(Telecompaper) French operator Free Mobile announced a new offer for customers to lease high-end smartphones. Customers on its more expensive plan, available at EUR 19.99 per month (or EUR 15.99 for fixed broadband customers), can lease a Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 5S 16 GB or Samsung Galaxy Note 3 for EUR 12 per month. Customers also pay upfront fees of respectively EUR 49, EUR 99 or EUR 129 for the phones. The lease requires a contract of 24 months, but the service plan will continue on a no-contract basis, with itemised billing for the handset and services. At the end of the 24 months, customers return the handset and can sign up for a new model. Free said the lease model offers around 40 percent savings compared to buying the phones outright. It offers the iPhone 5S for EUR 665 in a single payment, while the Samsung models cost EUR 569 and 699. The lease offer is already available to new customers and will be available to existing customers before year-end.