Apple appears ready to rethink how you buy its devices entirely. According to Bloomberg reports, a new subscription-style program called Apple Upgrade is set to launch in the US on July 28, 2026, expanding beyond iPhones to cover iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches too.
Rather than traditional financing, this functions more like a vehicle lease. You’d make monthly payments, then choose to upgrade, pay off the balance, return the device, or keep it once the term ends. Apple is reportedly partnering with Klarna to run it, with a soft credit check required to enroll.
iPhone and Apple Watch plans are expected to run 24 months, while iPad and Mac plans stretch to 36 months all pitched as offering lower monthly payments than Apple’s current financing options.
Unlike Apple’s existing iPhone Upgrade Program, AppleCare+ reportedly won’t be automatically bundled in, meaning you’d need to add protection separately. Some budget devices, the base iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE, and MacBook Neo among them are said to be excluded entirely.
With memory and storage costs climbing due to AI demand, spreading device costs into smaller monthly payments could help Apple keep sales steady even as prices rise elsewhere.
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