Apple's iPhone and iPad might soon be hardware subscription services. If this happens, you will no longer be able to purchase these gadgets in one go.  

[RUMOR] Apple's iPhone, iPad To Be Hardware Subscription Services; Will This Affect Consumer Ownership?
(Photo : Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)
An employee works on reconditioning smartphones, mainly Iphone, at the Largo company headquarters which is a Back Market refurbishing company subcontractor, in Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire, outside Nantes, on January 26, 2021. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)

You will be required to pay endless monthly subscription fees if you want to keep them. Think of it as how Netflix works. 

Some critics claimed that this move is a part of the iPhone maker's effort towards subscription services as a whole. Apple is offering various subscription services, including Apple News Plus, Apple TV Plus, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade. 

Now, iPhone and iPad are believed to join them soon. 

Apple's iPhone, iPad as New Hardware Subscription Services 

According to The Verge's latest report, Apple has already launched various services that are already linked to hardware subscriptions. 

[RUMOR] Apple's iPhone, iPad To Be Hardware Subscription Services; Will This Affect Consumer Ownership?
(Photo : Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
New Apple iPhone 6 phones await customers at the Apple Store on the first day of sales of the new phone in Germany on September 19, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Hundreds of people had waited in a line that went around the block through the night in order to be among the first people to buy the new smartphone, which comes in two versions: the Apple iPhone 6 and the somewhat larger Apple iPhone 6 Plus.

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Back in 2019, Apple added a new monthly model for its AppleCare extended warranties. On the other hand, the tech firm released its iPhone Upgrade Program back in 2015. 

Both of these services already have many similarities with hardware subscriptions. As of the moment, the transition of iPhone and iPad to hardware subscription services is still not yet confirmed. 

But, some experts said that these two gadgets might be added as installment models of the iPhone Upgrade Program. This means that consumers can purchase them by adding the two devices to other Apple Services.

Will There Be an Issue?

Since the rumored move of Apple will force consumers to pay monthly fees just to have their iPhones and iPads, there will definitely be some issues. 

Bloomberg reported that this new approach towards hardware subscription services is less appealing than Apple's purchase methods. 

Some critics said that consumers would find it hard to subscribe to an iPhone or iPad since owning these devices is preferable. 

Many individuals may be disappointed once this happens. But, it will still be best if you wait for Apple's further announcements. 

Recently, the iPhone maker announced that Apple Wallet's digital driver's license support is already available in Arizona. 

Last week, Apple's iPhone became the top-selling 5G smartphone across the globe. 

For more news updates about Apple and its upcoming activities, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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Written by: Griffin Davis

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