Smart Teams Up with PayJoy to Bring Smartphone Financing to Millions of Filipinos Without Credit
Smart Communications and PayJoy Just Made Smartphone Ownership Easier for Millions in the Philippines
As smartphone penetration in the Philippines surges toward 80 million users by 2029, Smart Communications has announced a partnership with U.S.-based fintech PayJoy to make smartphone ownership more accessible—especially for consumers without access to traditional credit.
The deal introduces installment-based financing for mid to high-end smartphones, available to Filipinos with just an ID and a mobile number. No credit card, no problem.
The partnership marks a notable shift in how mobile carriers in emerging markets are addressing digital inclusion—not just through network expansion, but by tackling the affordability barrier head-on.
“This collaboration aims to provide Filipino consumers…the opportunity to purchase mid to high-end smartphones through innovative financing solutions,” said Jac Bocalan, VP at Smart.
No Credit History? No Problem
Through PayJoy’s tech-driven financing model, eligible customers can break down payments into weekly installments over four, six, or nine months. The best part? The entire process requires minimal paperwork.
Instead of traditional credit checks, PayJoy uses AI and proprietary phone-locking tech to assess risk and protect its financing. Think of it as a “secured loan” that leverages smartphone access itself as the collateral—if payments lapse, phone functionality is limited until the debt is resolved.
This model has already gained traction in other markets and could be a game-changer in the Philippines, where credit penetration remains low, but smartphone adoption is booming.
“By providing accessible financing options for smartphones, we are helping bridge the digital divide,” said Christian So, OIC-AVP Sales Head at Smart.
A New Lifeline for Work, Learning, and Play
With 97% population coverage on Smart’s 4G and 5G networks, the barrier is no longer connectivity—it’s device access. And this is exactly what the Smart–PayJoy alliance aims to solve.
By lowering the upfront cost of a capable device, the partnership puts online learning, remote work, banking, telehealth, and even mobile gaming within reach for millions. This is especially critical as the Philippines continues its digital transformation in both rural and urban communities.
The offer even includes a sweetener: Customers who opt for a nine-month amortization and purchase a device bundled with a Smart or TNT Prepaid SIM get their last month free—a practical nudge to commit long-term.
Strategic Timing, Global Impact
PayJoy currently supports over 66 million consumers across developing markets, aiming to unlock “financial freedom for the next billion,” according to Rene Payan, Country Manager for PayJoy Philippines.
For Smart’s parent company PLDT, this partnership plays into its broader push to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
With demand for digital services growing—and smartphones serving as the essential gateway—this financing model could be replicated by other carriers or fintech players across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
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