Earlier this week, we reported that Apple would make changes to the Apple Card Installment plans for the Apple Watch in time for the new product season. Now starting in August, Apple is also making changes to those plans for iPhone buyers. Going forward, if you’re planning to buy an iPhone through the Apple Card Monthly Installment plan, it will require you to have a carrier connection with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at the time of setup.
This means that under the Monthly Installments, you will no longer have the option to connect to a carrier later and it will prevent you from using the iPhone with other carriers.
Apple has announced this change via a small footnote on the iPhone buying page along with the other announcement about the Apple Card Monthly Installments:
Currently, carrier connection with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon is required for all iPhone purchases made with ACMI from Apple Store locations only. Starting August 15, 2023, carrier connection with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon is required for all iPhone purchases made with ACMI.
Starting August 15, 2023, the ACMI installment term for new Apple Watch purchases will change from 24 months to 12 months.
With that said, if you’re planning to buy an iPhone now or either wait for the iPhone 15 series to come out, this is something that you should consider when buying an iPhone through Apple Card Monthly Installments.
