Samsung has had a series of courtroom dates with Apple in the past five years over patent infringement cases filed by the latter. However, it appears that the Korean conglomerate is not done taking pages from Cupertino's books.
Recent reports suggest that Samsung is also launching new payment models to distribute more of its mobile devices within the U.S. market. The new payment schemes will be akin to how high-end automobiles are sold and leased - structured payments within a period of time.
If Samsung's prospected mobile device selling and leasing scheme sounds familiar, it's because Apple has already put it in action.
News of the Korean company's plans on implementing a structured payment model for its mobile devices came after Apple announced the iPhone Upgrade Program during an event earlier this September in which it debuted the new iPad Pro, newer Apple TV version, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
With the new installment schemes, anyone can either buy an iPhone for a $27 monthly payment in a span of at most two years or go with the iPhone Upgrade Plan, which is a leasing program that starts at $32 per month. The lessee can decide to trade in their device for a new iPhone after twelve months of successful payments. Another leasing-agreement will be signed for the new device. The iPhone Upgrade Plan also includes Apple Care.
Samsung is yet to comment on when it plans to launch its device installment plans. No word was made on feasible starting prices.
The decision to go with the new payment schemes is both the manufacturer's response to the network carriers, which are also shifting to a new business model. Instead of buying the devices from the manufacturers and selling them to the public, carriers have lately been forcing the public to buy their own phones, thus threatening the market share that both Apple and Samsung hold.
The current payment models appeal to the "time value of money," which states, "money available at the present time is worth more than the same amount in the future due to its potential earning capacity." However, bear in mind that because it's a lease, you don't actually own the device. And while debt through financing is also not a good idea, you at least get to keep something after you've made successful payments.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns | Flickr
