Apple launches Apple Upgrade in the US on July 28, offering leasing plans for most devices
Apple on Tuesday, July 28, will roll out Apple Upgrade in the United States, a new leasing-based programme that will cover most iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch models, the company announced. Registrations for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program will close the same day; current members, Apple says, can keep their enrollment “for the moment.”
How Apple Upgrade works
Apple Upgrade is structured as lease contracts rather than traditional financing. Term lengths vary by device category: 24 months for iPhone and Apple Watch models, and 36 months for iPad and Mac devices. At the end of a lease, customers can return the device, replace it with a newer model, or pay fees to take ownership.
Partnership and market positioning
Apple is partnering with buy-now, pay-later provider Klarna for the new programme. Apple plans to promote Apple Upgrade by highlighting lower monthly payments compared with current financing offers, positioning the service squarely as a leasing option.
What changes for insurance and legacy programmes
Unlike the iPhone Upgrade Program, Apple Upgrade apparently will not include AppleCare+ in the monthly payment. Apple Upgrade is expected to replace the iPhone Upgrade Program for new subscriptions after launch; the company has not provided detailed transition terms for existing customers beyond noting they may remain enrolled “for the moment.”
Excluded devices and restrictions
Not all models will be eligible. Several entry-level devices—specifically the Apple Watch SE, the base iPad, the iPhone 16 and the MacBook Neo—are excluded from the programme. Apple has not published a full list of eligible models or explained the rationale behind those exclusions.
Why it matters
Apple Upgrade arrives as device makers increasingly offer access models based on usage rather than outright purchase. For consumers, the choice will come down to priorities: lower monthly payments and easier refresh cycles via leasing, versus outright ownership and bundled protections like AppleCare+, which may need to be purchased separately under Apple Upgrade.
