Apple is preparing a new device leasing programme called “Apple Upgrade” that will let customers lease iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches in the United States with financing handled by Klarna. The plan, reported by Bloomberg and relayed by Notebookcheck, aims to offer 24- and 36-month leasing terms with upgrade and return options, changing how some customers pay for Apple hardware.
Bloomberg: Apple Upgrade to replace old iPhone Upgrade plan and launch July 28
Notebookcheck’s report, citing Bloomberg, says Apple will roll out the programme as soon as July 28 and position it as a replacement for the earlier iPhone Upgrade programme. The initial launch is expected to be limited to the US market. According to the reporting, Apple Upgrade will use Klarna to provide the underlying financing and an informal credit check will be required before a customer can lease a device.
How the Apple Upgrade leasing model will work
Under the terms described, leasing lengths vary by device type: 24-month leases for iPhone and Apple Watch, and 36-month leases for iPad and Mac. Customers will be able to pay off the remaining balance early, upgrade to a newer model before the lease expires, and at the end of the term either keep or return the device — each choice affects the monthly payment level. The programme is being marketed as more affordable and flexible than traditional installment plans.
Notably, the lease does not include device insurance. Notebookcheck reports that customers are still responsible for paying the monthly fee if a leased device is damaged or lost, and that repairs or replacements are not covered by Apple under the leasing contract. The report also says some lower-cost models — examples cited include iPhone 16, certain iPad models, a MacBook Neo listed at $689 on Amazon, and the Apple Watch SE — may be excluded from the leasing programme.
Why it matters
The arrangement changes the payment and ownership path for consumers who want Apple hardware but prefer spreading costs over years. Apple marketing the scheme as cheaper and more flexible implies the company aims to reduce the upfront barrier for new device adoption. Because Klarna will handle financing and credit checks, Apple shifts at least the operational element of lending to the third party named in the report.
For consumers the lack of included insurance is significant: if Notebookcheck’s description is accurate, lessees must continue payments even when their device is lost or damaged, and they will need separate protection or bear repair costs themselves. That detail narrows the practical attractiveness of the offering for users who rely on device-protection bundles.
Competitive, regulatory and credit-risk implications
The report ties Apple to Klarna for funding, meaning the consumer credit relationship is mediated by Klarna rather than Apple directly. That structure can affect who carries default risk, how credit decisions are made (the piece notes an “informal” credit check), and which consumer protections and dispute processes apply. The article does not provide details about which entity would handle repossession, collections or customer service for lease disputes.
Notebookcheck also flags that the programme excludes some cheaper models — a commercial choice that could target higher-margin hardware or devices where residual values are easier to maintain. The absence of insurance and potential fees for upgrades, early termination or returning a device create trade-offs between lower monthly payments and out-of-pocket exposures for customers.
What to watch next
Key unanswered questions remain in the reporting. Bloomberg’s timeline suggests a July 28 start, but the exact rollout mechanics, terms and public materials were not included in the piece relayed by Notebookcheck. Observers should look for Apple’s official announcement, the detailed lease contract terms, and any clarifications about which devices are eligible.
Watch for specifics about: whether Apple or Klarna will own or service accounts in default; exact fee schedules for early payoff, upgrades and returns; any optional insurance or protection plans offered alongside leasing; geographic expansion beyond the US; and formal consumer disclosures about obligations when a leased device is lost or damaged. Those details will determine how this product behaves in practice for consumers and how it is treated under consumer-credit rules.
The reported Apple–Klarna tie-up would move device financing toward longer-term leasing options with upgrade paths, but the programme’s commercial appeal will depend on final eligibility, fees and protections disclosed by Apple and its financing partner.
Source: https://www.notebookcheck.se/Baerbara-datorer-laptops-tester-och-nyheter.69180.0.html