Apple has reportedly ended its pursuit of a hardware subscription service that would have allowed customers to lease iPhones for a monthly fee. This ambitious project, aimed at simplifying iPhone ownership, faced numerous challenges and delays before its eventual cancellation.
The envisioned service would have allowed customers to obtain a new iPhone each year for a recurring monthly payment, similar to subscribing to an app. However, technical hurdles and regulatory concerns plagued the project from its inception.
Despite internal testing with employees, Apple ultimately decided to discontinue the program. This decision follows the cancellation of Apple Pay Later, another initiative that aimed to provide customers with alternative financing options.
While Apple currently offers financing programs like the iPhone Upgrade Program and Apple Card Monthly Installments, these differ from the envisioned subscription model.
This shift in strategy suggests a potential reassessment of Apple’s approach to hardware and financial services.