[drnick1]

This kind of business model is just another manifestation of "you'll own nothing and be happy."

Unless you are happy with Apple or Google literally owning your phone and everything in it, the solution is to buy a Pixel, with cash, unlock the bootloader, and flash GrapheneOS.

[thewebguyd]

Except in this case, you can still choose to own it at the end of the lease. The total lease price (if you buy it at the end) is the exact same as the retail price, there's no interest and no extra fees.

[drnick1]

The issue is deeper than than. Even if you buy, not lease, the iPhone, you don't control the software. Apple is still the effective owner, and tells you what you can and can't run on your own device. Worse, Apple is able to remotely inject user-hostile programs, such as the planned CSAM scanner that was planned but ultimately abandoned[0].

[0] https://9to5mac.com/2023/09/01/csam-scanning-flaw/

[compiler-guy]

All of that is true, but has nothing to do with the new payment plan apple just released.