Many users are content with their existing devices as new devices are not drastically different in terms of the experience they offer meaning operators need to get creative
In 2023, the global smartphone replacement cycle recorded a high of 43 months in 2023, according to Counterpoint Research, and continuing economic headwinds mean users are going to need to be coaxed to part with their existing handsets. While handset sales are returning to some growth, if operators are going to sweat their 5G networks, they need more people using the latest the phones on their networks.
Vodafone has teamed up with Zinia, the Santander Group’s digital financing platform, to launch an offers for its customers in Germany that provides more flexibility when purchasing smartphones. They now decide for themselves when and how to pay for their desired smartphone. This means that anyone who purchases a smartphone from Vodafone in conjunction with a GigaMobil or GigaMobil Young mobile phone plan can now pay for it in instalments over 12, 24, or 36 months.
Users can now pay in a few larger instalments or in smaller instalments with a longer term. In addition, customers receive a discount on the mobile phone plan for the entire term of the instalment payment. The operator also points out that users can get everything from a single source: mobile phone, instalment payments via Zinia, tariff, trade-in and insurance.
Previously, Vodafone’s mobile phone financing was limited to 24 months. With the new model, Vodafone Germany is separating the costs of the plan and the smartphone for the first time. This ensures maximum transparency and gives customers more flexibility in deciding when and how often to purchase a new smartphone.
The new mobile phone financing model is part of a framework agreement between Vodafone and the Santander Group. The offer is seamlessly integrated into the ordering process in Vodafone’s online shop, and customers can rely on Santander’s security.
“Our customers now benefit twice: they can freely decide when and how to pay for their desired smartphone – and at the same time, they save on their mobile phone plan,” said Vodafone managing director of private customers Matthias Lorenz (above). “Whether it’s a mobile phone, instalment plan, plan, insurance, or trade-in…our customers get all smartphone-related services from a single source.”
“We are continuing to expand Zinia, our digital consumer finance platform, through strategic partnerships with renowned companies like Vodafone,” said Zinia general manager Ramón Billordo. “We are pleased to deepen this collaboration and will continue to offer our customers flexible financing options – with the security and expertise of a leading financial group like Santander.”
Discounted mobile phone tariff
The amount of the discount on the mobile phone plan when paying in instalments depends on the selected smartphone and the plan. For example, with the GigaMobil M plan, customers can save €90 over the entire minimum contract term when they combine a 12-month instalment plan for the new entry-level iPhone 16e. With the GigaMobil XL plan, customers can save a total of €180 through the discount on the mobile phone plan when they combine the Samsung flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra with a 36-month smartphone financing plan.
