Apple plans to start its U.S. iPhone leasing program on a confirmed start day through the company-backed program. The service partners with Klarna's platform for recurring billing. It targets buyers amid higher sticker prices after Apple hiked Mac price tags in recent weeks. Users may pick smaller recurring fees instead of buying up front. Leased iPhones can be disabled remotely if terms fall apart. Apple includes tied functions in future iOS release. Some shoppers are unsure how leasing measures up to retail outright. Critics raise that disablement limits flexibility if circumstances change. Supporters argue leasing trims starting price and streamlines device cycling. The plan ties into Apple's hardware cycle as iPhone MSRPs inch higher device by device. Shoppers ought to compare before locking in.