The reported Apple Upgrade program raises a very big concern - 9to5Mac

What the report says

9to5Mac reported on July 22, 2026, that a Bloomberg report from the previous day points to Apple preparing a new “Apple Upgrade” leasing-style program that could replace the current iPhone Upgrade Program. The article, written by Ben Lovejoy, stresses that Apple has not announced the plan, so the exact terms remain unconfirmed.

According to 9to5Mac’s reading of the Bloomberg report, the possible replacement would differ from Apple’s existing iPhone Upgrade Program in important ways. The current program spreads the cost of an iPhone over 24 months, after which the customer owns the device, with an option to trade in and restart after 12 months. The reported new version could cover more Apple products, including Macs, with Mac terms said to run for three years.

The main concern raised by 9to5Mac is that the new arrangement may resemble a car lease rather than a purchase installment plan. In that model, monthly payments generally cover expected depreciation and financing costs, not the full value of the product. At the end, the customer may need to return the device, begin another lease, or pay a larger final amount to keep it.

9to5Mac argues that lower monthly payments could make Apple hardware easier to access, but might also push customers into repeated upgrade cycles without ownership. The article also notes a potential risk if AppleCare+ is not included: customers could still owe payments, and possibly an end-of-term amount, after loss, theft or severe damage.