The most direct way to bypass carrier contracts is to buy an unlocked phone from the manufacturer and use their third-party financing partners.
Offers financing through Klarna in the UK or other partners in the US, providing interest-free options for up to 36 months.
Buying a new smartphone doesn't have to mean being tied to a long-term carrier contract. In 2026, you can easily finance a phone with monthly payments while keeping the freedom of a "no-contract" prepaid plan. 1. Finance Directly from Manufacturers buy phone pay monthly no contract
You can often find monthly payment options through Affirm on unlocked devices.
Major retailers offer their own monthly payment plans for unlocked devices that work on any network. The most direct way to bypass carrier contracts
Use the Apple Card to pay for an iPhone in 24 monthly installments at 0% APR.
Some no-contract carriers now allow you to pay for a phone in installments, though they may require a credit check or a "lease-to-own" agreement. Mint Mobile In 2026, you can easily finance a phone
At checkout for many stores like Target or Apple, you can choose "Pay Monthly" to split costs over 6–24 months. 3. Prepaid Carrier Payment Plans