Cricket Wireless is one of the oldest MVNOs in the country and a decent option to cut down your phone bill. It’s also one of the few that have unlimited data with no cap and a free HBO streaming subscription. But the users with phones compatible with Cricket 5G get to enjoy the two perks better. Why do I say this?
You can still have your Cricket service on an LTE iPhone or Android device. It’s actually the network many subscribers are still running on as carriers continue to deploy the 5G infrastructure. But the fastest LTE data speed I’ve seen so far is 70-80Mbps vs 225Mbps on 5G+.
In any case, this guide’s all about the phones compatible with Cricket Wireless service. And the list I’ve compiled consists of both 5G and 4G LTE support. But before we come to that…
Quick Facts on Cricket BYOP Program
Cricket Wireless, like other paid phone carriers, has a BYOP (bring your own phone) program. But before you proceed with it, there are some crucial facts related to device compatibility I’d like to point out:
- Cricket as an MVNO
Cricket Wireless is a mobile virtual network operator (or MVNO) of AT&T. So, any phone compatible with AT&T or its other sub-carriers should work on Cricket as well.
If you’re buying unlocked cell phones from a third party to use with Cricket, I’ll advise checking the supported frequency bands. And since we’re talking about an AT&T MVNO, these network bands should be:
| 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 |
Recommendation: for the best experience with your Cricket, your BYOP device should have bands 12/17, 30/ 66, N5, N77, & N260.
- Still No eSIM Support
Sadly, YES, Cricket Wireless has not launched eSIM support yet. So, the phone you’re bringing should have a slot to insert a physical SIM card.
- Has No International Roaming
On the Pure Talk vs Cricket Wireless review, our MVNO here doesn’t have international roaming, except in Mexico & Canada. Thus, you might want to have a phone with WiFi calling feature as a backup for when outside the coverage zone.
- Gets Deprioritized During Congestion
Cricket, as with Pure Talk and Consumer Cellular, gets deprioritized when the AT&T towers are heavily congested. You might want to have a 5G-capable phone to guarantee usable data even when the speeds are slowed.
- Has “Truly” Unlimited Data
Similar to Visible by Verizon, Cricket has “Truly” unlimited high-speed data plans (with no cap). After all, the MVNO is a brand of AT&T. Thus, a decent smartphone (preferably with 5G support) can be really handy.
- Offers Free HBO Streaming Subscription
On top of the un-throttled data, Cricket Wireless has a free HBO streaming subscription. And in that case, a decent smartphone with high-capacity data speeds and a larger screen will come in handy.
What Kind of Phones are Compatible with Cricket?
On the list of phones compatible with Pure talk (AT&T MVNO), we have three different types of devices you can bring. But that’s because the prepaid carrier usually sells fully unlocked devices.
On its end, Cricket Wireless usually sells locked phones. And that would mean it’s compatible with four different kinds of phones, including:
- Cricket-Branded: these are the phones locked to Cricket Wireless. So, they’re naturally compatible with the network.
- Factory Unlocked: these types of phones will also work with your Cricket SIM effortlessly if they have the right network technology. They come directly from the manufacturer while already unlocked.
- Carrier-Unlocked: these are the phones that were previously locked to another carrier but now are fully unlocked and have the right AT&T frequency bands.
- AT&T Branded: Phones locked to AT&T can work with your Cricket SIM even before unlocking.
A Summary of the Best Phones compatible with Cricket Wireless
In this section, we’ll now go through the various phone brands that satisfy all the Cricket requirements we’ve just mentioned.
| Phones Compatible with Cricket Wireless | Supported Networks | ROM vs RAM |
|---|---|---|
| Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 64GB Memory | 5G & 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 (5G) Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Motorola One 5G ACE (2021 Release) Snapdragon | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Cricket-Locked Apple iPhone SE (2020 Release) | 4G LTE | 64GB, 3GB |
| Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Pro-Grade | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Cricket-Locked Apple iPhone SE (2022 Release) 5G-Capable | 5G & 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| AT&T-Locked Motorola Moto G Play (2021 Release) | 5G & 4G LTE | 32GB, 3GB |
| Cricket-Locked TCL Classic Flip Phone for Seniors | 4G LTE | 8GB, 0.5GB |
| Fully Unlocked Google Pixel 5 (5G+) 128GB Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 8GB |
| Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 LTE A13 iOS | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 256GB | 4G LTE | 256GB, 12GB |
| Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G-Enabled (2021 Edition) | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 4GB |
| AT&T LG Phoenix 4 LTE Prepaid Android OS | 4G LTE | 16GB, 2GB |
| Google Pixel 2 XL Water Resistant Android | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
1. Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 64GB Memory
The iPhone 12 is my overall favorite on the list of phones compatible with Cricket Wireless. You’ll need to put down $450-$550, for sure. But in return, you get to enjoy amazing features like:
- A 6.1-inch, HDR10 display
- Up to 5G mmWave connectivity
- Up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) support
- Water-resistant at up to 6-meter depth
- Video capture in Slo-Mo & 4K quality
- Built-in NFC for payments/ content sharing
2. Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 (5G) Android
At a little over $200, the Samsung Galaxy A13-series is an excellent pick if looking for a budget 5G-capable phone. And despite the low pricing, it has the technology you need to connect with Cricket 5G+: mmWave Band N77 (C-Band).
The Samsung smartphone has other likable features like:
- A 6.5-inch, 90Hz HD+ display
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac) support
- Built-in NFC & fingerprint sensor
- A slot for up to 1TB MicroSD card
3. Best of Deal: Motorola One 5G ACE (2021 Release) Snapdragon
As the name advertises, the Motorola One 5G Ace is yet another phone you can use with even Cricket 5G network. It usually has mid-range pricing, but the company currently has a limited-time offer with over $100 off.
Some of the best features the Android offers include:
- A 6.7-inch full HD display
- A fast Snapdragon 750G processor
- Video recording in up to 4K quality
- Supports 5G (low-band) connectivity
- Expandable storage with up to 1TB MicroSD
4. Cricket-Locked Apple iPhone SE (2020 Release)
The iPhone SE (2020) is one of the brands on the free Cricket phone deals for new customers. It, sadly, doesn’t have a 5G modem for the super-fast data speeds. But you can enjoy high-capacity LTE speeds of 100+Mbps and:
- A fast A13 Bionic processor
- WiFi 6 (802.11ax) protocol
- Qi wireless charging standing
- Contactless payments with NFC
- Video capture in Slo-Mo & 4K quality
5. Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Pro-Grade
The Galaxy S21 FE is one of the best smartphones to consider if you want to upgrade your current Android. It not only supports the 5G+ mmWave connectivity but also has a superior Snapdragon 888 processor to boost your overall phone performance.
Furthermore, the Samsung smartphone has:
- A 6.4-inch, 120Hz display
- A sturdy, IP68-rated build
- Up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) support
- Built-in NFC & wireless charging
- Triple-camera system with 3x optical zoom
6. Cricket-Locked Apple iPhone SE (2022 Release) 5G-Capable
The iPhone SE (2022 Release) is the second recreation of the original model that came out in 2016. It’s a nice pick if you’re looking for a compact smartphone that’s easy to carry, yet can tap into the Cricket 5G+ (C-Band).
Other features of the Apple phone worth mentioning include:
- The A15 Bionic processor
- IP67 dust/ water protection
- Video recording in 4K & Slo-Mo
- Built-in NFC & wireless charging
7. AT&T-Locked Motorola Moto G Play (2021 Release)
The Moto G Play here is an excellent pick for anyone looking for a decent smartphone under $100. Yes, it comes carrier-locked to the AT&T network. But as I’ve said earlier, you can use a Cricket SIM card in an AT&T-locked phone without any issues.
Some of the best features of the Motorola phone include:
- A 6.5-inch, HD+ display
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac) protocol
- A fast Snapdragon 460 processor
- Up to 512GB of MicroSD support
- Extended-range and high-capacity LTE
8. Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 256GB
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ is one of the few smartphones you’ll enjoy using even without 5G support. The stylus pen is my favorite feature as you can sketch, scribble notes, and remotely operate apps like the camera. But I’m sure you’ll also love the:
- Extra-wide, 6.8-inch QHD display
- Snapdragon 855 processor & 12GB RAM
- Quad-camera system with 2x optical zoom
- WiFi 6 (802.11ax), dual-band support
- Built-in NFC & fast wireless charging
- Built-in Samsung Dex for desktop mirroring
9. Fully Unlocked Google Pixel 5 (5G+) 128GB Android
The Google Pixel 5 is also a great phone if you want to experience your Cricket subscription on the 5G+. It supports the 5G Sub-6 bands N77 (mmWave C-Band), plus N2, N5, & N66 (low-band spectrum).
Other amazing features of the Google phone include:
- A 6.4-inch FHD+ display
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac) protocol
- Premium IP67-rated metal build
- Built-in NFC & fingerprint sensor
- Super-fast Snapdragon 765 processor
- Video capture in 4K & Slow-Mo mode
10. Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G-Enabled (2021)
The Moto G Stylus is one of the budget smartphones in the market with a built-in stylus feature. And with this particular model, you also get to experience the Cricket 5G+ data speeds on bands N77, N66, N5, and N2.
A few other notable features of the Motorola include:
- 6.8-inch FHD+ display
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac) protocol
- Up to 1TB expandable storage
- Built-in fingerprint & face unlock
- Supports 3.5mm jack & Bluetooth v5
11. Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 LTE A13 iOS
The iPhone 11 is also a great phone on Cricket, provided you won’t be interested in 5G data speeds. It’s an LTE phone but does support both the extended-range and high-capacity coverage.
Other features I’m sure you’re going to like about the Apple device include:
- A 6.1-inch HD display
- Built-in NFC & Face ID sensor
- Up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) support
- IP68 dust/ splash/ water resistant
- High-performance A13 Bionic chip
- Dual-camera system with 2x optical zoom
Commonly Asked Questions
How do I know if my phone is compatible with Cricket?
The quickest way to know if a phone is compatible with Cricket or not is by entering the IMEI number in the Online ID checker. But even then, you’ll still have to make sure the device has no network restriction (not carrier locked).
Are Verizon phones compatible with Cricket?
Yes, indeed, unlocked Verizon phones are compatible with Cricket service. Then again you must also make sure the particular phone has the necessary 5G/ LTE network bands: 12, 17, 30, N5, N77, & N260
Can I use a Walmart phone on Cricket?
Walmart family mobile is an MVNO on T-Mobile, which utilizes primary bands 4, 12, and N260, as AT&T. So, yes, you can use some of the Walmart phones on Cricket service, but after unlocking.
Can I use an AT&T phone on Cricket?
An MVNO is usually compatible with phones from its carrier network even before unlocking. And that would mean you can use an AT&T phone on Cricket without any issue.
Choose Your Phone Well
We’ve got pretty many phones compatible with Cricket service. And unlike the likes of Google Fi, there’s no favoritism of certain brands over others.
Whether it’s an iPhone, Samsung, or Motorola, you’ll have access to all the features available with the operator. The only thing that will differ between the various models is the performance experience, whereby some will be better.
For instance, the iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE are both high-end phones and 5G-capable. The Galaxy model even seems to have better features, like the operating memory (RAM), display refresh rate, and cameras.
But in reality, the iPhone 12 processes functions faster and has a high battery efficiency: two features that are very crucial in any smartphone.
