Apple Reportedly Won't Launch an iPhone Subscription Service

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is no longer developing a hardware subscription service for iPhones that would let subscribers upgrade devices every year. Gurman first reported Apple's work on the service in 2022, noting it was delayed due to "software bugs and regulatory concerns." The Verge reports: While the hardware subscription service apparently won't see the light of day, Apple offers installment plans you can use to pay for an iPhone over time. The iPhone Upgrade Program spreads the payments of a loan for a new iPhone (and AppleCare Plus) over 24 months, and you can upgrade to a new phone after you pay the equivalent of 12 months. If you have an Apple Card, you can also pay for a new iPhone (and other Apple products) using Apple Card Monthly Installments.

Don't the carriers already do that

[rossdee]

Sort of

Re: Don't the carriers already do that

[SeaFox]

Essentially, yeah
  Don't want to take the heat as the "you'll own nothing" group when the evil telcos can take that role.

Re:

[mysidia]

Don't want to take the heat as the "you'll own nothing" group

Even better.. Apple already own your devices without having to formally finance and collect a tax for the piece of metal itself.

Your iPhone is a brick without agreeing to their EULA. They can update your software and the EULA at any time. You'll be prompted to agree to the new EULA, and the software won't let you use the device until you agree to the update.

Should Apple want to they can change any aspect of the service you currently get for f

Re:

[WankerWeasel]

Pretty much. Carriers have yearly upgrade programs that allow folks on the top plans to upgrade every year. Ties them to the carrier. For instance, T-Mobile members on their Yearly Upgrade program can upgrade every year as long as they've paid off at least 50% of the device price in monthly payments.

Re:

[sg_oneill]

Dont fall for it. My old phone company had a deal where you go on a sort of perpetual plan and after 2 years they upgrade you to the latest version and you return the old phone.

One year and eleven months in they cancelled my plan and told me to either return the phone or pay $400 to keep it. I paid the $400, cancelled my account, moved my account over to my ISP (who just do BYO phone stuff) and filed a formal complaint with the ACCC. Apparently I wasnt the only complaint as a year later they filed multiple

Re:

[ToddDTaft]

Sort of

...although a lot of the carriers (at least in the US) will SIM lock the phone if you finance the hardware through them. Buying the phones directly from Apple means they aren't SIM locked. This is one less headache to deal with if you want to change companies, or if you want to get a secondary SIM (e.g. for international travel). Even if you've completely paid off the hardware cost to the carrier, you might not automatically have an unlocked phone, either because the carrier doesn't offer auto-unlock or

Re:

[Kitkoan]

Apple would be able to just activate "Lock Mode" on it. At least SIM locked can still be used without a cell connection, "Lock Mode" prevents it from being used at all.

Apple "Miles"

[bill_mcgonigle]

They should just have their Apple Card loyalty program only spendable on their hardware. (does it already?)

When you've spent $70,000 throw a popup to ask if you want a new "free" phone.

One presumes the two businesses would reinforce each other and keep the upgrade treadmill rolling.

Re:

[alispguru]

No restrictions on Apple Card rewards yet.
They do give extra cash back when you buy Apple stuff, but that's only 3% versus 2%.