Cupertino: iPhone as a service?
It is nothing new that technology companies are drawn to the subscription model, and if it makes it to the iPhone, we could see a huge leap forward in this regard. And this is especially true in today's electronic environment, especially when it comes to services geared at individuals.
However, when we look at other markets, we can see that it has a stronger presence. The most prominent example is, without a question, the automobile industry, with more and more brands providing rental as an alternative to purchasing, a model with advantages and downsides, of course, but one that is becoming more prevalent by the day.
When it comes to technology, hardware as a service or hardware through renting has some fairly fascinating possibilities, albeit it is true that it is far less widespread in the market for individuals. This, however, does not imply that it is a novel field.
Mark Gurman, Apple's reference leaker, publishes in Bloomberg that in Cupertino, they are working on the conception of a leasing plan that would allow users to change the single or financed payment to obtain the iPhone owned, by the leasing modality, which would include the device, its coverage, and the options of this format, for a monthly fee.
According to Gurman, the subscription iPhone model, which may also be available on other Apple devices, would include Apple services as part of the monthly charge.
As a result, users would not only have the iPhone (or the MacBook or the gadget got through renting), but also iCloud + and, perhaps, Apple Music, Apple TV +, Apple Arcade, and the rest of the company's services.
Yes, there are concerns about whether the service, which is still being negotiated, will allow or not allow the iPhone to be kept at the end of the rental contract. And, according to their sources, there is still no guarantee that the project will go through.
Of course, it confirms that if it does, Apple intends to launch the program this year or, at the very least, in 2023. Yes, we can understand that, at least in the beginning, it would be limited to a few geographies, similar to what happened with the Apple Card and its slow international spread.
Regardless, it appears to be an option that many people may be interested in, particularly those who like to make a single monthly payment that encompasses everything linked to the iPhone, the automobile, or another consumer commodity.
What are your thoughts?
Would you consider leasing an iPhone or another smartphone in the same price range if it included not only the smartphone but also the added coverage and services of the technology business that manufactured it? Or would you rather make a single payment and disregard repayment terms, monthly installments, and so on?
