Cricket Phones, Devices & Deals
Cricket Wireless sells a wide range of smartphones and connected devices, from inexpensive Android phones to flagship iPhones, Samsung Galaxy models, smartwatches, and mobile hotspot devices. Customers can also bring an existing compatible unlocked phone instead of buying a new one.
Cricket regularly runs device promotions for new customers, number transfers, upgrades, and new lines. Some offers can reduce the price of a phone substantially, including selected devices available for $0 with qualifying service and activation requirements.
This guide explains Cricket’s phone selection, current device-deal structure, upgrade options, payment plans, trade-ins, certified pre-owned phones, smartwatches, hotspot devices, and what to check before purchasing.
Shop Cricket Phones & Devices
Cricket currently sells devices from several major brands, including Apple, Samsung, Motorola, and Cricket-branded phones. The selection ranges from basic budget devices to premium smartphones costing more than $1,000.
Cricket’s online store lets shoppers filter phones by:
- Price
- Brand
- Apple iOS or Android
- 5G capability
- Storage capacity
- Screen size
- Camera specifications
- Special promotional pricing
This makes it easier to compare phones based on both budget and features rather than simply shopping by manufacturer.
Apple iPhone
Cricket carries a selection of current and previous-generation Apple iPhone models. Depending on availability, this can include entry-level iPhones, standard flagship models, Pro devices, larger-screen models, and discounted older generations.
Cricket also periodically offers aggressive switcher promotions on selected iPhones. These deals often require customers to bring an eligible number from another carrier, activate a new Cricket line, and select a qualifying wireless plan.
Customers who do not qualify for promotional pricing can still purchase eligible iPhones at the standard Cricket price or use an available device payment option.
Samsung Galaxy Phones
Cricket carries both affordable and premium Samsung Galaxy devices. The selection typically includes Galaxy A-series phones for budget-conscious users as well as higher-end Galaxy S and foldable models.
Samsung devices are frequently featured in Cricket promotions, particularly for customers opening a new line or switching from another provider.
For customers who want 5G without paying flagship prices, Cricket’s mid-range Samsung selection can provide a useful balance between performance, camera quality, battery life, and cost.
Motorola Phones
Motorola is another major part of Cricket’s smartphone lineup. Models can range from inexpensive Moto G devices to more advanced Motorola Edge and Razr phones.
Motorola phones are often among Cricket’s most heavily discounted devices, with selected models sometimes available for $0 or a very low upfront price when the customer meets the promotional plan and activation requirements.
Cricket-Branded Phones
Cricket also sells its own lower-cost devices. These phones are generally aimed at customers who need straightforward calling, messaging, apps, and data without paying for premium hardware.
Cricket-branded phones can be particularly useful for:
- First smartphones
- Children or teenagers
- Secondary lines
- Basic everyday use
- Customers prioritizing price over premium features
Cricket Phone Deals
Cricket regularly promotes discounted smartphones for new customers, switchers, new lines, and existing customers who qualify for an upgrade.
Some current offers reduce selected phones to $0, while others provide significant discounts from the regular retail price. The strongest offers usually come with specific requirements.
Common Cricket promotional requirements include:
- Opening a new Cricket line
- Bringing an eligible phone number from another carrier
- Activating a qualifying Smart Unlimited or Supreme Unlimited plan
- Purchasing multiple months of service in advance
- Completing the purchase online for an online-only offer
A phone advertised for $0 is therefore not necessarily a completely free device with any Cricket plan. Always review the qualifying service requirements before comparing the deal with the regular phone price.
Tip: Compare the total cost of the required wireless plan as well as the phone discount. Paying more each month for service solely to qualify for a device promotion may not always produce the lowest overall cost.
New Customer, New Line & Upgrade Pricing
Cricket can show different prices for the same phone depending on how you are purchasing it.
A device may have separate pricing for:
- Switching or transferring a number
- Opening a new line
- Upgrading an existing Cricket line
- Purchasing at the regular retail price
Cricket currently states that customers can become eligible for Transfer Number, Upgrade, or New Line device pricing every 365 days. Other restrictions and service requirements can apply.
When comparing phones, make sure you select the purchase type that matches your situation. A headline promotional price shown to a customer switching carriers may not be available to an existing Cricket customer performing a standard upgrade.
Free and Discounted Cricket Phones
Cricket frequently uses discounted phones as an incentive for customers to switch service. Selected Apple, Samsung, Motorola, and Cricket-branded devices may be available at very low prices or even $0 with a qualifying new line.
These promotions can be attractive if you already intended to move your wireless service to Cricket, but eligibility requirements should be checked carefully.
A typical offer may require you to:
- Transfer an eligible number to Cricket.
- Open a new Cricket line.
- Choose a qualifying monthly plan.
- Pay the first month of wireless service.
- Pay applicable taxes and other required charges.
Some deals require the Supreme Unlimited plan, while others may qualify with Smart Unlimited or another specified service tier.
Device promotions can change frequently, so the Cricket smartphone store should be checked for the latest qualifying models and terms.
► Learn More About Cricket Phone Deals
Cricket Phone Payment Plans
Customers who do not want to pay the full cost of a phone upfront may have access to third-party phone payment plans.
Cricket currently works with options including Bread Pay® and Progressive Leasing. Eligibility and terms are determined by the financing or leasing provider rather than Cricket itself.
Bread Pay®
Bread Pay allows qualifying customers to finance eligible phones or smartwatches over time.
Current features include:
- Potentially $0 down for qualifying customers
- Financing terms that can include 6, 12, or 24 months
- APR based on creditworthiness
- Online or in-store application
- Ability to pay the loan off early
Cricket currently requires a minimum eligible device purchase of $149.99 after discounts for its payment-plan programs.
Bread Pay financing is separate from your Cricket wireless bill. You pay the financing provider for the device while continuing to pay Cricket separately for your monthly service.
Progressive Leasing
Customers who do not qualify for Bread Pay may have the option to apply for Progressive Leasing.
This is a lease-to-own arrangement rather than a traditional device installment agreement.
Current features include:
- No traditional credit history required
- Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments
- Standard agreements of up to 12 months
- Early purchase options
Lease-to-own programs can cost considerably more than purchasing the device at its cash price, so customers should review the total cost before agreeing to a lease.
Trade In Your Old Phone
Cricket offers a device trade-in program that can turn an eligible old phone into credit toward Cricket service.
The trade-in program is currently managed by Asurion. Customers can obtain an estimate based on the phone model, condition, and other eligibility factors.
Trade-in values can vary significantly depending on:
- Phone manufacturer and model
- Age of the device
- Storage capacity
- Physical condition
- Whether the phone powers on
- Current promotional trade-in terms
Before trading in a phone, back up your data, remove personal accounts, disable device-locking features such as Find My iPhone where required, and perform a factory reset.
Cricket Certified Pre-Owned Phones
Customers looking to save money on higher-end hardware may also find Cricket Certified Pre-Owned devices in the Cricket store.
Certified pre-owned inventory changes over time, but Cricket currently lists selected previous-generation iPhones alongside its new devices.
A pre-owned phone can be a good option if you want a premium device at a lower upfront price and do not need the newest model.
When comparing new and pre-owned phones, check:
- Warranty coverage
- Battery condition policies
- Storage capacity
- 5G compatibility
- Software update support
- Return terms
Bring Your Own Phone Instead
You do not have to purchase a Cricket phone when switching service. Cricket allows customers to bring a compatible unlocked smartphone.
This can be the least expensive option if you already own a recent device that works well.
Before switching, the phone should be:
- Unlocked from its previous carrier
- Compatible with Cricket’s network
- Compatible with Cricket HD Voice requirements
- Approved through Cricket’s IMEI compatibility checker
For more information about network compatibility, see our Cricket Coverage & 5G Network guide.
Cricket eSIM & Physical SIM
Compatible devices can be activated on Cricket with either a physical SIM card or eSIM.
eSIM eliminates the need to insert a removable card and can make online activation more convenient. It can also be useful on devices that support two wireless lines at the same time.
Not every phone is eligible for eSIM activation, so confirm compatibility before ordering service.
Apple Watch & Smartwatch Options
Cricket has expanded beyond smartphones and currently sells compatible Apple Watch models and smartwatch service.
A cellular smartwatch can provide calling, messaging, and data functionality without requiring the phone to remain physically beside you at all times.
This can be useful for:
- Exercise and outdoor activities
- Leaving your phone behind temporarily
- Receiving calls and notifications from your wrist
- Navigation and fitness tracking
Smartwatch availability, compatible phone requirements, monthly service charges, and activation rules should be checked before purchase.
Cricket Mobile Hotspot Devices
Cricket also sells dedicated mobile hotspot devices for customers who want cellular internet access for laptops, tablets, and other Wi-Fi devices without using a phone as the hotspot.
Current Cricket device listings include the Cricket GoLink 5G Hotspot.
A dedicated hotspot can make sense for customers who:
- Travel frequently
- Need internet connectivity for a laptop
- Want to connect several Wi-Fi devices
- Do not want to use their smartphone battery for tethering
- Need temporary mobile connectivity away from home
Dedicated hotspot hardware requires a compatible Cricket data plan, which is separate from normal smartphone service.
Buying a Cricket Phone Online
Cricket sells phones and devices directly through its online store. Shopping online can provide access to promotions that are not necessarily available through every Cricket retail location.
Before checking out, review:
- The selected device price
- Whether the offer requires a number transfer
- The required wireless plan
- The amount of service that must be purchased upfront
- Applicable device taxes
- Activation requirements
- Shipping terms
Some Cricket offers are marked online only, so customers comparing prices with a retail store should make sure they are looking at the same promotion.
Cricket Shipping & Delivery
Cricket currently offers free 2-business-day shipping on qualifying online orders.
Shipping time begins after an order has been successfully processed. Orders involving a number transfer may require additional verification before shipment, which can affect the delivery timeline.
Customers should carefully enter their shipping information because address changes can be difficult once an order has entered processing.
For more details about ordering, activation, and shipping, see our Cricket BYOD, Activation & Shipping guide.
Upgrading an Existing Cricket Phone
Existing Cricket customers can purchase a replacement or upgraded phone through Cricket.
When shopping online, select the Upgrade option on an eligible device to view the price associated with your existing line.
Upgrade pricing may differ from the promotional price offered to new customers who transfer a phone number.
Before upgrading, compare:
- The Cricket upgrade price
- The full retail price of an unlocked phone elsewhere
- Trade-in value
- Payment-plan costs
- How long you expect to keep the new device
Purchasing an unlocked phone independently can sometimes provide more flexibility if you expect to switch wireless providers in the future.
Keep Your Phone Number When Buying a New Device
Buying a new phone does not mean you need a new phone number.
Existing Cricket customers can normally keep their number when upgrading devices. New customers can also transfer an eligible number from another wireless provider when switching to Cricket.
Do not cancel service with your previous carrier before the number transfer is completed. The old line generally needs to remain active during the porting process.
Should You Buy a Phone From Cricket or Bring Your Own?
The best choice depends on your current device and the promotions available.
Buying from Cricket may make sense if:
- You qualify for a heavily discounted or $0 phone
- You want a device that is already confirmed compatible
- You want a Cricket payment-plan option
- You need a new phone anyway
Bringing your own phone may make sense if:
- Your existing phone is still in good condition
- The device is already paid off and unlocked
- You want to minimize the cost of switching
- You prefer to keep your wireless service and phone purchase separate
Always compare the total cost of the required wireless plan plus the device. A large phone discount may be attractive, but a BYOD setup with a lower-cost plan can sometimes save more over the long term.
Choosing the Right Cricket Phone
Do not choose a phone based only on the promotional price. Consider how long you expect to keep it and which features matter most.
Important factors include:
- 5G support
- Battery life
- Camera quality
- Storage capacity
- Screen size
- Software update support
- eSIM support
- Wi-Fi Calling compatibility
- Water and dust resistance
- Whether the phone can eventually be unlocked
A slightly more expensive phone that receives software updates longer or has more storage can sometimes provide better value than an inexpensive device that needs to be replaced sooner.
Why Shop Cricket Phones & Devices?
Cricket offers considerably more device choice than a basic prepaid wireless provider. Customers can buy inexpensive Android phones, current Apple and Samsung flagships, certified pre-owned devices, Apple Watches, and dedicated 5G hotspot hardware.
Cricket’s frequent new-line and switcher promotions can make some devices particularly affordable, while financing and lease-to-own options give eligible customers alternatives to paying the entire device price upfront.
At the same time, customers are not required to buy hardware from Cricket. Bring Your Own Phone support allows you to continue using an eligible unlocked device if that is the more economical option.
Once you have selected a device, compare service options on our Cricket Wireless Plans & Pricing page and verify network availability using our Cricket Coverage & 5G Network guide.
Cricket Phones & Devices
Shop Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Cricket phones, smartwatches, hotspot devices, and current switcher deals, or bring your own compatible unlocked phone.
Shop Cricket Smartphones | See Current Cricket Deals
Device availability, promotional prices, trade-in values, financing terms, qualifying plans, and phone discounts are subject to change. Some promotional device prices require a new line, eligible number transfer, qualifying wireless plan, or advance service purchase. Taxes, activation charges, and other restrictions may apply. Check Cricket’s current offer terms before purchasing.
ⓘ Explore Cricket Wireless Phone Deals