What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Apple says the U.S. iPhone Upgrade Program is ending, but current members do not need to take immediate action. Their Citizens One loan stays in effect, with payments continuing under its existing 24-month agreement. When eligible, a member can choose an available route to another iPhone—or keep paying through the term and own the current one.
What is happening to the iPhone Upgrade Program?
Apple’s U.S. iPhone Upgrade Program is ending. The change does not automatically cancel or rewrite an existing member’s loan: Apple says the Citizens One agreement remains active until the 24-month term ends. Members can continue making payments, and those who make all 24 payments own the financed iPhone. When eligible to move on sooner, they can choose among the routes Apple makes available to them. Apple’s FAQ says it is seeking “more flexibility, better value, and a more seamless experience.”
How did the U.S. program work?
The program financed the full retail price of an eligible iPhone and a selected AppleCare+ plan through a 24-month loan at 0% APR. Enrollment required an application and credit check through Citizens Bank, N.A., doing business as Citizens One. Applicants needed an eligible U.S.-issued credit or debit card; prepaid cards were excluded. The phone also had to be activated on a new or existing plan with an eligible carrier. Taxes and fees could be handled differently depending on whether the purchase was made at an Apple Store or online. The details are in Apple’s U.S. program terms.
Requirements to upgrade before the loan ends
The upgrade option was not simply an automatic annual phone swap. Under the U.S. terms, a member needed to satisfy all of the following:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
- Make the equivalent of at least 12 installments. After six regularly scheduled payments, members could accelerate payments to reach the 12-installment threshold.
- Keep the loan account in good standing and maintain continuous AppleCare+ coverage.
- Return an iPhone that powers on and holds a charge, has an intact and functioning display, and has no breaks or cracks.
- Apply for a new loan and pass a new credit check.
- Trade in the financed phone as directed, disable Activation Lock, and return the phone within 14 days of exercising the upgrade option.
If the phone was not returned within 14 days, the terms allowed the old loan to be reinstated alongside the new one. Repairs before upgrading had to meet Apple’s or an Apple-authorized service provider’s requirements. Members were responsible for backing up and erasing their personal data before returning a device.
If the iPhone is lost or stolen
Eligibility depended on the selected AppleCare+ coverage. The terms provide a claim route for members with Theft and Loss coverage. A phone covered only by AppleCare+ for iPhone was not eligible for the upgrade option if it was lost or stolen.
Rank #2
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
What should current members do?
Apple says no immediate action is required. Continue to follow the existing Citizens One agreement and check its account information for payment details. Apple says current AppleCare coverage remains active for the full 24-month term if the loan stays in good standing or is paid in full.
When eligible, compare the available next-device options rather than assuming that upgrading is the only way to proceed. If you do not take an eligible upgrade route, you can continue payments through the full term and keep the iPhone.
Rank #3
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
What are the options for getting your next iPhone?
Apple lists Apple Upgrade, Apple Card Monthly Installments, an outright purchase, and carrier financing as possible routes for eligible existing members. Availability and terms depend on the member’s eligibility and the options currently offered. The routes differ in ownership, payment structure, coverage, and what happens to the old phone.
| Route | How it works | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Upgrade | A lease with a 12- or 24-month term, as described on Apple’s current page. Returning the leased phone is part of the arrangement; Apple’s how-to page also describes an end-of-term upgrade and a purchase option. | AppleCare is separate. Apple’s announcement names AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon as eligible carriers and says leased iPhones are unlocked. Eligibility is for U.S. residents, excluding U.S. territories. Early termination can carry substantial fees. |
| Apple Card Monthly Installments | Apple lists this as a financing option for eligible members. | Check current eligibility, payment terms, and total cost directly with Apple; the transition FAQ does not establish terms for every customer. |
| Outright purchase | Pay the purchase price rather than financing through the former program. | Account for the full upfront cost, any coverage chosen separately, taxes, and fees. |
| Carrier financing | Finance through a carrier, subject to its current offer and eligibility rules. | Compare the full payment obligation, carrier requirements, and any trade-in or service conditions. |
Apple’s pages explain the Apple Upgrade lease, the July 2026 launch announcement, and how to upgrade or purchase at the end of a lease. Apple Upgrade is a lease, not a continuation of the former Citizens One loan: coverage is separate, and returning the device is part of the lease arrangement.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Compare the full cost, not just the monthly payment
Before choosing a route, compare the costs and obligations over the period you expect to keep the phone. Include the new device’s price, coverage, taxes and fees, and any remaining balance or consequences tied to the old loan. Also check whether you will own the phone or return it, when you can upgrade, whether credit approval or a particular carrier is required, and how damage, loss, or a missed return deadline affects the agreement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does this apply outside the United States?
No. The loan, payment threshold, and other requirements described here are from Apple’s U.S. program terms. Apple publishes separate U.K. iPhone Upgrade Programme terms with a different loan term. If you live outside the United States, consult the Apple page and contract for your country or region rather than applying the U.S. rules.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The large 6.9-inch display combines ProMotion 120Hz technology with advanced color calibration, giving movies, games, and productivity apps a spacious, crisp, and fluid visual experience that’s ideal for multitasking or immersive media consumption.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
