Apple has launched a device leasing program in partnership with Klarna that allows customers to rent iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches with monthly payments ranging from $12 to $25. Subscribers can upgrade to new hardware after 12 or 24 months, with early swaps available for an additional fee. The service replaces Apple's previous device payment plan and incorporates trade-in credits and cashback incentives for Apple Card users, positioning itself as a way to access the latest technology on a recurring payment basis.

Critics contend that Apple Upgrade continues the company's broader strategy of binding customers within its ecosystem whilst limiting their agency over the devices they use. The requirement to return devices in original condition, combined with potential wear-and-tear charges, means that outright purchase and resale remains the more economical choice for most users. The programme is seen as emblematic of a wider trend where subscription and lending products obscure the true cost of goods during a period of rising technology prices, positioning recurring payments as a solution to affordability pressures rather than addressing the underlying cost inflation.