Apple Drops the Idea of Selling iPhones via Subscription: Why?

Back in 2022, Apple had plans to sell iPhones through a subscription model. However, recent reports reveal that the company has abandoned this idea.

According to Apple's subscription plan, users would pay a fixed monthly fee to own an iPhone, and in some cases, they could upgrade to newer models without additional charges. The company expected this model to increase device upgrades and provide a steady revenue stream.

Why Did Apple Abandon the Subscription Plan?

The primary reason cited is regulatory concerns. According to Bloomberg, monthly payments would subject Apple to the same regulations as credit card companies, and the company wanted to avoid such scrutiny. Additionally, there were concerns that a hardware subscription plan might strain Apple's relationships with network carriers.

It remains unclear when Apple decided to shelve this plan, but the team working on it was reportedly reassigned to other projects several months ago.