1. AT&T Installment Plan with Next Up

AT&T is one of the most popular carriers that offer a simple installment plan for smartphones. Their AT&T Installment Plan allows customers to purchase a new phone for 36 months with 0% APR, which means no interest if you make on-time payments. The plan typically has no down payment for well-qualified credit customers, but others are sometimes asked to pay 15% to 80% of the device cost down depending on their credit. Payments each month are roughly equal and proportional to the device cost minus down payment.

What AT&T does differently is the Next Up feature for an additional $6 per month. The feature lets you upgrade your phone early once you have paid off 50% of the cost of the device and you exchange your old phone in good working condition. Upgrade eligibility depends on maintaining good account standing and an active AT&T service. There is an additional $35 upgrade and activation charge. Device cost taxes are paid when you buy.

2. Metro by T-Mobile with Affirm Financing

Metro by T-Mobile employs third-party lender Affirm to offer financing on phones and accessories with flexibility. Affirm lets you choose the payment term, as opposed to other carrier plans, from 4 interest-free payments every two weeks to longer monthly terms with APR of 0% to 36% depending on credit.

For example, it is possible to pay back a $400 purchase in 12 months at 15% APR for a cost of about $36.10 per month. There are no late charges or disguised charges, and no effect on your credit score when you request consideration. Monthly payments on loans are made to Affirm and wireless service payments are made to Metro. Financing may be available in all 50 states for consumers 18 years and older (19 in Nebraska) based upon store participation and product eligibility.

3. Cricket Wireless Lease-To-Own Program through Progressive Leasing

Lease-To-Own plan is offered by Cricket Wireless under Progressive Leasing, specifically designed for customers who do not wish to undergo credit checks. You can lease a phone, an accessory, or other products by paying the initial fixed fee (usually $49.99) and making subsequent weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments on an affordable plan.

This is a good option for people with no credit or poor credit history since it doesn’t require a credit check. You can lease a maximum of 5 devices based on your approval limit, and the initial phone has to be at least $149.99. You pay installments until the lease expires, and the device becomes yours. This is a good option as it’s flexible but could end up costing more in the long term than traditional financing because it’s a lease and not a loan.

4. SmartPay Lease-To-Own Phones

SmartPay is a lease-to-own option that operates in partnership with multiple different retailers to enable customers to finance phones in installments without credit checks. The total price is determined by the retail price and accepted terms. You pay regular lease payments (monthly, bi-monthly, or every two weeks) until the phone is paid for and then it’s yours.

SmartPay does not have late fees and custom payment plans as its first concerns. You can return the phone at any time with no penalty, but still you will owe any outstanding lease payments. This is an excellent option for a person who does not want credit checks but still wants a low payment plan. SmartPay is available at various online and retail locations.