Apple plans to start its U.S. iPhone leasing program on that early timeframe through the company-backed program. The service partners with a financing partner for recurring billing. It targets buyers amid bigger upfront fees after Apple hiked Mac price tags in past months. Users may pick installment plans instead of buying up front. Leased iPhones can be disabled remotely if terms fall apart. Apple includes supporting tools in iOS code. Some shoppers wonder how leasing compares to buying outright. Critics raise that remote disablement locks users out if something goes wrong. Supporters note leasing softens first bill and streams next-device moves. The plan fits Apple's release pattern as iPhones get pricier device by device. Users are advised to review before locking in.