Apple launches US Apple Upgrade leasing program with Klarna
Apple announced the Apple Upgrade leasing program in the United States, a new subscription‑style service that lets customers lease iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads and Macs. The program, powered by fintech firm Klarna, replaces the earlier iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments. It is available through the Apple Store website, app and physical retail locations.
Lease terms differ by product: iPhone and Apple Watch can be leased for 12 or 24 months, while iPad and Mac offer 24‑ or 36‑month options. Monthly payments start at $17.99 for an iPhone, $11.99 for an Apple Watch or iPad, and $24.99 for a Mac. Customers must pass a soft credit check that does not affect their credit score. At the end of a lease, users may return the device, purchase it with a one‑time payment, or upgrade to a newer model under a new lease. Apple Card holders earn 3 % Daily Cash back on lease payments, and AppleCare can be added separately. The service is currently limited to the United States, with no announced plans for expansion.
Entities: Apple Inc. · Apple Upgrade · Apple Watch · AppleCare One · Bob Borchers · France · Germany · Klarna · Tim Cook · United Kingdom · iPhone
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The German plan can save up to €13.48 per month compared with separate AppleCare+ plans. (Apple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] AppleCare One launched in the United Kingdom on 4 August 2026. (Apple)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The UK subscription covers iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and older devices up to four years old (AirPods up to one year). (Apple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] AppleCare One launched in Germany on 4 August 2026 with a base price of €20.99 per month for up to three devices and €5.99 per month for each additional device. (Apple)
- [● 8 SOURCES] AppleCare One bundles provide unlimited accidental‑damage repairs, battery replacement, priority support and theft‑and‑loss protection where applicable. (Apple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] AppleCare One launched in France at €20.99 per month for up to three devices, with single-device rates of €11.99 for an iPhone 17, €4.49 for an Apple Watch and €89 for a MacBook Air. (AppleCare One France : prix, appareils couverts et date de lancement du nouvel abonnement Apple)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The UK plan costs £16.99 per month for up to three devices, with additional devices at £4.99 per month. (Apple)
- [● 6 SOURCES] AppleCare One includes theft‑and‑loss coverage for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, but not for Macs. (AppleCare One plan features)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Eligible devices must be no more than four years old (one year for headphones) and be verified as being in good condition via diagnostic check or in‑store inspection. (Apple Inc.)
- [● 14 SOURCES] AppleCare One will be available in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Australia starting 4 August 2026. (Apple Inc.)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Customers can add or remove devices at any time, and when a covered device is traded in, the old unit is automatically removed from the plan and the new one added. (Apple Inc.)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Eligible devices may be up to four years old (one year for headphones) and must be in good condition. (supported)