Last week’s Bloomberg rumor has now become a reality as Apple officially launches Apple Upgrade in the U.S. This new leasing program will allow customers to finance many of the core Apple products they use every day through monthly payments. These core products include iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad, and this option will allow customers to pay off their devices over time. Partnering with Klarna, financing these Apple products has never been easier or quicker, as you can apply within minutes, whether online through the Apple Store website or Apple Store app, or in physical Apple Store locations across the country.
“At Apple, we put the customer at the center of everything we do, and we’re thrilled that Apple Upgrade offers our customers, both online and in-store, a more flexible way to pay for the products they love.” -Karen Rasmussen, Apple’s VP of Apple Store Online.
Here are the leasing options for the product categories that Apple Upgrade has to offer, along with the products eligible under this program:
- iPhone: 12- and 24-month leasing options with leases starting at $17.99
- iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Apple Watch: 12- and 24-month leasing options with leases starting at $11.99
- Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3
- Mac: 24- and 36-month leasing options with leases starting at $24.99
- MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Studio
- iPad: 24- and 36-month leasing options with leases starting at $11.99
- iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad mini
As you may see from this list, Apple’s lower-priced products are not covered under this program, including: iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, Apple Watch SE 3, MacBook Neo, Mac mini, and the regular iPad.
The Apple Upgrade program gives even more flexibility when the leasing term concludes; customers may:
- Upgrade their device to the latest generation,
- Purchase it with a one-time payment, or
- Return it and leave the program.
With the Klarna app, they can keep track of everything they need to know when it comes to leasing their products, including their billing schedule and remaining payments. Apple Upgrade also gives customers the option for an AppleCare subscription for extended warranty, but keep in mind that AppleCare+ has gotten pricier for Mac and iPad models. One thing to note is that with the launch of this program, Apple is also phasing out the iPhone Upgrade Program along with iPhone Payments in the U.S. Furthermore, currently enrolled customers will have other options when purchasing a new iPhone, including leasing through Apple Upgrade.
With the recent price hikes across many of Apple’s product categories, this could be a great option for customers who want to pay off their products over time. You can read the official press release here. Will you be considering this new leasing program? Sound off in the comments below.
