Apple now offers US customers the option to rent its iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch via Apple Upgrade, a program managed by Klarna. Monthly payments start at $17.99 for an iPhone and $11.99 for an Apple Watch, with terms ranging from 12 to 36 months depending on the product.
A simple and flexible leasing program
Since July 28, 2026, US customers can opt for Apple Upgrade, a rental program for iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad, available online, in the Apple Store app, and in stores. Monthly payments vary by product: starting at $17.99 for an iPhone, $11.99 for an Apple Watch or iPad, and $24.99 for a Mac. Terms offered are 12 or 24 months for iPhone and Apple Watch, and 24 or 36 months for Mac and iPad, as specified by Apple.
Subscription takes just a few minutes, with a soft credit check (no impact on credit score) managed by Klarna. Once approved, customers can pick up their device immediately in-store or choose delivery. Apple also offers the option to include an AppleCare subscription to simplify returns or upgrades.
End of iPhone Upgrade Program, enter leasing
Apple is discontinuing its old iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments in the US. Existing customers can continue until their next upgrade, then switch to Apple Upgrade, Apple Card financing, outright purchase, or carrier credit. Unlike the old program, Apple Upgrade does not include AppleCare+ by default: it must be added for an additional monthly cost, as noted by 9to5Mac.
At the end of the contract: three options
At the end of the contract, the customer can:
- upgrade to a new device
- purchase the leased device by paying the difference between the monthly payments made and the retail price
- return the device and exit the program with no additional fees
These options are also available from day one, provided the remaining monthly payments are settled. No penalties or interest are applied in case of early termination.
A model that could expand
Apple Upgrade fits into a broader trend: renting high-tech hardware to avoid a high upfront cost. As noted by Android Authority, this model could encourage Google and Samsung to offer similar deals, especially for their high-end devices whose resale value drops quickly.
Some entry-level devices (Apple Watch SE, entry-level iPad, iPhone 16, MacBook Neo) are not eligible, according to MacRumors.
"At Apple, we put the customer at the heart of everything we do, and we’re thrilled that Apple Upgrade offers our customers, online and in-store, a more flexible way to pay for the products they love." — Karen Rasmussen, vice president of the Apple Store onlineTranslated from French
Apple Upgrade marks a turning point: leasing is gradually replacing purchase to access the latest devices. It remains to be seen whether this model, currently limited to the US, will appeal to French consumers, who are accustomed to more traditional financing or resale solutions.
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