Apple Developing Hardware Subscription Service for iPhones and Other Devices

Apple is developing a hardware subscription service that would allow customers to "subscribe" and receive an iPhone or other Apple device as part of their subscription, similar to the way current Apple subscriptions like iCloud work, reports Bloomberg.

iphone 13 pro max display bleen
Customers would be able to pay a monthly subscription fee and gain access to a device for the subscription period. This would be ideal for customers who do not have the funds to buy an expensive ‌iPhone‌, iPad, or Mac up front, but who can afford a monthly price for the device, plus it would bring in more revenue for Apple.

Apple is said to be aiming to make the process of buying an ‌iPhone‌ or an ‌iPad‌ "on par" with purchasing ‌iCloud‌ storage or paying for an Apple Music subscription, with customers able to subscribe to hardware with their Apple ID and App Store account.

Compared to the ‌iPhone‌ Upgrade Program, it would differ because Apple would charge a yet-to-be-determined monthly fee rather than splitting the cost of a device across a 12 or 24 month period. It would also cover other products while the ‌iPhone‌ Upgrade Program is limited to the ‌iPhone‌.

It is possible that Apple will allow subscription users to swap out their devices for updated models when refreshed products are released, and Apple has had discussions internally about tying the subscription program to Apple One bundles and AppleCare support plans.

Customers would be able to purchase a hardware subscription on their devices, through the ‌App Store‌, through the company's website, or at an Apple online store.

According to Bloomberg, the service will be Apple's "biggest push yet" into recurring sales, but the project is still in development and little is known about it at this time. Apple has been working on it for months, but it was pushed back to allow Apple to focus on a separate "buy now, pay later" service that is designed to allow customers to pay for Apple Pay purchases in installments over time.

Apple is working to implement hardware subscriptions by the end of 2022, but it could be delayed into 2023 or canceled entirely should Apple decide to go in a different direction.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Colors

Apple Announces iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max With New Design, Larger Battery, and More

Tuesday September 9, 2025 10:59 am PDT by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Both devices feature a new aluminum unibody design, with the Ceramic Shield now protecting both the front and back sides. Apple says the front side is now Ceramic Shield 2, which offers 3x better scratch resistance, while the rear Ceramic Shield is advertised as 4x more resistant to cracks compared to the back glass on previous...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro: Release Date and Pre-Orders

Monday September 8, 2025 11:30 am PDT by
Apple will be holding its annual iPhone event on Tuesday, September 9, to unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Assuming that Apple sticks to its familiar pattern, the iPhone 17 series should be available to pre-order starting Friday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time / 8 a.m. Eastern Time. The release date for the devices should be one week later, on Fr...
Awe Dropping MR Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, New Apple Watches, and AirPods Pro 3

Tuesday September 9, 2025 8:55 am PDT by
Apple's "Awe Dropping" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the iPhone 17 lineup, several updated Apple Watch models, and the third-generation AirPods Pro unveiled, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We will also be updating...
airpods pro 2

Two Versions of AirPods Pro 3 Coming With These Differences

Monday September 8, 2025 4:51 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to launch two versions of the AirPods Pro 3 over 2025 and 2026, according to a Weibo leaker. Yesterday, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to debut the AirPods Pro 3 this year. They could arrive as soon as this week at Apple's "Awe dropping" event. Crucially, Kuo added that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to this year's AirPods ...
iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iphone air

Apple Announces iPhone Air With Ultra-Thin Design

Tuesday September 9, 2025 10:45 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled the iPhone Air, an all-new kind of iPhone featuring an ultra-thin design. The iPhone Air is just 5.6mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone ever. The frame is made of titanium with a polished mirror finish. The device features Ceramic Shield 2 with 3x better scratch resistance and 4x better crack resistance, on both sides of the device for the first time. Apple says that ...

Top Rated Comments

andrewxgx Avatar
45 months ago
you'll own nothing and you'll be happy
Score: 125 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fwmireault Avatar
45 months ago

This would be ideal for customers who do not have the funds to buy an expensive iPhone, iPad, or Mac up front, but who can afford a monthly price for the device
People who don't have the funds to buy this device in the first place should not subscribe to that kind of services. There's no way the would be cheaper on the long run, and you can't resell the device afterwards
Score: 59 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dan Holmstock Avatar
45 months ago

you'll own nothing and you'll be happy
man, I logged in to just say the same thing! Everything is being set up to be taken from you. Think "community standards".
Score: 54 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
45 months ago
Adobe Creative Cloud is a big hit.

Not.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vipergts2207 Avatar
45 months ago

you'll own nothing and you'll be happy
Seriously, this whole concept of owning nothing and making payments on everything you “own” in perpetuity is nuts. I’ll keep my mortgage and my paid-for car thank you. Same goes for my electronics. I’m not a Rent-a-Center customer and don’t intend to be a customer for this either.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
huge_apple_fangirl Avatar
45 months ago
Dear God no.

Hopefully we will still be allowed to buy our devices outright.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)