The best Cricket Wireless iPhone deals right now

You may remember Cricket from their quirky, green couch days, but the company is all grown up and part of AT&T now. That means it can offer competitive deals, 4G LTE and 5G service (in many areas) on AT&T’s network, and still doesn’t require a contract. If you don’t see an iPhone deal that suits you, check back — we’ll update this info.

Cricket Wireless iPhone 7 32GB deal

• $50 for new and current customers who bring their own phone number and activate a minimum $60/mo. unlimited plan
• $199 for new customers who need a new phone number and activate a minimum $60/mo. unlimited plan
• $199 for current customers who need a new phone number or want to upgrade their current phone and activate a minimum $60/mo. unlimited plan

This is a no-frills deal. You buy the phone — it can be financed by Progessive Leasing, Cricket’s provider — and pay month-to-month for service. The $60/mo. plan is the highest tier for single lines and includes nationwide 5G access (although the iPhone 7 isn’t 5G capable), unlimited data and 15GB mobile hotspot. You can shave $5/mo. off by using Cricket’s auto-debit payments. Limit of two phones. AT&T port-overs aren’t allowed.

AT&T offers the same phone for $0 down and $11.67/mo. “for well-qualified customers,” for 30 months, which adds up to $349.99. Metro by T-Mobile has the iPhone 7 for $29.99, in-store only, and after a rebate and two months’ service. Plans run between $40 to $60/mo.

Cricket Wireless iPhone SE 64GB deal

• $249.99 for new or current customers who bring their own phone number and activate a minimum $60/mo. unlimited plan
• Free next-day business shipping if you order online
• No activation fee if you order online, a $25 savings

Again, you buy the phone — with financing by Progessive Leasing, if you wish — and pay month-to-month for service. The $60/mo. plan is the highest tier for single lines and includes nationwide 5G access (and again, the iPhone SE isn’t 5G capable), unlimited data and 15GB mobile hotspot. Save $5/mo. by using Cricket’s auto-debit payments. Limit of two phones. AT&T port-overs not allowed.

Cricket Wireless iPhone 8 64GB deal

• $229.99 for new or current customers who bring their own phone number and activate a minimum $30/mo. (2GB) plan
• Free next-day business shipping if you order online
• No activation fee if you order online, a $25 savings

Again, you buy the phone — with financing by Progessive Leasing, if you wish — and pay month-to-month for service. The $60/mo. plan is the highest tier for single lines and includes nationwide 5G access (and again, the iPhone SE isn’t 5G capable), unlimited data and 15GB mobile hotspot. Save $5/mo. by using Cricket’s auto-debit payments. Limit of two phones. AT&T port-overs not allowed.

Cricket Wireless iPhone 8 64GB deal

• $229.99 for new or current customers who bring their own phone number and activate a minimum $30/mo. (2GB) plan
• Free next-day business shipping if you order online
• No activation fee if you order online, a $25 savings

You’ll only need to pay for the 2GB monthly service plan at $30/mo. to get this deal. Save $5/mo. by using Cricket’s auto-debit payments. AT&T port-overs do not qualify. Financing available via Progessive Leasing.

Cricket Wireless iPhone 8 128GB deal

• $249.99 for new and current customers who bring their own phone number and activate a minimum $30/mo. (2GB) plan
• Free next-day business shipping if you order online
• No activation fee if you order online, a $25 savings

Just like the iPhone 64GB, you pay for the 2GB monthly service plan at $30/mo. to get this deal. Save $5/mo. by using Cricket’s auto-debit payments.

Cricket Wireless iPhone XR 64GB deal

• $400 for new and current customers who bring their own phone number and activate a minimum $30/mo (2GB) plan
• Free next-day business shipping if you order online
• No activation fee if you order online, a $25 savings

Pay for the 2GB monthly service plan at $30/mo. to get this deal. Use Cricket’s auto-debit payments and save another $5/mo.

Cricket Wireless iPhone XR 128GB deal

• $499.99 for new and current customers who bring their own phone number and activate a minimum $30/mo. (2GB) plan
• Free next-day business shipping if you order online
• No activation fee if you order online, a $25 savings

Similar terms apply here as for the iPhone XR 64GB and iPhone 8 64GB and iPhone 8 128GB.

Cricket Wireless iPhone leasing

Cricket doesn’t technically offer payment plans on the iPhones. They’re instead leased through a third-party vendor called Progessive Leasing Services. The good news? There’s no interest. But you don’t own the iPhone until the lease period is up and you have to stay with Cricket during that time.

To get an iPhone with Progessive Leasing (and you’re not guaranteed to be approved) there are a few steps:

• Fill out an online application
• Select the iPhone(s) you want, up to five
• The first phone you lease needs to cost at least $149.99
• Make your first payment to Cricket; future payments go to Progressive Leasing

Payments will be auto-deducted on your payday. You can pay off your iPhone in 12 months or go with a 90-day option to pay the balance early and own the iPhone outright.

Cricket Wireless trade-in for iPhone

As of July 25, 2020, Cricket says it no longer accepts trade-ins on wireless devices. However, it will “trade-up” a customer’s phone, if they meet the following conditions:

• You must have an existing line of service with Cricket.
• You must have a Cricket monthly rate plan that costs $30/mo. or more.
• The upgrade phone must be new and purchased from a Cricket store or online.

You can upgrade your phone only once every 180 days and you’ll pay a $25 device upgrade fee. This can be done online or at a Cricket Wireless store.

By Scott Orr