Apple will now let you lease your next iPhone or Mac instead of buying it
Apple Will Now Let You Lease Your Next iPhone or Mac
Goldlaner.com – Apple will now let you lease your next iPhone or Mac instead of buying it outright. For years, consumers have turned to leasing for cars, apartments, and office spaces. Now, Apple is expanding that option to its most popular consumer electronics. The company is launching a new leasing program designed to make iPhones, Macs, and other devices more accessible as prices continue to rise and shoppers keep their gadgets longer.
The initiative comes through a partnership with payment platform Klarna and will launch in the United States on Tuesday. Customers can access the program through Apple retail stores, the Apple Store app, and online. Leasing terms vary by product: iPhones and Apple Watches offer 12- or 24-month options, while Macs and iPads provide 24- or 36-month lease terms. However, not every model qualifies. Apple’s more affordable products, including the iPhone 16, MacBook Neo, base iPad, and Apple Watch SE, are excluded from the program.
How the New Program Compares to Previous Options
This leasing model replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program, which let customers trade in their iPhones after completing 12 monthly payments. The updated approach extends that concept to a wider selection of Apple products while introducing greater flexibility and reduced monthly costs. According to Apple’s website, the most affordable iPhone lease starts at $17.99 per month, compared to roughly $42 per month under the previous upgrade plan.
The shift reflects changing consumer behavior. Francisco Jeronimo, an analyst at International Data Corporation, noted that the program encourages people to view their iPhone or Mac as a subscription service rather than a one-time purchase. A recent survey from Reviews.org found that the average American keeps their phone for 22 months instead of upgrading annually. This trend coincides with expectations that Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup will carry higher price tags.
“Apple’s real risk is that rising prices even further can impact the upgrade cycle,” Jeronimo said in a statement last week after Bloomberg reported on the leasing program. “Apple Upgrade lands at precisely the moment Apple needs it.”
Price increases stem partly from a memory shortage driven by growing demand for data centers. Last month, Apple adjusted prices on several Mac and iPad models. Mike Howard, vice president of memory coverage at TechInsights, told CNN that consumers should prepare for $1,500 iPhones instead of the $1,000 or $1,200 models of recent years. The leasing program arrives just before Apple’s expected September iPhone announcement.
Bloomberg reported that Apple plans to introduce its first foldable iPhone, which could become the company’s most expensive smartphone to date. The timing of the new leasing option positions Apple to maintain customer interest despite potential price hikes. For more details on Apple’s product strategy, readers can explore [Apple’s latest announcements](https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/28/tech/apple-lease-products-iphone-mac) and [market analysis](https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/28/tech/apple-lease-products-iphone-mac).
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple’s New Leasing Program
Which products can I lease through this program?
Eligible products include higher-end iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches. Budget-friendly models like the iPhone 16, MacBook Neo, base iPad, and Apple Watch SE are not included.
How long are the lease terms?
iPhones and Apple Watches offer 12- or 24-month leases. Macs and iPads provide 24- or 36-month options, giving customers flexibility based on their needs.
What is the monthly cost for leasing an iPhone?
The most affordable iPhone lease starts at $17.99 per month, significantly lower than the approximately $42 per month under the previous iPhone Upgrade Program.
When does the program launch?
The leasing program becomes available in the United States on Tuesday through Apple retail locations, the Apple Store app, and online channels.
Why is Apple introducing this program now?
Rising device prices, a memory shortage affecting costs, and longer consumer upgrade cycles have prompted Apple to offer a subscription-style alternative to traditional purchases.
