Net10 Wireless has an impressive selection of phones available, including the new Samsung Galaxy S10 series, the flagship iPhone devices, and the latest Google releases. They also sell many older models from many different brands, which are great options for budget-minded consumers.

Net10 Wireless offers the following payment options for their phones:

  • RRP (buy it upfront)
  • SmartPay’s 24-month installment option (excellent payment history)
  • SmartPay’s 15-month installment plan (average payment history)
  • Affirm’s 6-month payment plan
  • Affirm’s 12-month installment option
  • Affirm’s 24-month installment plan

Both Affirm and SmartPay charge interest on the devices purchased through their financing programs. Affirm requires a credit check to get started and state that they charge anywhere from 0% to 30% interest. SmartPay doesn’t require a credit check and they don’t explicitly divulge their interest rates, but the 15-month option for “average” payment history may charge a whopping 80% interest rate.

It’s important to note that the majority of Net10 Wireless’ phones are available through Affirm—only a select few older models, such as the iPhone 6s and LG Stylo 3, are sold through SmartPay.

Before you commit to Net10 Wireless, you may want to consider buying a smartphone through a carrier that doesn’t charge any interest, such as:

You can buy a new smartphone outright or with Affirm or SmartPay, third-party programs that charge interest on their devices.


iPhones from Net10 Wireless

Net10 Wireless offers a wide variety of iPhones for sale, including the iPhone X, XR, XS, and XS Max. They also sell cheaper options, such as the iPhone 7, SE, and 6, which you may want to consider purchasing outright in order to avoid high interest rates.

Top iPhones available right now (full list of Net10 Wireless iPhones here)

Compare Net10 Wireless’ Full Phone Range


Android Phones from Net10 Wireless

Net10 Wireless carries Android phones from many different brands, such as Google, Samsung, LG, Alcatel, Coolpad, Motorola, ZTE, and Nokia. As with the iPhone selection, they have both flagship devices from select brands in addition to older, more affordable options.

Top Android phones available right now (full list of Net10 Wireless Android phones here)

Compare Net10 Wireless’ Full Phone Range


Cheap Phones from Net10 Wireless

Not everyone requires the newest smartphone on the market. For those on a budget, buying a cheap phone outright is a more economical choice than purchasing a flagship phone on an installment plan. Net10 Wireless offers more than 30 phones that cost $200 or less, including the iPhone 6 and 6s.

Top cheap phones available right now (full list of Net10 Wireless cheap phones here)

Compare Net10 Wireless’ Full Phone Range


How to Buy a New Net10 Wireless Phone

Buying it Outright

Buying your Net10 Wireless phone outright means that you pay the full recommended retail price (RRP) at checkout, which, depending on the device you choose, could put a major dent in your wallet. That said, it’ll save you money in the long run since Affirm and SmartPay both charge interest. If you’re dead set on purchasing your phone upfront but don’t want to break the bank, you may want to consider getting a phone that is two or three years old to negate some of those costs.

Third-Party Financing Programs

Net10 Wireless partners with third-party financing companies Affirm and SmartPay to provide you with five different device installment plans—three through Affirm and two through SmartPay.

Affirm offers 24-month, 12-month, and 6-month installment options, with an interest rate somewhere between 0% and 30%, depending on your credit score. It’s free and easy to check your eligibility through Affirm and it won’t affect your credit score. Within a couple of minutes of entering some basic personal information, you’ll receive an email with your estimated interest rate. An interest rate of 5% or lower likely won’t negatively impact your finances but an interest rate of 20% or higher is probably not worth it in the long term.

SmartPay offers a 24-month installment option for “excellent payment history” and a 15-month payment plan for “average payment history,” although they don’t specify what these terms entail. Since they don’t require a credit check in order to qualify for one of these financing plans, you might as well select the “excellent” option, which has a much lower interest rate than the other plan. With the 15-month option, you typically wind up paying several hundred dollars more than the RRP for that device.

In order to qualify for a financing plan through SmartPay, you must:

  • Have a monthly income of at least $1,000 before taxes and deductions
  • Have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • Have a credit or debit card associated with a U.S. checking account
  • Be at least 18 years old

Is an Installment Plan Worth It?

In the end, an installment plan through a third-party company is not the most affordable option for people looking to buy a new phone. If you’re not interested in purchasing a Net10 Wireless cell phone outright, then you’ll want to pick the installment option with the lowest interest rate possible. If you have good credit, then it’s likely that Affirm won’t charge you an exorbitant interest rate, but if you either don’t want a credit check or don’t have the best credit, SmartPay is a better option for you.

Unfortunately, there are only about ten Net10 Wireless smartphones available through SmartPay at the moment and they are all older models from brands like Apple and Samsung. If you want more choices or a newer device, you will have to go through Affirm. Another option, of course, is to check out other MVNOs that either don’t charge interest or offer a broader selection of phones through SmartPay.

Samsung Galaxy S10 Price Comparison Table

Samsung Galaxy S10 Interest Rate Installment Length Price/Month Total Paid
Upfront Net10 Wireless site 0% 0 months n/a $899.00
Affirm 10% 24 months $41.55/month $997.20
Affirm 20% 12 months $89.90/month $1,078.80
Affirm 30% 6 months $194.78/month $1,168.70