If you’re looking to upgrade your device without paying hundreds of dollars upfront, Buy Now Pay Later cell phones are becoming a mainstream solution in the United States. Whether you’re looking for a flagship iPhone, a reliable Samsung Galaxy, or a budget-friendly device, you can now lease or finance phones — even with no credit check.

In this guide, we’ll break down your options, including lease-to-own phone payment plans, prepaid cell phones, and prepaid mobile plans, along with where to find them.

What Does Buy Now Pay Later Mean for Phones?

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) is a payment solution that lets you get a phone today and pay it off in weekly or monthly installments. It’s commonly offered online and in stores, often through third-party financing services like Affirm, Afterpay, or Acima.

Popular retailers that offer BNPL options:

  • Best Buy (via Progressive Leasing or Affirm)
  • Walmart (Affirm, PayPal Pay Later)
  • Amazon (Installments available for eligible customers)
  • T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Cricket (in-store lease-to-own options)
  • Straight Talk, Boost Mobile, and Tracfone (prepaid phones with BNPL through SmartPay or Klarna)

Buy Now Pay Later Mobile Phones With No Credit Check

For many consumers, one of the biggest barriers to mobile phone financing is a credit check. Fortunately, several providers now offer Buy Now Pay Later mobile phones with no credit check.

Providers like:

  • SmartPay Leasing
  • Progressive Leasing
  • Acima Credit

…allow you to finance a phone with a soft inquiry or no credit check at all, ideal for customers with thin or challenged credit histories.

Lease-To-Own Phone Payment Plans: How It Works

A lease-to-own phone payment plan lets you rent a phone with the option to own it at the end of your term (typically 12–18 months). During the lease period, you make fixed weekly or monthly payments, and at the end, you can buy out the phone or return it.

Key features:

  • Flexible approval criteria
  • Low or no upfront cost
  • Device ownership after final payment
  • Available at Metro, Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and more

This is especially useful for those who don’t qualify for traditional financing or who want a shorter commitment.

What About Prepaid Cell Phones?

Prepaid cell phones offer total control. You buy the device and then pay only for the service you need — no contracts, no financing, no credit check.

Major prepaid providers:

  • Straight Talk
  • Mint Mobile
  • Cricket Wireless
  • Boost Mobile
  • Consumer Cellular

Some prepaid providers now allow Buy Now Pay Later phone purchases through partnerships with Klarna, Affirm, or in-store financing. This hybrid approach allows you to combine prepaid mobile plans with flexible device payments.

Prepaid Mobile Plans: Low-Cost, No Strings

If you’re also looking for a monthly service plan, prepaid mobile plans are often cheaper than postpaid options. Here’s what makes them appealing:

  • No contract or commitment
  • Unlimited talk, text, and data options
  • Plans starting as low as $15/month
  • Great for budgeting and avoiding overage fees

Combine a prepaid mobile plan with a BNPL phone and you get flexibility both in hardware and service.

Final Considerations

Before choosing any BNPL or lease option:

  • Compare the total cost of ownership
  • Check for any hidden fees or early payoff penalties
  • Make sure the provider reports to credit bureaus (if you want to build credit)
  • Choose a plan that matches your budget and usage