Cricket Wireless Senior Cell Phone Plans

Pros and Cons

The Buying Experience With Cricket Wireless

You can purchase a plan or a cell phone and plan in person at a Cricket Wireless store or on their website. I decided to buy on the website and quickly learned that it’s a very smooth shopping experience. It’s no wonder Cricket won the J.D. Power Award for Purchase Experience in 2022.1

Shopping Online

In case you want to shop online, here’s how I did it:

• Click on the “Browse Plans” button at the top of the homepage.
• Select the number of phone lines you need.
• Scroll down and select “Shop Phones” or “Bring Your Own Phone.”
• Choose a phone or add a $9.99 Voice and Data SIM card to your cart.
• Pick your plan.
• Repeat steps 3-5 if purchasing multiple lines.
• Enter payment information and check out.

I was also pleased to learn that Cricket offers free next-business-day shipping and no activation fees for SIM cards and phones purchased on the Cricket website. Plus, service taxes and fees are included in the monthly plan cost, so the advertised price is what you’re paying. That’s transparency you don’t always find from wireless companies.

Shopping In-Store

You can also shop in a store for Cricket Wireless if you want. In-store shopping might be easier if you desire help and to ensure your phone is compatible with the network. Plus, some people just prefer that human touch; we get it.

Cricket Wireless has just under 4,500 stores with locations in 49 states (not in Maine) plus Washington, D.C.2 Just know that Cricket stores charge a $25 activation fee. You can also purchase Cricket Wireless SIM cards and phones from Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and GameStop and then activate online to avoid the activation fee.

Chatting With Customer Service

I decided to chat online with customer service for more information. You can do this by clicking on the round question mark button at the bottom left of the Cricket Wireless website.

I chatted with William, who was courteous, knowledgeable, and quick to respond. I asked William which Cricket plan he recommended for older adults who wouldn’t use their phones often. He asked if the customer would be watching videos or streaming things on the phone, to which I answered, “Not often.” Then, he recommended the 5 GB data plan with unlimited talk and text, which costs $30 per month.

I also asked William about activation fees or special discounts for seniors or veterans. Cricket doesn’t offer special offers, even for AARP members or veterans. William also explained that you won’t have to pay activation fees if you purchase a new phone or plan online. After speaking with William, I can see why Cricket Wireless’ customer service team won customer service awards in 20173 and 2019.4

Choosing a Cell Phone

Cricket sells 30 different cell phones from various brands on their website. Many of their phones are available for $0 or at a sizable discount when you purchase one to three months of service. The phone will be locked into Cricket’s service for at least six months. You also have the option of bringing your own phone.

Here’s a closer look at a couple of phones that impressed us.

Cricket Debut Flex

Cricket Debut Flip

The Debut Flex is the only flip phone Cricket Wireless sells. We think it’s perfect for older adults wanting a simple cell phone to keep them connected. It has a compact, durable design with an easy-to-see keypad. Don’t enjoy typing? You can make calls, send texts, and more with your voice with Google Assistant. Unlike other phones we’ve tested, including Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2, the Debut Flip works with a data plan. You can surf the web, view your calendar, check email, and add apps and games.

The Debut Fled costs $49.99 if you bring your own number and activate at least a $30 monthly plan. Otherwise, it costs $69.99. This price point is excellent and similar to Consumer Cellular’s price for the comparable IRIS Easy Flip ($59).

Our favorite features for seniors:

• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility
• M4/T4 hearing aid compatibility
• 4G LTE capability
• Long-lasting battery
• 2 MP front-facing camera

Apple iPhone SE 2022

Our editor's grandma testing out an iPhone

For tech-savvy older adults, there’s the Apple iPhone SE 2022. This phone offers all the bells and whistles, and it’s a great choice if many of your loved ones already use iPhones. The SE has everything from a large Retina HD touchscreen to Haptic Touch to a 12 MP camera. Plus, you can access thousands of apps from the Apple Store, FaceTime your loved ones, and control the phone with your voice thanks to Siri.

The Apple iPhone SE retails for $349.99.

Our favorite features for seniors:

• Up to 256 GB of storage
• Black, white, and red options
• Splash, water, and dust resistance
• Built-in voice assistant
• Access to thousands of mobile apps
• 4K video
• Built-in privacy
• 13 hours of streaming on a single charge

Nationwide Coverage

Cricket Wireless provides prepaid plans that use AT&T’s 4G LTE and 5G network (where available). AT&T is one of the largest networks in the United States and was recently named the Most Reliable 5G Network by Global Wireless Solutions (GWS).5

If you know that the AT&T network works well in your area, then Cricket Wireless should, too. The spottiest places for service are typically remote or rural homes. You’ll want to check the coverage map on Cricket’s website to see if that includes your home.

Contracts and Warranty

Contracts

Cricket’s prepaid plans do away with contracts, so there’s no need to worry about being locked into a two-year contract like you would be with AT&T’s senior plans. You don’t need to worry about cancellation fees either. However, Cricket doesn’t offer prorated refunds if you cancel during an active month of service.

Naturally, it’s a little trickier if you purchase a phone from Cricket. You must use Cricket’s service for six months to unlock a phone purchased from Cricket (and therefore be able to use it with a different cell phone provider). That might seem like a long time, but it’s not bad compared to other providers. For example, buying a phone from Lively only works with Lively’s service; it can’t be unlocked and used with another carrier.

>> Compare Now: Lively's Jitterbug vs. Cricket Wireless

Warranty

Cricket offers a seven-day return policy for qualifying devices – the same length as the trial for Mint Mobile’s cell phone plans. Devices purchased online must be mailed back in like-new condition with all of their original accessories. There is no fee for returning qualifying devices. Cricket will email you a prepaid shipping label.

Devices purchased in a store must be returned or exchanged at the same store where purchased. You will receive a full refund minus a $25 fee if you return the device without all its original accessories.

After the seven-day return period, most phones sold by Cricket are covered by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty, which is standard in the industry. Cricket-brand phones have a two-year warranty, which we found impressive.

Cricket also has the optional Cricket Protect plan for certain smartphones, which costs $8 monthly. It covers loss, theft, physical and liquid damage, and other out-of-warranty problems. Plus, you get a cracked-screen repair for $29 — a nice feature if you’re prone to dropping your phone! Other fees include a $10-$250 deductible, depending on the claim. It may or may not be worth it, depending on the value of your phone.

Cricket Wireless Phone Plans at a Glance