Our Top Pick: Apple Upgrade for Frequent iPhone Shoppers
The Apple Upgrade program is a leasing arrangement that lets you use iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Apple Watch models in return for a fixed monthly phone payment over 12–36 months, after which you can upgrade, return, or pay extra to own the device, instead of buying it outright at full price. Apple Upgrade is the best choice for most iPhone buyers because it cuts out large upfront costs while keeping your upgrade options open. The program works like a Netflix subscription for your hardware: you pay a predictable amount each month and decide at the end whether you want to move on or keep what you have. For iPhones, that payment can start from USD 17.99 (approx. RM84) per month for the iPhone 17e and goes up to USD 34.99 (approx. RM163) per month for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If you treat your phone as something you replace regularly, leasing is the smarter, more flexible path.
How Apple Upgrade Works and What It Costs
Apple Upgrade lets you lease current iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad models through Klarna, with terms of 12 or 24 months for iPhone and Apple Watch, and 24 or 36 months for Mac and iPad. The goal is simple: remove the sting of high upfront prices by spreading the cost into smaller monthly payments. You will not pay more than the device’s original selling price across the full term. For example, leasing an iPhone 17 Pro Max at USD 34.99 (approx. RM163) per month for 24 months totals USD 839.76 (approx. RM3,920), which is still lower than its listed price of USD 1,199 (approx. RM5,603). Other starting prices include USD 17.99 (approx. RM84) for the iPhone 17e, USD 22.99 (approx. RM107) for the iPhone 17, USD 28.99 (approx. RM135) for iPhone Air, and USD 31.99 (approx. RM149) for the iPhone 17 Pro. Similar leasing tiers start at USD 11.99 (approx. RM56) for Apple Watch Series 11 and iPad Mini.
| Device | Lease term options | Starting monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17e | 12 or 24 months | USD 17.99 (approx. RM84) |
| iPhone 17 | 12 or 24 months | USD 22.99 (approx. RM107) |
| iPhone Air | 12 or 24 months | USD 28.99 (approx. RM135) |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 12 or 24 months | USD 31.99 (approx. RM149) |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 12 or 24 months | USD 34.99 (approx. RM163) |
| Apple Watch Series 11 | 12 or 24 months | USD 11.99 (approx. RM56) |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | 12 or 24 months | USD 24.99 (approx. RM116) |
| iPad Mini | 24 or 36 months | USD 11.99 (approx. RM56) |
| iPad Air M4 | 24 or 36 months | USD 15.99 (approx. RM74) |
| iPad Pro M5 | 24 or 36 months | USD 24.99 (approx. RM116) |
| MacBook Air M5 | 24 or 36 months | USD 24.99 (approx. RM116) |
| MacBook Pro (M5 series) | 24 or 36 months | USD 38.99 (approx. RM182) |
| iMac M4 | 24 or 36 months | USD 28.99 (approx. RM135) |
| Mac Studio (M4 Max / M3 Ultra) | 24 or 36 months | USD 48.99 (approx. RM229) |
Lease vs Buy: What You Gain and What You Give Up
Under Apple Upgrade, you are leasing your devices—you do not automatically own them at the end of the term. When your 12–36 month period ends, you can upgrade to a newer model, return the device and leave the program, or pay the remaining amount in one go to keep it. This is very different from Apple’s previous iPhone Upgrade Program, which was an installment plan that led to full ownership after you completed payments. The main advantage of leasing is lower initial cost and easy access to frequent upgrades, especially for higher-priced models. You also never pay more than the retail price over the lease, which keeps total cost in check. The downside is clear: unless you pay a final lump sum, you have no long-term ownership equity, and your device is more like a subscription than a lasting asset. You are trading ownership for flexibility, which only makes sense if you upgrade regularly.
Is Apple Upgrade Right for You or Should You Buy Outright?
On a pure cost level, Apple Upgrade does not charge more than the original selling price of each device. But you should not treat the lower total lease amount as a discount, because the device is not yours when the term ends unless you pay extra to own it. Think of Apple Upgrade as a car lease for your tech: ideal if you always want the latest iPhone or Mac and dislike tying up cash in a single large purchase. If you prefer to keep a phone for many years, outright buying or a classic installment plan that leads to ownership will usually suit you better. Apple Upgrade works best for people whose upgrade cycle matches the 12–36 month terms, who are comfortable with monthly phone payments, and who value the option to upgrade, return, or buy out the device at the end.
- Buy the Apple Upgrade program if you want predictable monthly phone payments and plan to refresh your iPhone every 1–2 years.
- Skip the Apple Upgrade program if you keep your phones for many years and care about long-term ownership equity.
- Buy the Apple Upgrade program if you want to avoid large upfront costs on devices like iPhone 17 Pro Max at USD 34.99 (approx. RM163) per month.
- Skip the Apple Upgrade program if you prefer installment plans that automatically end with you owning the device.
- Buy the Apple Upgrade program if you value being able to upgrade, return, or buy out your device at the end of a 12–36 month term.
