Apple Upgrade Program: Best iPhone, Watch, iPad and Mac Picks

What the Apple Upgrade Program Is — And Our Top Pick

The Apple Upgrade program is a hardware leasing service where customers pay fixed monthly fees for iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and Macs over set terms, then choose to upgrade, return, or buy the device at the end of the contract, with total payments capped at the original retail price. For most phone shoppers, the iPhone 17 on a 24‑month Apple Upgrade lease is the best choice: it balances premium features with a manageable monthly cost and gives you predictable upgrade timing every two years. The new Apple Upgrade program has officially launched and replaces the older iPhone Upgrade Program, expanding coverage beyond phones to tablets, watches, and computers. Lease terms are handled by Klarna and can be started online, in the Apple Store app, or in physical stores, with a quick soft credit check that does not affect your credit score.

Best iPhone Leasing Options Under Apple Upgrade

If you are here for smartphones, start with the iPhone 17. On Apple Upgrade, it begins at USD 22.99 (approx. RM108) per month and can be leased for 12 or 24 months, which hits the sweet spot between price and performance for most users who want a modern flagship without going all‑in on Pro pricing. If you want the lowest entry price, the iPhone 17e starts at USD 17.99 (approx. RM85) per month, while heavy users who insist on the best camera and display should jump straight to the iPhone 17 Pro at USD 31.99 (approx. RM151) per month. According to one report, “iPhones are available with 12 or 24‑month contracts, starting at USD 17.99 per month” under Apple Upgrade. At the end of your term, you can upgrade to the latest generation, pay a one‑time amount to keep the phone, or simply return it.

Watches, iPads, and Macs: Which Models Make Sense to Lease

For wearables, the Apple Watch Series 11 is the best value pick in the program, starting at USD 11.99 (approx. RM57) per month on 12‑ or 24‑month leases. Fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers who want the most capable watch should choose Apple Watch Ultra 3 at USD 24.99 (approx. RM118) per month. On tablets, iPad Air is the balanced recommendation: it starts at USD 15.99 (approx. RM75) per month and uses 24‑ to 36‑month leases that suit students and professionals who keep a tablet longer. Budget‑minded buyers can start with iPad mini at USD 11.99 (approx. RM57), while power users can step up to iPad Pro from USD 24.99 (approx. RM118) per month. For laptops, choose MacBook Air at USD 24.99 (approx. RM118) per month if you want light, everyday computing, and MacBook Pro at USD 38.99 (approx. RM184) per month if you run heavier creative or development workloads.

How Apple Upgrade Pricing Works Versus Traditional Purchases

Apple Upgrade works like a car lease: you pay a fixed monthly fee over 12, 24, or up to 36 months depending on your device category, then choose to upgrade, return, or buy out the hardware. iPhones and Apple Watches are offered on 12‑ or 24‑month leases, while iPads and Macs use 24‑ and 36‑month options. The key difference from normal financing is commitment: if you walk away at the end of the term, you never own the device. However, if you decide to keep it, your lease payments are deducted from the original MSRP with no extra interest, so you never pay more than retail price. You can even upgrade early by paying off the remaining balance. AppleCare+ is not baked into the monthly cost anymore and must be added separately if you want damage or loss protection.

Eligibility, Exclusions, and Key Program Limits

Apple Upgrade is available through Apple’s website, the Apple Store app, and physical stores, and is provided via Klarna with fast approval using a soft credit check that does not affect your score. Existing iPhone Upgrade Program contracts will continue until they expire, but you can no longer enroll or renew under the old system. Not every device qualifies: the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, Apple Watch SE, base iPad, Mac mini, MacBook Neo, and Studio Display are excluded from Apple Upgrade. When leasing an iPhone, you must pick a major carrier at checkout, but the phones remain unlocked. You can stack the program with trade‑in credits, Apple Card Monthly Installments, or carrier financing to reduce your effective monthly cost. Apple states it will not remotely lock leased devices or limit features if you miss a payment, though you will still owe your rental obligations.

• Buy the iPhone 17 if you want a balanced flagship experience with predictable two‑year upgrades and clear leasing costs.
• Skip the iPhone 17 if you prefer full ownership from day one and plan to keep your phone for more than three years.
• Buy the iPhone 17e if your priority is the lowest monthly iPhone leasing options under Apple Upgrade.
• Skip the iPhone 17e if you rely on advanced camera and display features and are willing to pay more per month.
• Buy the iPhone 17 Pro if you want top‑tier performance and are comfortable with higher device upgrade pricing each month.
• Skip the iPhone 17 Pro if you rarely use pro‑level features and mainly browse, message, and stream media.
• Buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if you want affordable Apple hardware leasing for everyday fitness and notifications.
• Skip the Apple Watch Series 11 if you need the most rugged design and advanced outdoor features available in Apple Watch Ultra 3.
• Buy the iPad Air if you want a mid‑range tablet that fits 24‑ or 36‑month leases and suits study or work.
• Skip the iPad Air if you only need a compact reading device and would be happier with the cheaper iPad mini.
• Buy the MacBook Air if you want a light laptop on a 24‑ or 36‑month lease for general productivity.
• Skip the MacBook Air if you run heavy creative or coding workloads and should instead lease the MacBook Pro.
• Buy the Apple Upgrade program if you like swapping to the latest hardware regularly without a long‑term ownership commitment.
• Skip the Apple Upgrade program if you prefer buying devices outright and keeping them until they are outdated.