Apple Shifts to Leasing Model for Mac, iPad, and Watch Lineups

The new Apple Upgrade program expands leasing options well beyond smartphones, with payments starting at $11.99 for wearables and tablets, and $24.99 for computers. While this structure lowers the immediate financial barrier to entry, the total investment remains largely unchanged. Apple has excluded certain models from this initiative, most notably the entry-level MacBook Neo.

Participation is managed through Klarna, requiring a soft credit check that Apple claims will not affect a user's credit score. Once a lease term concludes—ranging from 12 to 36 months depending on the hardware—customers face a choice: return the device, upgrade to newer technology, or pay a one-time fee to keep the hardware. Although the specific amount of that final fee remains undisclosed, it is expected to reflect the remaining balance of the device's retail price, effectively mirroring a standard installment purchase.