Live data from Hacker News

Apple introduces leasing program for iPhones and other devices

nytimes.com

61–70 of 72 posts

Re: Apple introduces leasing program for iPhones and other devices

#62
post #28

Apple is introducing this now because hardware capability ceilings are being hit and component prices are preventing higher specced components from being used. I buy a new (non apple) phone most years, but I'll probably skip the next 2 years due to flatlining of specs and increasing price.

They’re introducing it because most people are short-term thinkers and would be happy in many cases (10%-25%) to lease. No matter how many times you say don’t do it.

11 Pro iPhone user…

Re: Apple introduces leasing program for iPhones and other devices

#63
post #28

Apple is introducing this now because hardware capability ceilings are being hit and component prices are preventing higher specced components from being used. I buy a new (non apple) phone most years, but I'll probably skip the next 2 years due to flatlining of specs and increasing price.

The next few upgrade cycles for Apple will be about enabling AI functionality through an increase in ram. So if people want AI, they’ll have to get a new phone.

Sounds like that move would also be about artificially restricting features from cloud models that don't require significant local ram.

Re: Apple introduces leasing program for iPhones and other devices

#64
post #62
post #28

Apple is introducing this now because hardware capability ceilings are being hit and component prices are preventing higher specced components from being used. I buy a new (non apple) phone most years, but I'll probably skip the next 2 years due to flatlining of specs and increasing price.

They’re introducing it because most people are short-term thinkers and would be happy in many cases (10%-25%) to lease. No matter how many times you say don’t do it. 11 Pro iPhone user…

Why did Apple wait until now though?

Re: Apple introduces leasing program for iPhones and other devices

#66

You'll own nothing and you'll be happy.

Why are capitalists doing this? I thought it wall all CuLtUrAl MaRxIstS??

Broadly, recurring models are profitable right now once you get that agreement set. People don't reason about $100/mo the same that they reason about $1000 upfront, nor do they generally consider total cost of ownership. They're bad at managing a flood of little spends in aggregate which is to the advantage of subscription models.

Re: Apple introduces leasing program for iPhones and other devices

#67

For what it’s worth, it’s lease to own: > At the end of your initial lease term, you can do one of the following: > Upgrade and return your current device. Footnote ◊ > Leave the program and return your current device. Footnote ◊ > Buy the device outright with a one-time payment from your Klarna account. https://www.apple.com/shop/apple-upgrade

I typically buy the newest model outright with a trade-in. Curious if this'll be cheaper. Probably not.

Might see if this pencils out for work uses - easier to establish and budget a boring lease program than have purchases of phones and laptops scrutinized.

Re: Apple introduces leasing program for iPhones and other devices

#68

What happens to the whole attention economy, i.e., social media, apps, games, etc. when phones/devices become too expensive for people?

Subsidize them with phones or apps that pay them a drip of coins for their attention, maybe even a little real money.

Use camera-enabled eye tracking to say, hey, pay attention to this content, lost you there for a second, there you go, welcome back. Tap into edge LLMs to herd the user back to consuming content, since its subsidized, the budget for this goes up.

Re: Apple introduces leasing program for iPhones and other devices

#69

Own nothing and be happy. Hope people don't fall for this BS. The only thing you can control is to decide where to spend your own money and time.

What about it is BS? I don't see any issue with leasing things if it does make me happier.

Individually? Who cares.

Collectively? Just one more avenue of financial destruction of the middle and lower classes.

Re: Apple introduces leasing program for iPhones and other devices

#70
post #40

Own nothing and be happy. Hope people don't fall for this BS. The only thing you can control is to decide where to spend your own money and time.

If anything, I think the terms for this are almost too good. You never end up paying more than the cost of purchasing the device outright if you decide to keep the device. And considering it can have a term of up to 30 months (24 month lease, with 6 months more before you're charged the remaining cost of the device), you've just gotten a zero percent interest loan for 30 months. That's actually cheaper than buying it…

The downside is that it causes people to buy phones they can’t afford because it seems cheaper. People don’t reason about $50 per month the same way they do about $1200. The mistake in your comparison is assuming the target customers were going to buy the phone anyway, when they weren’t.
Post reply on HN