The rumours were true. Shortly after it was reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman that Apple was planning on changing the iPhone Upgrade programme, the company has introduced Apple Upgrade, a new leasing programme that lets customers pay a monthly fee for iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads and Macs instead of purchasing them outright. The programme replaces the company’s long-running iPhone Upgrade Program and expands the concept to cover more Apple devices.
However, the bad news is that for now, Apple Upgrade is only available in the US, with the company yet to announce plans to bring it to India or other markets.
Program details
Apple Upgrade is powered by buy-now-pay-later fintech firm Klarna and offers 12 and 24-month lease plans for iPhones and Apple Watches, while Macs and iPads are available on 24 and 36-month terms. Monthly pricing starts at USD 17.99 (around Rs 1,700) for the iPhone 17e, USD 22.99 (around Rs 2,200) for the iPhone 17, USD 28.99 (around Rs 2,800) for the iPhone Air and USD 31.99 (around Rs 3,060) for the iPhone 17 Pro. MacBook Air leases begin at USD 24.99 (around Rs 2,400) per month, while iPads and Apple Watches start at USD 11.99 (around Rs 1,150) monthly.
Customers can apply online or in Apple Stores, with approvals handled by Klarna. At the end of the lease, users can upgrade to the latest model, purchase the device by making a final payment, or simply return it. Apple Trade In can also be used to lower monthly payments, while AppleCare remains available as an optional add-on. This new programme broadens Apple’s hardware financing strategy beyond iPhones, bringing Macs, iPads and Apple Watches under a single upgrade ecosystem.
Alternatives in India
Apple hasn’t announced whether Apple Upgrade will expand beyond the US, including to India. For now, Indian buyers can continue using Apple Trade In to exchange eligible smartphones for credit when buying a new iPhone through Apple’s official channels. Some authorised Apple resellers also offer upgrade programmes such as EasyUpgrade, which provide guaranteed buyback values to reduce the cost of upgrading after a fixed period.
Apple also partners with banks to offer instant cashback and No Cost EMI options on eligible products. While these schemes make Apple devices more affordable, they stop short of the flexible leasing model introduced under Apple Upgrade. If Apple eventually expands the programme internationally, it could offer consumers another way to access premium devices without paying the full price upfront. Until then, buyers in India looking to upgrade regularly will continue relying on trade-in offers, financing schemes and reseller-led upgrade programmes.
