The fact that we need to use the financing models of cars for basic consumer electronics is the dystopian part.
> Radio Rentals was the largest television rental group in the UK and claimed that at its peak it had more than two million customers, more than 500 shops, 3,600 technicians, 2,700 skilled installers and a large ancillary staff. It had sales and service locations across the UK; the Radio Rentals logo being a common sight on many High Streets.
Until the 1980s almost all telephones in the US were rented from the phone company.
Renting isn’t some strange uncharted territory — owning a phone is the new concept.
Also calling the latest iPhone “basic consumer electronics” is out of touch. The budget options are older generation iPhones or other phones, not one of the most expensive brands on the market.
The way things are going, in the future I can see device makers deciding that a lease-only model might be preferable, both for recurring revenue and deeper control. If you don’t own your device, you can’t complain too loudly about right to repair, device restrictions, or software end-of-life.
A lease model would also prevent resale, so devices could be “verified” as belonging to a particular person for their entire lifetime. This simplifies the various verified identity schemes.
A lease model means that your lease could be revoked and your device bricked if you violate the terms. To “ensure good behavior”.