Apple Cancels iPhone Hardware Subscription

Apple Cancels iPhone Hardware Subscription Service

Apple has abandoned its plans for a hardware subscription service that would have allowed users to pay a monthly fee for an iPhone, upgrading to a new model annually. The project, intended to simplify iPhone ownership, faced software issues and regulatory hurdles, ultimately leading to its cancellation.

Key Details

• The service aimed to make iPhone acquisition similar to subscribing to an app.
• Originally slated for a late 2022 launch, it was repeatedly delayed.
• Internal testing was conducted with Apple employees.
• The subscription model was based on in-house financing, similar to the discontinued Apple Pay Later program.

This decision follows Apple's termination of its Apple Pay Later service, which offered interest-free installment plans for Apple Pay purchases. Apple now supports third-party financing options like Affirm and Klarna within Apple Pay. For more on Apple's financial services, see this article on Apple and NVIDIA.

Existing options for financing iPhones include the iPhone Upgrade Program and Apple Card Monthly Installments. While the hardware subscription service is no more, users can explore alternative financing methods. For insights into Apple's future plans, check out Apple's Foldable Future and 9to5Mac Daily.