In a decision with intriguing strategic overtones, Apple announced that, starting August 15, it will no longer offer financing to customers who buy an iPhone without a SIM card. The Apple Card Monthly Payment (ACMI) option will be limited to those who connect to AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.

The news reported by 9to5Mac is an unexpected change from the previous system. So far, Apple has been happy to provide funding to iPhone buyers who want to “connect to a carrier later,” opening up the possibility to use any number of carriers or even use the device without cellular service if they do so. buying online. (ACMI’s in-store purchases were already limited to carrier-connected iPhones.) The new system will effectively limit customers to three major carriers.

“Currently, a carrier connection to AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon is required for all iPhone purchases made using ACMI at Apple Stores only,” Apple says in a note on its website. “Starting August 15, 2023, all iPhone purchases made using ACMI require a carrier connection to AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.”

It’s unclear at this point – and Apple certainly hasn’t elaborated – why the company is making this change, but 9to5Mac suggests carriers may have applied some pressure. The new policy is certainly beneficial for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, who are likely to see a spike in connections more than Apple customers. On the other hand, it’s hard to imagine Apple pushing around in a market where it has significant leverage; maybe the company just hoped we wouldn’t notice.