Apple's Upgrade program is a leasing plan that lets customers pay monthly for iPhones, Macs, iPads, or Apple Watches.
Financing is arranged through Klarna and lasts 12 to 36 months, with the option to return at no charge or buy out the remaining value.
Apple says the program provides 0% financing across its product range and keeps the total cost in line with outright purchases.
The move could shift power away from carriers, as customers stay within Apple’s ecosystem for longer and carrier control over updates and branding fades.
Quick read · 2 min
Apple has rolled out a new Upgrade program in the United States that lets you lease devices like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Watches, paying month by month through Klarna. The lease lasts 12 to 36 months, and you can return the device at the end of the term or buy it out. Apple says it provides 0% financing across its products, meaning you don’t pay more in total than the list price.
This could shake up how people buy devices and how carriers profit from them. If you prefer regularly upgrading to the latest model, this could be a convenient route; if you keep devices longer, a traditional purchase might still be cheaper in the long run. Watch for potential changes if the program expands beyond the US.
Available now in the US
Leases run 12–36 months
End of term buyout or return options
The Apple Upgrade program is a leasing option that’s aimed at making it easier to get Apple devices without a big upfront price. Available in the United States for now, the program pairs Apple’s hardware with financing via Klarna. Shoppers sign up for a lease that runs between 12 and 36 months. At the end of the term, you can return the device to Apple at no additional charge or buy it out for the remaining value. In practical terms, you won’t pay more than the outright price over the life of the lease, according to Apple, which positions this as essentially 0% financing across its product line.
What makes this different from a straight purchase is the ongoing relationship. Rather than buying once and owning the device, customers keep a financing arrangement that flexes with upgrades and trade-ins. Apple has already integrated the program with its broader ecosystem, so moving between devices, even across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, can feel more like a continuous journey than a one-off purchase.
01
Which devices are eligible and how long does it last
Apple says the program covers a range of its products, with lease terms lasting between 12 and 36 months. At the end of the lease, you have the choice to return the device or buy it out. Exact device eligibility and the buyout amount vary by product and initial price, but the core idea is a predictable monthly cost aligned to the device’s value at the end of the term.
02
Why this could affect carriers
The move is notable because it shifts more of the customer journey away from mobile carriers. In the pre‑smartphone era, carriers controlled many parts of how phones were sold and when software updates landed. Apple’s upgrade program helped flip that dynamic in the company’s favor, and now a similar shift could happen again. If customers move through Apple’s financing and upgrade path rather than through carrier‑subsidized deals or carrier‑specific branding and apps, carriers’ leverage could lessen over time.
03
What this means for everyday buyers
For ordinary people, the program offers a familiar path to getting the latest devices without a large upfront payment. The monthly cost is clearly defined, and there’s no extra charge to return at the end of the lease. If you like upgrading regularly and keeping your hardware fresh, it could simplify budgeting. On the other hand, if you tend to keep devices for several years or don’t want to cycle through devices every year, a straight purchase might still make more financial sense for you.
04
What happens next
Apple has not said when or if the Upgrade program will expand beyond the United States, so readers in the UK and Canada should watch for any announcements. If you’re considering the program, check the terms for the device you want, especially the buyout amount at the end of the lease and any fees for late payments or early termination.
The program is a lease plan that lets you pay monthly via Klarna for Apple devices, with the option to return or buy out at the end of 12–36 months.
Is it actually 0% financing?
Apple frames it as no extra cost over the outright price; the total you pay over the term should not exceed the device’s purchase price.
Will this affect carriers?
Yes. By shifting more purchasing power into Apple’s financing and upgrade path, carriers could see changes in how devices are sold and how updates are delivered to customers.
