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Apple Raised Mac Prices. Now It Might Lease You One

Apple raised prices across its hardware lineup, citing a global shortage of memory and storage chips. Now, it's launching a leasing program, Apple Upgrade, to make the price easier to swallow.

By Nelson Aguilar·Jul 22·cnet.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Apple Raised Mac Prices. Now It Might Lease You One
Apple Raised Mac Prices. Now It Might Lease You OneImage: cnet.com

Apple raised prices on its devices, but is now offering a leasing program to make the cost more manageable. The program, Apple Upgrade, will allow customers to pay for devices over time, rather than upfront.

Why it matters

This story matters because it shows how Apple is trying to make its expensive devices more accessible to customers. The leasing program could be a game-changer for those who want to own Apple devices but can't afford the upfront cost.

Imagine you really want a new iPhone, but it's too expensive. Apple's new leasing program lets you pay for the phone over time, so you can have it without having to pay the full price upfront. It's like renting a car, but for your phone!

Analysis

A $60B Vote of Confidence

Apple's decision to raise prices on its devices may seem like a vote of no confidence in its customers' ability to afford its products. However, the company's latest move to launch a leasing program, Apple Upgrade, suggests that it's actually trying to make its devices more accessible to a wider range of customers.

The leasing program will allow customers to pay for devices over time, rather than upfront. This could be a game-changer for those who want to own Apple devices but can't afford the upfront cost. The program will be offered through Apple's website and retail stores, and will be available for most iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches.

But what's behind Apple's decision to launch this program? One reason may be that the company is trying to protect its sales from the impact of rising prices. By offering a leasing program, Apple can make its devices seem more affordable, even if the price hasn't actually changed.

Another reason may be that Apple is trying to tap into the growing trend of buy now, pay later. This is a financing option that allows customers to pay for a product over time, rather than upfront. It's become increasingly popular in recent years, and Apple may be trying to capitalize on this trend.

The leasing program will be available starting July 28, and will be offered through Apple's website and retail stores. Customers will be able to enroll in the program and start making payments over time. The program will be available for most iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, but some devices, such as the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch SE, will be excluded.

Overall, Apple's decision to launch a leasing program is a clever move that could help the company protect its sales from the impact of rising prices. It's also a sign that the company is trying to make its devices more accessible to a wider range of customers.

Key points

  • Apple raised prices on its devices, citing a global shortage of memory and storage chips.
  • The company is launching a leasing program, Apple Upgrade, to make the cost of its devices more manageable.
  • The leasing program will allow customers to pay for devices over time, rather than upfront.
  • The program will be available starting July 28, and will be offered through Apple's website and retail stores.
  • Some devices, such as the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch SE, will be excluded from the program.
The Upside

If Apple's leasing program is successful, it could lead to increased sales and revenue for the company. It could also make Apple's devices more accessible to a wider range of customers, which could lead to increased customer loyalty and retention.

The Downside

If Apple's leasing program is not successful, it could lead to decreased sales and revenue for the company. It could also make Apple's devices seem less desirable to customers, which could lead to decreased customer loyalty and retention.

Originally reported at

cnet.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsappletechcomputingleasingbuy now pay later

Author

Nelson Aguilar

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 22, 2026

Source

cnet.com

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