A Guide On Cricket Phone Upgrade For Existing Customers

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Would you like to switch to a decent smartphone with eSIM support? The Cricket phone upgrade for existing customers has some pretty great deals currently, with up $150 savings.

Yes, the MetroPCS phone deals for existing customers seemingly have more savings (up to $400+). But on the other hand, the Cricket offers are a little more generous and also convenient since you can redeem them online.

Is the Cricket Phone Upgrade for Existing Customers Worth It?

How often do you change your phone? If you have a good brand like iPhone, Samsung, or Google, you can go for nearly a decade without having to upgrade. I have a relative who’s still clinging to a Galaxy S7 Edge he received as a gift when it came out back in 2016.

But at the rate technology is growing, upgrading a phone with any carrier will not be always a choice. And in 2022, we have seen this happen after AT&T and T Mobile turned off their 3G cell towers that were working on GSM protocol.

Many users of 3G on Cricket, an MVNO of AT&T, had to switch to at least a 4G LTE phone. But it was never a bad idea as LTE has better call quality with HD Voice, plus faster browsing speeds.

Nonetheless, 5G offers the fastest data speeds, with Cricket peaking at 200+Mbps on the low-band spectrum. And for that, you can upgrade to 5G phones compatible with Cricket Wireless for more reliable data speeds even during deprioritization.

Speaking of reliability, Cricket has just launched eSIM support, which is handy for instant Activation and dual SIM on even Apple devices. The latest iPhone 14 is actually what has forced MVNOs to add eSIM support since the smartphone has no slot for a physical SIM card.

But most Android phones in the market don’t have the digital SIM option. Thus, you might also want to upgrade your Cricket phone to get an eSIM-supported model. And as of now, Cricket only supports the feature on Apple devices, specifically the iPhone XS series and later models.

Is the Cricket Phone Upgrade for Existing Customers Free?

As you may know, Cricket is a prepaid mobile operator, which means there’s no risk of obligation. It requires no credit checks or a down payment, whether you need to purchase service or a phone.

Like other prepaid providers, the difference comes when you want to finance your device. The buy now pay later program Cricket uses does perform a soft credit check to confirm your creditworthiness before approval.

Cricket Phone Upgrade For Existing Customers

But whether you’re shopping upfront or through financing, the Cricket phone upgrade for existing customers is not free. The carrier charges a $25 upgrade fee, which applies per device and they rarely waive it. Thus, you could end up paying a hundred bucks for four lines.

Meanwhile, the fees to activate a phone as a new Cricket customer are usually $25 when you use customer rep and $0 online. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with the phone upgrade as you must pay regardless of where you finalize your deal.

Can You Get the Cricket Phone Upgrade for Existing Customers at Any Time?

As mentioned, there’s no risk of obligation with Cricket Wireless. Since it’s a prepaid service, you can always join and leave the service whenever desired.

We could say it’s the same when switching between phones with the carrier. But there are a few eligibility requirements you must meet to qualify for a discounted upgrade, such as:

  • You must have an existing Cricket line and cell phone number
  •  The Cricket line you plan to upgrade must have at least a $30 (basic 5GB) active phone plan
  • You must not have done another Cricket phone upgrade in the last one hundred eighty (180) days
  • Your new upgrade phone must be eligible for the Cricket Protect plan to get covered against theft, loss, and accidental damage
  • Your existing line must have an active Cricket Protect plan to continue having it on the new upgrade phone for free
  • The $25 phone upgrade fee I’ve mentioned earlier is also a crucial requirement that applies both at a Cricket dealer store and online

How to Use Cricket Phone Upgrade for Existing Customers

If the requirements above are met, you can now come to the Cricket shop or online and proceed with the upgrade.

To do the upgrade online:

  1. Use your internet-enabled laptop or smart device to visit the Cricket Wireless Activate page. You’ll get the prompt to input your username and password to log into your account
  2. Once logged in, scroll down to the list of phone numbers on your account and select the arrow under the line you wish to upgrade
  3. On the next page that opens, scroll down to the “Device” menu and select the “Upgrade Device” tab
  4. Next, click the “Shop Smartphones” tab and select your desired upgrade device from the options available
  5. Now, confirm your insurance options. Then review your shopping cart and hit “check out” if everything is as needed
  6. Finally, review your contact information. Then enter your billing information and hit “Continue” to “Place Order”.

What’s the Best Cricket Phone Upgrade for Existing Customers?

When going through the online catalog, you’ll notice the Cricket Phone Deals For Existing Customers aren’t as great as those for new subscribers. But some of the top-of-the-line brands could save you up to $150 without having to port a number or add a new line. A few examples include:

Cricket Phone Upgrade Deals for Existing Customers Total Deal SavingsNetwork ConnectivityROM vs RAM
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G-Capable 128GB Memory$1505G & 4G LTE128GB, 6GB
Apple iPhone SE (2020 Edition) A13 Bionic$1504G LTE64GB, 3GB
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G-Enabled 8K Android$1505G & 4G LTE128GB, 6GB
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G 6.5-inch Super AMOLED$1105G & 4G LTE128GB, 6GB
Motorola Moto G 5G (2022 Release) Android$1005G & 4G LTE64GB, 4GB
Cricket Dream 5G & LTE Compatible 64GB Android$1005G & 4G LTE64GB, 4GB
    

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G-Capable 128GB Memory

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the first high-end phone on the Cricket phone upgrade for existing customers with $150 savings. It has amazing features, such as:

  • A 6.4-inch, 120Hz FHD+ display
  • The Snapdragon 888 5G processor
  • Built-in NFC & Fingerprint sensors
  • Captures video in 4K & Super-Slow Motion
  • WiFi 6 (802.11.ax) protocol & WiFi calling

Apple iPhone SE (2020 Edition) A13 Bionic

If you won’t mind a 4.7-inch display, the iPhone SE 2nd Generation will also save you $150 on the Cricket upgrade deals. You also get to enjoy sophisticated features like:

  • A fast A13 Bionic processor
  • Qi Wireless charging at 7.5W
  • WiFi 6 (802.11.ax) & WiFi calling
  • Built-in NFC for contactless payment
  • Recording Video in 4K & Slo-Mo Mode

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G-Enabled 8K Android

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is yet another Android you can save up to $150 on an upgrade without having to add a line. It has amazing features, such as:

  • A Snapdragon 865 5G processor
  • Support Qi/PMA & wireless charging
  • An extra-wide 6.5-inch, 120Hz display
  • Built-in NFC & optical fingerprint sensor
  • WiFi 6 (802.11.ax) protocol & WiFi calling

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G 6.5-inch Super AMOLED

Cricket also has the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G on its upgrade deals and with up to $110 total savings. The device is a mid-range brand, with features like:

  • An extra-wide 6.5-inch, 120Hz display
  • Built-in NFC for contactless payments
  • Optical fingerprint sensor (under display)
  • WiFi 5 (802.11.ac) protocol & WiFi calling
  • Captures vivid images & video in 4K quality

Motorola Moto G 5G (2022 Release) Android

Last but not least, Cricket has the recently-released Motorola Moto G 5G on the upgrade program for existing customers. You can save up to $100 without having to port a number or add a line. Then enjoy decent features like:

  • An extra-wide 6.5-inch, 90Hz display
  • Captures crisps images & videos
  • Expandable memory of up to 512GB
  • A quick unlock with face or fingerprint
  • WiFi 5 (802.11.ac) protocol & WiFi calling

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cricket do trade-ins in 2022?

Sadly, Cricket does not do trade-ins as of 2022. You can only upgrade by paying the full amount upfront or using the third-party financing program (Affirm or Progressive Leasing).

Do you have to give in to your old phone when you upgrade?

No, you do not have to give in your old phone when you upgrade with Cricket. The carrier doesn’t offer a trade-in program at the moment. You have to pay for your devices upfront or through the third-party financing program.

Can I upgrade my phone for free at Cricket?

Indeed, you can upgrade a phone for free at Cricket dealer shops or online. But to qualify for the promotion, you must add a new line to your account and port in a number from an eligible carrier.

In Conclusion:

The Cricket phone upgrade for existing customers may not have the best savings as the major carriers. But they’re pretty great considering most of the MVNOs will only give you a promotion when joining as a new customer.

Better yet, Cricket has these offers without having to port a cell phone number or even add a line to your account. Then you necessarily don’t need a premium phone plan- requires at least the basic $30 service.

Nonetheless, do remember Cricket always stocks devices locked to its network. You’ll only be eligible to unlock for other carriers after one hundred eighty (180) days.