Yesterday, a program allowing prospective Apple consumers to lease new iPhones and Macs was leaked by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. New details of the “Apple Upgrade” program—rumored to launch July 28—point to what essentially amounts to an app cut-off system for users who miss their financing payments. The latest iOS 27 beta contains code for a framework called “App Managed Features,” which would allow Apple to monitor a user’s payments and turn off certain apps if too many payments are missed, as reported by 9to5Mac. And by certain apps I mean most of them—all but nine, that is. With enough delinquent payment, your phone will be put in Restricted mode, allowing access to just the Phone, Wallet, Clock, Settings, Health, Passwords, Magnifier, Accessibility Reader, and App Store apps. That’s one way to turn your smartphone into a dumb phone. And yes, you will still be paying for all those app subscriptions, even if you can’t access the apps themselves.
You can bet Apple will bring similar restrictions to Mac leases, too. © Raymond Wong / Gizmodo The Apple Upgrade program will likely be positioned as an easier way for consumers to afford Apple’s price hikes rather than skipping out on upgrading because devices have become unaffordable. But as with a lease on a car, financing an iPhone or Mac on a long-term financing plan would mean you never actually own your device. Apple Upgrade devices won’t be eligible for AppleCare, either, so good luck to you if you’re a chronic phone-dropper.
