You might have heard that Apple launched a new ‘Upgrade’ program that gives customers new leasing options for the company’s products. However, those of us living in Canada don’t have access to the new program — honestly, it might be a good thing.
The new Apple Upgrade program gives customers access to new leasing options through Swedish fintech company Klarna, best known for its “predatory” and risky buy now, pay later app. According to Apple’s website, customers can lease iPhones and Apple Watches over 12 or 24 months, or Mac and iPad products over 24 or 36 months. Apple touts other benefits, like using its trade-in program to lower costs or getting cash back when making lease payments with the Apple Card.
Notably, the program is a lease program, which means customers don’t own the device at the end of the lease period. Apple’s website notes that “customers can upgrade their device to the latest generation, purchase it with a one-time payment, or simply return it and exit the program” at the end of the lease.
Perhaps more notable than the lease program is the related news about Apple’s alleged plans to lock down financed devices. Before the launch of Apple Upgrade, 9to5Mac reportedly found code in the iOS 27 beta for managing financed iPhones, including restricting access to apps and services if customers miss a payment.
Apple Upgrade is available only in the U.S. through Apple’s online store and at physical store locations. Alongside the launch, Apple has stopped offering its iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments programs in the U.S.
Canadians have other options
While Apple Upgrade isn’t available in Canada, there are other purchase options available for Canadians. Apple itself offers both direct purchases and financing options, allowing customers to split the cost of an iPhone over 24 months.
In a similar vein, most Canadian carriers offer 24-month device financing programs for smartphones, as well as lease-like device return programs where Canadians can choose to return the phone after 24 months, or pay to keep it. While I have my issues with these programs — namely that carriers typically inflate the cost of phones, making it more expensive to finance devices that way — at least they don’t lock customers out of their phones if they miss a payment. (At least, not yet. Never underestimate a Canadian carrier’s ability to be anti-consumer!)
It’s also hard to ignore the broader context of rising prices as Apple rolls out this new program. AI companies have driven up the costs of common components like RAM and storage in their rush to build out (largely unwanted) data centres, and it doesn’t help that memory makers are allegedly colluding to take advantage of the situation. The pressure has forced many companies to raise prices on their products, including Apple itself.
Now here comes Apple Upgrade with a seemingly cheaper way to upgrade your Apple tech, and just in time for the company’s fall iPhone event where it’s expected to unveil its folding (and very expensive) iPhone Ultra. I’m curious to see just how many customers leverage the Apple Upgrade program when the new devices arrive in September.
Source: Apple
