Apple to Launch New Upgrade Program Amid Music Price Hikes

Apple is gearing up to launch a new device leasing and financing initiative, dubbed the "Apple Upgrade" program, set to debut in the United States on Tuesday, July 28. This move, reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, will allow customers to finance purchases of most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. The program will offer 24-month terms for iPhones and Apple Watches, and 36-month terms for iPads and Macs. Consumers will have the flexibility to pay off their devices early, upgrade to newer models mid-term, or simply keep or return their existing hardware once the financing period concludes. This new program is expected to coincide with the phasing out of Apple's current iPhone Upgrade Program.

The tech giant has also recently implemented price adjustments across its subscription services. Following an earlier increase in Mac and iPad prices, Apple has now expanded these hikes to include Apple Music. All subscription tiers for the music service have seen price rises, which also impacts the cost of bundled Apple One plans. Furthermore, Apple has increased iPhone prices in Japan by as much as 11%, potentially signaling future price adjustments in other markets for the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup or even sooner. iCloud+ subscriptions have also seen price increases in eight different countries.

Apple's Mac Lineup and iOS 27 Updates

In parallel with these consumer-facing changes, Apple is also undertaking a significant overhaul of its Mac computer lineup. Reports indicate that the company plans to refresh nearly every Mac model it offers over the next two years. This strategic refresh comes at a time when Mac sales are projected to grow for a third consecutive year, partly driven by increasing adoption among users leveraging these machines for intensive, AI-driven workloads. The initial wave of updated Macs is expected to hit the market this fall, starting with a refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro and the first new iMac models in two years. Details on approximately a dozen new Macs currently under development have also surfaced.

Meanwhile, Apple continues its rigorous testing of iOS 27, with the fourth developer beta and second public beta released this week. The latest beta updates include various refinements such as new settings toggles and visual adjustments. Intriguingly, some newly discovered code within this beta references an iPhone featuring multiple internal batteries, fueling speculation about an upcoming foldable "iPhone Ultra" device that would house a battery in each section.

Additionally, iOS 27 introduces a significant enhancement to its recovery features. Previously, users could only access the Recovery Assistant if their iPhone failed to boot and entered recovery mode automatically. However, the current beta version of iOS 27 removes this limitation, enabling users to manually boot into a Mac-style recovery screen at any time. This enhanced recovery mode allows for troubleshooting, updating, or erasing a device without the need for a connection to a computer. It can automatically connect to a known Wi-Fi network and displays the device's battery percentage in the corner of the screen. This update provides users with greater control and convenience in managing their device's software and recovery process.

The ongoing developments in the smartphone market also present a backdrop to Apple's strategy. Samsung recently unveiled its Galaxy Z Fold8, a foldable device that closely resembles the anticipated form factor of Apple's first foldable iPhone. The Z Fold8 features a 7.6-inch unfolded display and a 5.5-inch closed display, with a wider, more square aspect ratio that offers a tablet-like experience, akin to an iPad mini. This design choice provides a comfortable viewing experience for media consumption and multitasking, offering a glimpse into the potential user experience of future foldable smartphones from Apple.