Apple now lets you pay for cellular iPads over 3 years, and it’s a sign of a pricey trend that won’t halt soon

Apple has introduced 36-month carrier financing for cellular iPads purchased directly from the Apple Store. The option is available through AT&T and Verizon to existing customers who add a new line of service.

Until now, the main financing option offered directly by Apple was Apple Card Monthly Installments, which divides the cost of an iPad across 12 months. The new carrier plans stretch those payments across three years and cover the standard iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.

The higher prices are easier to swallow

The new option arrives only weeks after Apple raised prices across its iPad lineup, and the sticker shock appears to have become significant enough for the company to offer buyers another way to pay. A cellular 11-inch iPad Pro now starts at $1,399. Apple Card financing works out to $116.58 per month for one year, while AT&T or Verizon financing reduces the hardware payment to roughly $39 per month for three years (via 9to5Mac).

The installment will appear on the customer’s carrier bill alongside the cost of cellular service. Buyers get the iPad without paying the full amount upfront, Apple completes the sale, and the carrier gains a new line from an existing subscriber. There is one important catch. Anyone who cancels the line or switches carriers before the iPad is paid off will need to clear the remaining device balance. Once the balance is settled and the carrier’s other requirements are met, the iPad can be unlocked.

Why iPads have become more expensive

Apple has linked its recent price increases to the rising cost of RAM and storage. AI companies are buying huge quantities of memory for data centers, leaving less supply available for consumer electronics. Prices are unlikely to return to normal soon. Until memory costs ease, Apple may lean more heavily on carrier financing for future products that include cellular connectivity.