Samsung Thinks You’ll Want to Rent a Galaxy S25 Ultra

Would you rent a smartphone for a lower monthly fee than if you financed it with monthly payments? This could be the choice next month as Samsung launches Galaxy S25 series. During a press conference this week, Samsung Electronics Vice President Han Chung-hee said that they are planning to introduce a subscription service to Galaxy smartphones starting next month.

Here we are dealing with translations from a Korean news agency, but the idea is basically this. Samsung for the first time introduced the “AI Subscription Club” service for its expensive equipment last year and saw what he thought was some early success. By “subscription” we mean that it is actually a rental program since appliances are expensive and many people cannot afford them. The idea, thanks to the devices’ early success, is that people might want to do the same with expensive phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra (Have you already reserved one?).

Samsung plans to launch an ‘AI Subscription Club’ along with the Galaxy S25 series to boost sales. The title certainly sounds like they’re going to ask you to sign up for AI on your phone, but that’s not what this article and Samsung are suggesting. They’re calling it the “AI Subscription Club” because the devices (including these devices) have AI built-in, but it will be a rental program similar to what Samsung is launching with home appliances.

Of course, membership in this AI club could lead to features that others don’t have access to, or perks that could make it more attractive. I’m just guessing, but they want more than just renting devices at lower prices, right? Or maybe they don’t?

I’m struggling to see users jump on the idea of ​​paying a monthly fee to rent a phone. It’s just something we don’t do in the US, and I can imagine it’s a hard sell here. I could be completely wrong too, and perhaps some might like the idea of ​​paying a lower monthly fee with the idea that maybe they can ditch the thing and upgrade regularly.

Since details about this program for Samsung phones are not yet available, we are really sitting here and waiting to find out more.

Thoughts?

// ETnews