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'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

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Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

iPhone-18-Pro-and-Pro-Max-Feature.jpg

The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during the term, upgrade early to a newer device, or keep or return the existing device after the term.

The report said some lower-priced devices, including the Apple Watch SE, the entry-level iPad, the iPhone 16, and the MacBook Neo, will not be eligible.

Klarna is a popular "buy now, pay later" service, similar to Affirm. Apple Upgrade will require a soft credit check, and additional fees may apply in some cases.

Apple plans to stop accepting new iPhone Upgrade Program sign-ups once the new Apple Upgrade program launches, the report added. Unlike the iPhone Upgrade Program, however, Apple Upgrade will apparently not include AppleCare+ coverage.

Apple plans to advertise the program as a way to have lower monthly payments compared to current financing programs, according to the report, so it sounds like Apple Upgrade will be a rebranded, all-in-one program that replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program and some other standard financing options that the company has offered.

Article Link: 'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/apple-upgrade-program-launching-next-week/
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Details are even more depressing (to me).


Apple plans to advertise the program as a way to have lower payments versus current financing programs. The company is planning to discontinue new enrollments for its current iPhone payment programs — the iPhone Upgrade Program and standard financing — to make way for the Apple Upgrade initiative.

Unlike the iPhone Upgrade Program of today, Apple Upgrade doesn’t include AppleCare.
 
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tyrnnsrs said:
How does this differ from just trading in your old one and financing a new one like most people are doing today already?
Click to expand...

They are going to position it as a way to have lower payments vs current financing options.

This should help folks stomach the $2500+ iFold pricing.

Just like a car dealership, they will get people thinking in terms of "how much payment can you afford?"

Like I always say.
Apple is really a financial engineering firm nowadays, that happens to make tech products.
 
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I have always said that Apple should do an "upgrade" program for Macs and iPads. Given that most upgrade every few years. Granted, 36-months doesn't really save you much. For example, the $4,999.00 MBP 16 base model would be around $147/m. Going higher would push it to $200/m. For enterprise/business this would be a plus.
 
tyrnnsrs said:
How does this differ from just trading in your old one and financing a new one like most people are doing today already?
Click to expand...

It's not completely clear in the article, but the difference seems to be that Apple will now be more directly involved in the financing, rather than handing the whole financing opportunity over to third parties.
 
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hovscorpion12 said:
I have always said that Apple should do an "upgrade" program for Macs and iPads. Given that most upgrade every few years. Granted, 36-months doesn't really save you much. For example, the $4,999.00 MBP 16 base model would be around $147/m. Going higher would push it to $200/m. For enterprise/business this would be a plus.
Click to expand...
They have a lease program for businesses. You pay monthly and switch it out every few years and it comes with AppleCare+

Edit: https://www.apple.com/shop/finance/business-financing
 
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hovscorpion12 said:
I have always said that Apple should do an "upgrade" program for Macs and iPads. Given that most upgrade every few years. Granted, 36-months doesn't really save you much. For example, the $4,999.00 MBP 16 base model would be around $147/m. Going higher would push it to $200/m. For enterprise/business this would be a plus.
Click to expand...

I have a tough time seeing how this would work better for enterprise/business than existing and well-understood accounting depreciation schedules. Business already has good mechanisms for spreading fixed asset expenses over the effective lifetime of the device.
 
Here is some advice: if you need to finance a new phone or computer buy a refurbished unit and save some money. I usually keep Apple computers at least four years and the phone three years at minimum. I am seriously considering just replacing the battery in my iPhone 15 Pro and use it for another 1-2 years. I think the battery replacement cost is $99 which is significantly cheaper than a new phone.
 
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tyrnnsrs said:
How does this differ from just trading in your old one and financing a new one like most people are doing today already?
Click to expand...
Might be tailored for 1st time iPhone buyers, buyers with really old devices that have very little trade-in value, or Android users switching to iPhone.

Apple only accepts certain Android handsets for trade-in, and first time buyers don't have anything to trade in. With Apple expected to raise iPhone prices, this will help make financing the purchase a little easier.
 
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Nugget said:
I have a tough time seeing how this would work better for enterprise/business than existing and well-understood accounting depreciation schedules. Business already has good mechanisms for spreading fixed asset expenses over the effective lifetime of the device.
Click to expand...
Corporations do this all the time because its a fixed price and usually comes with support rather than their own IT department. Apple and others completely take care of the logistics of shipping devices and picking up the older devices. So it just makes everything easier overall there is no waiting, no fluctuations in accounting. (suddenly a 100k drop in cash because its time to upgrade vs a constant 4k a month) etc etc.
 
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The only bad thing about this is Klarna, excluding AplleCare+ is great move as you hade to do it via support previously

Klarna always sucks compared to bank approval process, it uses some dumb logic and AI and never gives you terms comparable to normal bank credit lines, there is slight hope that for apple it will work better though
 
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I can’t remember the last Apple non-accessory I’ve paid for in full up front. If you can afford to pay something off over time interest free why not do that? Of course with Apple raising prices this will probably be how they introduce products now. Instead of presenting the full price they’ll show a monthly amount and the full price will be in fine print.
 
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