Renting an iPhone or Buying It? How Apple Changed the Rules of the Sales Game

Apple has launched a new program in the United States that changes how its devices are acquired, allowing users to lease iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches through monthly installments instead of paying the full price upfront, though without offering any actual discount on the device’s value.

The program operates in partnership with Klarna. Lease contracts for iPhones and Apple Watches range from 12 to 24 months, while those for iPads and Macs span 24 to 36 months. At the end of the contract, users can choose to return the device and upgrade to a newer model, pay the remaining balance to own it, or return it and terminate the agreement.

The figures reveal that the program aims to facilitate payments rather than reduce prices. For instance, the iPhone 17e, priced at $599, can be leased for $17.99 per month over 24 months, totaling approximately $432 before returning the device. Keeping it requires an additional payment of $165 to $170, bringing the final cost close to its original price.

Monthly installments for the iPad Mini start at $11.99, and for the iPad Air at $15.99, while MacBook prices begin at $24.99 per month.

Thus, the scheme appears more suitable for those who wish to regularly upgrade their devices or avoid large upfront purchases, whereas buying outright remains more cost-effective for individuals planning to keep the device for several years.