The world of mobile phones is constantly evolving, with many people looking for flexible, cost-effective solutions to their technology needs. And one such solution is phone rentals, a service that is starting to gain traction in Indonesia.
Hence, in April 2025 we conducted a survey that revealed the awareness, usage, and price expectations of Indonesians when it comes to renting mobile phones. Let’s break down the key insights of this phenomenon in this article.
This study revealed that while a significant portion of Indonesians have heard of phone rental services, there’s still a gap in widespread familiarity. Only 15% of Indonesians are very familiar with the concept of phone rentals, while 23% are somewhat familiar. However, 37% have heard about it, and 24% have no idea at all about the existence of such a service. These numbers highlight a need for greater awareness and education about the benefits of phone rentals.
In Indonesia, social media is the leading source of information about phone rental services, with 54% of people becoming aware of these services through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. This is followed by recommendations from friends and family (14%), online advertisements (9%), and individuals who had never heard of the service at all (23%). This indicates the significant role social media plays in shaping consumer behavior and awareness in the tech industry.
Furthermore, when we asked if our 2.590 respondents had ever rented a mobile phone, this research uncovered a range of responses. A total of 4% of Indonesians said they rent phones often, while 6% rent them occasionally. However, a large portion of the population, 28%, has never rented a phone but is interested in trying the service. The highest percentage (60%) has never rented a phone and is not interested in doing so. This suggests that while phone rentals are a niche market, there is a potential for growth if more people are educated on its benefits.
Helena, Sales Manager of Snapcart in Jakarta (25/4) said, “Even though phone rental services are gaining popularity, we found that they aren’t being used frequently. A substantial 63% of Indonesians have never used a phone rental service.”
Meanwhile, among those who have, 18% used the service for one day, 13% for 2 to 3 days, and just 6% used it for more than a week. This suggests that phone rentals are more likely to be used for short-term needs, such as travel or temporary device replacement.
Additionally, when it comes to the cost of renting a mobile phone, Indonesians have clear preferences. A majority (45%) consider a rental price under IDR 50,000 to be reasonable, while 37% are comfortable with prices ranging from IDR 50,000 to IDR 100,000. Only a smaller portion (11%) think that a rental price between IDR 100,000 and IDR 200,000 is acceptable, and just 8% are willing to pay more than IDR 200,000 for a rental service. These figures highlight the importance of keeping rental prices affordable for the majority of consumers.
Top Reasons Indonesians Use Phone Rental Services
Among those who have rented a phone, the primary reason for doing so is for taking photos or videos, with 33% citing this as the main motivation. A smaller portion of users rent phones for communication purposes (14%) and for style or appearance (11%). Interestingly, the motivations vary by generation, with younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) placing more emphasis on using rented phones for photography and social media content.
For more information, contact us at partners@snapcart.global or helena@snapcart.global.
