The announcement was expected: Free Mobile now offers high-end smartphones to its customers, not to buy, but to rent. One choice that is reminiscent of Virgin Mobile with its offer Telib, but with greater flexibility. Indeed, three smartphones are available for 12 € per month, after the first installment, which varies between 49 th and € 129 Galaxy S4, iPhone 5S and the Galaxy Note 3
.
After throwing a spanner in the 4G, Free Mobile smartphones now offers rental customers. The situation is indeed simple for many users, especially those who crack for top models: they often change, and are often lost in the final at the time of resale. Therefore proposes to free those who do not necessarily want to own their smartphone have the latest fashionable toy against 12 € per month and first monthly payment that varies between 49 and € 129.
A high-end smartphone against 12 € per month: 40% discount promised
reminder, this is Maxime Lombardini (DG Iliad) had more or less snitched last September by refusing to talk about mobile subsidized. It was partly followed by Virgin Mobile launched Telib there a few months ago, an offer that had the disadvantage of being quite limited, both in the choice of model, its possibilities (impossible to change SIM, not fashion modem, etc.)
Here, the principle is simple. Three products are currently available: the Galaxy S4, iPhone 5S and the Galaxy Note 3. You pay a monthly fee that depends on the first one you have chosen, ranging from € 49 to € 129. Then you will have to pay 12 € per month for 24 months. After two years, the operator offers a new smartphone replacement. Alternatively, you can decide to make it.
The promise is that a saving of 40% over the period, from 230 to 300 €. The calculation seems honest and the operator is still win in the end, as will itself sell the smartphone in hand at the end of the period. The “early adopters” budding probably regret that no proposals for annual update of the smartphone, but it may just be a matter of time.
17 € per month if you are not, or more client package at € 19.99 Free Mobile
careful though with Free Mobile, the devil is always in the details. We note that if the effect is independent of the rental fee (which is non-binding), the rent paid is at preferential rates for guests Free Mobile: if you change operator, it will cost you € 5 per month . We then come to 457 € 507 € and 537 € for three smartphones, which is still interesting for those who prefer the rental model.
And do not expect the package to 2 € to try to take advantage of the key smartphone via Wi-Fi from a third operator, for example, because this offer is limited to those with a package at 19.99 €. Some will probably a good way to have a 4G smartphone cheaply. It also seems impossible to return the smartphone before 24 months, called “farm.” If this is your choice, it will pay the remaining payments, remains to be seen if it can enter or not in the context of the Chatel law that limits the duration of such contracts to 12 months with an obligation to pay only the remaining quarter in the case departure.
Lost, stolen, damaged laptop: the real risk of a lease that lasts two years
will also see what happens in the event of loss or theft, as the device remains the property of Free Mobile. The operator says as he “recommends the user to take out insurance to cover the risks associated with holding a mobile (theft, loss, breakage, oxidation, …) and the obligations of the Contract. “. It also states that if he is returned damaged will be charged to the public selling price in effect at the time of ordering. One also wonders why the company does not directly offer such insurance, which could be a good thing for her financially while reassuring the user.
We imagine some already embarking on this cut-away fast enough.Also note that“in case of disappearance or theft of Mobile, the user undertakes to inform Free Mobile. The user undertakes to make a declaration to the competent authorities in case of theft and send a copy to Free Mobile. This notification disappearance or theft Free Mobile will result in the immediate termination of the Contract due to the user. “
And if you do not want to return the smartphone? It will of course pay full price “Except in cases of force majeure, if the user does not return the Mobile or returns a good working order, Free Mobile will charge the user: the public sale price Mobile at the date of the order on http://mobile.free.fr/mobiles.html when the user fails to its obligation under the right of withdrawal, the sum of € 500 if the termination occurs before the end of the fourth month or the sum of € 250 if the termination occurs beyond the 24th month, when the obligation restitution is not related to the exercise of the right of withdrawal. “ New litigation therefore may appear and will have to see how they are managed.
Renting vs. buying smartphone, a profound change habits?
Anyway, Free Mobile opens the gap of a new economic model for the acquisition of smartphones, expected by some and not at all interested others. In fact, many people prefer to have their device and be able to sell it as they see fit, even if sometimes depend on a commitment from an operator to reduce the monthly bill.
It will be interesting to analyze the success of such an offer that could have upset many habits, especially if it is also echoed by other operators in the end. The smartphone is no longer seen as a luxury product requires many sacrifices, but rather a way to access a network that can be changed when operator is changed, all of which are facilitated by the online our data in the famous “Cloud” which facilitates transfers.
Finally, note that this offer is now available for new customers. For old customers, it will be a little patient as it will be proposed that a few days in the customer area. Free Mobile promises that this will happen before the end of the year, in 15 days.
David Legrand
Journalist, Associate Editor. Geek extreme specializing in the analysis of high-tech products, social networks and trios screens. Adept free.
No comments:
Post a Comment