Doha, Qatar: With the rising cost of premium consumer electronics, buying a new Apple device such as an iPhone, Mac or iPad can feel like a major financial commitment.
For some consumers, the price of the latest flagship smartphone can rival the cost of a used car or several months of school fees.
But what if you never had to own it?
For many, carrying the newest iPhone or working on the latest MacBook has become more than just owning a piece of technology.
Like driving a luxury car or living in a prestigious neighbourhood, having the latest Apple device can also be seen as a symbol of status and lifestyle, regardless of whether it is owned outright or financed.
Apple is betting that more customers may be willing to lease rather than buy.
The technology giant has announced a new leasing program in partnership with payment platform Klarna, allowing customers in the United States to lease selected Apple products instead of purchasing them outright.
The program becomes available through Apple retail stores, the Apple Store online and the Apple Store app.
Under the new scheme, iPhones and Apple Watches can be leased on either 12- or 24-month plans, while Macs and iPads are available on 24- or 36-month lease terms.
The eligible lineup includes the iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Studio, iPad Air, iPad Pro and iPad mini.
However, Apple's more affordable devices, including the iPhone 16, MacBook Neo, the base iPad and Apple Watch SE, are not included in the program.
The move reflects a broader shift towards subscription-based access to products, where consumers pay for continuous access to the latest technology instead of making a large upfront purchase.
For Apple, the model could encourage customers to upgrade more frequently while reducing the financial barrier of buying high-end devices.
For users, it offers the flexibility of accessing the latest hardware without paying the full retail price at once.
Whether the concept will gain traction outside the United States remains to be seen.
If the same leasing program were introduced in Qatar, would you consider leasing your next iPhone, Mac or iPad instead of buying it? Or do you think most people would still prefer owning their Apple devices outright?
