The Cupertino giant is working on a new subscription model for distributing the iPhone and other devices. According to publication sources Bloomberg, this will allow users of Apple gadgets to subscribe not only to digital services, but also to equipment. And, accordingly, to receive new devices as they are released. Notably, Tim Cook hinted at this back in 2019.
The upcoming (and not officially announced) program will differ from the installment plan in that the monthly fee will not be equal to the price of the device divided into 12 or 24 parts. Rather, it will be a monthly fee, the amount of which depends on which device the user chooses.
The idea is to make the process of buying an iPhone or iPad feel like paying monthly for iCloud storage or an Apple Music subscription. Apple customers will be able to subscribe to gadgets through their Apple ID and App Store account, which are used to purchase apps and subscribe to services.
The iPhone is Apple’s largest source of sales. Smartphones brought in nearly $192 billion last year, more than half of the company’s revenue. The launch of a device subscription service will allow the Cupertino giant to increase revenue as consumers begin to regularly spend thousands of dollars on new gadgets. But they will be able to change their devices to newer ones. Historically, the company has released new versions of its major devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, once a year.
Apple’s subscription service is expected to launch in late 2022, but could be pushed back to 2023 (or canceled altogether).
The company is also considering merging its gadget subscription program with Apple One and Apple Care. Devices may ship with TV+, Arcade, Music, Fitness+, and iCloud storage already connected, but for a lower monthly fee.
Recall that in early March, Apple suspended the sale of its equipment and limited the operation of services in the Russian Federation.
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