Cricket
We’ve already covered the best smartphones you can buy from Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, but what if you don’t want to sign a contract? If you’d like to go the prepaid route, Cricket Wireless is a great option. The prepaid carrier has a wide selection of phones and decent coverage all around the United States. It also offers some of the most aggressive rates around, especially if you’re willing to sign up for auto-pay (smartphone plans as cheap as $35 a month, all fees included).
So, what are the best Android phones you can buy on Cricket? While we’ll admit there aren’t tons of phones sold directly through Cricket, there are a few gems. Most of Cricket’s offerings are relatively low cost, so this is a list of all the best smartphones available on the carrier. If none of these devices are your cup of tea, check out our best cheap Android phones or best Android phones list — as any unlocked GSM phone compatible with AT&T’s network will play nicely with Cricket.
Editors note – we will be updating this list as more devices hit the market.
#1 – Samsung Galaxy S6
Gone are the days when those who needed true power had to go with one of the big four carriers to find it. Even smaller players like Cricket can offer industry-leading handsets, as is the Samsung Galaxy S6. You can get yourself Sammy’s flagship smartphone for only $499.99. It has amazing specs and a design that is completely rehashed, using premium materials like metal and glass. You really can’t go wrong with a phone like this one, and it is definitely the best we can find on Cricket’s line-up.
Specs
- 5.1-inch Super AMOLED 2560×1440 display
- 2.1 GHz Exynos 7 Octa 7420 CPU
- 3 GB of RAM
- 32 GB of on-board storage
- 16 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
- Non-removable 2550 mAh battery
- 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, 138 grams
- Black Sapphire
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Read more
- Samsung Galaxy S6 review: the change we have been waiting for
- Best Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge cases
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#2 – ZTE Grand X Max+
Finding a mid-range smartphone used to mean sticking with a smaller screen, something that is no longer the case. You can have your mid-end specs and also enjoy a massive display, something the ZTE Grand X Max+ definitely proves.
The device may not win any awards, but it certainly runs smoothly, is plenty fast for most tasks and can even do some casual gaming, all while carrying a beautiful 6-inch 720p display. And at only $129.99, this happens to be a very sweet deal.
Specs
- 6-inch LCD 1280×720 display
- 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU
- 2 GB of RAM
- 16 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32 GB
- 13 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
- Non-removable 3200 mAh battery
- 162 x 83 x 7.9 mm, 172 grams
- Carbon Black
- Android 4.4.4 KitKat
Read more
- ZTE Grand X Max+ review
- ZTE Grand X Max+ hands-on and first impressions
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#3 – Motorola Moto E
Motorola’s affordable handsets have become very popular since the release of the Moto G. The Moto E is a slightly more affordable phone, but it’s also no slouch, especially at $79.99 from Cricket.
The Moto E comes with that classic Motorola design language and modest specs, which will make it a great device for the kids, as well as very casual smartphone users.
Specs
- 4.5-inch IPS LCD 960×540 display
- 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU
- 1 GB of RAM
- 8 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32GB
- 5 MP rear camera, VGA front camera
- 2390 mAh battery
- 129.8 x 66.8 x 12.2 mm, 145 grams
- Black
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Read more
- Moto E (2015) review
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#4 – LG G Stylo
The LG G Stylo is another affordable handset with high-end aspirations. What this means is that while this gadget features modest specs, it performs pretty well and has most features you find in high-end LG phones. Not to mention those cool back buttons and sleek design. It costs $149.99 and is worth every single penny.
Specs
- 5.7-inch IPS LCD 1280×720 display
- 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 CPU
- 1 GB of RAM
- 8 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32 GB
- 8 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
- 3000 mAh battery
- 154.2 x 79.2 x 9.7 mm, 164 grams
- Metallic Silver
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Read more
- LG G Stylo and HTC Desire 626s now available through Cricket
- Best LG G Stylo cases
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#5 – Going unlocked?
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Why limit yourself to the phones Cricket sells? Not everybody knows this, but this carrier runs on AT&T’s GSM network. Not only does that mean you have good coverage, but it also means you can easily bring in your unlocked devices, something Cricket Wireless supports whole-heartedly. The company even has a dedicated page for bring-your-own-phone subscribers.
The industry is changing, guys. Affordable devices are no longer sluggish and useless, and some high-end smartphones are starting to get much more affordable. In turn, this means customers are starting to accept the idea of moving away from subsidies and installment plans.
There’s plenty of good options out there, but there are a few handsets leading this movement. These include the Moto X Pure Edition, the OnePlus One, the OnePlus 2 and the ASUS Zenfone 2. Of course, we also have some articles you can check out to see which unlocked phones you can get, as well as one in which we tell you which are the best cheap phones, just in case you are in a budget.
How do like our list? Is there any device you’d add or remove? Let us know your opinions in the comments!