Sprint Launches Rental Program For Samsung Galaxy S5 and S5 Sport

Earlier in the month of October, Sprint introduced a rental program that lets its customers lease the new iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus for a flat monthly fee. The program was a success, helping the carrier achieve its best iPhone launch ever. 

Now, Sprint is expanding the rental program, this time to two Android smartphones: the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport. The carrier is now offering these two Galaxy devices for leasing on a two-year period, with payments of $20 each month. This means that when the contract ends, customers will pay $480 in total for either of the two Galaxy phones. 

By that time, customers have the option of either trading their phones for a new device (with similar terms and conditions), continue leasing the Galaxy S5/S5 Sport on a month-to-month, or end their Sprint service.

The iPhone-for-Life program that Sprint launched last month seemed to suggest that those who lease iPhones can only upgrade to new iPhones. However, for the iPhone or Android rental program, there appears to be no restrictions. And unlike other carriers' upgrade plans, when the customer's rent agreement is done, the customer can always start a new one.

Also, the $50 per month unlimited plan (with unlimited calls, text messaging, and data use) that the carrier is offering to new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users is not made available to Android users. If Android users want to avail of that play anyway, they will have to fork out $60 each month instead. 

Lastly, customers who do decide to avail of the rental program for the Samsung Galaxy devices will qualify for a $15 per month loyalty credit, but only until January 15th of next year.

The past few months have seen Sprint being aggressive in winning back subscribers. Indeed, ever since the new Chief Executive Officer, Marcelo Claure, took over two months ago in August, the carrier has been offering new program after new program -- from family share plans to data plans that offer double the data. All of these new offerings are clearly an effort to protect its customer base, especially from competitors like T-Mobile who are always looking to grab subscribers away from Sprint.

The rental program, while quite a new concept, may be the solution Sprint is looking for in order to strengthen its market share. For a long time, wireless carriers have always preferred selling devices instead of leasing them to their customers. But with a major carrier like Sprint adapting the idea (and maybe soon other major carriers too), smartphone renting may just become the popular thing to do before we know it. 

Know more about Sprint offers now -- start comparing Sprint plans here.