Apple Hands US Device Financing to Klarna

Apple is replacing its existing US device-financing programmes with a leasing service operated through Klarna.

What happened

The programme covers iPhones, Macs, iPads and Apple Watches. At the end of a lease, customers can return the device, upgrade to a newer model or purchase the one they have been using.

Klarna will provide the financing layer inside Apple's retail system rather than simply appearing as an external payment option.

Why it matters

The partnership embeds Klarna inside one of the world's largest consumer-hardware ecosystems. That gives it recurring access to customers making relatively expensive purchases and moves the company beyond conventional buy-now-pay-later checkout.

For Apple, leasing may make higher device prices easier to absorb while encouraging more predictable upgrade cycles.

The bigger picture

Consumer hardware is gradually shifting from one-off ownership towards recurring access. That model can deepen customer relationships and create a steadier flow of returned devices for refurbishment and resale.

It also creates new risks. The economics depend on credit performance, residual device values and whether customers understand the difference between financing a purchase and leasing an asset they may need to return.