In today’s modern, connected lifestyle, a smartphone is practically a necessity. However, most cell phones aren’t cheap, and many people need to make payments on a device rather than buying one outright. But what options do you have if you need a cell phone and you have poor credit or no credit?

In this article, we’ll show the places where you can get smartphone financing without a credit check, as well as places that offer cell phone financing for poor credit or no credit customers. Continue to find out more…

Places That Offer Cell Phone Financing Without a Credit Check

The following retail and online stores will help you get financing for a smartphone without requiring a credit check. Typically, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, have a checking account and/or debit or credit card, and prove a minimum monthly income in order to be approved for these offers.

1. Cricket Wireless

  • Requirements: Must have an active checking account, valid Social Security number or ITIN, and a debit or credit card
  • How it works: Cricket uses Progressive Leasing to provide phone financing. Lease up to five phones depending on your approved lease amount (the first phone must cost at least $149.99), and pay an initial lease payment of $49.99. Flexible weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payment options are available.
  • Brands available: iPhone, Samsung, LG, Alcatel, HTC, and ZTE
  • Source: Cricket Phone Payment Plans
  • Apply for Cricket leasing online
  • Find your nearest Cricket store

2. Kmart

  • Requirements: Must have an active payment source (debit card, credit card, or checking account), proof of income, and valid photo ID
  • How it works: Apply online or in any Kmart store for lease-to-own approval, and then use your approval code to pick up your phone at Kmart. Leases are available starting at a minimum of $69.
  • Phone brands available: Samsung, LG, Alcatel, ZTE
  • Source: Leasing at Kmart
  • Apply for Kmart leasing online
  • Find your nearest Kmart store

3. MetroPCS

  • Requirements: Proof of income (minimum $1,000 a month), valid Social Security number or ITIN, and an active debit or credit card
  • How it works: Uses SmartPay for no-credit-check approval. Apply online or in-store for Smartpay approval, and then use your approval code to shop at any MetroPCS store.
  • Phone brands available: Most major brands including iPhone, Samsung, LG, Alcatel, ZTE, and HTC
  • Source: Call to customer service
  • Apply for MetroPCS financing online
  • Find your nearest MetroPCS store 

4. RENT-2-OWN

5. Rent-A-Center

6. RentDelite

  • Requirements: Must have a valid bank account at least 3 months old and make at least $1,500 a month
  • How it works: Visit any Rent DeLite store or partner location, or apply online, for lease approval. Rent DeLite will ship leased phones directly to your home, so there’s no need to visit a store if you’re not near one.
  • Phone brands available: Most major brands including iPhone, Samsung, LG, Alcatel, ZTE, Motorola, BlackBerry, HTC, Huawei, and more
  • Source: The RentDelite homepage (scroll down for details)
  • Apply for RentDelite leasing online
  • Find your nearest RentDelite store or partner location

7. SmartPay

  • Requirements: Proof of income (minimum $1,000 a month), valid Social Security number or ITIN, and an active debit or credit card
  • How it works: Apply online for approval at SmartPay, and then use your approval to shop at various partner stores and check out with SmartPay, either online or at a retail location. View available online stores and retail stores.
  • Phone brands available: Most major brands including iPhone, Samsung, LG, ZTE, Alcatel, Motorola, HTC, Huawei, BlackBerry, and more
  • Source: SmartPay FAQ
  • Apply for SmartPay leasing online
  • Find a SmartPay retail store (click on your preferred store’s logo to find a location near you)

Places That Offer Cell Phone Financing for Customers with Poor/No Credit

The following companies provide poor-credit and no-credit options for financing smartphone purchases.

8. Gazelle.com

  • Credit level required: Most credit levels accepted, including poor credit and no credit
  • Deposit required for poor credit? No
  • How it works: Shop refurbished cell phones online at Gazelle.com and select the Affirm payment option at checkout. Payments will be automatically deducted from your debit or credit card.
  • Phone brands available: Most major brands (certified, pre-owned devices only) including Samsung, iPhone, LG, Motorola, HTC, and ZTE
  • Source: Gazelle.com blog post
  • Apply for Gazelle financing online

9. FlexShopper.com

  • Credit level required: Most credit levels accepted, including poor credit and no credit. Must have a checking account that is at least 90 days old and a minimum income of $1,000 per month.
  • Deposit required for poor credit? No
  • How it works: Apply for credit at FlexShopper.com and once approved, shop the online store for your phone. Lease-to-own payments are due weekly and are automatically deducted from your payment source.
  • Phone brands available: Samsung, iPhone, Motorola
  • Source: Go to this page and click “apply” and you’ll see this information before you signup
  • Apply for FlexShopper leasing online

Suggested: The List of Sites Very, Very Similar to FlexShopper

10. T-Mobile (Smartphone Equality)

  • Credit level required: All credit levels accepted
  • Deposit required for poor credit? No
  • How it works: Must be a current T-Mobile customer (no-contract plans are eligible) and must make your monthly service payments on time for 12 consecutive months in order to qualify. Qualifying customers are then given access to the best pricing and deals on T-Mobile devices.
  • Phone brands available: All major brands, including Samsung, iPhone, LG, Motorola, HTC, and ZTE
  • Source: T-Mobile Support
  • Apply for T-Mobile financing online; Eligible plans for T-Mobile Smartphone Equality include T-Mobile ONE, Simple Choice, Pay in Advance, and Simply Prepaid plans.
  • Find a T-Mobile store

In Summary

If you don’t have great credit or you haven’t started building a credit record yet, there are still ways you can finance the latest smartphone model. Several online and retail stores offer financing options with no credit checks, and some stores will approve customers with poor credit or no credit for certain programs. Happy phone shopping!

You may also be interested in knowing if Total Wireless is a GSM or a CDMA.


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