Apple Launches US Device Leasing Program With Klarna

Apple launches US device leasing program with Klarna for iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch. Here’s how it works.

Apple launches US device leasing program with Klarna

Apple has launched Apple Upgrade, a new device leasing program in the United States that lets customers pay monthly for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches through Klarna. The move expands Apple’s financing options and replaces its previous iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments offering in the U.S.

The program is available across Apple’s online store, Apple Store app, and physical retail locations in the U.S.. It is designed to make premium Apple devices feel more accessible by spreading the cost over time, while still giving customers the option to upgrade, buy out, or return the device at the end of the lease term.

How the program works

Apple says iPhones and Apple Watches can be leased for 12 or 24 months, while Macs and iPads are offered under 24- or 36-month plans. Monthly pricing starts at $17.99 for an iPhone, $11.99 for an Apple Watch or iPad, and $24.99 for a Mac.

Customers go through a soft credit check handled by Klarna, which Apple says will not affect their credit score. At the end of the lease, users can either return the device, pay a final amount to keep it, or upgrade to a newer model.

Why Apple is making this move

Apple’s leasing shift looks designed to make higher-priced devices easier to justify in a tougher consumer spending environment. Monthly payment plans can lower the sticker shock of buying an iPhone or Mac outright, which may help Apple keep buyers in its ecosystem even when upgrade cycles slow down.

The program also gives Apple more flexibility in how it sells hardware. Instead of relying only on one-time purchases, Apple can now lean more heavily into subscription-like device access, a model that has already become common in phones, cars, software, and entertainment.

Who benefits most

The new plan will likely appeal most to customers who:

• Want the latest iPhone or Mac without paying full price upfront.

• Upgrade devices frequently.

• Prefer predictable monthly payments.

• Want the option to return or swap devices later.

Apple says trade-ins can reduce monthly payments, and customers paying with an Apple Card can earn 3% cash back. That makes the offer more attractive for existing Apple users already inside the company’s financial ecosystem.

What to watch next

The big question is whether leasing will become the default way more people buy Apple hardware. If it catches on, Apple Upgrade could quietly reshape how consumers think about owning premium devices. It also signals that Apple is willing to use finance partnerships like Klarna to keep iPhone, iPad, and Mac sales moving even as device prices stay high.