Apple is preparing to introduce a new Apple Upgrade programme that will allow customers to lease selected Apple devices through financing partner Klarna, offering a more flexible way to access iPhones, Macs, iPads and Apple Watch models.
Expected to launch on 28 July, the programme will initially be available in the United States through Apple’s online store and retail locations. Unlike Apple’s existing iPhone Upgrade Program, the new initiative will expand beyond smartphones to cover multiple Apple product categories.
Under the programme, customers will be able to lease:
iPhone and Apple Watch models for 24 months
Mac and iPad models for 36 months
Users will make monthly subscription-style payments for their devices, with options to pay off the balance early, upgrade to a newer model during the lease period, continue keeping the device after the term ends, or return it. Some options may involve additional fees.
Customers will need approval from Klarna, which will conduct a soft credit check as part of the application process.
However, not all Apple products will be eligible for the programme. Devices excluded from the initial offering include the Apple Watch SE, entry-level iPad, iPhone 16 and MacBook Neo. The programme will also not support business or education purchases.
Unlike the current iPhone Upgrade Program, the new Apple Upgrade service will not include AppleCare coverage. Existing financing options will continue, although Apple is reportedly expected to move new customers towards the Klarna-backed programme.
Apple Expands Partnership with Klarna
The move builds on Apple’s growing relationship with Klarna for flexible payment solutions. Klarna instalment options were added to Apple Pay in 2024, allowing customers to access payment plans during online and in-app purchases.
Following the discontinuation of Apple Pay Later, Apple has increasingly relied on third-party financial partners such as Klarna to provide instalment payment options through its ecosystem.
The new Apple Upgrade programme represents a shift towards a subscription-style hardware ownership model, giving customers more flexibility in accessing and upgrading Apple devices without paying the full purchase price upfront.
iPhone 20 Pro Max Could Feature Apple’s Largest Ever 7-Inch Display
Apple could be preparing a major display upgrade for its 20th anniversary iPhone lineup, with a new rumour suggesting that the future iPhone 20 Pro Max may feature a screen marketed as a 7-inch display.
According to a report from Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Apple is testing a larger display option that could become the biggest screen ever introduced on an iPhone. However, the actual panel size is reportedly expected to be around 6.96 inches, rather than a full 7 inches.
While the increase may sound significant, the difference compared with current models would be relatively small. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature a 6.86-inch display, meaning the potential upgrade would represent roughly a 2% increase in screen size when measured diagonally.
Despite the modest increase, the larger display could still provide a more noticeable experience for users, although details about resolution, pixel density and overall design changes remain unknown.
The possible screen upgrade follows earlier rumours suggesting that Apple is exploring a redesigned iPhone for 2027, including a device with a four-sided curved display and a major visual overhaul to mark the iPhone’s 20th anniversary.
Apple last increased iPhone display sizes in 2024 with the launch of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which grew from a 6.7-inch display to 6.9 inches. The iPhone 16 Pro also increased from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches.
Digital Chat Station noted that Apple has not yet finalised the larger display size, meaning the 6.96-inch panel remains part of the company’s testing process. The leaker has previously shared several accurate details about upcoming Apple devices, including reports related to future foldable iPhone display sizes.
If introduced, the larger display could become one of the key upgrades in Apple’s anniversary iPhone lineup, alongside potential design changes and new technologies expected in 2027.
Apple Upgrades to Let Users Lease iPhones and Macs Through Klarna Financing
