How to choose a phone you can actually afford every month

Most people pick the phone first and then worry about the qist. Try it the other way round. Work out what you can pay every month without stress, and let that choose the phone.

Find your monthly number

Take your monthly income, subtract rent, bills, school fees and food, and keep something aside for surprises. What is left over, comfortably, is the most your qist should be.

Then use the plan to fit it

Every phone can be paid over 3, 6 or 9 months. A longer plan means a smaller monthly amount.

You also choose between three advance amounts. The more you pay at the start, the less you pay each month. If you have some savings, a bigger advance can make a better phone fit your budget.

The Qist Calculator shows all of this for any phone: the advance, each month, and the total, before you apply.

Buy for how you use it

If you mostly call, use WhatsApp and scroll, a simple phone will serve you well. If you take lots of photos and videos, go for more storage. If you are out all day, a bigger battery matters more than the camera. If your work runs on your phone, a solid mid-range model is usually money well spent.

Before you sign

You will see the total price, the advance, how many months, each amount and the dates. Read it once. That price is fixed, and it won’t go up even if a payment is late. If anything isn’t clear, ask. That is what we are there for.