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Apple mulls hardware subscription service for popular devices
Head straight to the Apple Store on iPhone launch day? Or do you wait for a deal? Or get your iPhone secondhand? If you opt for any of these, you buy the phone outright. That might not be the case for much longer.
Apple is allegedly working on a hardware subscription service where you would pay a monthly fee for your iPhone or other Apple product. It’s unlikely this would totally replace the option of buying a device, though.
Apple already has several subscription services, such as iCloud+ and Apple Music, but these are limited to software. According to Bloomberg, Apple is aiming to make hardware purchases more like subscribing to an app.
Rather than an instalment plan that divides the hardware cost into 12 or 24 months, a subscription would use a separate fee. Then, when Apple launches new products, people could upgrade easily, perhaps even without an additional charge. The plan could launch in late 2022 or early 2023. While the lack of upfront cost would appeal to many, the plan might receive a mixed welcome from those who prefer to own their devices rather than rent them.