All articles tagged with #upgrade program
Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,399, a sizable jump that would be unusual for Apple. While the company has signaled it will protect margins, a 27% price rise would be atypical for an iPhone and could deter upgrades, though financing via the Upgrade program might soften the impact; ultimately, long-term strategy and unit economics will determine if such a pricing move is credible.
Apple has rolled out Apple Upgrade, a multi-device lease program in the U.S. offering 12- and 24-month terms for iPhone and Apple Watch and 24- and 36-month terms for Mac and iPad, with monthly payments starting around $11.99–$24.99 and options to trade in devices plus 3% daily cash back with Apple Card. Analyst Mark Gurman sees it as a strategy to frame a $1-per-day cost as affordable, potentially boosting upgrades and locking customers into Apple's ecosystem, though success remains uncertain.
Apple’s stock fell nearly 2% in regular trading before its June-quarter earnings, as analysts foresee revenue rising about 15.5% to roughly $108.65 billion and iPhone sales growing around 20.8%, with gross margin expected to slip to about 47.9%. The company also launched Apple Upgrade, a Klarna‑administered leasing program offering iPhone and Apple Watch leases (and longer terms for Macs and iPads) starting at $17.99 and $11.99 per month respectively, aimed at driving more upgrades through Apple’s direct channels, though the program’s financial impact isn’t yet quantified.
Apple’s Upgrade program lets you lease select iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Watches with fixed monthly payments and three end-of-lease choices, but it’s effectively a Klarna-powered loan: no interest is charged, yet missed payments can terminate the lease and potentially trigger debt collection; additional costs like AppleCare and damage fees can raise the total, and upgrading early can wipe out resale value you could otherwise recoup—so it’s worth considering mainly if you want lower monthly costs and can stay current.
The article argues that the iPhone 18 Pro could be a particularly popular upgrade due to strong fan-favorite upgrades (new design, longer battery life, improved camera) seen in the iPhone 17 Pro, plus iOS 27’s AI features that may persuade older-device owners to upgrade. It also notes reduced buying friction from a smaller three-model lineup and an Apple Upgrade leasing option around $30 per month, which could make upgrading easier for many users this year.
Bloomberg reports Apple may replace the iPhone Upgrade Program with a lease‑like Apple Upgrade that extends to Macs, where monthly payments cover depreciation and a balloon payment is due at the end. Ownership wouldn’t transfer, potentially locking customers into repeated upgrades and higher lifetime costs—especially if AppleCare+ isn’t included.
Bloomberg reports Apple will launch an Apple Upgrade program with Klarna, offering 24-month leases for iPhone and Apple Watch and 36-month leases for iPad and Mac, with a soft credit check, the ability to pay off early and upgrade, and a choice to return or keep at lease end. AppleCare won’t be included, and the existing iPhone Upgrade Program is expected to be discontinued when Apple Upgrade launches on July 28. Excluded devices include the Apple Watch SE, base iPad, iPhone 16, and MacBook Neo; this appears intended to sustain device purchases after recent price hikes across most products.
Bloomberg reports Apple will discontinue new enrollments in its iPhone Upgrade Program and standard financing as it rolls out a new Apple Upgrade leasing plan with Klarna on July 28; the new program reportedly won’t include AppleCare, unlike the current Upgrade Program, and it’s unclear how this affects existing members.
Apple is reportedly launching an 'Apple Upgrade' lease‑to‑own program, backed by Klarna, that will replace the current iPhone Upgrade Program and cover iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch purchases with 24‑month leases for iPhones and Watches and 36‑month leases for iPads and Macs, launching July 28; budget devices and AppleCare are excluded, and sign‑ups use soft credit checks for early upgrade options.
The MacBook Upgrade Program by Upgraded offers a flexible, cost-effective way to own a MacBook by paying monthly and upgrading every 2 years, with options for custom builds, included AppleCare, and no resale hassle, making it ideal for professionals and Apple enthusiasts. Prices start at $33.28/month for MacBook Air and $52.17/month for MacBook Pro, with rates as low as 0% APR.
Upgraded offers a MacBook upgrade program where users pay a monthly fee starting at $33.28, allowing them to upgrade to a new MacBook every two years without the hassles of reselling or trade-ins, promoting a more sustainable and flexible way to own Apple devices.
Upgraded offers a flexible MacBook subscription plan allowing users to finance a MacBook over 36 months with options to upgrade or keep the device, providing an affordable, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional purchasing, ideal for power users and casual fans alike.
Sony has launched a PS5 upgrade program in the US, allowing customers who purchase a new PS5 console to receive a free digital PS5 game. The program is limited to one free game per user and requires the console to be purchased and activated by October 20. The list of eligible games includes popular titles such as Spider-Man: Miles Morales, God of War Ragnarök, and Horizon Forbidden West. The offer cannot be combined with other select offers and is non-transferable.
Best Buy has expanded its Upgrade+ program to include the iPad Pro and Apple Watch Ultra, providing monthly financing via Citizens Bank for select Apple products purchased from Best Buy in the U.S. The program is also available for the latest models of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac mini, including the new 15-inch MacBook Air. The monthly payments are spread across three years, and customers have the option to upgrade to a newer device, pay off the remaining balance, or return the device after 36 months.