Apple Ditches Old iPhone Upgrade Plan, Launches New Leasing Program For iPhones, iPads, Macs And Watches

Apple rolled out a new leasing program Wednesday called Apple Upgrade, and it is far broader than the plan it replaces. For the first time, customers can lease not just an iPhone, but also an iPad, Mac or Apple Watch all through the same system. The decade-old iPhone Upgrade Program, a go-to for annual phone upgraders since 2015, is being phased out for all new sign-ups.

Right now, Apple Upgrade is only available to customers in the U.S. The company has not shared any timeline for a global rollout.

Lease terms are split by device type to match their typical price points. People signing up for an iPhone or Apple Watch can pick between a 12-month or 24-month plan. For iPads and Macs, which carry higher upfront costs, the options stretch to 24 months or 36 months. The longer terms are specifically meant to make those premium devices fit smaller monthly budgets.

When a lease runs out, customers can trade in their current device for the newest model available. Anyone who wants to upgrade before their term is up can do so early, as long as they pay a fee based on how much time remains on their plan.

Returned devices only need to be in good working order with no major damage. Apple will send out prepaid shipping kits for people who want to mail their gear back, or customers can drop items off directly at any U.S. Apple Store.

Starting monthly pricing

Prices below reflect the lowest available rate for each device at its most common lease length.

There are a few built-in ways to cut costs or add coverage at sign-up. Customers can trade in an old device through Apple Trade In when they join, and any credit they get immediately lowers their monthly payment. AppleCare can also be tacked straight onto the lease for accidental damage coverage, with no separate bill to keep track of.

Only Apple’s newest hardware is eligible at launch. The list includes the full iPhone 17 lineup (17e, base 17, Air and 17 Pro), current-generation iPads, Macs including the MacBook Pro, and the Apple Watch Series 11. Older models are not part of the program for now.

The end of the original iPhone Upgrade Program closes a long chapter for Apple. First launched alongside the iPhone 6s, the plan built a steady base of customers who paid monthly for a new handset every 12 months. Replacing it with a cross-device program is a clear shift for the company. The move pushes more of its hardware sales toward regular, recurring payments rather than large one-time purchases. It is a change investors have encouraged for years.

Customers already enrolled in the legacy iPhone Upgrade Program do not need to make any changes right now. Apple confirmed all existing accounts will be honored through the end of their current terms. Once those plans expire, though, customers will be directed to Apple Upgrade for their next device instead of being able to rejoin the old program.

Source: Apple newsroom