Apple’s ‘Upgrade’ program lets you use iPhone or Mac without owning it: Here’s how it works
Last Updated: 2026-07-29 09:57:43
Want to use an iPhone 17 Pro or MacBook Air M5 without actually owning it and just paying a monthly charge? Apple has officially started its Upgrade program that lets you lease any of its devices, pay a monthly charge for them and use it for up to 36 months across categories.
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Apple's 'Upgrade' program launched in the US.- Lease iPhones, Macs, Watches, and iPads monthly.
- Use devices for up to 36 months without owning.
The market has seen phone and laptop prices shooting through the roof in the last six months and with more to come.
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Apple feels that leasing could become a viable model that buyers sign up for which actually gives them more flexibility about using its premium devices. The Apple Upgrade program has started in the US this week and here are all the details.
Apple Upgrade launched: Price, eligible devices and more
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Apple Upgrade caters to all kinds of devices. The list includes Apple Watches, iPhone 17, 17 Pro, MacBook Air/Pro/Neo, and even iPads. Apple doesn’t say it but this is very much focusing on people who don’t want to spend premium money on its products. For instance, you now have to pay Rs 1,49,900 for the M5 MacBook Air model which is out of reach for most people.
The Upgrade allows you to get it with a 36-month plan where you will be charged $24.99 (Rs 2,399 approx) for the period which brings your final lease cost to under $900 (Rs 81,900 approx).
If you want to rent the iPhone 17 Pro or the Apple Watch Series 11 model, the plans come up to 24 months and charge $17.99 (Rs 1,721 approx) and $11.99 (Rs 1,151 approx) per month, respectively, to use these devices. You can even trade-in your current device and get the new model with a lower monthly plan from the company.
Apple Upgrade: The future way to own is here
Leasing furniture or a fridge is one thing but getting an Apple iPhone 17 or an iPad Pro for up to 24 months, is a new model unlocked by the company for its products. There is an option to keep, return or upgrade once the period ends.
Most people would say that not owning a device and still paying for it makes it sound like using Netflix or content that you stream on Spotify. But unlike those platforms, this is a tangible hardware that will be put to use in different conditions.
How Apple Upgrade works
Apple has set up a third-party process to sign up for the Upgrade program. Klarna is handling the back-end support, making people sign up, where the company does a credit check in the background and once approved, you can select the device to lease and choose where you want the product delivered or picked up from the store.
The iPhone 18 Pro price effect?
The new Upgrade is also kind of hinting at how Apple could price the iPhone 18 Pro models that will be launching in the next few months. The company is even rumoured to bring its first iPhone foldable called Ultra to the market, and that could come at an even higher price mark.