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The new policy in Apple Card Monthly Installments (ACMI) announced in June is now being observed. With this, Apple customers buying their iPhones using ACMI will be required to pick their carrier. The ACMI installment term for new Apple Watch purchases has also changed from 24 months to 12.
The Cupertino company silently made the announcement in June through a footnote on its iPhone page. According to the details of the changes, customers who opt for the installment program will have to choose the three carrier partners of Apple.
“Currently, carrier connection with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon is required for all iPhone purchases made with ACMI from Apple Store locations only,” Apple explains the change on the page. “Starting August 15, 2023, carrier connection with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon is required for all iPhone purchases made with ACMI.”
It should now be observed officially today to all iPhone purchases everywhere where ACMI is accepted, which includes the physical and online stores. This removes the “Connect to a carrier later” option, which used to allow customers to get their iPhones without cellular connections. Nonetheless, Apple promises that the smartphone purchased using the ACMI option “is always unlocked, so you can switch carriers at any time.”
The new policy has also changed the installment term of Apple watches. As per Apple, the ACMI installment term for new Apple Watch purchases is now reduced to 12 months, a huge change from its former 24-month period.
The changes have come a month before the release of the iPhone 15 series. And as we stressed before, while this could help the businesses of the carrier companies involved in the ACMI iPhone deals, it could mean a different thing for Apple as such changes might affect customers’ purchasing behavior and future upgrade plans.
What do you think about this new ACMI policy? Let us know in the comment section.
