Phone installments in Saudi Arabia 2026: every option compared - Mobile Installments

Last updated: 29 October 2026. A neutral guide to the ways you can pay for a phone in installments in Saudi Arabia. Mobile Installments does not sell devices or offer financing itself; we compare deals and send you to the store, and installments are arranged directly with the finance provider.

1) Tabby

Pay in 4: the purchase is split into 4 equal monthly payments, the first paid at checkout. Tabby says this option has no fees and no interest.
Longer plans up to 12 months: in June 2026 Tabby received a consumer finance licence from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), allowing up to 12 monthly payments on purchases over SAR 2,000 and up to SAR 50,000. These plans use a Murabaha structure: the cost is shown up front and stays fixed for the whole plan.
Available only at stores that accept Tabby; options and costs appear at checkout.

2) Tamara

Tamara offers installments of up to 24 months at some stores; available plans depend on the store and basket size.
Tamara says it charges no late fees, but warns that repeated delays may suspend your account and affect your credit record.
Check Tamara’s Key Facts Statement and financing prices before choosing a long plan.

3) Credit card installment plans

Many banks let you convert a large card purchase into monthly installments, sometimes at 0% on specific offers, sometimes for a fee.
Example from stc’s page: Bank AlJazira’s program offered 3, 6, 9 or 12 months at 0% on purchases over SAR 1,000 (the listed offer date has passed, so confirm it is still active), and Banque Saudi Fransi’s plan charges SAR 50 per conversion request.
This is usually the easiest option when buying from a global store such as amazon.com (where our links lead), because you pay there by card.

4) Telecom operators

stc sells phones in installments through partner banks’ credit cards: Riyad Bank, Bank AlJazira, ANB, Banque Saudi Fransi, Al Rajhi Bank and Emirates NBD, each with its own terms.
Operators also bundle devices with postpaid plans under their own conditions, which may require a credit check or a minimum contract. Ask for the term and the total cost before signing.

Quick comparison

Method	Term	Cost	Best for
Tabby – Pay in 4	4 months	No fees or interest (per Tabby)	Mid-range phone from a Tabby store
Tabby – longer plan	Up to 12 months	Fixed Murabaha cost shown up front	Purchases over SAR 2,000
Tamara	Up to 24 months	Depends on plan and store	Lowest monthly payment
Credit card plan	Usually 3–12 months	0% on specific offers, or a fee	Buying from global stores
Telecom operator	Per contract	Per plan and bank	Device bundled with a line

Before you commit

Add up all your installments: several small plans can quietly add up to a large monthly commitment.
Compare the total cost, not only the monthly payment, against the cash price.
Make sure the provider is licensed by SAMA. SAMA’s rules for Buy-Now-Pay-Later companies have been in force since December 2023 and require clear disclosure of terms, a contract given before any dealing, an affordability check, and a complaints channel.
Late payments can affect your credit record and future access to financing.

FAQ

Is “interest-free” real?

Yes for options such as Tabby’s Pay in 4, as the company states, but longer plans may carry a cost. The cost must be shown before you confirm the purchase.

Do I need a guarantor?

Buy-Now-Pay-Later services rely on identity verification and a credit assessment, not a guarantor. Telecom contracts have their own conditions.

Can I pay in installments through your links?

Our links lead to Amazon, where payment happens on Amazon’s checkout. If no installment option appears, the simplest route is a credit card whose bank lets you convert purchases into installments.

How do I find a monthly payment that fits my budget?

Ask our assistant Jawal (the button at the bottom of the page) for a phone within your budget, then divide the price by the number of months to estimate the installment before picking a plan.

Sources

General information, not financial advice. Terms and prices change; confirm them with the finance provider before buying.