Apple has officially launched Apple Upgrade, a new leasing program in the United States. The new program lets customers lease iPhones, Apple Watches, Macs, and iPads with flexible payment plans. It is powered by Klarna and is available through the Apple Store online, the Apple Store app, and Apple retail stores across the U.S.
The new program replaces Apple’s existing iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments option in the country.
Apple offers different lease durations depending on the product.
For iPhone and Apple Watch, customers can choose between 12-month and 24-month lease plans. Mac and iPad users get 24-month and 36-month lease options.
Starting monthly prices are:
| Product | Starting Monthly Price |
|---|---|
| iPhone | $17.99 |
| Apple Watch | $11.99 |
| Mac | $24.99 |
| iPad | $11.99 |
Customers can also trade in their existing Apple device through Apple Trade In while joining the program. The trade-in value is applied to reduce the monthly lease payment.
Those who use Apple Card for payments will receive 3 percent Daily Cash back on their lease payments.
Customers can apply for Apple Upgrade online or at an Apple Store. According to Apple, the application takes only a few minutes. Approval is handled by Klarna and only requires a soft credit check, which does not impact the customer’s credit score. Once approved, customers can complete the purchase and choose home delivery, in-store pickup, or buy the device directly from an Apple Store.
Customers enrolled in Apple Upgrade will continue to get access to Apple’s services, including Personal Setup for device configuration and Today at Apple educational sessions. Apple also allows customers to add AppleCare coverage during the lease period for hardware protection.
What happens after the lease ends?
At the end of the lease period, customers have three options:
- Upgrade to a newer Apple device.
- Purchase the leased device by making a one-time payment.
- Return the device and end the lease.
Customers can manage billing schedules and view remaining payments through the Klarna app.
