Not Buying, Now Many US Residents Choose to Rent a Cellphone: Here's Why

Jakarta - The pattern of mobile phone consumption in the United States is beginning to change. If previously buying a mobile phone in cash or installments was the main choice, now more and more consumers are considering renting or leasing a mobile phone.

This was revealed in Allstate Insurance's latest report released at the end of January 2026. The report states that more and more mobile phone users in the US see leasing as a way to extend the life of a device before switching to the latest model.

Although leasing is more synonymous with vehicles, this concept has actually been offered for a long time by major mobile operators in the United States. However, at the beginning of its emergence, consumers still prefer to own their own mobile phones. The trend is now beginning to shift.

This change is in line with the new habits of users who tend to keep their phones for longer. With annual update cycles slowing down, many consumers feel that full ownership is no longer a necessity.

Based on the Allstate survey, 29 percent of smartphone owners in the United States admit to being more interested in renting their next phone than buying it.

Of the group considering leasing, 21 percent cited flexibility as the main reason, such as the ease of exchanging or returning devices. As many as 24 percent are interested because of lower initial costs, while 20 percent mention the existence of built-in protection such as insurance and repair services. In addition, 24 percent of respondents like the possibility of upgrading devices more often.

Allstate considers these reasons to be reasonable, considering that most consumers do not use their phones forever. When it's time to upgrade, old devices are usually resold or exchanged.

Interestingly, the survey also showed that 48 percent of mobile phone users in the US now keep their devices for at least three years. Only 22 percent of respondents still replace their phones every year.

Battery life is the most important factor in choosing a new phone, followed by device durability and performance. In addition, the camera, storage capacity, and screen size are also the main considerations, with the price still having to be reasonable.

When finally upgrading, only 48 percent of respondents chose to exchange their old phone to get a discount. As many as 52 percent kept it as a backup, while the other 28 percent gave their old phone to family or friends.

This trend in mobile leasing shows a change in consumers' views on device ownership. In the midst of rising mobile phone prices and gradual innovation, flexibility and cost efficiency are now key factors in American consumer decisions.