Maybe the mobile phone industry is finally coming to understand what consumers want. What many of us want is to have the newest and shiniest flagship smartphone, and then cast that phone aside when another phone that is shinier comes along a year later. Forget two-year contracts: why don’t we just rent the darn things? Carriers like Sprint are doing this, and Apple itself has joined the rental party. Why not Samsung’s Android handsets, too?

Yes, Samsung reportedly wants to get in the direct-to-consumer phone-lending business as well. Forbes cites a mysterious source within Samsung who leaked the company’s plans: to lease handsets directly to consumers. This means Samsung will receive payments, and also receive phones back at the end of customers’ lease terms, which can be refurbished into warranty replacements or sold to frugal people in need of phones either here or even in developing countries.

Samsung will apparently start this program in the coming months, but the tipster didn’t reveal what the pricing will be. Apple’s plan is to offer a bundled plan with a phone and warranty, which experts say is superior to carriers’ leasing deals.

Following Apple’s Lead, Samsung Plans Its Own Phone Leasing Program, Cutting Out Carriers [Forbes]

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