Bugs and Bureaucracy
Fruity cargo cult Apple has quietly shelved its much-hyped iPhone subscription service, reportedly due to software glitches and regulatory hurdles.
The project, touted as a revolutionary way for customers to upgrade their devices annually, was first teased in 2022 by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. But now, it seems those dreams are as cracked as an iPhone screen after a nasty fall.
The service was supposed to simplify access to Apple’s flagship products by bundling hardware and services into a single subscription, offering a new iPhone every year. Instead, it joins the growing graveyard of Apple’s abandoned ventures. This latest failure comes hot on the heels of the company’s decision to pull the plug on Apple Pay Later—a buy-now-pay-later service that lasted mere months before its demise.
Critics point to an increasingly rocky road for Apple’s forays beyond hardware, with regulatory scrutiny mounting worldwide.
For now, customers will have to settle for Apple’s existing options, such as the iPhone Upgrade Program or Apple Card Monthly Installments. These, however, lack the simplicity and buzz of the once-promised subscription service.
