Samsung will soon let you rent its phones instead of buying them

The CES 2025 logo.

CES 2025

Read and watch our complete CES coverage here

Updated less than 56 seconds ago

Looking to buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 but don’t have the money to pay for it all upfront? Samsung may eventually allow you to rent out the upcoming model and other Samsung Galaxy phones instead of purchasing them right off the bat.

Rumors of the smartphone subscription service came out of CES 2025, where Samsung CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee said that the company plans to introduce the subscription service at this year’s Galaxy Unpacked event in two weeks, according to a report by ETNews. Jong-hee said that the service, dubbed the “AI Subscription Club,” will launch in February, two months after it began offering it to customers in South Korea.

Recommended Videos

The “AI” part of the name is a mistranslation, but the name is likely not final. The smartphone subscription service will allow customers to pay a subscription fee for any phone they want and try it out before they decide to pay the full amount. It’s unclear how much the monthly fees will be or if there will be subscription tiers similar to those of streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. However, the subscription service will apply to tablets as well.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Samsung’s hardware subscription program bears some resemblance to the one Apple had been attempting to develop alongside the Apple Pay group since 2022, making plans to launch it by the end of that year. The project then got delayed because of software issues and regulatory concerns and was ultimately canceled at the end of last year. Six months earlier, in June 2024, the company announced Apple Pay Later would be shutting down after it integrated third-party loan services into iOS 18. Google tried to offer a subscription service for Pixel phones called Google Pixel Pass, which also offered access to YouTube Premium and Google Play Pass, but it ended in 2023.

Editors’ Recommendations

  • MagSafe-like charging will come to Google and Samsung phones this year

  • Leaked photos of the Galaxy S25 Ultra confirm razor-thin bezels

  • 5 things Samsung needs to do with its folding phones in 2025

  • 5 things that could change smartphones forever in 2025

  • Does your Samsung Galaxy S22 have a bootlooping problem? You aren’t alone




Related posts

Latest posts

TSMC in dilemma as US pushes ‘Made in USA’ strategy with Intel

The U.S. government has given the Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer TSMC three proposals to keep producing with the country, which brought up several challenges.

I’ve found a perfect use for the Galaxy Ring, but I can’t recommend it

The Samsung Galaxy Ring was a miss for me — but I've still managed to find the perfect use for it. Only, I can't recommend it to anyone. Here's why.

Why I’m sad this delightful iPhone camera is about to go away

It looks certain Apple will take the 12-megapixel away from its cheapest iPhone very soon. Let me explain why I'm sad about it.

Moto G Power 2025 review: A solid $300 phone

What makes the Moto G Power 2025 a great phone despite being just $300? Find out in our review.

7 years of updates aren’t what you think they are and Samsung just proved it

The Galaxy S24 will miss out on features the hardware can't support.

Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Powerbeats Pro: A killer upgrade for runners and gym nuts alike

Apple took almost six years to upgrade the Powerbeats Pro, so are the Powerbeats Pro 2 worth the wait? You

How to download TikTok videos on Android

If you find a favorite TikTok video you want to keep or download to watch offline, it's easy to do

Garmin Instinct 3 vs. 2X vs. 2: Every key upgrade

The Garmin Instinct 3 vs. 2 has major differences in battery life, accuracy, smarts, display quality, and memory, but the

Top Stories: ‘Apple Launch’ Next Week, Powerbeats Pro 2 Debut, and More

Apple is in the middle of trickling out a variety of announcements including Powerbeats Pro 2 and an Apple TV+

10+ Announcements Apple Could Have Rolled Into a February Event

Apple appears to have enough upcoming product announcements to justify a full event this month, yet all signs indicate these