Cricket Wireless Review: Is the Premium Prepaid Worth It?

It is the "generic brand" that is actually made in the exact same factory as the name brand. Owned entirely by AT&T, Cricket gives you the massive, reliable network you trust, but strips away the bloat that inflates your bill.

You get the physical stores, the latest iPhones, and the solid coverage—you just stop paying for the "privilege" of a postpaid contract.

But before you round up the family and switch, let’s unpack everything you need to know to decide if Cricket Wireless is the smart upgrade your budget has been waiting for.

What is Cricket Wireless?

At its core, Cricket Wireless is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AT&T.

Unlike independent MVNOs (like Mint Mobile) that just rent space on a network, Cricket is AT&T's prepaid arm. They use the exact same towers, the same 5G infrastructure, and often the same engineering teams.

This gives you a distinct advantage: Stability.

While smaller carriers might vanish or change ownership, Cricket has 4,500+ retail stores across the US. It is designed for people who want the lower price of prepaid but still want to be able to walk into a store and talk to a human if their phone breaks.

Cricket Wireless Phone Plans (Nov 2025)

In late 2025, Cricket simplified (and rebranded) their plan lineup. Gone are the confusing names like "More" and "Core"; now it is largely a battle between "Supreme," "Smart," and "Select."

1. Supreme Unlimited ($60/mo | $55 w/ Auto Pay)

• The Flagship: This is the plan that makes Cricket special.
• The Priority: It includes Unlimited Premium Data (QCI 8). This means your speeds will not slow down based on usage, even in crowded stadiums. You have the same priority as a regular AT&T customer.
• The Perks: Comes with Max (With Ads) included (formerly HBO Max), 150GB Cloud Storage, and a massive 50GB Mobile Hotspot.

2. Smart Unlimited ($50/mo | $45 w/ Auto Pay)

• The Budget Option: Great for most users, but with trade-offs.
• The Catch: Your data is deprioritized (QCI 9). If the network is busy, you will feel it.
• The Perks: Includes 15GB Mobile Hotspot and 100GB Cloud Storage, but no Max subscription.

3. Select Unlimited ($40/mo for single line)

• The Switcher Special: Available primarily for new lines.
• The Deal: This plan is famous for its multi-line pricing: 4 lines for $100/mo.
• The Trade-off: No mobile hotspot included (add-on only) and no streaming perks. It is strictly for talk, text, and data on your phone.

What People Are Saying

If you scour user feedback in 2025, the verdict on Cricket is consistent:

• The Good: "It just works." Users praise the consistency of the AT&T network and the fact that the price includes all taxes and fees. The "Supreme" plan is frequently cited as indistinguishable from AT&T Postpaid.
• The Bad: The "In-Store Tax." Users frequently complain about the $25 Activation Fee charged at physical stores.
• The Ugly: Upgrade fees. Even if you buy a phone online, existing customers are often hit with a $25 "Upgrade Fee," which feels outdated in 2025.

Switching to Cricket Wireless

Switching is generally painless, but you have two paths:

1. The "Do It Yourself" (Online):
   • Order a SIM card or eSIM online.
   • Pros: $0 Activation Fee. Access to "Online Only" phone deals.
   • Cons: You have to set it up yourself.
2. The "Hand Holding" (In-Store):
   • Walk into one of their 4,500+ retail locations.
   • Pros: You walk out with a working phone and face-to-face help.
   • Cons: You will almost certainly pay the $25 Activation Fee.

Current deals for new customers

Cricket is famous for its "Switcher" deals. As of November 2025, here is what you can often find:

• Free 5G Phones: The Moto G Power 2025 and Samsung Galaxy A16 5G are often FREE if you switch your number to the Supreme or Smart plan.
• iPhone Deals: Older generation iPhones (like the iPhone 13 or 14) are frequently discounted to $49.99 or $99.99 for switchers.
• The "3 Months for $45" Deal: A newer online-only promo where you can get a trial of their unlimited plan for just $15/mo for the first 3 months.

Cricket Wireless Perks

Cricket bundles features that other prepaid carriers charge extra for:

• Max (With Ads): A $10/mo value included for free on the Supreme plan.
• Cloud Storage: The "myPhotoVault" app backs up your photos automatically (150GB on Supreme).
• Cricket Call Defense: Built-in spam blocking that actually works.

Cricket Wireless Coverage and Network

AT&T Network Access

Cricket is not just a tenant; it lives in the landlord's house. Cricket users get full access to AT&T’s massive nationwide network.

Speeds & Throttling

• On Supreme: You generally won't face throttling based on usage.
• On Smart/Select: You are subject to "deprioritization" anytime the network is busy. This means in a crowded mall, your TikTok might buffer while Supreme users keep scrolling.

5G Access

Included on ALL plans. You get access to AT&T's low-band 5G and their super-fast "5G+" (C-Band) in major cities.

Pricing and Value

Cost Comparison

• Single Line: $55/mo (Supreme) is pricey compared to Visible ($25) or Mint ($30).
• Family Value: This is where Cricket wins. 4 lines of Select Unlimited is $100/mo. That breaks down to $25/line, which is unbeatable for AT&T coverage with physical store support.

Hidden Costs and Fees

• Taxes Included: The price you see is the price you pay. ($55 means $55.00).
• Activation Fees: $25 (In-store).
• Upgrade Fees: $25 (In-store and Online).

Features and Benefits

• Hotspot: A massive 50GB on the Supreme plan (one of the highest in prepaid).
• International: Unlimited calls/texts to Mexico & Canada are included. Plus, you can use your phone in Mexico and Canada without roaming charges (on unlimited plans).
• Streaming: By default, video streams at SD quality (480p). You can technically disable this on the Supreme plan to get HD, but Smart users are largely stuck with SD.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

Are Cricket Wireless phone plans really good? Yes. If you need a family plan or live in an area where AT&T is king, Cricket is arguably the best prepaid carrier on the market. It bridges the gap between the "wild west" of cheap prepaid and the expensive stability of a major carrier.

My Recommendation:

• Get Cricket If: You have a family of 3+ (the savings are massive) or you need the reassurance of a physical store.
• Skip Cricket If: You are a single user who never leaves the city (Visible is cheaper) or you need 4K video streaming.

Ready to join the green team?

Visit the Cricket Wireless website to check the "online only" free phone deals before you head to a store!