Recent changes to Apple Card installments are unfriendly to the consumer, and drastically diminish the value of the card to me by fully eliminating my primary purpose.
Recent changes to Apple Card's monthly installments feature prevent users from checking out without connecting the device to T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon. Options for purchasing an unlocked device directly using the main benefit of Apple Card, have been eliminated.
There is zero reason why my choice of carrier should preclude directly purchasing an unlocked device from Apple.
While it was frustrating losing access to the iPhone Upgrade Program due to not selecting the "right" choice of carrier, at least there was an option remaining via Apple Card to do business directly with Apple; after all I am buying an Apple device, directly from Apple. My carrier is of no consequence; it is fully my prerogative to buy the thing and store it in a drawer for 2 years unactivated if I want.
Turning away interested customers on the basis of using a less popular carrier than three specific ones, is silly, unnecessary, and anti-consumer. This is a situation in which a customer intends to buy a computing device from a computer company--this isn't a car, and we don't need to prove insurance or licensure to operate it. I am within my rights to buy and use an iPhone as an offline calculator so far as Apple is concerned. It is foolish to lock out dedicated customers intent on buying an expensive device within the next month, based on whether they choose to do business that isn't actually required, with a company that isn't Apple.
My primary use of the Apple Card no longer exists, and the service no longer offers any of its primary value to me.
I sincerely hope these policy decisions are reconsidered.
