to know about the changes. I prefer to pay the full amount and buy it outright instead of taking a loan or even using the iPhone upgrade program.

 

[DHA]

Having used the iPhone upgrade programme in the UK for 4 years this won't be a loss for the user experience. Every time I went into a store to change phones I had to explain to the sales staff how the process actually worked and that no I wasn't simply trading in this phone and buying a new one on Barclays finance.

 

[r-m]

I'm a bit confused by all the "in store only" comments about the current UK IUP.
I'm in the UK, and have only ever done it online, not once been to store for it. 2 year payment plan, and can upgrade every year.
I started it online, and I've upgraded online. Even trade in was handled via dpd, and automatically paid off my outstanding balance before starting again.

 

[The Game 161]

For a lot of silly people who think they need a new phone every 12 months. Do it minimum every 36 and put the saves money in an ISA

For many it’s their hobby and all they spend money on. Nothing wrong with this

Life is for living and as long as they can afford it they should do it if that’s what they want

 

[Nacho1234]

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)

It is the same price. With the iPhone Upgrade Programme you had to pay £69 upfront, aith the new one that is optional.

 

[Nacho1234]

I'm a bit confused by all the "in store only" comments about the current UK IUP.
I'm in the UK, and have only ever done it online, not once been to store for it. 2 year payment plan, and can upgrade every year.
I started it online, and I've upgraded online. Even trade in was handled via dpd, and automatically paid off my outstanding balance before starting again.

There were two separate plans.

The only online monthly option was a 24 month payment plan with AppleCare+ as an option. If you traded in a phone later you could use the value to pay off your remaining balace.

While the iPhone Upgrade Programme was a 20 month payment plan that must included AC+ and had an upfront deposit of £69 (same total price). With this plan you could upgrade after 11months of payment and your remaining 9months would be written off. Once you upgrade a new 20 month payment started on the new phone.

The online 24 month payment plan had the option to upgrade but wasn’t advertised as such. When you upgrade your trade-in value was determined based on market price, while the iPhone Upgrade Programme you had a fixed trade-in value of 9 months when you upgraded at 11 months. You could only do the iPhone Upgrade Programme in-store.