GoKawiilThis week, Apple launched Apple Upgrade, its new leasing program for most Apple products. It replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program entirely, and for the most part, it’s an incredible deal.
The deal is so good that largely, there isn’t a great reason to use Apple Card Monthly Installments (ACMI) anymore. You still get 3% cash back using Apple Upgrade, similar to ACMI – and the leasing terms are a lot more generous than ACMI. You also don’t have to lease forever. At the end, you can purchase the device by paying the difference between the leasing cost and the MSRP.
So, it’s left me wondering – will Apple Card Monthly Installments go away?
Apple Card Chase transition
Earlier this year, Apple announced that the Apple Card would be transitioning partner banks, from Goldman Sachs to JPMorgan Chase. This transition won’t take place until early 2028, so there’s quite some time ahead before anything happens.
While this isn’t confirmation of anything, Apple’s messaging on the Apple Card transition website didn’t seem to be incredibly definitive. Regarding the future of Apple Card Monthly Installments, the website says the following:
Apple Card users can continue to purchase Apple products with Apple Card Monthly Installments when they choose to check out with ACMI at Apple Store locations, apple.com, and the Apple Store app.
The fact that Apple used the phrasing “can continue” doesn’t exactly inspire confidence about it continuing to be around long into the future. Apple is just confirming that nothing is changing right away.
Apple Upgrade
As I mentioned in the beginning, Apple Upgrade is an incredible deal – and it largely replaces any desire to want to use Apple Card Monthly Installments. Apple Upgrade is more flexible, has longer payment terms, still earns 3% back with Apple Card – and if you want to own the product in the end, you can purchase it without having to pay more than the MSRP.
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