The Rise of Subscription-Based Payment Plans: A Game-Changer for Apple and Beyond

You don't pay for Netflix it shuts off, is someone shutting down access to your phone if you don't pay for your car there are car Repo Men so are there going to be iPhone Repo Men this is going to be a very sticky area for Apple to figure out. As we explore the world of subscription-based payment plans, it's essential to consider how this trend may impact our relationship with technology and our digital lives.

The concept of rental fees for tools of mass communication is indeed unsettling, but it also raises an interesting question: what if this ends up being a good thing? The tech industry has an E-Waste problem and people just aren't recycling their phones enough. What if this program encourages people to trade in their iPhones more often that would give Apple more used phones that it can strip down and repurpose for parts and maybe Apple could even refurbish those phones and sell them at cheaper prices? This would be a good thing, right?

On the other hand, there's also the concern that these subscription-based plans might lead to a slippery slope where companies have more control over our digital lives. Think about it: what if you leave an Apple plan or service and suddenly your entire digital life is cut off? You wouldn't be able to access your iCloud, music, TV programs, or even use your Apple credit card. It's easy to get caught up in the what ifs, but we need to take a step back and consider the potential benefits of this approach.

Pixel Pass: A Bundled Experience

Google is already exploring the concept of bundled services with its Pixel Pass program. This service combines the cost of a new Pixel phone with a range of Google services, including Google One, Google Play Music, and Google Photos. The beauty of Pixel Pass lies in its flexibility; while it's designed to be a monthly subscription, it also means that all those payments go toward the cost of owning the Pixel phone.

Samsung Access: A Monthly Subscription

Samsung has also launched a similar service called Samsung Access, which bundles the cost of a new Galaxy phone with a protection plan, 1TB of cloud storage, and Microsoft Office apps. If you cancel the service, you can still make payments to own the phone outright – as long as you return your previous phone in good condition, that is.

Rental Hardware: The Peloton Effect

Peloton has popularized the concept of renting hardware with software. When you can't afford a bike outright, you can rent it for about $90 a month. If you cancel, they'll pick up the bike or you can buy it out if you want to keep it. This model is similar to what Apple might introduce in the future – offering affordable access to high-end devices with bundled services.

The Future of iPhone Payments

Apple already has an iPhone upgrade program and Apple One, which bundles services together. Why would Apple need another subscription service? Unless the whole point is that you're paying less than owning just to always trade it in, and paying less means also having your whole life linked to Apple Services – that's a valid concern.

The Potential for Expensive Devices

There's been buzz about an Ultra version of the iPhone that could be an extra $200 or $300 more than high-end models. How do you get customers to buy these expensive phones? Perhaps renting them might be the answer. The idea of owning a premium device without having to pay its full price could make it more accessible.

A Potential Pitfall: Lack of Ownership

One major concern with subscription-based payment plans is that we may never truly own our devices. With Apple's credit card and Apple Wallet, there's always the risk that they might cut you off if you leave a plan or service. Unless you have the option to pay to buy the hardware outright, this lack of ownership can be unsettling.

A Breath of Fresh Air: The Positive Perspective

Lisa Edachico, a CNET mobile reporter, recently wrote about how this could be a good thing. What if Apple's subscription-based plans encourage people to trade in their iPhones more often? This would give Apple more used phones that it can repurpose for parts and sell at cheaper prices. It's not the most glamorous idea, but it has potential.

The Bottom Line

As we wait for Apple to roll out its own subscription-based payment plan, it's essential to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of this trend. While there are concerns about control over our digital lives and lack of ownership, there are also opportunities for sustainability and accessibility. Ultimately, only time will tell how these plans will play out, but one thing is certain – the world of technology is changing rapidly, and we need to be prepared.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhat if you never owned your phone what if you just rented the most important device in your life paying a company a subscription fee every month for the right to access the newest shiniest Hardware but it's not really yours Apple reportedly may have something like this in the works an iPhone's subscription plan turning a one thousand dollar hunk of Glass and Metal into something that's treated like your Netflix bill Apple would not be the first to play with different ways to do phone subscriptions Google and Samsung have introduced different Hardware monthly bills bundled with services but what would renting your iPhone look like I have seen articles talking about how the idea could be great for people who can't afford the latest iPhones every year or how it could save money by bundling lots of Apple's Services together and how it's great for Apple of course because it gets us to keep giving Apple money even if we don't upgrade phones as often I'm reading all this conjecture and the idea just isn't sitting well with me me and I want to talk it out with you maybe you can work it out with me in the comments below because something is missing from this chatter what happens if we start supporting a payment system like this as normal and what power are we giving these tech companies when you Fork over cash month after month and you don't get to keep anything like it or not companies are exploring new payment territory where they can keep collecting fees and you may not actually own your Tech I'm Bridget Carey and this is one more thing let's be clear Apple has not officially announced any sort of iPhone subscription plan but we can blame Bloomberg once again for stirring up the chatter last year Bloomberg's Mark German reported that apple is working on a way for customers to lease iPhones like we lease cars it did not launch yet but German reported again this week that it should still arrive eventually this would not be like the existing payment plans something you've seen at carrier's work you pay for an iPhone through install elements over one or two years that is still owning a phone just printing out the payments over time this is also different from Apple's current iPhone upgrade program in that system it includes Apple Care Plus and after 12 payments you can trade in your current iPhone to start a new plan with a new phone that starts at about forty dollars a month it's more expensive with better phones but the payments all go toward you owning the phone if you don't want to trade it in the issue into industry overall is that customers are not upgrading their phones as frequently we are holding on to our phones longer including yours truly I'm part of that Trend I'm the problem it's me I have an iPhone 12 Pro and I am perfectly content not living on Dynamic Island so how does Apple get people to want to dish out more money to them when iPhones are so good you don't need to upgrade enter the reported subscription program something that gets you a new phone more often if you trade it in and to entice you maybe with lump in access to a bunch of Apple services like music and TV plus and iCloud storage it's yet another type of subscription bundle assuming you don't already have subscription overload in your life but this would let customers maybe upgrade to a new phone more frequently I think the key factor here that is driving me nuts is wondering what will happen to your phone if you stop paying for the plan if you don't pay for Netflix it shuts off is someone shutting down access to your phone if you don't pay for your car there are car Repo Men so are there going to be iPhone Repo Men this is going to be a very sticky area for Apple to figure out so let's look to how Google is playing around with new types of payment plans here is a service called pixel pass it bundles the cost of a new pixel phone together with a bunch of Google services but all those payments do go toward the cost of owning the pixel phone and then there's also Samsung access it's a monthly subscription that gets you the newest Galaxy phones a protection plan a terabyte of 1 OneDrive cloud storage and Microsoft Office apps if you cancel the website says you just have to return your previous phone in good condition and based off other reporting it seems you can still make enough payments to own the phone YouTuber greggles TV has some videos breaking down how some of the Samsung financing plans worked if you want to dive in more you can watch that now renting Hardware with software is also something Peloton does if you can't afford a bike outright you could just rent it out for about ninety dollars a month and if you cancel they'll pick up the bike or you could buy it out if you want to keep it so maybe apple is going to follow this pattern and also let you eventually own a phone after enough payments but you have to keep in mind Apple already has an iPhone upgrade program Apple already has Apple one which bundles Services together so why would Apple need another Subscription Service unless the whole point is that you are paying less than owning just to always trade it in and paying less means also having your whole life linked to Apple Services is the point for Apple to just get more new iPhones out into the world more people treating in perfectly good phones to get something more fresh it doesn't seem like a very sustainable thing we don't need more phones in the world for the sake of it the other twist is that Apple can get more customers to dish out money for more expensive phones models of iPhones that may be out of the normal budgets there's been Buzz that Apple's working on some more expensive Ultra version of the iPhone that could be an extra 200 or 300 more than the already high-end models so how do you get more customers to buy an ultra you rent it maybe I'm feeling weird about it because I am going through this Rabbit Hole of rental fees for a tool of mass communication it feels like apple could be crafting a new type of grip on your digital life that you didn't pay your Apple bill this month which is tied to your phone your iCloud your music your TV programs let's not forget Apple's credit card and the Apple wallet so could Apple just in a snap cut you off if you leave the program keeps you feeling logged in now doesn't it unless you have the option to pay to buy the hardware outright it's easy for me to get Negative here because of how we're paying more and more for Digital streaming rights we'll never actually owning the music or the movies and at any moment a company can just take away access to something in our Online Library you know what nothing has been announced yet maybe I just need to take a breather I should just channel the positive energy of CNET mobile reporter Lisa edachico she wrote a whole commentary about how this could be a good thing come on Bridget just think what would Lisa tell you right now Bridget I know it's easy to get caught up in the what ifs but hear me out for a second what if this ends up being a really good thing the tech industry has an E-Waste problem and people just aren't recycling their phones enough what if this program encourages people to trade in their iPhones more often that would give Apple more used phones that it can strip down and repurpose for parts and maybe Apple could even refurbish those phones and sell them at cheaper prices that would be a good thing right and on top of that what if this program ends up being a cheaper way to actually get a brand new iPhone and some apple Services bundled in there now of course we don't know anything yet it all depends on the price but all I'm saying is take a deep breath and wait for those answers thanks Lisa she has a way of making you feel enlightened there are so many questions and we'll have to see how Apple could roll it out maybe launch it with the next iPhone or it could be something for more than iPhones maybe that expensive VR headset in the works could be something you make monthly payments to rent let me know in the comments how a subscription plan would sit with you is it something cool would it depend on how much you need the best apple gear in your life and we are all ready so Tethered to Apple land what's another subscription right uh yeah thanks for watchingwhat if you never owned your phone what if you just rented the most important device in your life paying a company a subscription fee every month for the right to access the newest shiniest Hardware but it's not really yours Apple reportedly may have something like this in the works an iPhone's subscription plan turning a one thousand dollar hunk of Glass and Metal into something that's treated like your Netflix bill Apple would not be the first to play with different ways to do phone subscriptions Google and Samsung have introduced different Hardware monthly bills bundled with services but what would renting your iPhone look like I have seen articles talking about how the idea could be great for people who can't afford the latest iPhones every year or how it could save money by bundling lots of Apple's Services together and how it's great for Apple of course because it gets us to keep giving Apple money even if we don't upgrade phones as often I'm reading all this conjecture and the idea just isn't sitting well with me me and I want to talk it out with you maybe you can work it out with me in the comments below because something is missing from this chatter what happens if we start supporting a payment system like this as normal and what power are we giving these tech companies when you Fork over cash month after month and you don't get to keep anything like it or not companies are exploring new payment territory where they can keep collecting fees and you may not actually own your Tech I'm Bridget Carey and this is one more thing let's be clear Apple has not officially announced any sort of iPhone subscription plan but we can blame Bloomberg once again for stirring up the chatter last year Bloomberg's Mark German reported that apple is working on a way for customers to lease iPhones like we lease cars it did not launch yet but German reported again this week that it should still arrive eventually this would not be like the existing payment plans something you've seen at carrier's work you pay for an iPhone through install elements over one or two years that is still owning a phone just printing out the payments over time this is also different from Apple's current iPhone upgrade program in that system it includes Apple Care Plus and after 12 payments you can trade in your current iPhone to start a new plan with a new phone that starts at about forty dollars a month it's more expensive with better phones but the payments all go toward you owning the phone if you don't want to trade it in the issue into industry overall is that customers are not upgrading their phones as frequently we are holding on to our phones longer including yours truly I'm part of that Trend I'm the problem it's me I have an iPhone 12 Pro and I am perfectly content not living on Dynamic Island so how does Apple get people to want to dish out more money to them when iPhones are so good you don't need to upgrade enter the reported subscription program something that gets you a new phone more often if you trade it in and to entice you maybe with lump in access to a bunch of Apple services like music and TV plus and iCloud storage it's yet another type of subscription bundle assuming you don't already have subscription overload in your life but this would let customers maybe upgrade to a new phone more frequently I think the key factor here that is driving me nuts is wondering what will happen to your phone if you stop paying for the plan if you don't pay for Netflix it shuts off is someone shutting down access to your phone if you don't pay for your car there are car Repo Men so are there going to be iPhone Repo Men this is going to be a very sticky area for Apple to figure out so let's look to how Google is playing around with new types of payment plans here is a service called pixel pass it bundles the cost of a new pixel phone together with a bunch of Google services but all those payments do go toward the cost of owning the pixel phone and then there's also Samsung access it's a monthly subscription that gets you the newest Galaxy phones a protection plan a terabyte of 1 OneDrive cloud storage and Microsoft Office apps if you cancel the website says you just have to return your previous phone in good condition and based off other reporting it seems you can still make enough payments to own the phone YouTuber greggles TV has some videos breaking down how some of the Samsung financing plans worked if you want to dive in more you can watch that now renting Hardware with software is also something Peloton does if you can't afford a bike outright you could just rent it out for about ninety dollars a month and if you cancel they'll pick up the bike or you could buy it out if you want to keep it so maybe apple is going to follow this pattern and also let you eventually own a phone after enough payments but you have to keep in mind Apple already has an iPhone upgrade program Apple already has Apple one which bundles Services together so why would Apple need another Subscription Service unless the whole point is that you are paying less than owning just to always trade it in and paying less means also having your whole life linked to Apple Services is the point for Apple to just get more new iPhones out into the world more people treating in perfectly good phones to get something more fresh it doesn't seem like a very sustainable thing we don't need more phones in the world for the sake of it the other twist is that Apple can get more customers to dish out money for more expensive phones models of iPhones that may be out of the normal budgets there's been Buzz that Apple's working on some more expensive Ultra version of the iPhone that could be an extra 200 or 300 more than the already high-end models so how do you get more customers to buy an ultra you rent it maybe I'm feeling weird about it because I am going through this Rabbit Hole of rental fees for a tool of mass communication it feels like apple could be crafting a new type of grip on your digital life that you didn't pay your Apple bill this month which is tied to your phone your iCloud your music your TV programs let's not forget Apple's credit card and the Apple wallet so could Apple just in a snap cut you off if you leave the program keeps you feeling logged in now doesn't it unless you have the option to pay to buy the hardware outright it's easy for me to get Negative here because of how we're paying more and more for Digital streaming rights we'll never actually owning the music or the movies and at any moment a company can just take away access to something in our Online Library you know what nothing has been announced yet maybe I just need to take a breather I should just channel the positive energy of CNET mobile reporter Lisa edachico she wrote a whole commentary about how this could be a good thing come on Bridget just think what would Lisa tell you right now Bridget I know it's easy to get caught up in the what ifs but hear me out for a second what if this ends up being a really good thing the tech industry has an E-Waste problem and people just aren't recycling their phones enough what if this program encourages people to trade in their iPhones more often that would give Apple more used phones that it can strip down and repurpose for parts and maybe Apple could even refurbish those phones and sell them at cheaper prices that would be a good thing right and on top of that what if this program ends up being a cheaper way to actually get a brand new iPhone and some apple Services bundled in there now of course we don't know anything yet it all depends on the price but all I'm saying is take a deep breath and wait for those answers thanks Lisa she has a way of making you feel enlightened there are so many questions and we'll have to see how Apple could roll it out maybe launch it with the next iPhone or it could be something for more than iPhones maybe that expensive VR headset in the works could be something you make monthly payments to rent let me know in the comments how a subscription plan would sit with you is it something cool would it depend on how much you need the best apple gear in your life and we are all ready so Tethered to Apple land what's another subscription right uh yeah thanks for watching\n"