Cricket Wireless Smart Unlimited is the mid-tier of Cricket’s unlimited lineup — and the plan that best fits the average Cricket user. While Select Unlimited (cheaper, new-customers-only) and Supreme Unlimited (more expensive, priority data + HBO Max) target specific buyer profiles, Smart Unlimited targets the broad middle: users who want full AT&T-network unlimited service, reasonable hotspot, and Mexico/Canada inclusion without paying for premium features they may not use.
After evaluating Smart Unlimited against the rest of Cricket’s lineup, Cricket’s new Multi-Month Unlimited bulk pricing, and competing mid-tier prepaid plans on Verizon (Visible Base) and T-Mobile (Mint Mobile Unlimited), here’s what Smart Unlimited actually delivers — and where the alternatives win.
At a Glance
| Network | AT&T (5G + 4G LTE; deprioritized during congestion) |
| Price (1 line standard) | $50/mo (taxes included) |
| Price (1 line with AutoPay) | $45/mo (taxes included; $5 credit starting month 2) |
| Price (4 lines) | $110/mo total ($27.50/line) |
| Price (5 lines) | $130/mo total ($26/line) |
| Eligibility | All customers (new and existing) |
| High-speed data | Unlimited (deprioritized) |
| Hotspot | 15GB high-speed; throttled to 128 Kbps after |
| Cloud storage | 100GB included |
| International (MX/Canada) | Full talk/text/data roaming included |
| International texting | Unlimited to 200+ countries |
| 5G access | Yes (compatible device required) |
| Video | Standard definition on cellular |
| Contract | None |
| Pricing model | All-in (taxes/fees included) |
Pricing: Standard vs AutoPay vs Multi-Line
Cricket’s pricing structure has clear tiers worth understanding:
Standard rate: $50/month
Base price for new customers without AutoPay enrollment. Taxes and regulatory fees are included — the $50 you see is the $50 you pay. No surprise charges.
AutoPay rate: $45/month (effective)
Cricket offers a $5 AutoPay credit starting in your second month of service. The first month is at standard $50; from month 2 onward, you pay $45 effective. Over 12 months, AutoPay saves $55 annually.
Multi-line discounts:
Cricket’s family plan structure delivers strong per-line economics — particularly at 4-5 lines:
- 1 line: $50/mo ($45 AutoPay)
- 2 lines: $75 total ($37.50/line) — 25% off
- 3 lines: $95 total ($31.67/line) — 36% off
- 4 lines: $110 total ($27.50/line) — 45% off
- 5 lines: $130 total ($26/line) — 48% off
At 4 lines, Smart Unlimited’s per-line cost ($27.50/line) is meaningfully cheaper than postpaid alternatives — comparable to AT&T Value 2.0 ($30/line) but with full unlimited high-speed data instead of a 5GB cap. For multi-line families on AT&T’s network, the value is genuine.
→ All Cricket pricing is all-in (taxes and regulatory fees included). Verify multi-line discounts on cricketwireless.com.
What “Unlimited” Actually Means on Smart
Smart Unlimited is marketed as “unlimited talk, text, and data” — and there’s important nuance. The plan includes unlimited deprioritized data, not unlimited priority data.
Practical implications:
- First-tier priority customers (AT&T postpaid, Cricket Supreme Unlimited, Cricket Sensible 10GB) get faster speeds during network congestion
- Cricket Smart Unlimited customers are deprioritized during peak hours in busy locations
- Routine daily use in non-congested areas delivers the same network performance as priority plans
- Stadium events, airports during peak hours, downtown cores at busy times may see noticeably slower speeds
For most users in most locations, deprioritization rarely matters — Cricket Smart performs essentially identically to AT&T postpaid customers in non-congested situations. For users who heavily depend on cellular data in dense urban areas during peak hours, Cricket Supreme Unlimited at $10/month more delivers priority data as the upgrade path.
Per Cricket’s terms: Video streaming on Smart Unlimited is typically limited to standard definition (480p) on cellular. Wi-Fi streaming is unaffected by this cap.
Network and Coverage
Cricket Wireless is owned by AT&T and operates on AT&T’s nationwide 5G and 4G LTE network — the same towers as direct AT&T postpaid customers. Coverage is strong across most of the U.S., with AT&T historically holding particularly strong signal in Texas, the Southeast, and major metros nationwide.
5G access is included with all Cricket plans, but requires a compatible device. AT&T’s 5G+ networks are deployed in many urban and suburban markets, with continuing expansion.
The plan’s biggest network limitation isn’t basic coverage — it’s the deprioritization during congestion that distinguishes Smart Unlimited from Cricket Supreme and AT&T postpaid customers. For routine daily use in non-congested areas, Smart delivers identical performance.
→ For state-by-state AT&T coverage breakdowns, see our USA Coverage Guides.
What You Get
Every Cricket Wireless Smart Unlimited plan includes:
- Unlimited talk and text on AT&T’s network
- Unlimited deprioritized data on AT&T’s 5G network
- 15GB of high-speed mobile hotspot per line per month
- 100GB of cloud storage included
- Full talk, text, and data roaming in Mexico and Canada (works like domestic service)
- Unlimited international texting from the U.S. to 200+ countries
- 5G access where available (compatible device required)
- All-in pricing (taxes and regulatory fees included)
- $5 AutoPay credit (starting month 2)
- Multi-line discounts up to 5 lines (best value at 4 lines)
- In-store retail support at thousands of Cricket Wireless locations
- Cricket app for self-service account management
- Available to all customers (new and existing)
- No contract or early termination fees
What You Don’t Get
Smart Unlimited has gaps versus Cricket Supreme Unlimited and AT&T postpaid:
- No priority data — deprioritized below Supreme, Sensible 10GB, and AT&T postpaid customers
- Smaller hotspot than Supreme — 15GB vs Supreme’s 50GB
- No HBO Max bundle — Supreme Unlimited only
- Smaller cloud storage than Supreme — 100GB vs 150GB
- Standard-definition video on cellular — no HD or 4K cellular streaming
- No Latin America inclusion — AT&T Premium 2.0 includes 20 Latin American countries; Smart is MX/Canada only
- No bundled streaming services beyond cloud storage
- No AT&T Guarantee — Cricket doesn’t include AT&T’s automatic outage credits
- No 5G+ priority — basic 5G access only
- No tablet/watch line discounts — Cricket offers $10/mo Smartwatch plan separately
- More expensive than Multi-Month — Cricket’s 12-Month Unlimited at $25/mo (single line, $300 prepay) is dramatically cheaper for committed annual users
Real-World Performance
In daily use within typical conditions, Smart Unlimited delivers solid AT&T-network performance for users who don’t push the plan’s limitations.
Calling and texting. Identical to direct AT&T service — voice quality and text reliability unchanged.
Web browsing and social media. Smooth on standard 5G during off-peak hours. May feel slightly slower during peak congestion in dense areas as Smart is deprioritized below higher tiers.
Navigation and rideshare. Maps load instantly. Real-time traffic and ETA calculations stay current. Location services aren’t bandwidth-dependent, so deprioritization rarely matters here.
Streaming. Music streams at full quality. Video on cellular is capped at standard definition (~480p). Wi-Fi streaming is unaffected by the cellular cap.
Video calls. Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Meet maintain stable quality during off-peak hours. Quality may dip during congestion peaks.
Heavy data usage. With unlimited high-speed data (subject to deprioritization), Smart customers don’t experience the hard caps that limit Sensible 10GB customers. Use 50GB, 100GB, or more on cellular and speeds remain at high-speed levels (subject to deprioritization).
Hotspot tethering. The 15GB high-speed hotspot is a meaningful improvement over Select Unlimited (no hotspot included). Sufficient for occasional remote work, multi-device tethering during travel, and HD video calls for limited sessions. After 15GB, hotspot continues at reduced speeds (128 Kbps) for the rest of the cycle.
Mexico/Canada travel. Full talk/text/data inclusion in both countries works like domestic service — no per-day fees, no throttled speeds (subject to AT&T network management).
Hotspot and Power-User Features
The 15GB high-speed hotspot is genuinely useful for moderate tetherers. What it can handle:
- Occasional remote work over hotspot (a few days per month)
- Multi-device tethering during light travel
- HD video calls (Zoom, Teams, FaceTime) for limited sessions
- HD video streaming on tethered devices for several hours
- Backup home internet during outages (about a week of moderate use)
- Light document editing through cloud apps
What it can’t handle: full-time sustained remote work over hotspot, daily heavy tethering, or multi-week travel scenarios with continuous tethering.
For users with sustained heavy tethering needs, Cricket Supreme Unlimited at $10/month more includes 50GB hotspot — the natural upgrade path. For users who never tether, Cricket Select Unlimited at $10/month less saves money but excludes hotspot entirely.
100GB cloud storage is a real benefit at this tier. Most prepaid competitors don’t include cloud storage — useful for photo backup, document storage, and similar without separate paid services.
International Coverage Detail
Smart Unlimited’s international structure focuses on Mexico/Canada with broad messaging coverage:
Mexico and Canada (full inclusion):
- Talk, text, and data roaming work like domestic service
- No per-day fees, no throttled speeds (subject to AT&T network management)
- Roaming data may be reduced to 2G speeds in some scenarios
Beyond Mexico/Canada:
- Unlimited texting to 200+ countries (from the U.S.)
- International calling and data require Cricket Passport add-on (paid)
Compared to competitors:
- Mint Mobile 15GB: Free unlimited talk/text to MX/Canada + 3GB free Canada data; Mexico data is paid add-on
- Visible Base: Limited international features
- AT&T Premium 2.0: Includes 20 Latin American countries free — broader than Cricket Smart
- Cricket Smart: Solid for users who specifically travel to MX/Canada and want all-in pricing
For users with regular MX/Canada travel patterns, Cricket Smart is among the strongest mid-tier prepaid options. For broader international, T-Mobile Experience plans, AT&T Elite 2.0, or US Mobile Unlimited Premium offer better international structures.
Customer Experience
Cricket offers comprehensive customer support for an MVNO:
- In-store retail support at thousands of Cricket Wireless locations nationwide
- Phone support with traditional 1-800 customer service
- Cricket app for self-service account management
- Online chat through cricketwireless.com
- AT&T ownership benefit — Cricket has the financial backing of AT&T’s parent company
The retail infrastructure is genuinely meaningful versus pure-digital MVNOs (Visible, Mint Mobile, US Mobile). Cricket has consistently scored above MVNO average in customer satisfaction surveys, partly due to the in-store option for users who prefer in-person troubleshooting.
What works well:
- Walk-in support at Cricket retail stores nationwide
- Cricket app well-designed for self-service
- All-in pricing with no surprise taxes/fees
- Cricket Passport international add-on for travelers (separate from included MX/Canada features)
- Available to all customers (no new-customer-only restriction like Select)
Where it falls short:
- Phone support hours and quality vary by region
- AT&T network outages affect Cricket service identically (no AT&T Guarantee credits)
- Some advanced features (eSIM transfers, complex porting issues) may have more friction than direct postpaid
- No direct line to AT&T Premium customer service
How Cricket Smart Unlimited Compares
Smart Unlimited has natural alternatives within Cricket’s lineup, in Cricket’s new Multi-Month structure, and across competing mid-tier prepaid plans. Here’s how the comparison shakes out.
Cricket Smart vs. Cricket Select Unlimited
| Feature | Smart Unlimited | Select Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Price standard | $50/mo | $40/mo |
| Price with AutoPay | $45/mo | $35/mo |
| Eligibility | All customers | New customers only |
| High-speed data | Unlimited (deprioritized) | Unlimited (deprioritized) |
| Hotspot | 15GB included | None (paid add-on) |
| Mexico/Canada data | Full data roaming | Voice/text only (no data) |
| Cloud storage | 100GB | None |
| 4-line price | $110 ($27.50/line) | $100 ($25/line) |
For just $10/month more (or $2.50/month per line at 4 lines), Smart adds 15GB of included hotspot, full Mexico/Canada data roaming, 100GB cloud storage, and is available to all customers (not just new ones). This is one of the strongest upgrade value propositions in Cricket’s lineup. For nearly all users — and definitely for existing Cricket customers — Smart is the smarter pick.
→ Read our full Cricket Select Unlimited review for the entry-tier comparison.
Cricket Smart vs. Cricket Supreme Unlimited
| Feature | Smart Unlimited | Supreme Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Price with AutoPay | $45/mo | $55/mo |
| Priority data | No (deprioritized) | Yes |
| Hotspot | 15GB | 50GB |
| Cloud storage | 100GB | 150GB |
| HBO Max with Ads | Not included | Included |
| Mexico/Canada | Full data roaming | Full data roaming |
| 4-line price | $110 ($27.50/line) | $130 ($32.50/line) |
For $10/month more (or $5/month per line at 4 lines), Supreme adds priority data (the only Cricket plan with it), 35GB more hotspot, HBO Max with Ads, and 50GB more cloud storage. For users who experience network congestion regularly OR watch HBO Max OR tether more than 15GB monthly, Supreme is genuinely worth the $10/month upgrade. For users who don’t need these specific features, Smart’s $10/month savings is meaningful.
→ Read our full Cricket Supreme Unlimited review for the flagship comparison.
Cricket Smart vs. Cricket Multi-Month Unlimited (12-Month)
| Feature | Smart Unlimited (monthly) | 12-Month Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Effective rate | $45/mo with AutoPay | $25/mo ($300 upfront) |
| Billing | Monthly | Single $300 prepayment |
| Lines | 1-5 lines | Single-line account only |
| Hotspot | 15GB included | Verify (likely none or limited) |
| Cloud storage | 100GB | Verify |
| Mexico/Canada | Full inclusion | Verify |
| BYOD requirement | No | Yes (own device required) |
Cricket’s 12-Month Unlimited delivers dramatic savings ($20/month) for users committed to 12-month prepayment with their own device. For users who can commit annually and have BYOD, this is one of the strongest values in the entire prepaid market — competitive with Mint Mobile’s bulk pricing on AT&T’s network instead of T-Mobile’s. For monthly billing users or families wanting multi-line discounts, Smart Unlimited is the right pick. For single-line users with stable carrier needs, 12-Month Unlimited is meaningfully better value.
→ Read our full Cricket Multi-Month Unlimited review when published for the bulk-pricing alternative.
Cricket Smart vs. Mint Mobile Unlimited
| Feature | Cricket Smart | Mint Mobile Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Price (12-month bulk) | — | $30/mo ($360 upfront) |
| Price (monthly) | $45/mo with AutoPay | Higher than $30 |
| Network | AT&T (deprioritized) | T-Mobile (deprioritized after 50GB) |
| High-speed data | Unlimited (deprioritized) | 50GB before potential deprioritization |
| Hotspot | 15GB | Up to 20GB |
| Cloud storage | 100GB | None |
| In-store support | Yes (Cricket retail) | No (digital-only) |
| MX/Canada data | Full inclusion | Free MX/Canada talk/text + 3GB Canada data |
Mint Mobile Unlimited at $30/mo (12-month bulk) is cheaper than Cricket Smart with more hotspot — but on T-Mobile’s network with annual commitment required. Cricket Smart wins on AT&T network access, in-store retail support, monthly billing flexibility, and full MX/Canada data inclusion. Mint wins on price (with annual commitment) and slightly more hotspot. For users without strong network preference, Mint is meaningfully cheaper; for AT&T-loyal users or those wanting in-store support, Cricket Smart is the right pick.
→ Read our full Mint Mobile Unlimited review for the cross-network alternative.
Cricket Smart vs. Visible Base
| Feature | Cricket Smart | Visible Base |
|---|---|---|
| Price (1 line) | $45/mo all-in (AutoPay) | $25/mo all-in (with promo) |
| Network | AT&T (deprioritized) | Verizon (deprioritized) |
| High-speed data | Unlimited (deprioritized) | Unlimited (deprioritized) |
| Hotspot | 15GB high-speed | Unlimited at 5 Mbps |
| Apple Watch | $10/mo add-on | Included free |
| In-store support | Yes (Cricket retail) | No (digital-only) |
| MX/Canada | Full data roaming | Limited |
Visible Base on Verizon’s network delivers unlimited deprioritized data, unlimited hotspot at 5 Mbps capped speed, and free Apple Watch service at meaningfully lower cost ($45 vs $25). For users without specific need for AT&T’s network or in-store support, Visible Base is dramatically better value. Cricket Smart wins specifically for users who need AT&T’s coverage, want walk-in retail support, or value the 15GB high-speed hotspot vs Visible’s 5 Mbps cap.
→ Read our full Visible Base plan review for the cross-network alternative.
→ For more comparisons, see our Best Cheap Phone Plans and Best Prepaid Phone Plans.
Who Should Choose Cricket Smart Unlimited
Existing Cricket customers wanting unlimited service. Smart Unlimited is available to all customers (unlike Select Unlimited, which is new-only). For Cricket subscribers who want unlimited service, Smart is the natural fit.
Moderate data users on AT&T’s network. Smart’s combination of unlimited high-speed data, 15GB hotspot, and full MX/Canada inclusion delivers a balanced experience for most user profiles.
Multi-line families wanting AT&T-network economics. At $27.50/line for 4 lines ($110/mo total all-in), Smart delivers competitive per-line pricing for families on AT&T’s network — meaningful versus AT&T postpaid’s higher rates.
Users who tether occasionally. The 15GB hotspot allotment is sufficient for occasional remote work, multi-device tethering during light travel, and backup home internet scenarios.
Frequent Mexico/Canada visitors. Full talk/text/data roaming in both countries — works like domestic service. Genuine value for users with cross-border travel patterns.
Users wanting monthly billing flexibility. Unlike Cricket’s Multi-Month Unlimited (which requires $300 upfront for 12 months) or Mint Mobile (which rewards annual commitment), Smart Unlimited’s monthly billing offers flexibility to switch carriers without losing prepaid value.
Users who want Cricket retail support. Walk-in support at thousands of Cricket retail locations is a meaningful benefit versus pure-digital MVNOs.
Users wanting all-in pricing transparency. $45 with AutoPay is genuinely $45 — no surprise taxes or fees.
Users who don’t need premium features. If you don’t experience network congestion regularly, don’t watch HBO Max, and don’t need 50GB hotspot, Smart’s $10/month savings versus Supreme is meaningful.
Who Should Skip Cricket Smart Unlimited
New Cricket customers who don’t tether. Cricket Select Unlimited at $10/month less saves money for new customers willing to forgo hotspot and Mexico/Canada data roaming.
Users committed to 12-month prepayment with BYOD. Cricket Multi-Month Unlimited at $25/mo ($300 upfront) saves $20/month versus Smart Unlimited monthly — significant savings for users who can commit annually with their own device.
Users who experience network congestion regularly. Cricket Supreme Unlimited at $10/month more delivers priority data — the only Cricket plan with it. Genuinely worth the upgrade for users in dense urban areas or those who attend events regularly.
HBO Max users. Supreme bundles HBO Max with Ads (effective $120/year value). For users who’d subscribe anyway, the Supreme upgrade is essentially free.
Heavy tetherers (15GB+ monthly). Cricket Supreme Unlimited’s 50GB hotspot is the natural upgrade path. For more than 50GB, AT&T Elite 2.0 at significantly higher cost offers 250GB.
Non-AT&T-loyal users. Visible Base at $25/mo all-in on Verizon’s network delivers more hotspot capability (unlimited at 5 Mbps) at meaningfully lower cost. Mint Mobile Unlimited at $30/mo (12-mo bulk) on T-Mobile delivers more high-speed data at lower cost.
Users wanting multi-network flexibility. US Mobile Unlimited Premium offers Verizon/T-Mobile/AT&T network choice with unlimited hotspot at $32.50/mo all-in — better value for users who don’t specifically need Cricket retail support.
Users wanting Latin America inclusion. AT&T Premium 2.0 includes 20 Latin American countries free; Cricket Smart is MX/Canada only.
Users wanting 4K cellular streaming. All Cricket plans cap cellular video at SD. For 4K cellular, AT&T Premium 2.0 or Verizon Ultimate are required.
How to Switch to Cricket Smart Unlimited
The switching process is fast and can happen online or in-store:
- Verify AT&T coverage at your home, work, and frequent travel destinations using AT&T’s coverage map. Cricket coverage mirrors AT&T directly.
- Check phone compatibility. Most modern unlocked phones work; Cricket’s website includes a compatibility checker. eSIM-capable phones activate fastest.
- Get your account info from your current carrier — account number and Number Transfer PIN.
- Decide on lines. Multi-line economics get dramatically better at 4 lines ($27.50/line vs $45 single-line with AutoPay). If you have family on the plan, run the math.
- Sign up via cricketwireless.com or in-store. In-store activation may include device promotions and immediate eSIM activation.
- Enroll in AutoPay for the $5 monthly credit starting month 2.
- Activate your service. eSIM activation is instant on supported phones; physical SIM ships in 1-3 business days.
- Set up cloud storage through Cricket’s account portal once active — 100GB included.
Don’t cancel your old service before the port completes — Cricket handles cancellation automatically once your number transfers.
Final Verdict
Cricket Smart Unlimited earns 7.3/10 in our cross-carrier rankings — a solid mid-tier prepaid plan that fits the broad middle of Cricket’s customer base.
The plan delivers genuine AT&T-network unlimited service at $45/month (with AutoPay) all-in, with 15GB high-speed hotspot, 100GB cloud storage, and full talk/text/data roaming in Mexico and Canada. For Cricket customers who want unlimited service without paying for premium features, Smart Unlimited hits the sweet spot. Multi-line economics at 4 lines ($27.50/line) are particularly competitive.
For new customers who don’t need hotspot, Cricket Select Unlimited at $10/month less is the smarter pick — assuming you genuinely never tether and can manage without Mexico/Canada data roaming.
For users who experience network congestion or want HBO Max, Cricket Supreme Unlimited at $10/month more delivers priority data, 50GB hotspot, HBO Max with Ads, and 150GB cloud storage. Genuinely worth the upgrade for the right buyer profile.
For users committed to 12-month prepayment with BYOD, Cricket Multi-Month Unlimited at $25/mo ($300 upfront) saves $20/month versus Smart monthly. For single-line users with stable carrier needs, this is dramatically better value.
For non-AT&T-loyal users, Visible Base at $25/mo all-in on Verizon’s network or Mint Mobile Unlimited at $30/mo (12-mo bulk) on T-Mobile deliver more value at meaningfully lower cost — at the price of leaving the AT&T network.
The honest takeaway: Cricket Smart Unlimited is the default Cricket recommendation for most users. It’s not the cheapest, not the most feature-rich, but it’s the most balanced — and that’s exactly what most readers shopping a Cricket plan actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cricket Smart Unlimited worth it? Yes — for most Cricket customers wanting AT&T-network unlimited service with reasonable hotspot and Mexico/Canada inclusion. It earns 7.3/10 in our rankings. The combination of $45 AutoPay all-in pricing, 15GB hotspot, and full MX/Canada data roaming is genuinely competitive. For new customers who don’t tether, Select at $10 less may fit better. For congestion-heavy users, Supreme at $10 more is the upgrade.
What’s the actual price of Cricket Smart Unlimited? $50/month standard or $45/month with AutoPay (taxes and fees included). The first month is at $50; the $5 AutoPay credit starts in month 2. Multi-line pricing improves significantly: 4 lines costs $110/month total ($27.50/line); 5 lines costs $130 ($26/line). All pricing is all-in with no surprise charges.
Does Smart Unlimited include hotspot? Yes. Smart includes 15GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data per line per month. After 15GB, hotspot continues at 128 Kbps (2G speeds) for the rest of the billing cycle. The 15GB allotment handles occasional remote work, light travel tethering, and backup home internet scenarios. For heavier tethering, Cricket Supreme Unlimited at $10/month more includes 50GB.
Does Smart Unlimited work in Mexico and Canada? Yes, fully. Smart includes unlimited talk, text, and data roaming in both Mexico and Canada — works like domestic service. Data roaming may be reduced to 2G speeds in some scenarios. This is a meaningful upgrade over Cricket Select Unlimited, which includes only voice/text in Mexico/Canada (no data roaming). Useful for users with regular cross-border travel.
Are taxes and fees included in the $50 price? Yes. Cricket uses all-in pricing — the $50 standard rate (or $45 with AutoPay) includes taxes and regulatory fees. This contrasts with major postpaid plans, which typically charge 8-15% additional taxes on top of advertised rates. The $50 you see at signup is the $50 you pay each month, with no surprise charges on your bill.
What’s the difference between Smart and Supreme Unlimited? Smart Unlimited ($45 AutoPay) is deprioritized data with 15GB hotspot, 100GB cloud storage, and no streaming bundle. Supreme Unlimited ($55 AutoPay) adds priority data (only Cricket plan with it), 35GB more hotspot (50GB total), HBO Max with Ads, and 50GB more cloud storage (150GB total). The $10/month upgrade is worth it for users who watch HBO Max, tether more than 15GB, or experience congestion regularly.
What’s the difference between Smart and Select Unlimited? Smart Unlimited ($45 AutoPay) includes 15GB hotspot, full Mexico/Canada data roaming, 100GB cloud storage, and is available to all customers. Select Unlimited ($35 AutoPay) saves $10/month but excludes hotspot, Mexico/Canada data, and cloud storage — and is restricted to new customers only. For existing Cricket customers, Smart is the only option of the two.
Can I bring my own phone to Cricket Smart Unlimited? Yes. Cricket is a Bring-Your-Own-Device carrier on AT&T’s network. Most modern unlocked phones (iPhones XS and newer, recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices) work without issue. Use Cricket’s free compatibility checker on cricketwireless.com to confirm your specific device. eSIM-capable phones activate fastest. If your phone is locked to a previous carrier, request an unlock first.
Carrier offerings change frequently. Pricing, plan terms, network performance, and promotional offers verified at publication but may differ at time of reading. Always confirm on the carrier’s official website before signing up.
Methodology: We evaluate every carrier on network reliability, real-world data performance, hotspot usability, and long-term pricing transparency. See our full methodology →.
