Apple has begun offering Apple Upgrade, a leasing service in the U.S. that allows customers to rent iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Watches at lower monthly costs without ownership. The program lets users access current Apple products without the high upfront purchase price.
Apple has introduced a hardware subscription program alongside its existing software subscriptions, prompting social media commentary about the expansion of subscription-based business models. Critics express skepticism about the trend of making physical products available through subscriptions.