• 2 min read
Apple may launch 24-month iPhone leasing via Klarna
Bloomberg reports Apple is preparing an Apple Upgrade device leasing plan with Klarna for iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and Macs.
Image: ITzine
Apple is reportedly preparing a new Apple Upgrade device leasing program with Klarna, according to Bloomberg. The lineup is said to include iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, with terms closer to a subscription than a standard installment plan.
For iPhone and Apple Watch, the lease would run for 24 months. For iPad and Mac, it would last 36 months. Bloomberg’s reported structure also includes a soft credit check before approval. At the end of the term, customers would be able to either return the device or keep it.
If the launch does happen on July 28, as reported, Apple appears set to replace its older iPhone Upgrade Programme, which operated for years in several markets through Barclays and Citizens. The broader idea is not new: Samsung already offers its own trade-in and finance options, while mobile carriers in the US and Europe have long pushed early-upgrade plans tied to monthly payments. The difference here is that Apple seems to be pulling that upgrade cycle back inside its own ecosystem rather than leaving it to banks and retailers.
Devices included in Apple Upgrade
The program reportedly will not cover every model. According to the source, Apple plans to exclude the Apple Watch SE, the base iPad, the iPhone 16, and the MacBook Neo.
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That suggests Apple may be reserving the plan for devices with stronger margins and more predictable demand. Another notable detail: AppleCare is reportedly not included, so insurance and extended support would have to be purchased separately.
Users would also be able to buy out the contract early and move to a newer model before the full 24- or 36-month term ends. For customers who replace hardware every year or two, that could make the offer more appealing. For Apple, it is a straightforward way to keep upgrade frequency high ahead of the usual fall iPhone refresh — without building credit infrastructure from scratch, thanks to Klarna’s established position in buy now, pay later payments.
Enterprise Editor
Marcus follows the money. He covers enterprise software, cloud architecture, and the tectonic shifts in Big Tech strategy. He translates dense earnings calls and complex M&A activity into actionable insights about where the industry is actually heading. If a tech giant makes a silent pivot, Marcus is usually the first to notice.
via ITzine
