Apple now lets customers pay monthly for these iPhones – see full list

Apple is making its premium devices more accessible by introducing a new leasing program in the United States, partnering with payment platform Klarna. This initiative allows customers to lease iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches with flexible monthly payment plans. Available starting Tuesday through Apple's retail stores, website, and the Apple Store app, the program offers lease agreements for iPhones and Apple Watches spanning 12 or 24 months, while Macs and iPads can be leased for 24 or 36 months. Notably, lower-priced products like the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch SE are excluded from this offering. The new leasing service supersedes Apple's previous iPhone Upgrade Program, expanding the concept to a wider array of products and providing more adaptable payment terms and reduced monthly expenses. The most affordable iPhone lease begins at $17.99 per month, a substantial decrease from the prior program's starting rate of around $42 per month. Industry analysts view this move as a strategy to encourage consumers to perceive Apple devices as subscription-based products rather than costly one-time purchases. This shift aligns with consumer trends, as data suggests people are holding onto their smartphones for longer periods, with the average American now keeping a device for about 22 months before upgrading. The program's launch also comes amid growing expectations of price increases for future Apple devices, following recent price hikes on Mac and iPad models due to global memory shortages. Experts have warned that upcoming iPhone models could also see significant price jumps, with projections of a $1,500 iPhone becoming a possibility. Apple's strategic timing places the leasing program just weeks before its anticipated September product event, where new iPhone models are expected. This initiative is seen as crucial for Apple to maintain upgrade cycles amidst potentially higher device costs.

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We should start thinking about a $1,500 iPhone instead of a $1,000 (or) $1,200 iPhone.