Apple Drops Plans for iPhone Hardware Subscription Service - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Drops Plans for iPhone Hardware Subscription Service

Apple is no longer planning to launch a hardware subscription service that would let customers "subscribe" to get a new iPhone each year, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

iphone 16 apple intelligence
Gurman first shared rumors about Apple's work on a hardware subscription service back in 2022, and at the time, he said that Apple wanted to develop a simple system that would allow customers to pay a monthly fee to gain access to a device for the subscription period.

The subscription-based iPhone offering would make it easier for customers without the funds for an expensive iPhone to make monthly payments rather than purchasing upfront. Apple already has the iPhone Upgrade Program that splits the cost of a device across a 12 or 24 month period, but the planned subscription service would have been an ongoing monthly fee rather than payments over a set number of months.

After two years of work on the project, Apple apparently ceased development in recent months due to regulatory concerns, software bugs, and other issues. The team that was developing the subscription service was disbanded and reassigned to other projects. Apple has done some streamlining of its payment offerings this year, shutting down the Apple Pay Later pay-in-installments option that was available for less than a year.

Popular Stories

Second Generation AirTag Feature Purple

Apple Reportedly Working on All-New AirTag-Sized Wearable With iPhone Integration

Thursday May 7, 2026 12:16 pm PDT by
Apple continues to work on a "pendant with cameras" for release as early as next year, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report today, Gurman said development of the all-new wearable accessory trails AirPods with cameras, which have apparently reached an advanced testing stage. Apple also continues to work on smart glasses, according to his report. Given...
MacBook Pro Low Angle Wide Lens

macOS 27: Two More Changes Leaked Ahead of WWDC Next Month

Sunday May 10, 2026 9:45 am PDT by
macOS 27 will have a "slight redesign" compared to macOS Tahoe, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the design changes will help to improve the readability of macOS Tahoe's Liquid Glass interface:If you've used Tahoe, you're likely familiar with some of the quirks — particularly the transparency effects and shadows that...
iOS 27 on iPhone 17 1

iOS 27 to Bring Customizable Camera App, Tweaks to Weather, Safari and Liquid Glass

Tuesday May 12, 2026 1:12 pm PDT by
Apple plans to make the Camera app more customizable in iOS 27, reports Bloomberg. Users will be able to select the features they want to see in the Camera app, like flash, exposure, timer, depth of field, photo styles, and resolution. Camera controls, labeled as widgets, will be able to be placed at the top of the Camera interface in any order. Users will be able to select widgets from a...

Top Rated Comments

SanderEvers Avatar
19 months ago
Very good "you'll own nothing and be happy" really is not something I want in any future.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iZac Avatar
19 months ago
you mean ... this?

https://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 months ago
What software bugs would a subscription service like this have?
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sahajesh Avatar
19 months ago
MacRumors - where all the people who think “It’s not for me, so nobody should have it” go.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrkevinfinnerty Avatar
19 months ago
Nobody:

Apple: Here's an identical financing plan to allow you to pay for the identical iPhone we just announced in convenient installments




Attachment Image
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApostolisApo Avatar
19 months ago
I bet the "regulatory concerns" were the biggest factor of them all
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)