How an iPhone is financed with Apple Card is changing
Apple has changed Apple Card financing terms for iPhone, just ahead of its new device season.
Apple Card Monthly Installments will still allow customers to pay for products with zero interest using a portion of their approved Apple Card balance. But new eligibility terms announced in June 2023, are now in effect.
As of August 15, 2023, customers financing an iPhone via Apple Card Monthly Installments will be required to connect their device to a carrier at purchase. This practice was already in place when buying an iPhone in a physical Apple Store location, but it is now extended to online purchases.
This is a different financing option from Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program, which is financed through Citizens One. It also doesn't apply to customers who pay without financing.
Similarly, Apple Watch financing is being changed, though in this case it's that the repayment term is reduced from 24 months to 12 months.
Apple tends to announce its new iPhone and Apple Watch during a September event. That would mean these financing changes have gone into effect just in time for the new device purchasing season.
