Apples new Upgrade program lets you lease a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch like a car

It's like a monthly subscription for "owning" devices. By Christina Buff Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl. Read Full Bio on July 28, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Credit: Apple / Mashable Photo Composite Last month, Apple tragically raised the prices on many of its devices, largely thanks to the industry-wide memory shortage known as RAMageddon. This month, it's giving consumers some relief. Sort of.Apple officially launched a new leasing program today called Apple Upgrade. If the cost of buying a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch outright brings you to your knees, Apple Upgrade lets you lease a device for as low as $11.99 per month. While it doesn't actually reduce the price of Apple products, it changes the perceived cost by swapping the shock of the full price with a predictable low monthly payment. Price psychology! This is the first time Apple is expanding its leasing options beyond just smartphones. Aside from iPhones, the new Apple Upgrade program also features a range of iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs, though not every product in Apple's lineup is included. Notably, the MacBook Neo — Apple's most affordable laptop — is not available in the program. Leasing prices start at $17.99 per month for iPhones, $11.99 per month for iPads and Apple Watches, and $24.99 per month for Mac devices. Leases run for 12 or 24 months for both iPhones and Apple Watches and 24 or 36 months for iPads and Macs. Mashable Light Speed Once your lease is up, you have a few options. You can either upgrade your device, keep it with a one-time fee, or return it to an Apple store and quit the program altogether. While Apple hasn't said how much that one-time purchase fee will be, it'll likely just amount to the full price of the phone minus your leasing payments. So, not exactly a deal.Apple Upgrade is run by Klarna. So, similar to a credit card, you'll need approval before you can participate. Apple says applying takes mere minutes and requires a soft credit check that won't impact your credit score. Once approved, you'll be able to keep track of your lease and payment details through the Klarna app. Here's a quick look at some of the sample prices (minus taxes): iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) — $1,099 $31.99/month with a 24-month lease or $45.99/month with a 12-month leaseiPhone Air (256GB) — $999 $28.99/month with a 24-month lease or $41.99/month with a 12-month leaseiPad Pro, 11-inch (256GB, WiFi) — $1,199 $24.99/month with a 36-month lease or $31.99/month with a 24-month leaseiPad Air, 11-inch (128GB, WiFi) — $749 $15.99/month with a 36-month lease or $19.99/month with a 24-month leaseMacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 chip, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,999 $38.99/month with a 36-month lease or $53.99/month with a 24-month leaseMacBook Air, 13-inch (M5 chip, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299 $24.99/month with a 36-month lease or $34.99/month with a 24-month leaseApple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS) — $399 $11.99/month with a 24-month lease or $21.99/month with a 12-month leaseIn case you missed it, Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program is now dead. The Apple Upgrade program is its replacement. If you're still on the existing iPhone Upgrade program, you can choose whether or not you want to move to the Apple Upgrade program when your contract ends. Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl.Christina received a B.S. in Business Communication (concentration in writing) from Stevenson University and began her professional journey writing and editing press releases. Since then, she’s written content for a marketing agency, blogged for celebrities, and covered local news, politics, women’s lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and just about everything in between for various publications.When she’s not writing, she’s probably enjoying live music, studying human design, or embroidering and upcycling clothes. You can follow her on Instagram at @touchinfinity. These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.