Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program may appear to offer flexibility because the leased devices are technically unlocked. However, that status does not necessarily mean customers can freely use the program with any mobile provider.
The program’s structure can tie participating customers to the largest mobile carriers, limiting the practical choices available during the leasing and upgrade process. This creates a distinction between an iPhone being unlocked in a technical sense and a customer being free to select any carrier.
For shoppers comparing iPhone financing and carrier plans, the important issue is therefore more than whether the device is unlocked. The program’s carrier requirements may shape where customers can activate and continue using their leased iPhones.
