Apple is making it easier to get its latest devices, but not necessarily to own them.
The company has launched Apple Upgrade in the United States, a Klarna-powered leasing program covering iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad.
Available through the Apple Store online, the Apple Store app, and physical Apple Store locations, the new Apple Upgrade program offers monthly payments starting at $17.99 for iPhone and $11.99 for Apple Watch. It also replaces Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments in the United States.
TL;DR
- Apple Upgrade offers device leases through Klarna across iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad.
- Lease terms range from 12 to 36 months, depending on the product.
- Customers can trade in a device, earn 3% Daily Cash with Apple Card, and choose to upgrade, buy, or return the device at lease end.
Apple Upgrade Brings Klarna Leasing To iPhone, Mac, iPad, And Apple Watch
Apple Upgrade gives eligible customers 12-month and 24-month leasing options for iPhone and Apple Watch. Mac and iPad customers can choose between 24-month and 36-month terms.
Starting monthly prices are $17.99 for iPhone, $11.99 for Apple Watch, $24.99 for Mac, and $11.99 for iPad. Customers can reduce their monthly payments by trading in an eligible device through Apple Trade In when they first enroll.
Those who make lease payments with Apple Card can also earn 3% Daily Cash back.
“At Apple, we put the customer at the center of everything we do,” said Karen Rasmussen, Apple’s VP of the Apple Store online, “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.”
How Apple Upgrade Applications And Credit Checks Work
Customers can apply for Apple Upgrade online or in-store, with Klarna providing the approval decision. Apple said the application can be completed within minutes and uses a soft credit inquiry that does not affect the applicant’s credit score.
Once approved, in-store customers can leave with their device, while online shoppers can select delivery or store pickup. Apple’s Personal Setup service remains available, along with free Today at Apple sessions for customers who want help getting started.
Customers can also manage billing schedules and remaining payments through the Klarna app. AppleCare subscriptions can be added to eligible leased products.
What Happens At The End Of An Apple Upgrade Lease
At the end of the lease, customers can move to the latest device generation, purchase the current device with a one-time payment, or return it and leave the program.
The launch also marks the end of the iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments in the United States. Eligible existing iPhone Upgrade Program customers can move to Apple Upgrade, use Apple Card Monthly Installments, buy a device outright, or choose carrier financing.
Topics For More Insights
- Apple Sued By Three People Who Lost $1.8 Million In An App Store Crypto Scam
- Apple One Price Hike In India: How Much More Will You Pay Now?
- How Apple's New Siri AI Works And Why It Is More Than A Voice Assistant
- Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Ultra: The Rumor That Refuses To Fold
- Buying An iPhone Could Get Cheaper & Easier As Apple Overhauls Its Upgrade Program
Apple Upgrade Covers The Latest iPhone, Mac, iPad, And Apple Watch Lineups
The program spans Apple’s current hardware lineup, including the iPhone 17 family, Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, M5-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, iMac, Mac Studio, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad mini.
The broader shift gives Apple a single leasing framework across its major device categories, while Klarna handles approvals and lease management.
For customers, the biggest change is straightforward: access to new Apple hardware now comes with more flexible monthly terms, but ownership is no longer the default outcome.
