Today Bloomberg reported that Apple is about to launch a new ‘Apple Upgrade’ hardware leasing program. It will allow you to purchase new Apple products with a monthly subscription, but there is a reported limitation that I hope doesn’t hold true.
‘Apple Update’ will make more expensive products more affordable, but will exclude entry-level models according to report
Due to the current AI-driven memory crisis, most Apple products It recently became more expensive.
This fall, that trend will accelerate even more as new iPhone and Apple Watch models are expected to become more expensive as well. Not to mention the high end iPhone Ultra and macbook ultra debuting products.
Apple’s solution, according to Mark Gurman, is to launch a new monthly subscription option ‘Apple Upgrade’ for hardware leases.
Gurman says this option will debut next week for purchases in the Apple Store online and in retail stores.
Pending final details, I think making Apple products more accessible in this way is a good move.
Apple Upgrade will be completely optional, so anyone who wants to purchase products directly will still be able to do so. But especially given recent price increases, adding more options seems like a no-brainer.
My only concern has to do with eligible hardware. Gurman says certain devices will not be available through Apple Upgrade, including “Apple Watch SE, entry-level iPad, iPhone 16, and MacBook Neo.”
If Apple doesn’t allow users to choose its most affordable products through the leasing program, that’s a shame.
Imagine you’ve always considered Apple products to be out of your financial reach. But thanks to this new program, a MacBook Neo becomes a monthly payment of only $20. In such a scenario, Apple Upgrade could attract many new users to the Apple ecosystem.
I understand that Apple wants to encourage users to opt for its more expensive products. But limiting Apple Upgrade to only certain hardware seems like an unnecessary way to complicate the program and limit its impact.
What do you think of Apple’s reported upgrade plans? Let us know in the comments.
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