At a time when the price of smartphones is on the rise, more and more French people are choosing to rent devices. A solution that can have advantages for those who like to change their device frequently, prefer to go to refurbished or want to save money immediately. But also a solution that requires thinking several times if you are quite loyal to your phone in the long run.
Launched in 2020, Next Mobiles is one of its players leading this new trend. On the Parisian startup’s site, there are mainly iPhones, Samsung and some Xiaomi smartphones, all new or refurbished. “We prefer the models that are most popular with customers,” explains Tech&Co Pierre-Alain Houard, Next Mobiles’ director of marketing and sales. So you won’t find any other brand right now and no Samsung or Xiaomi phones. “We chose models that also have a long service life with updates over several years,” he adds.
Buyers will pay monthly for their smartphone, from 13.90 euros per month for a refurbished Samsung Galaxy A53 5G to 64.90 euros for a new iPhone 14 Pro Max 256 GB, and up to 79.90 euros/month for a new Galaxy Z Fold 4 . The price (with variable initial contribution depending on the model) includes breakage and theft insurance, provided accessories (casing and protective screen) and the possibility of changing from three months of age for another laptop, or changing to the superior model without changing fees after a year. All without commitment or commissions, but with a file worthy of a credit application to verify the identity and guarantees of the payer.
From 4 to 80 euros per month
On paper, everything looks idyllic for consumers who don’t necessarily have the means to pay more than €1,200 for a premium smartphone right away, unsure if it’s right for them, or prefer to switch frequently at a lower cost. “The rental smartphone is a sign that customers are more oriented to use than possession,” says Pierre-Alain Houard. “Refurbished goods, which we also focus on, show the importance that some place on CSR aspects. There are 100 million smartphones sleeping in drawers. Renting them and then putting them back on the circuit is also a gesture for the planet.
Because Next Mobiles also manages the second life of the device. Telephones returned after the rental, for an exchange or a definitive return, are sent for reconditioning in the company’s own workshop, in Courbevoie. “We want to encourage short circuiting”, adds Chloé Bernard, product manager. “But also in our relationship with consumers. Our customer service is in Paris, at our facilities, also for this reason”.
The market is growing in the opinion of stakeholders, following in the footsteps of smartphone leasing launched in the United States many years ago. “Consumer credits have multiplied by 10 in 10 years in France. It is necessary to offer an alternative to consumers,” says Pierre-Alain Houard. “And we see a clear acceleration of the rental market with inflation. But there is still work of evangelization to be done ”, he acknowledges.
And Next Mobiles also wants to expand its reach. Since June, the company offers the rental of MacBook Air (from 49.90 euros/month) or MacBook Pro (from 69.90 euros/month), new or used, without obligation, with various guarantees against theft and breakage, plus a free portage. case and screen protector.
Also rental of household appliances and PCs
Proof that the market is booming, the players are more and more numerous. The market leader is currently called Mobile Club, but with a different policy. The website is clearly aimed at young people with offers for refurbished smartphones only (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S), but not for the latest generations and at prices quite similar to those of Next Mobiles for refurbished ones, insurance included. Keep in mind that the deductibles are quite high and you have to commit to 20 months. Only at the end of your commitment, it will be possible to change planes.
Rent your mobile also bets on Samsung and Apple to attract customers with offers that start at 4 euros per month only for refurbished models and a little less choice. Sometimes they are old and then it is better to expect to keep them for only a few months so that they are always up to date (iPhone 8, for example, which will not benefit from iOS 17 at the beginning of the school year). The minimum commitment is six months, but the monthly payment then increases rapidly (24 euros / month for an iPhone 11 64 GB for six months against 14 euros per month for 24 months). Please note that the site offers to buy back your old smartphone, “even broken”.
Thinking about the duration before diving
Fnac-Darty and Boulanger have also detected the vein and are starting. By going to the store, you can sign up for a rental offer with a minimum commitment of one year for a smartphone, but also for PCs, household appliances, technological objects of all kinds. But after a year, you won’t own your device. In addition, theft and damage insurance is optional.
The rental market is developing at great speed, both to respond to economic concerns about payment in installments and for environmental reasons with the incentive to opt for refurbishment. For a short time, it can be financially advantageous.
Only if you can make it possible to pay less than once for your smartphone or computer, if you plan to keep your device for a long time (more than 18 months), the calculation will not necessarily be favorable for you and after two years it will almost cost you to have it. bought new, without in the end being yours and possibly you can resell it later. This new way of managing your technology purchases, on the other hand, seems like a good idea to avoid paying full price for a device that will no longer serve you quickly.
Source: BFM TV
