Recent changes to Apple Card installments are unfriendly to the consumer, and drastically diminish the value of the card to me by fully eliminating my primary purpose.

Apple's new financing plan doesn't work for me. I got a raise recently and decided to upgrade from my iPhone 12 to the iPhone 15 Pro. I want to do some lidar, image stacking, and metadata embedding experiments. Plus, I want to switch all my cables to USB-C 3 for a single, versatile cable solution. But then I found out the deal: $1,400 upfront or $45 a month, locked into a carrier for two years. I can afford both, but paying $1,400 at once for a phone doesn't make sense when my current one works just fine.

So, I’m sticking with my iPhone 12 until it breaks. I buy my phones outright and go for a month-to-month unlimited data plan. I avoid contracts and 'phone upgrade' schemes because they're just ways for carriers to lock you in and squeeze out extra money. By staying flexible, I can leave any time they start pulling sleazy moves.

MEZOEL wrote:

I see no reason to have an Apple Card if you can’t purchase Apple products with 0% apr monthly payment without any carrier you prefer . I’m someone who travels a lot and I change carriers in every different country what they did is just a nonsense.

You are not required to have one and are free to choose any card you wish. Others find the benefits and rebates useful as well as the ease to make payments.

Hi, you’re replying to a post that dates back to August, 5+ months ago. A lot has been learned in that time. There is no problem using Apple Card with ACMI to purchase an iPhone.

You’re welcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t assist more.

Apple has changed policies and procedures before. A thoughtful, well worded statement to Apple can go a long way. GS can’t really change Apples sales policy, so go easy there. I wish you well.

Totally agree that this is wrong in many ways. Many like me want to buy a new iPhone but use another carrier. This puts a barrier in the way of potential customers that may only be able to get an iphone by financing it at 0% interest.

Well, get this. I am a Verizon user for over a decade now, and I have the apple credit card, and I still had to pay full price. If this was housing, this would be a violation of FHA. For me, I’m unsure how my particular Verizon line is unqualified, but for those of you who are denied payment plans despite having the CC because you choose a carrier outside of the expensive trifecta carriers, is just another form of elitism and possibly, much worse.

Did you read any of the comments that I post in the three pages of this thread? There are multiple ways to purchase an iPhone and do it with the installment plan. The iPhone will not be locked. Just read here, on Facebook or Reddit.

What happens in the case of international users, who don't intend on utilizing any U.S. carrier?

There are plenty of 0% financing opportunities in the marketplace. These range from credit cards, loans and carriers. Explore the various products available to consumers.

I cancelled my Apple Card today. No reason for it now. Hope many do the same.

Not worried about that at all. I have plenty of other cards with long standing great credit. Only had apple for that very reason…the installment plan. Otherwise very rarely used, so it won’t have any adverse impact on my credit score.

You are absolutely right. I was about to buy a 15 pro max for my fiancee. But decided against it because I am not able to finance an unlocked phone with my apple card and I have no intention to pay huge monthly bill for big 3 career. Also I don't want to pay the whole amount for the phone upfront. I was able to purchase iphone for almost everyone in my family because of this apple card finance facility last few years. I think it's time to go back to Samsung. If I knew this before I would have coped the S23 ultra when it was selling with 350 dollar discount during summer sale and my career was financing it as low as 30 dollars a month. Apple has no value for loyalty.

I totally agree. I recently discovered Apple changed their policy which is absolutely ridiculous. I don't understand the purpose of doing this unless you want customers to shop elsewhere. I don't want to use these 3 designated carriers for my cell service, their prices are so high and inflated. This change is one of the WORST decisions Apple has implemented along with discontinuing the deep purple color.

I went today to buy myself a new iPhone 15 pro for Xmas to only walk out empty handed. I learned that I cannot use my Apple credit card financing because my network is Mint. I am very disappointed in the system and looking to switch entirely to android, the entire household. Too bad.

Being able to buy Apple products in installments and unlocked is the only reason why I got the Apple Card. It is a big mistake and borderline deceiving to the customers to eliminate a main feature from the credit card, since this is the reason many customers chose the card to begin with. Apple Card is now obsolete.