Is the Apple Upgrade program a rip-off? I crunched the numbers
Was curious if the new Apple upgrade was worth it or not since I am most likely going to be upgrading my iphone this year, so I crunched the numbers so you don't have to.
These numbers are based on the 2 year leasing program and numbers released by Apple for the Apple Upgrade program compared to the device's MSRP. The difference is the price difference of a 2 year lease, versus buying it outright as MSRP. One factor not considered is the price of reselling the device if you bought it and sold it after 2 years, which by my estimates, is likely going to be higher than the difference - assuming you kept your device in decent condition. Another factor not considered is inflation which is out of scope.
Price breakdown and comparison
iPhone 17
| Name | Monthly price via Apple Upgrade | MRSP | Total paid after 24 month lease | Difference |
| iPhone 17e | $17.99 | $599.00 | $431.76 | $167.24 |
| iPhone 17 | $22.99 | $799.00 | $551.76 | $247.24 |
| iPhone Air | $28.99 | $999.00 | $695.76 | $303.24 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $31.99 | $1,099.00 | $767.76 | $331.24 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $34.99 | $1,199.00 | $839.76 | $359.24 |
Mac
| Name | Monthly price via Apple Upgrade | MSRP | Total paid after 24 month lease | Difference |
| MacBook Air 13-inch | $34.99 | $1,099.00 | $839.76 | $259.24 |
| MacBook Air 15-inch | $40.99 | $1,299.00 | $983.76 | $315.24 |
| iMac | $40.99 | $1,299.00 | $983.76 | $315.24 |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch | $53.99 | $1,599.00 | $1,295.76 | $303.24 |
| Mac Studio | $64.99 | $1,999.00 | $1,559.76 | $439.24 |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch | $79.99 | $2,499.00 | $1,919.76 | $579.24 |
What does this mean?
It means that buying and then reselling your old device after 2 years is always going to be cheaper. However if you're someone who likes to upgrade every 2 years, and don't want the hassle of reselling and/or don't want to pay the huge MSRP right away, the program is reasonably priced and is of decent value.
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Comments
Dude this is sick, thanks for sharing. Taking into account inflation (which is a plus for the upgrade program), it doesn't look that bad at all. Looking at the 17 pro max difference at $359.24, with inflation, that number probably works out to around $400 I'm guessing? Not sure what a 2 year old iphone sells for but I can't imagine more than $450-500 so the net difference is only ~$100.
Correct. The trade-in for the iphone 15 is $300-490 right now.
Any plans to do the numbers for the Mac 👀
I will do it tonight