Amber Neely
You can now snag yourself a brand new SIM-free iPhone and pay over time with no interest — if you have an Apple Card, and existing wireless service.
Apple is coming up with new ways to incentivize Apple Card cardholders to head to the Apple Store. For a limited time only, buyers can purchase a new sim-free iPhone and pay over time with their Apple Card. Before, users would need to pay the full retail price upon purchase or utilize another credit card. With the Apple Card, users will get 3% cash back on their purchase.
In order to view the option, you'll have to be using the Apple Store app, have an Apple Card already associated with your Apple Account, and have wireless service through a carrier on an iPhone associated with your Apple ID. Otherwise, you'll still have to buy an iPhone at the full retail price with no financing. You must use the Apple Store app as the option is not available in-browser at this time.
AppleInsider has confirmed with Apple that this is a limited time offer and must be completed through an existing iPhone with the Apple Store app.
Those on a major four carrier, such as Verizon or T- Mobile, have been able to enjoy interest-free financing on their iPhones since December of 2019.
The Apple Card monthly installment plan allows users to purchase an iPhone with their Apple Card interest-free for 24 months, rather than paying the full price up front. Customers are also able to make overpayments towards the installment plan itself. Contributing more money to a plan can help reduce the overall number of payments needed, however customers are still required to pay their regular installment plan payment the following month.
Apple is continuously looking for new ways to boost sales of its most important product, from the iPhone Upgrade Program and other strategies, and the Apple Card feature appears to be another avenue for growth.
Not only does the program incentivize Apple Card cardholders to buy new Apple gear, but it also encourages people to apply for and use the Apple Card. The Apple Card has had the most successful U.S. credit card launch ever, as stated by Tim Cook and Goldman Sachs.
Presently, only iPhones are available to purchase with this special financing, and it remains to be seen if Apple will will extend the program to other devices.
Charles Martin
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew Orr
Malcolm Owen
David Schloss
18 Comments
Come on AppleInsider.... "SIM" is an acronym... so should be written uppercase.... Subscriber Identification Module. I don't know why stuff like this bothers me. There seems to be a constant degradation of quality editing in today's "quick publish" world. It's mildly annoying.
... and this only applies to the US, correct? That should be made clear at the top of the article. The US is not the whole world.
This makes perfect sense and was pretty much expected but it’s still good to see. 3% isn’t a ton, but it’s still $30-45, depending on what model you get. I’ve always either paid for my phones straight out or gone through T-mobile, but as the article points out, you have to have a contract to take advantage of carriers’ interest free financing so this program gives a double bonus.