Boost Mobile Cell Phone Review

Pros and Cons

The Buying Experience With Boost Mobile

I found the buying experience with Boost Mobile to be seamless, although I felt a bit of a push to buy from the otherwise friendly salesperson on the phone. I also got different price quotes (more on that below) from the salespeople I spoke to via phone compared with Boost’s online prices. That type of disconnect never feels great, but it’s not uncommon with cell phone providers.

You can make a purchase through Boost’s online store or at their brick-and-mortar stores across the nation.

If you shop online, it’s very easy to browse phones, check perks and features, and connect to the purchase page. Plus, two-day shipping is free! Boost’s order status page makes it easy to track the status of your delivery. You can also go directly to a Boost store to purchase. Boost has its own stores across the country, along with locations in select Walmarts.

After selecting a phone online, checkout will automatically take you to the phone plan options. I called Boost’s customer-service representatives to learn more about their plans, and they recommended the featured $25-per-month plan for new customers (more on that later).

Chatting With Customer Service

Chatting with Boost Mobile over the phone was a great experience. The representative I spoke with was helpful and friendly, and he filled me in on all the plans and current deals.

Boost Mobile also offers an online chat feature, but you’ll need to provide your full name and phone number to speak with someone. I started by chatting with a bot who eventually connected me to a real person. I spoke with a sales rep who was knowledgeable and answered all my questions. Making a call to customer service was quick and easy, and, for me, the better option.

Using the Boost Mobile chat feature

Choosing a Cell Phone

In addition to their own phone brand, Boost carries Apple, Motorola, and Samsung phones. We’ll look at two popular phones you can buy from Boost Mobile that are excellent options for older Americans.

iPhone 15 for Smartphone Users

Using Apple's iPhone 15

The iPhone 15 gives older adults all the advanced features and perks they could want from a smartphone, including a 6.1-inch super retina display screen, a 48MP main camera, all-day battery life, FaceTime video chatting, and lots of storage. It’s one of Boost’s featured phones, and it sells for $23.06 a month (or $449.99). The smartphone is one of Boost’s best value smartphones for seniors.

Boost Summit Flip for People Who Want to Keep It Simple

Summit Flip from Boost Mobile

The only flip phone highlighted on Boost’s website is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, which sells for over $1,099.99. Many seniors like the simplicity of a basic, easy-to-use flip phone that’s also budget friendly, so I called Boost to see if they had other flip phone options.

The salesperson I spoke to said Boost also carries some basic, inexpensive flip phones, such as the Summit Flip. He mentioned that the cost may be different online or via phone than it is in Boost’s brick-and-mortar stores. He also said the promotional cost on the phone changes, so he couldn’t give me a solid price. He estimated that the Summit Flip would cost a one-time charge of $80.49 to unlock. He also offered to throw in the first month of service for free.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

The inconsistencies with Boost Mobile’s plans and prices are a drawback. Consistency and clarity are very important when shopping for a phone carrier to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

After speaking to him, I was able to locate the Summit Flip on Boost’s website, even though it wasn’t on their list of available phones. On the website, the phone sells for $59.99 outright or $1.67 a month. Since those costs varied a bit from what I was quoted, I suggest doing your research when purchasing a phone from Boost (or any cellular provider).

You can read more about flip phones on our list of the best flip phones for seniors.

Contracts and Warranty

Contracts

Boost Mobile has no contracts, which means you can go month to month with your phone plan without any long-term commitments. The best thing about Boost’s no-frills plans is that you still get all the discounts, new customer perks (such as free shipping), and other benefits.

Warranty

You get a 90-day limited warranty with Boost Mobile, which covers mechanical or electrical issues with your device within the first 90 days. If your phone needs to be replaced within your warranty period, Boost will replace it with another remanufactured, preowned, or refurbished device. If you have any issues with your phone and need to file a claim, you can reach a representative at My Phone Guardian 24/7, or call a representative from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CT seven days a week.

Boost Mobile Phone Plans at a Glance

These are some of Boost’s most common plans, but the provider is always coming out with new deals. Be sure to speak to a customer-service representative to find the latest discounts and plan options. I checked all the current deals with a customer-service rep via chat. She was very informative, but she explained that some of the old deals were no longer available.

Boost Mobile Plan Details

Boost has straightforward plans for straightforward users. Its main features include unlimited talk and text, mobile hot spot capabilities, and access to both 4G and 5G networks. If you’re a new customer, you will have a few more opportunities to save. Boost, for example, has a unique 1GB-per-month new-customer plan for only $8.33 per month. This is ideal for older adults who are on a tight budget and don’t intend to use a ton of data to surf the web, watch videos, or use apps. According to a sales rep I spoke to on Boost’s chat feature, the deal can’t be accessed online, but it’s available in Boost’s brick-and-mortar stores.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

I’d recommend comparing Boost Mobile’s online and brick-and-mortar deals before making a purchase. That way, you can ensure you get the best deal possible. You can start by chatting with a customer-service rep on the phone and asking if they have different deals available in person.

Our recommendation for the best all-around plan is the $25 option. It provides 30GB of data per month, which is a good amount for most users, at a great value. It’s a good option for seniors who want to use apps and watch videos but don’t plan to be on their phones for many hours each day.

Cost

When it comes to price, Boost Mobile has some affordable options for low-data plans and average prices for high-data options. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, the three largest providers in the country, offer rates starting at $35 to $45 per month, compared to Boost’s bestselling $25-a-month plan.

Another bonus for Boost is that it does not have any hidden or extra fees. Plans are prepaid, so what you pay for is what you get. Although Boost doesn’t have any senior-specific discounts, it has a host of new-customer discounts and other saving opportunities.

Plan Features

All Boost Mobile plans come with unlimited text and talk and at least 1GB of data. In terms of your text, talk, and data needs, Boost has all the same essentials as its competitors. Although it doesn’t have eye-grabbing benefits like T-Mobile’s one year of free Paramount+ streaming, it will give you everything you need for basic calling and internet usage.

Boost also offers low-cost add-ons you can use for a month or longer. You can pay $10 a month for North America Connect, which gives you unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada, plus 5GB of data while roaming in Canada or Mexico.

Boost Mobile vs. the Competition

Boost Mobile offers inexpensive plans and great multiline discounts, but it’s important to compare all your options. Let’s see how Boost compares to other top carriers.

Our Methodology

Our senior tech experts spent 50 hours researching Boost Mobile. We navigated their website and spoke to Boost customer-service reps via phone multiple times. We also used their website’s chat feature to get information on Boost’s plans and phone offerings.

We compared Boost Mobile to other cellular providers to ensure that they were competitive and adequately met the needs of seniors. During our evaluation, we kept these attributes in mind:

• Cost: Boost Mobile’s plans are competitively priced. We especially like the freedom that month-to-month payments give you, including add-ons, such as roaming, that you may not need year round. Boost also offers great deals on many phone models.
• Contracts: We appreciate that Boost doesn’t require long-term contracts, which adds an additional layer of freedom to their plans.
• Customer service: Everyone we connected with at Boost was friendly and knowledgeable. They were also patient and helpful, which are important qualities. We didn’t love the unclear pricing structure that varied from rep to rep. The upside of that, however, is that older adults may be able to request deals, such as months of service for free or at a discount.
• Service area: Boost’s service area is one of the best in the country. That’s great for seniors who travel. Some spotty, low-service areas exist, however, so check your ZIP code before you opt into Boost.