The Takeaway
- Nearly 30% of Americans say they’d consider leasing their next smartphone instead of buying it outright.
- Battery life — not price — is now the #1 factor in phone decisions.
- Seniors are keeping phones longer, often three years or more.
- Leasing can reduce upfront costs and bundle repairs, insurance, and recycling.
- Phones aren’t the only things seniors may want to lease instead of buy.
For years, the smartphone industry trained us to think of phones as disposable — something to replace every year, like milk past its expiration date.
That thinking is fading fast.
A new nationwide survey from Allstate Protection Plans shows Americans — especially older adults — are taking a far more practical approach to phones. They’re keeping them longer, worrying less about flashy features, and asking a new question:
Why buy when leasing might make more sense?
Phones Are Becoming “Long-Term Assets”
According to Allstate’s research, nearly half of Americans now keep their smartphones for three years or more. Annual upgrades? That’s mostly a thing of the past.
What matters now isn’t hype — it’s reliability:
- Battery life (now the top factor)
- Price
- Storage
- Camera quality
- Screen size
- Brand reputation
An Allstate representative told Smart Senior Daily that consumers are increasingly treating phones “like appliances, not fashion accessories.”
That shift matters for seniors, who often value:
- Fewer surprise expenses
- Predictable monthly costs
- Devices that just work
Smart Senior Daily Staff
Why Leasing a Phone Is Gaining Appeal
For the first time, nearly 29% of Americans say they’d consider leasing a smartphone instead of buying one outright.
That may sound odd if you’re used to owning your phone outright — but leasing works more like a car lease or a cable subscription.
Here’s what’s driving interest:
- Lower upfront cost: No $800–$1,200 shock at checkout.
- Built-in protection: Many leases include damage coverage and repairs.
- Flexibility: Easier upgrades if needs change.
- End-of-life handling: The phone goes back for recycling or reuse.
For seniors who don’t want to manage repairs, resale, or recycling, that simplicity can be appealing.
That said, leasing isn’t always cheaper in the long run. Over several years, monthly payments can exceed the cost of buying and keeping a phone — especially if you tend to hold onto devices.
The Trade-Offs Seniors Should Weigh
Leasing isn’t a slam dunk for everyone. Seniors should consider:
- Do you upgrade often, or keep phones until they die?
- Are repairs and tech headaches stressful?
- Is predictable monthly budgeting more important than long-term savings?
If you’re the “use it until it breaks” type, buying may still win. If you prefer fewer surprises and bundled support, leasing deserves a look.
Gary P Guthrie
What Else Might Seniors Consider Leasing?
Phones aren’t the only things shifting from ownership to access. For many older adults, leasing can reduce costs, storage, and stress.
Some options worth considering:
Hearing aids
Some providers now offer subscription-style models that include upgrades, cleanings, and replacements — avoiding $4,000 upfront purchases.
Medical alert systems
Most are already leased, with equipment included and replaced as needed.
Mobility equipment
Scooters, lift chairs, and hospital beds are often cheaper to rent short-term rather than buy outright.
CPAP machines
Some insurance plans and suppliers structure these as rental-to-own, spreading out costs.
Major appliances
Select retailers and protection-plan providers now offer appliance leasing with maintenance included — useful if you’re downsizing or planning a move.
The common theme: flexibility over permanence.
Gary P Guthrie
A More Pragmatic Way Forward
Allstate’s research also highlights something else seniors often tell us at Smart Senior Daily — they care about sustainability, but don’t want hassle.
Many households have unused phones sitting in drawers because recycling feels confusing or risky. Leasing models quietly solve that problem by handling the device’s full lifecycle.
As budgets tighten and priorities shift, leasing isn’t about giving up ownership — it’s about choosing convenience and predictability.
For many seniors, that trade-off may finally be worth it.
Sources: All findings cited are from Allstate Protection Plans’ 2025 Mobile Survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, conducted October–November 2025.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or consumer advice. Leasing terms, costs, and protections vary widely by provider. Seniors should review contracts carefully and compare total long-term costs before making a decision.
