Today Bloomberg reported that Apple is about to launch a new ‘Apple Upgrade’ leasing program for hardware. It will let you buy new Apple products on a monthly subscription, but there’s one reported limitation that I hope doesn’t come to fruition.

‘Apple Upgrade’ will make pricier products more accessible, but exclude entry models per report

Due to the current AI-driven memory crisis, most Apple products recently got more expensive.

This fall, that trend will accelerate further as new iPhone and Apple Watch models are expected to get more pricey too. Not to mention higher-end iPhone Ultra and MacBook Ultra products debuting.

Apple’s solution, per Mark Gurman, is to launch a new ‘Apple Upgrade’ monthly subscription option for hardware leases.

Gurman says this option will debut next week for purchases from the online Apple Store and in retail locations.

Pending final details, I think making Apple products more accessible in this way is a good move.

Apple Upgrade will be entirely optional, so anyone who wants to purchase products outright can still do that. But especially given the recent price hikes, adding more options seems like a no-brainer.

My one concern involves eligible hardware. Gurman says certain devices won’t be available through Apple Upgrade, including “Apple Watch SE, entry-level iPad, iPhone 16 and MacBook Neo.”

If Apple won’t let users choose its most affordable products via the leasing program, that feels like a shame.

Imagine you’ve always viewed Apple products as beyond your financial reach. But thanks to this new program, a MacBook Neo becomes only a $20 monthly payment away. In such a scenario, Apple Upgrade could bring a bunch of new users into the Apple ecosystem.

I understand Apple wanting to push users to its pricier products. But limiting Apple Upgrade to only certain hardware feels like an unnecessary way to complicate the program, and limit its impact.

What do you think of the reported plans for Apple Upgrade? Let us know in the comments.

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