Spencer, Although you are correct with the fine print, it needs clarification. I found out through Money Saving Expert site the following:
The reason it's a hire agreement is so EE (including Orange and T-Mobile) customers can swap their power bar for a fully-charged replacement bar at any EE store nationwide as many times as they like. That's one of the core perks of this particular deal over just buying a charger – the ability to walk into a store and swap it.
EE has stated this clause is in there because it legally needs to state an end date to the promotion. It says in reality it will review the scheme as a whole after 18 months and decide whether to continue it, end it or to change it. If the scheme continues in its current format, EE says it's unlikely it will force people to return the power bar after 18 months, or that it will charge them if they don't.
So it would be good if O2 followed a similar promotion. The ability to recharge your phone and swapping for a fully charged bar when you're out and about is a great deal.
