When Apple announced its financial results at the end of 2019, CEO Tim Cook saidHintIn the future, it may be possible to implement a monthly subscription to use iPhone, iCloud and other services, and in 2022 there will also beRelated rumorsIt is said that Apple was about to launch this service, but it seems that it has given up on launching this service due to regulatory issues.
In previous news, Apple's monthly subscription service for iPhone use will operate on a fixed monthly fee basis, allowing users to continue using new phones every year. In addition to the iPhone, this subscription service seems to be applicable to other Apple hardware products as well.
In form, this service can be seen as allowing users to purchase new phones through installments. By paying a relatively small amount each month, they can maintain the use of new phones every year, increase the number of Apple service users, and even increase the number of sticky users. In addition, it can be tied to Apple's key services, which may also attract more corporate users to use this service.
This service is somewhat similar to the popular hardware "subscription" model. After paying a fee equal to the original price of the hardware, users can choose to buy out their current device or subscribe for new products. For Apple, this simply represents a shift in consumer behavior, but its greater significance lies in encouraging users to continue using Apple products and, in turn, increasing their use of Apple services.
but,According to Bloomberg NewsSince it operates on a subscription basis with a fixed monthly payment, Apple will have a considerable amount of "fixed income" and may face regulatory issues. It may even be accused of monopolizing the market by expanding its market share through this service, which may lead Apple to eventually give up launching this service.
On the other hand, due to the cooperation of telecom operators and channels,Similar servicesAlthough there will still be some differences, Apple may also consider launching its own hardware subscription service, which will cause a certain degree of market competition, so this may be the reason why it gave up launching this service.
