Apple’s New iPhone Lease Trap | Raleigh News

Raleigh News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 30, 2026 · 2m

Apple just killed its old iPhone Upgrade Program — the one that let you own your phone after 24 months — and replaced it with a sneaky new lease deal called Apple Upgrade, powered by Klarna. Payments look cheaper, but you’re not buying — you’re renting. With a $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro, you’ll pay $31.99/month for 24 months, totaling nearly 78% of the phone’s price — and you don’t own it. If you don’t upgrade or buy out, it auto-converts to a month-to-month lease (with possible price hikes) and eventually forces you to pay full retail plus fees. Damage? You’re on the hook. If you keep your phone…