iPhone on Installments: The Complete Stress-Free Guide

The release of a new iPhone is always an event. That feeling of wanting the latest model, with that crazy camera or that renewed design… I know it well. But then comes the moment to look at the price, and there, let’s admit it, the enthusiasm sometimes wavers. It costs. A lot. And that is where the idea of buying an iPhone on installments comes into play. It seems like the perfect solution to spread out the expense, but how does it really work? What options are there? And above all, is it worth it?

If you are asking yourself these questions, you are in the right place. In this guide, I will walk you step-by-step through the world of purchasing an iPhone on installments in Italy. Together, we will explore the different possibilities, from those offered by online stores like Amazon to those of mobile carriers, passing through solutions “without a paycheck” and direct financing. The goal is to give you a clear, honest, and complete picture, based on my experience and the most up-to-date information, to help you make the right choice for you. No incomprehensible technical jargon, just practical advice and some personal reflections. Get comfortable, let’s begin!

Buying an iPhone on Installments Without a Paycheck: Mission Possible?

One of the first questions many ask is: “Can I buy an iPhone on installments even if I don’t have a paycheck?” Maybe you are a student, a freelancer just starting out, or simply have an atypical contract. The good news is that yes, there are several viable paths that do not necessarily require the classic paycheck as the main guarantee. Let’s analyze them together.

Amazon’s Direct Installment Payment

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, offers its own direct installment payment method, often very advantageous because it is without interest or additional costs (0% APR). Does it seem too good to be true? Well, there is a small “but”.

How the Amazon Option Works

This option is not available for everyone nor on all products. Amazon enables it at its discretion on selected accounts and only for products sold and shipped by Amazon, often including iPhones (link sponsorizzato). The criteria are not public, but generally involve accounts active for at least a year, with a positive purchase history and a valid credit or debit card (not prepaid) associated. If you are eligible, you will see the option directly on the product page, under the price, with the wording “5 monthly installments” or, more rarely, “12 monthly installments”. You just need to select it before adding to the cart and proceeding to checkout. The first installment is charged upon shipment, the subsequent ones every 30 days. Simple and transparent. Remember that any ancillary costs (shipping, gift wrapping) are charged on the first installment.

Pros and Cons

The main advantage is the total absence of additional costs. You pay exactly the price of the product, divided into 5 (or 12) convenient installments. The disadvantage is its limited and unpredictable availability. You cannot know in advance if you will be eligible and, even if you were in the past, it is not guaranteed that the option is active for the iPhone you want at that moment. Furthermore, it requires a traditional credit/debit card.

Cofidis CreditLine on Amazon: A Financial Alternative

If Amazon’s direct installment option is not available for you, there is another possibility still via Amazon: CreditLine by Cofidis. This is a proper revolving credit line that you can activate and use for your purchases on Amazon.

The Cofidis Mechanism

Unlike Amazon’s installment plan, Cofidis is (theoretically) available to all Amazon customers of legal age residing in Italy, provided they have a bank account and a linked debit/credit card (no prepaid). You can finance purchases from €100 up to €1,500 (a limit that could increase after the first request, up to €3,000 at Cofidis’ discretion) and choose to repay in 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 18, or 24 monthly installments (with a minimum installment of €15). At Amazon checkout, choose “Pay in installments with Cofidis”. You will be redirected to the Cofidis website to complete the online application, entering personal data, ID, tax code, and bank details. The outcome is usually quick. Once approved, the credit line remains at your disposal for future purchases as well.

Costs and Conditions to Evaluate

Here things get a bit more complicated compared to the direct Amazon option. Cofidis may apply commissions and interest (the maximum APR indicated in the examples is 16.13%), although sometimes there are zero-interest promotions (0% TAN). There is also a substitute tax of 0.25% on the amount of credit granted, due for opening the credit line and charged on the first installment of the first use. It is crucial to read the conditions carefully proposed during the application phase to understand the actual total cost of the operation. The first installment is charged at least 25 days after the product is shipped.

Klarna: Pay in 3 Installments Without Interest

Klarna has become a very popular name in the “Buy Now, Pay Later” world. Its most widespread formula is “Pay in 3 installments”, which allows you to split the purchase amount into three monthly installments at zero interest.

How to Use Klarna for the iPhone

To use Klarna, you must download the app (available for iOS and Android), create an account, and link a debit, credit, or even prepaid card (this is an advantage over other options!). You can use Klarna in two main ways:

1. Directly at partner stores: Many e-commerce sites (like Unieuro, MediaWorld, sometimes even the Apple Store itself if offered as an option at checkout) integrate Klarna as a payment method. You select “Pay in 3 installments with Klarna” and follow the instructions.
2. Via the Klarna app: You can search for the desired store (e.g., Apple Store) directly in the Klarna app. The app allows you to create a virtual “One-time card” for the necessary amount, which you will then use on the seller’s site as if it were a normal Visa card. The amount will be automatically divided into 3 installments on your Klarna account.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The big pro is the simplicity and absence of interest (0% APR). Acceptance of prepaid cards is another plus. The division into only 3 installments, however, means that each installment will be heavier compared to longer financing plans. Approval, although often quick, is not guaranteed and depends on an internal evaluation by Klarna based on various factors (not just a paycheck). The first installment is charged upon shipment (or rather, Klarna blocks the amount as a pre-authorization for the purchase and charges it upon confirmation of shipment by the store), the other two after 30 and 60 days.

PayPal: Pay in 3 Installments, a Reliable Classic

PayPal, the online payment giant, also offers its “Pay in 3 installments” option, very similar to Klarna’s. Amazon does not accept PayPal as a payment method, but there are alternative methods to pay Amazon with PayPal.

The Procedure with PayPal

If an online store offers PayPal as a payment method, at checkout, after logging into your PayPal account, you might see the “Pay in 3 installments” option. It is available for purchases from €30 to €2,000. By selecting it, the amount is divided into three interest-free installments (0% APR). The first installment is due immediately, at the time of purchase, while the second and third are automatically charged after 30 and 60 days. Here too, a valid credit or debit card linked to the PayPal account is required; prepaid cards might cause issues or not work for this specific option, even if PayPal accepts them for normal payments. Approval is subject to a quick check by PayPal, which might include a credit check.

Why Choose PayPal (or Not)

The advantage is the reliability and widespread use of PayPal. Many stores accept it. The absence of interest is great. As with Klarna, however, the installments are only 3, so the monthly commitment is higher compared to longer financing. The €2,000 limit could be a problem for the most expensive iPhone models or those with high storage capacities. The uncertainty regarding the use of prepaid cards for this function is another point to consider.

Apple Store: Direct Financing (Often Zero Interest)

We couldn’t fail to mention the option offered directly by Apple, both online and in physical Apple Stores. Often, Apple collaborates with financial companies (in Italy, historically Findomestic) to offer zero-interest financing (0% APR) or reduced rates.

Buying on Installments from Apple

Directly on the Apple website, when choosing payment options for your new iPhone, you will find the item “Monthly payments”. By selecting it, you can start the online financing application with the partner company (e.g., Findomestic). Usually, they offer plans of 12 or 24 months. The procedure requires entering personal data, income details (although a physical paycheck is not always required, they might ask for information about your income or profession), and bank details. It is a proper loan, so the credit evaluation will be more thorough compared to Klarna or PayPal. Apple also offers the Trade In service, which allows you to give back your old device (iPhone, but also smartphones from other brands) to obtain an immediate credit that lowers the amount to be financed.

Pros and Cons of the Apple Route

The main advantage is the possibility of obtaining zero-interest financing directly from the manufacturer, often for longer durations (24 months) compared to “Pay in 3 installments” options, making the monthly installment lighter. The approval process might be a bit longer and require more documentation compared to “Buy Now, Pay Later” solutions. Obviously, this option is valid only for direct purchases from Apple.

iPhone on Installments Via Mobile Carrier: Is It Really Worth It?

Another very common path is to buy the iPhone on installments by combining it with an offer from your mobile carrier (TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE, Iliad). It seems convenient: a single bill, maybe a discount on the phone… but is it always the best choice? Let’s see.

How Buying with a Carrier Works

The mechanism is similar for all major Italian operators:

1. Choose the iPhone: Select the model, color, and storage capacity desired on the operator’s website or in-store.
2. Combine an Offer: You must subscribe to or already have an active mobile offer from the operator. Buying on installments is almost always tied to a specific rate plan.
3. Installment Plan: The operator proposes an installment plan, usually of 24 or 30 months. Sometimes an initial down payment is required, which varies based on the iPhone model and the chosen offer.
4. Payment: The monthly installments for the phone are usually charged to a credit card or bank account (IBAN), often together with the cost of the mobile offer.

Let’s examine the specific proposals of the main operators, keeping in mind that offers change frequently and those reported here are based on the most recent information available (early 2025).

Iliad: Financing with External Partners

Iliad relies on financial partners like Younited Pay or Findomestic to offer iPhones on installments to its customers (both new and existing).

• Duration: Usually 12, 20, or 24 months.
• Costs: Iliad often proposes financing at zero interest or with discounts on the list price, making the offer potentially interesting. For example, in early 2025, significant discounts were offered on iPhone 16 models.
• Requirements: You must be an Iliad customer (or become one at the same time) and pass the evaluation of the financial partner (which will require personal data, ID, tax code, IBAN, or card).

TIM: Installments on Bill or Financing

TIM offers different methods, both for private and business customers.

• Duration: Often 24 or 30 months, sometimes even 36 months for business customers.
• Costs: Installments are charged on the bill or via TIMFin financing (which relies on third-party companies). There might be a down payment. It is important to check if there are interest or additional costs. For business customers, TIM often offers Kasko insurance included and zero down payment/interest.
• Requirements: Be a TIM customer (or become one) and usually, an enabled credit or debit card is required. Online purchase requires access to the MyTIM area.

Vodafone: Down Payment and Plan Commitment

Vodafone strictly ties the installment purchase to the subscription of a specific mobile offer.

• Duration: Typically 24 months.
• Costs: It almost always foresees an initial down payment (which can vary from about €100 to €200 or more depending on the model) plus the monthly installment. Installments can be charged to a credit card or via financing with partners (e.g., Compass).
• Requirements: Activate or have a compatible Vodafone mobile offer. A credit card is required for standard installments, while Compass financing has specific requirements.

WINDTRE: Installments with Combined Offer

WINDTRE also requires combining the installment purchase with a mobile offer.

• Duration: Usually 24 or 30 months.
• Costs: There is an activation cost for the installment plan (e.g., €6.99 one-off) in addition to the monthly installments. Sometimes there are offers dedicated to existing customers with slightly discounted prices. There might be a down payment.
• Requirements: Be a WINDTRE customer (or become one) with a compatible offer. A credit or debit card is required. Curiously, the online procedure often requires finalizing the purchase in-store.

Pros and Cons of Operators

The advantage can be the convenience of having everything in a single bill and, sometimes, the possibility of obtaining a discount on the phone price or zero-interest offers, especially with Iliad or specific promotions. The main disadvantage is the contractual commitment to the mobile offer for 24/30 months. If you decide to switch operators before the expiration, you usually have to pay the remaining installments of the phone in a lump sum, and sometimes even penalties. Furthermore, by adding the monthly cost of the offer (which might not be the cheapest on the market) to the cost of the phone installment, the total cost could be higher compared to buying the phone separately with zero-interest financing and choosing a more convenient mobile offer. You need to do the math carefully!

Conclusions

Here we are at the end of this journey into the world of iPhones on installments. As you will have understood, there is no single answer to the question “what is the best method?”. It depends. It depends on your needs, your financial situation, the offers available at the moment, and how much you are willing to commit yourself.

Personally, I find the “Pay in 3 installments” options from Klarna and PayPal to be fantastic for their simplicity and absence of hidden costs, especially if you don’t need to spread the expense over too long a time and maybe want to use a prepaid card (with Klarna it is safer). They are ideal if you want to “break up” the initial expense without complicating your life with actual loans. Of course, the monthly installment is higher.

If, on the other hand, you prefer a lighter and more manageable installment over time, direct financing with the Apple Store at zero interest (when available, and it often is!) is, in my opinion, one of the most advantageous solutions. It allows you to have the iPhone paying exactly its price, but spread over 12 or 24 months, and you can also lower the amount by trading in your used device. It requires a bit more “bureaucracy” compared to Klarna/PayPal, but it can be worth it.

The direct Amazon option (5/12 installments at zero interest) is great if you are among the lucky ones to whom it is proposed, but I wouldn’t rely on it too much given its unpredictability. Cofidis via Amazon can be an alternative, but watch out for costs: read the contract well before signing.

And the mobile carriers? Here the discussion gets more complex. It can be convenient if you find a great combined offer (discounted phone + rate plan that suits you), perhaps with zero-interest financing as Iliad sometimes proposes. But the 24/30-month commitment is an important factor to consider. Are you sure you want to stay with that operator for so long? Often, buying the phone separately (perhaps with Apple zero-interest financing) and choosing the cheapest mobile offer on the market (which changes very quickly) turns out to be cheaper in the long run.

My final advice? Evaluate all options carefully. Don’t stop at the first one you find. Compare total costs (installment x number of months + down payment + any interest/commissions + cost of mobile offer if included). Always read all clauses before signing any financing contract. Buying on installments is a financial commitment, and it is important to face it with awareness. I hope this guide has been useful to clarify things a bit!

Frequently Asked Questions