New York
CNN
 — 

Apple on Tuesday launched an possibility in its digital pockets permitting prospects to pay for on-line purchases in installments, making it the most recent firm to embrace the purchase now, pay later pattern.

The brand new characteristic, referred to as Apple Pay Later, lets prospects break up funds for purchases into 4 installments over six weeks, with the primary installment due on the time of buy. Apple customers may also apply for a mortgage inside the Pockets app, starting from $50 to $1000, with no curiosity or charges, to make on-line or in-app purchases.

The cost possibility is rolling out to pick customers in the US now, with plans to supply it to all eligible prospects over the subsequent a number of months, in keeping with an organization launch. Apple first teased the characteristic final 12 months.

Apple’s transfer comes as a rising variety of customers have turned to purchase now, pay later companies to stretch their budgets at a time of excessive inflation and broader financial uncertainty. Different well-liked companies that supply the identical cost possibility embody Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay.

However some economists and client advocates have raised issues that these companies might trigger consumers to tackle extra debt.

The installment course of makes it look like somebody is paying virtually nothing for the products or service they’re buying, Terri R. Bradford, a analysis specialist in cost programs for the Kansas Metropolis Federal Reserve, beforehand informed CNN. “So the likelihood is that you can, in your thoughts, consider all the things that you simply’re shopping for in these 4 installments and, because of this, tackle extra debt than you’d in the event you needed to pay for them in full every time.”

However Apple says the brand new characteristic is “designed with customers’ monetary well being in thoughts.”

“There’s no one-size-fits-all method relating to how individuals handle their funds,” stated Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vp of Apple Pay and Apple Pockets, in Tuesday’s launch. “Many individuals are in search of versatile cost choices, which is why we’re excited to supply our customers with Apple Pay Later.”

Apple customers will be capable of monitor and handle upcoming mortgage funds within the Pockets app. Any mortgage utility will also be completed within the app with no influence on credit score, in keeping with the corporate.

Apple’s Pay Later possibility is enabled by way of the Mastercard Installments program.