Apple's revamped Upgrade program is set to launch on Tuesday with significant updates.

      Apple's new leasing program may exclude AppleCare from the package.

      Purchasing your next Apple gadget could soon resemble leasing a vehicle. Apple is set to introduce its Apple Upgrade program on Tuesday, July 28, which will replace new enrollments in the longstanding iPhone Upgrade Program with a leasing option that covers iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches.

      Supported by Klarna, this initiative aims to reduce the initial expense of Apple’s high-end devices but raises concerns about actual ownership of the products you pay for.

      How will the new Apple Upgrade function?

      The new program is expected to first roll out in the United States via Apple’s retail stores and website. Eligible iPhones and Apple Watches will be available on 24-month leases, while Macs and iPads will be offered on 36-month leases.

      You will make monthly payments, with options to pay off the device early, upgrade to a newer model during the lease, or either keep or return it once the agreement concludes. Prior to enrollment, a soft credit check through Klarna will be necessary.

      The Apple Upgrade program is anticipated to replace new signups for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program, though current customers will still have their financing plans honored. Unlike the previous program, reports indicate that AppleCare will not be included.

      Additionally, the program does not encompass the base iPad, iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE, MacBook Neo, or purchases made for business or educational purposes. The timing is noteworthy as it follows Apple's recent price increases across a significant portion of its hardware and services offerings.

      Why is this significant?

      The primary concern is that Apple Upgrade may function more like a conventional car lease rather than a financing plan. If this is true, your monthly payments would mainly cover the device's depreciation rather than its entire value.

      At the end of the lease, you may be required to return the device or make an extra payment to own it outright. Whether this results in savings or merely keeps you on a continuous upgrade cycle will depend largely on your usage.

      Manisha Priyadarshini is a tech and entertainment writer with over nine years of editorial experience.

      The aspiration for extremely affordable phones for children and seniors is effectively over, due to AI.

      AI's demand for memory chips has rendered the production of budget smartphones unprofitable.

      The $100 phone you intended to purchase for your child's first device or pass down to your grandmother may soon become just a wish. The demand for memory chips from AI has made creating budget phones nearly impossible.

      How severe is the situation?

      Setting up your dorm desk? Here's a selection of phone stands I would actually invest in.

      From a $2 folding stand to a three-in-one Apple charging dock, these are the phone stands worth considering this semester.

      A phone stand is among the least expensive purchases on any back-to-school list, yet it's also one of the easiest to get wrong, especially with so many choices available on Amazon. A good phone stand effectively performs its function and doesn’t significantly impact your budget.

      In this product category, there's no need to spend a lot unless a MagSafe dock or a multi-device charging stand is truly beneficial for your desk or dorm layout. This is why this list begins with the most budget-friendly options and gradually moves to pricier ones. Ranging from a two-pack priced similarly to a coffee to a three-in-one Apple charging station, I selected eight of Amazon's top-rated phone stands worth exploring this back-to-school season.

      I chose four wireless chargers so you can stop having your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch compete for a single dorm outlet.

      These are the best back-to-school wireless chargers for dorm desks, study spaces, and travel.

      A dorm-room desk can become cluttered surprisingly fast with a laptop charger, phone cable, Apple Watch puck, and the expanding array of adapters needed to power everything. Coupled with textbooks and other school materials, maintaining enough space to study can feel like the semester’s first task.

      A wireless charging stand can merge several cables into one station. It also provides your phone with a designated area to rest, which is helpful when checking the time or watching a lecture. Each charger requires one connection to the wall, so finding a device compatible with all your gadgets is not only convenient but also smart. I selected four models ranging from an affordable two-device stand to a fast 25W wireless charger capable of powering an entire Apple setup.