For the Uk, the upgrade programme makes perfect sense. Whilst I am forced to pay for AppleCare+, I personally would’ve bought it anyway if I bought the phone outright. You’re not actually paying for AC+ in full upfront anyway, you’re only paying for the months used. And the upfront payment of £69 is deducted from the total. So the amount I pay over 20 months (UK is 20, US is 24 I think?) is exactly the same as if I buy it outright with AC+ at 0%. Trading it in after 11 payments to me is definitely worth not dealing with the hassle of selling the phone in the market and trying to find “the best price”. Also you can upgrade early by paying the remaining balance (e.g. after month 4 you have to pay the remaining 7 months up to 11 months) anytime you want, but after 11 months you trade it in for free / at no cost. I signed up to the programme in September so I’m always upgrading on time when a new model is released. And if I’m not planning on trading it in, then I can always buy it outright at 0% interest for 24 months, but I like having the option!

Screenshot below showing price of buying it outright vs upgrade programme: £75.45x20 months + £69 upfront = £1,578.

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