Apple Upgrades will let users lease iPhones and Macs with Klarna

appleinsider.com Jul 21, 2026

Apple Upgrades will let users lease iPhones and Macs with Klarna

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 21, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Apple will launch a new leasing program, Apple Upgrade, on July 28, partnering with Klarna to offer iPhones, select Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches on 24‑ to 36‑month terms. Customers will pay a monthly subscription, can upgrade mid‑term, pay off early, or return the device, though some models (iPhone 16, MacBook Neo, base‑level iPad, Watch SE) and business/education purchases are excluded. The plan omits AppleCare and requires a soft credit check. Existing upgrade programs will continue but new enrollments will shift to Apple Upgrade.

💡 Why It Matters

· By expanding leasing to a broader range of Apple hardware, the company taps a growing demand for flexible ownership models, potentially reshaping how consumers finance premium tech.
· The partnership with Klarna also signals Apple’s deeper reliance on third‑party payment services after discontinuing its own Pay‑Later option.

Read full article on appleinsider.com

CIMB Malaysia now supports Apple Pay: Limited to credit cards, get up…

CIMB Bank Malaysia announced that its Visa and Mastercard credit cards are now compatible with Apple Pay, ending a four‑year gap since the mobile payment service launched in the country. The integration, enabled via the “Add to Apple Wallet” option in the CIMB Octo app or directly on Apple devices, excludes two premium cards – the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite‑i and Platinum‑i – as well as all CIMB debit cards, the Platinum Business Card and the Fuel Tanker Card. To promote adoption, CIMB introduced a cashback incentive running until 14 September 2026, offering up to RM118 to customers who complete five Apple Pay transactions of at least RM50 each. Full cashback requires holding both a CIMB Mastercard and a CIMB Visa credit card.

💡 The rollout gives CIMB a digital edge, leveraging Apple Pay’s growing user base to boost credit‑card usage and lock in higher transaction volumes.

appleinsider.com · Jul 21

Future iMac could come with a removable dock or handle to make…

Apple has been granted a patent titled “Low profile computer support” that outlines several concepts for making iMac‑style desktops easier to transport. The filing proposes a detachable dock that could house power, cable management and wireless‑charging shelves, allowing the display to be a thin screen that connects via a Smart‑Connector‑like interface. It also describes a collapsible stand that folds into the computer’s chassis and can serve as a built‑in handle or grip. Both approaches aim to reduce the bulk of current stands, improve packaging efficiency and eliminate fragile cable connections. The patent’s six inventors, including Paul X. Wang, emphasize that thinner, larger‑display devices have become “overly difficult to move,” prompting Apple to explore modular, flat‑pack solutions for its all‑in‑one desktops.

💡 A modular iMac could cut shipping costs and reshape how professionals move high‑performance desktops, turning a traditionally stationary machine into a portable workstation.

tomsguide.com · Jul 21

I asked ChatGPT to make my iPhone more private — it found…

A Tom's Guide journalist utilized ChatGPT to audit iPhone privacy settings, identifying seven often-overlooked configurations to enhance personal data security. The AI analysis targeted users who frequently work in public spaces, travel, or share devices with family members. Among the recommendations, hiding sensitive notification previews emerged as a critical adjustment. By default, iPhones display text messages, banking alerts, and two-factor authentication codes on the Lock Screen, allowing bystanders to view private information without unlocking the device. The journalist advises changing the "Show Previews" setting to "When Unlocked" within the Notifications menu. This modification ensures Face ID authentication is required before displaying message content. The article highlights that while some AI suggestions were obvious, others were buried deep within iOS settings. After testing every recommendation, the author confirms these tweaks provide significant privacy benefits for everyday users seeking to protect their digital footprint from casual observation.

💡 Default smartphone configurations often prioritize convenience over security, leaving users vulnerable to shoulder surfing in public spaces. Leveraging AI to uncover these hidden settings empowers individuals to take immediate, actionable control over their digital privacy without requiring technical expertise.

appleinsider.com · Jul 21

How to roll back macOS Golden Gate on Apple Silicon

Users wishing to revert from the macOS Golden Gate beta to the stable macOS Tahoe release must perform a complete system restoration. Simply disabling beta updates in system settings prevents future beta installations but does not remove the current operating system. To successfully downgrade, users are required to erase their Mac’s startup disk entirely. This process necessitates a verified backup created prior to installing the Golden Gate beta. Apple explicitly recommends using a Time Machine backup from before the beta installation. Restoring from a newer backup is discouraged because it may contain application data, settings, and databases modified by Golden Gate. These changes might be incompatible with Tahoe, potentially causing system instability or data corruption. The reinstall procedure itself is straightforward, but protecting files generated during the beta period requires careful planning. Users must ensure their pre-beta backup is intact and accessible before initiating the erase and reinstall sequence to avoid permanent data loss.

💡 The mandatory disk erasure exposes a critical vulnerability for beta testers who fail to maintain pre-installation backups. This rigid downgrade path forces users to choose between system stability and retaining recent work, highlighting the high stakes of early software adoption.

247wallst.com · Jul 21

Apple’s Lawsuit Against OpenAI Could Be the Opening Move in the Next…

Apple filed a federal trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI, its hardware chief Tang Tan, and former employee Chang Liu on July 10, 2026. The complaint alleges a pattern of theft involving confidential product development information. Former Apple engineer Cheng Lu allegedly exploited an authentication bug to download dozens of highly confidential hardware files for unreleased products. OpenAI maintains it plans to announce its first consumer device by late 2026 and ship it in 2027. Analysts suggest the lawsuit reflects Apple’s strategy to defend its consumer hardware business against OpenAI’s emerging device push. The legal action follows the departure of designer Jony Ive to OpenAI, which some view as a significant competitive shift. Apple reported Q2 FY2026 revenue of $111.184 billion, up 16.6% year over year, providing substantial resources for litigation. The case centers on allegations that OpenAI recruiters encouraged hires to bring actual parts from Apple.

💡 The litigation marks a tangible escalation in the battle for AI hardware dominance, moving beyond software competition. Apple’s aggressive legal stance signals its intent to protect its ecosystem as rivals like OpenAI pivot toward physical consumer devices.

appleinsider.com · Jul 21

iPhone 20 Pro Max may get Apple’s largest ever iPhone screen at…

Leaker Digital Chat Station reports that Apple is evaluating a 7-inch display for the iPhone 20 Pro Max, marking the company’s largest iPhone screen to date. While marketed as 7 inches, the actual diagonal measurement is reportedly 6.96 inches, a marginal increase from the current iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 6.86-inch panel. This adjustment represents approximately a 2% size gain, which may be noticeable in hand but does not drastically alter the device’s form factor. The rumor aligns with previous reports suggesting a significant redesign for the 20th-anniversary lineup, including potential four-sided curved displays. Apple last increased iPhone screen sizes in 2024, when the iPhone 16 Pro Max grew from 6.7 to 6.9 inches. The leaker, known for accurate reports on Apple hardware, notes that this larger screen size has not been finalized. The potential update coincides with broader speculation about the iPhone 20 range’s aesthetic and structural changes, indicating Apple may be pushing physical boundaries for its flagship devices despite the incremental nature of the screen expansion.

💡 The 0.1-inch difference challenges the industry's reliance on marketing metrics over tangible hardware upgrades. It suggests Apple is prioritizing incremental physical expansion over radical redesigns for the 20th anniversary, potentially signaling a plateau in smartphone form-factor innovation.