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In case you missed it, there has been some kind of bad blood between DISH Wireless and T-Mobile. As you look for boost mobile compatible phones, you’ll now want to make sure they’ll work with the new carrier network, AT&T.
Of course, the orange Boost Mobile SIM (on T-Mobile) is still operational and accessible at myaccount.boostmobile (and MyBoost app). But rumors are the company will be transitioning the subs using them to the Black SIM (on AT&T)
Ps. Boost Mobile customers with the black SIM can access their account at my.boostmobile.com or BoostOne app.
In any case, many of the LTE/ 5G phones in the market today are compatible with all the US carriers, including our Boost. You could even swap with some of the phones compatible with Spectrum Mobile.
Then again, the particular devices must pass the software and network requirements, as we shall see shortly.
What are the Best Boost Mobile Phones in 2024
As I’ve just mentioned, Boost Mobile is transitioning away from activating phones from T-Mobile to the AT&T network. And in that case, you’ll want to get a phone that will work best via the Super LTE network, such as.
#7 Things to Know Before You Bring a Phone to Boost Mobile
Would you like to make the most of your Boost Mobile service? Here are seven crucial facts that should help you choose the right phone.
- Boost as an MVNO
At this moment, Boost Mobile still has T-Mobile as one of its carrier networks (usually called Expanded Network). The two made the deal in early 2020 after Sprint, the old carrier network of Boost, merged with T-Mobile.
But a little over a year, DISH, the owner of Boost Mobile, had a fall-out with T-Mobile over the decommissioning of the 3G CDMA network. And if I’m right, that disagreement is what has led to the MVNO switching to AT&T.
Regardless, that would mean Boost can now operate with the new Black SIM card on any of the phones compatible with Cricket Wireless. Or else any other phone that supports network bands:
| Carrier Network | Primary 4G LTE Bands | Secondary 4G LTE Bands | 5G Low-Band Bands | 5G mmWave Bands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 12 & 17 | 2, 4, 5, 29, 30, & 66 | N2, N5, & N66 | N77, N258, & N260 |
Ps. Your BYOD (bring your own device) device should have at least frequency bands 12/17, 30/ 66, N5, N77, & N260 for the best experience on Boost Service.
But T-Mobile also utilizes primary bands 12 (for LTE) and N260 (for 5G mmWave). Thus, many devices compatible with the orange SIM of Boost Mobile will still work after the transition to AT&T airwaves.
- Has Free Phone Deals
Boost Mobile is one of the phone companies you can get a free iPhone when you switch. And as of this moment, the offer includes the 2020 iPhone SE Edition that Apple innovated as the iPhone 11 Mini.
If interested, the Boost Mobile phone deals also cover Android devices, including the Samsung Galaxy A32 with 5G support.
- Still Behaves Like CDMA
Again, Boost Mobile used to run on the old Sprint CDMA network. It still behaves as a CDMA even when on the new GSM networks.
And that should explain why you need to do the validation setup when you put your Boost Mobile SIM card in another Boost Mobile phone.
- Still No eSIM Support
Sadly, yes, Boost Mobile hasn’t released eSIM support yet. Your phone needs to have a slot for a physical SIM slot. And assuming the rumors are true, this would mean the carrier won’t be compatible with the iPhone 14-series, which will be eSIM-only.
- No International Roaming
Boost Mobile supports only domestic roaming, for now. It doesn’t have an international roaming feature but does support WiFi calling (on the transformed network with AT&T).
So, you can have a phone with the feature for when outside the coverage areas.
- Gets Deprioritized Data
Like most sub-carriers, Boost usually gets deprioritized data (slower speeds than other traffics during congestion) from its carrier networks. You might want to have a phone with 5G support to guarantee usable service even when the speeds are low.
- Sells Carrier-Locked Phones
Indeed, Boost Mobile only sells carrier-locked phones, with a standard unlock period of 12 months (excluding military personnel). Thus, you can’t just rush for the free phone deals and then leave for another carrier.
Also, this would mean we have four kinds of boost mobile compatible phones, including:
- Boost-Branded phones: these are the phones locked to the Boost Mobile network
- Factory-Unlocked Phones: as the name, these types of phones usually come from the factory (manufacturer) when already unlocked.
- Carrier-unlocked phones: the phones are from the carriers compatible with Boot Mobile. But they must be fully-unlocked to work.
- T-Mobile/ AT&T phones: True, you can use your Boost Mobile SIM card in some of the phones from AT&T or T-Mobile even before unlocking. Only make sure the kind of SIM card (Black/ orange) matches with the type of the phone (AT&T/ T-Mobile).
A Summary of what phones are compatible with Boost Mobile sim cards
| Phones Compatible with Cricket Wireless | Supported Networks | ROM vs RAM |
|---|---|---|
| Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 Pro 256 GB Memory | 5G & 4G LTE | 256GB, 6GB |
| Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 (5G) Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone 13 A15 Bionic | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 4GB |
| Boost Mobile Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 8K Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 8GB |
| Boost Mobile Free Samsung Galaxy A32 5G-Capable | 5G & 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 256GB, 12GB |
| Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G-Enabled (2021 Edition) | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Fully Unlocked Google Pixel 5 (5G) 128GB Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 8GB |
| Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone SE (2020 Release) LTE iOS | 4G LTE | 64GB, 3GB |
| Factory-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G-Enabled | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Boost Mobile TCL Classic Flip KaiOS Phone for Seniors | 4G LTE | 4GB, 0.5GB |
| Motorola One 5G ACE (2021 Release) Snapdragon | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 LTE A13 iOS | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Boost Mobile Motorola Moto G7 Play Prepaid LTE | 4G LTE | 32GB, 3GB |
| Boost Mobile Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Google Pixel 2 XL Water Resistant Android | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Boost Mobile Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G Snapdragon | 4G LTE | 256GB, 8GB |
Out of the seventeen selections, here are my favorite nine iPhone and Android phones that you can use with Boost Mobile:
1. Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 Pro 256 GB Memory
The iPhone 12 Pro is one of the Unlocked phones compatible with Boost Mobile service. It has the A14 Bionic processor and 6GB of RAM under the hood- a nice combination for those of us who like to run heavy processes.
Other amazing features of the Apple phone include:
- A 6.1-inch, HD+ display
- Built-in NFC & Face ID sensor
- Up to 5G mmWave connectivity
- Has WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology
- Supports Qi/ Magsafe wireless charging
- Video recording in 4K & Slo-Mo mode
2. Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 (5G) Android
The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is yet another great phone you can activate on Boost Mobile with ease. And at less than $250 MRP, it’s a perfect pick when looking for a quick replacement device or a budget 5G-enabled smartphone.
Some of the best features available:
- A 6.5-inch, 90Hz display
- Has 5G mmWave (on C-Band)
- Up to WiFi 5 (802.11ac) standard
- Supports up to 1TB MicroSD card
- Has built-in NFC & fingerprint sensor
3. Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone 13 A15 Bionic
Although a little expensive, the iPhone 13 is one of the best upgrade phones at the moment. It has the fastest processor (A15 Bionic), superior 5G modem (for mmWave speeds), and other sophisticated features like:
- WiFi 6 (802.11ax) protocol
- Built-in NFC for payments
- Qi/ Magsafe wireless charging
- Built-in Siri for hands-free control
- Dual SIM with eSIM & Nano-SIM
- Dual-camera system with 2x optical zoom
4. Boost Mobile Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 8K Android
If you have a big heart for Android, the Galaxy S22 is yet another remarkable upgrade phone. And for a limited time, Boost Mobile has been offering it with up to $400 off, provided you won’t mind sticking around for the next one year.
Some of the best features of the Samsung phone are:
- A Sleek, IP68-rated design
- 6.8-inch QHD+, 120Hz display
- 5G low-band & mmWave Support
- Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- Fast wireless charging & Powershare
- 108MP camera system w/ 10x optical zoom
5. Boost Mobile Free Samsung Galaxy A32 5G-Capable
The Galaxy A32 5G is yet another Android Boost Mobile has on the ongoing limited-time deals. Only that this time the promo offers a full discount, provided you’re a new customer and have an eligible port-in.
The Samsung phone has decent features like:
- A 6.5-inch HD+, 90HZ display
- 5G mmWave (C-Band) support
- Video capture in up to 4K quality
- Up to WiFi 5 (802.11ac) protocol
- Built-in NFC & fingerprint sensor
- Up to 1TB of Expandable memory
6. Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Android
Although an oldie, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ is still one of my favorite phones when it comes to design. You can use the provided stylus pen to sketch (my favorite), scribble down shopping lists/ notes, edit photos, or even remotely operate apps like the camera.
Other amazing features of the Galaxy smartphone include:
- A 6.8-inch QHD display
- Fast/ PMA/ Qi wireless charging
- A superfast Snapdragon 855 processor
- Extended-range & high-capacity LTE
- Video capture in 4K & super Slow-Mo mode
7. Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G-Enabled
The Moto G Stylus here is a nice pick if you’d want to try the Galaxy Note experience with a limited budget. True, the pen isn’t sophisticated enough for features like remotely operating installed apps- like the camera. But you can sketch, scribble, and edit your photos with the best precision.
Other notable features of the Motorola phone include:
- An extra-large 6.8-inch display
- 5G mmWave on C-Band spectrum
- Up to WiFi 5 (802.11ax) protocol
- Fingerprint scanner & Face Unlock
8. Fully Unlocked Google Pixel 5 (5G) 128GB Android
The Pixel 5-series is yet another of the phones compatible with the Boost Mobile service. And thanks to the integrated 5G modem, you’ll have a shot at that mmWave (C-band) connection for the 400+Mbps data speeds.
Other amazing features of the Android include:
- A 6.4-inch FHD+ display
- Fast Snapdragon 765 processor
- Built NFC & fingerprint sensor
- Video recording in 4K & Slo-Mo
- Up to WiFi 5 (802.11ac) standard
9. Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone SE (2020 Release) LTE iOS
Last but not least, we’ve got the iPhone SE (2020 Edition). And as was mentioned earlier, Apple created the device as a mini version of the famous iPhone 11 if you compared the features.
Some of the said features include:
- A fast A13 Bionic processor
- WiFi 6 (802.11ax) protocol
- Qi wireless charging option
- Built-in NFC & fingerprint sensor
- IP68 dust/ splash/ water resistant
- Video capture in 4K@60fps & 1080p@240fps
Commonly Asked Questions
Do unlocked phones work with Boost Mobile?
Yes, unlocked iPhone and Android phones can work with Boost Mobile with no issue. But you’ll have to make sure the devices also have the necessary T-Mobile/ AT&T network bands:
Are boost and Verizon phones compatible?
Yes, indeed, Boost and Verizon phones are compatible with each other’s services. But the phones must be unlocked and also have the necessary primary frequency bands to get signal bars.
What network is Boost on?
Again, Boost Mobile is on T-Mobile and AT&T at this moment. But the AT&T SIM is more worthwhile as it has wider coverage across the country and also you’ll get WiFi calling (unavailable with Boost Mobile on T-Mobile).
Will Straight Talk phone work on Boost Mobile?
Similar to Verizon, some Straight Talk phones can work on Boost Mobile once unlocked. You only have to make sure they have the necessary frequency bands12/ 17, 5, 30/ 66, N2/ N5, N77, & N260.
To Conclude:
Either of these phones can work well with Boost Mobile, be it on the black or orange SIM card. But that doesn’t mean they’re the only compatible models.
You can still go for your favorite brand (if it’s not on the list). Only I’d recommend checking compatibility with the new black SIM (on AT&T) as the future of Boost on T-Mobile is currently unfavorable.
And also the Boost Transformed Network (on AT&T) is the only you can get WiFi calling feature.