What Happens at the End of Subscription?

Technology innovation around the pace of Singapore and Malaysia moves incredibly fast. We are looking at advancements in terms of faster chips, sharper cameras, and slighter hardware every year. For tech consumers, the conventional approach in buying a smartphone, laptop, and tablet outright often feels like old news.

One requires significant capital outlay, while getting locked in by telco provides stringent contract length and conditions. 

Device subscriptions have become a relevant alternative, in order to enjoy superior technology at a reasonable monthly investment. 

Can You Upgrade to the Latest Model?

The plan choice for most of the tech savvy people of all ages is this plan. When the subscription term is complete, you can exchange your current device for the current best models in the market. Upgrading lets you have at your own disposal the latest technological advancements without hassle from selling your old device on private sales platforms. All you need to do is hand in your old device and get the latest model of your choice as part of your monthly plan. 

How does Returning the Device Work?

Simply return your device if your circumstances change or no longer require the device, and you’re free to end your plan. No contract to hang onto, just back up your data, factory reset your device, and ship it back. Your agreement will be closed once the device passes a standard condition check. 

Should you Extend your Current Plan?

You may not be wanting to switch your device because it perhaps already suits all your daily work and leisure needs. In this case, you’re not obligated to return or change it immediately. Extending your current plan allows you to keep the device for an extended period. Subscription offers low monthly rates for extensions which is ideal for users who are being cost efficient. 

Can you Buy and Keep the device Permanently? 

Even though subscription centers on access, many people want to keep the device for good in the end. A lot of flexible subscription plans will give you the option to buy it outright. It’s typically calculated based on the amount you’ve already paid and will look at the real-time market value to offer a good buyout figure. 

What counts as Normal Wear and Tear?

This applies to normal everyday use. Devices will not be returned in perfect factory sealed condition after it has been used everyday for 12 or 18 months. Normal wear and tear could include minor marks, such as: 

• Faint surface marks on casing or black glass that are invisible when the screen is lit. 

• Very slight marks around the metal corners or charging port. 

• Minor battery degradation caused by regular charging/use over time. 

The minor visual marks are all treated as normal operational wear. 

What is considered as Actionable Damage?

Actionable damage is anything that stops a device from working properly and would need a new part installed to fully restore it and be resold. This can include: 

• Broken/chipped/cracked display screens or camera lenses. 

• Deep scratches/dents/bent chassis. 

• Water or fluid damage. 

• Broken/unresponsive buttons, biometric sensors, and speaker elements. 

• Inactive or unable to be powered off status due to activation/iCloud/Google account lock, making reset or update impossible. 

You are encouraged to apply protective screen guards and durable casings throughout the course of your subscription. Many subscribers take optional device coverage plans that would cover physical damage at the termination of your plan. 

One drawback of buying a latest smartphone or laptop is the large chunk of capital that needs to be disbursed upfront. Prices can range from S$1,200-S$2,500 or RM4,000-RM8,500. Owning the asset right away, tech products also depreciate very quickly. Consumer electronics could lose 40%-60% of their initial resale value in the first to second year. 

Through subscription, a large sum of capital expenditure would turn into an operating expense that can be foreseen and easily managed with predictable monthly subscription fees. Your savings or credit limit would not be tied up with rapidly depreciating assets, and you’re only paying for the utility of the hardware. 

Cinch offers a flexible transition to a newer model that requires zero large capital payments. You could merely swap your old device for a new refurbished device on a subscription that continues on a fixed monthly fee.

Subscription services are found on circularity and designed to deliver maximum utilisation of all hardware.

• Secure Data Sanitisation: Once returned, hardware is military vetted, certificated wiped of all information, and secured to protect privacy. 

• Professional Inspection and Refurbishment: The hardware is rigorously tested, batteries or broken components replaced by specialists before each device returns to a like-new standard. 

• Redeployment: Devices are available at affordable prices through secondary subscription cycles or on the secondary market. 

• Responsible Recycling: Devices are taken apart to salvage valuable materials like metals, copper, and glass used in other industries. 

By subscribing to Cinch, you actively are minimising electronic waste, promoting sustainable consumption across South East Asia.

1. Do you own the phone at the end of a device subscription? No, a standard subscription is an access-based model where the subscription provider retains ownership of the hardware. Cinch offers you the option to buy out and keep the device permanently at the end of your term for a fair market price.

2. Is upgrading through a subscription cheaper than buying a new phone every year? Yes, for users who prefer changing their devices every 12-18 months, subscribing is generally more cost-effective. Buying new devices annually forces you to absorb peak depreciation costs every year, whereas subscribing spreads access costs evenly without large upfront cash outflows.

3. What should I do before returning my device at the end of the term? Before handing back your device, back up all your personal data to cloud storage or an external drive. You must also turn off anti-theft tracking features (Find My iPhone or Google Find My Device), log out of all personal accounts, and perform a full factory reset.

4. What happens if I accidentally scratch or dent my subscribed device? Light, superficial scratches and normal cosmetic wear gathering from standard daily use are expected and fully accepted. If the device suffers severe physical damage, such as a cracked screen or broken display, minor repair fees may apply unless you have added an optional device protection plan.

5. Can I end my device subscription early before the contract finishes? Most subscription agreements are structured around fixed terms (such as 3, 6, 12, or 18 months) to offer lower monthly rates. Early termination is typically permitted, though it may involve an early cancellation fee corresponding to the remaining contractual balance.

6. What happens to my old data when I return a subscribed device? While you are required to factory reset your device before returning it, subscription providers also perform professional, certified data wiping processes upon receiving hardware to ensure complete privacy and security for every user.