iPhone Coming to U.S. Prepaid Carrier Cricket on June 22

Cricket Communications today announced that it will begin offering the iPhone on June 22, becoming the first U.S. carrier to offer the device on a prepaid basis with no contract. Service will cost $55 per month and include unlimited voice and SMS, as well as "unlimited" data with a soft monthly cap of 2.3 GB after which speeds will be throttled.

Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc., announced today that it will be the first pre-paid carrier in the US to offer iPhone to its customers. Beginning on Friday, June 22, Cricket will offer iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 with its $55 per-month, all-inclusive unlimited talk, text and data plan. [...]

"Our customers want the best products available and we are excited to bring iPhone to our pre-paid consumers with an industry leading $55 per-month service plan," said Doug Hutcheson, president and chief executive officer, Leap Wireless International, Inc. "Launching iPhone is a major milestone for us and we are proud to offer iPhone customers attractive nationwide coverage, a robust 3G data network and a value-packed, no-contract plan."

cricket iphone
Interestingly, Cricket appears to be offering a partial subsidy on the iPhone hardware, with the iPhone 4 priced at $399.99 and the 16 GB iPhone 4S priced at $499.99. The discounts of $150 off of Apple's standard pricing for unlocked handsets are in place even though customers are not required to sign service contracts.

The iPhone will be offered in Cricket's existing core markets covering over 60 million people. The full list of iPhone markets is included on the carrier's iPhone site.

Cricket has entered into a three-year deal with Apple with a commitment to purchase at least $900 million worth of iPhone hardware over that term. The carrier also intends to carry new iPhone hardware as it becomes available, although company executives were unwilling to directly address whether Cricket would be able to offer new hardware at the same time as other carriers.

Cricket is generally considered one of roughly half a dozen "super-regional" carriers in the United States, with just under 6.2 million customers as of the end of the first quarter. The carrier offers a nationwide network through roaming agreements and its prepaid model offers simple pricing with no activation fees or overage charges.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 26 on Three iPhones

Here's When to Expect the iOS 26 Public Beta

Tuesday July 15, 2025 11:07 am PDT by
Apple previously announced that a public beta of iOS 26 would be available in July, and now a more specific timeframe has surfaced. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that Apple's public betas should be released on or around Wednesday, July 23. In other words, expect the public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and more to be available at some point next week. Apple will be releasing...
iPhone 17 Colors

All 15 New iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Colors Revealed in Latest Leak

Wednesday July 16, 2025 6:50 am PDT by
We may finally have a definitive list of all color options for the iPhone 17 series, ahead of the devices launching in September. MacRumors concept In a report for Macworld today, Filipe Espósito said he obtained an "internal document" that allegedly reveals all of the color options for the upcoming iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. The report includes ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
Apple Hornsby

Apple Store Near Sydney Permanently Closing Later This Year

Monday July 14, 2025 6:14 pm PDT by
Apple today said its store at the Westfield Hornsby shopping mall, in Hornsby, Australia, will be permanently closing in October. Apple Hornsby In a statement shared with Australian tech news website EFTM (via Reddit), Apple said that it has decided not to renew its lease at Westfield Hornsby. Apple said all affected retail employees will be given the opportunity to work at Apple's nearby...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...

Top Rated Comments

Leonard1818 Avatar
171 months ago
I never understand how the game of cricket works.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Small White Car Avatar
171 months ago


This ought to be interesting. I surely wouldn't want to work in AppleCare or at the Genius bar with this type of clientele.

An all time low for Apple, once the premier company of stellar design and beautiful products.

I'm sorry, but is the entire point of your post that poor people are dirty and we shouldn't talk to them?

I can't find any other way to take this.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tiger8 Avatar
171 months ago
I must say I never expected Apple to participate in the race to the bottom.

Cricket is akin to a check cashing service for the credit challenged, highly irresponsible segment of the population.

That Apple would even consider this speaks volumes about their addiction to profits first, foremost, and above all.

Yes, yes, I can imagine the responses now...

"but that's what corporations do, maximize profits".... to which I say, there _is_ a limit.

It's not like Apple is struggling desperately to survive.

This ought to be interesting. I surely wouldn't want to work in AppleCare or at the Genius bar with this type of clientele.

An all time low for Apple, once the premier company of stellar design and beautiful products.

Really? So you are saying people who don't have your networth or credit history are not worthy of an iPhone? It amazes me how judgemental people are... In an instance dude you could lose your job, get sued (slip and fall? Fender bender?) and before you know it your home, assets, job security, and credit score are down the crapper. I hope then the Genuisbar employee would give you the attitude, since you will be part of 'that clientele'
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FrizzleFryBen Avatar
171 months ago
Good in theory but check out their coverage. This phone is pretty much worthless if you travel anywhere. :rolleyes:

I find it annoying when I have no service anywhere. Imagine this thing, you would be surprised when you HAD service.

Honestly it covers about 95% of anywhere I would go with the exception of the mountains, but all carriers have poor performance in highly variable terrain environments.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
u6crash Avatar
171 months ago
I must say I never expected Apple to participate in the race to the bottom.

Cricket is akin to a check cashing service for the credit challenged, highly irresponsible segment of the population.

I disagree. I've been a Cricket user for three years. I pay $37/mo for unlimited calls and texts. Because I'm responsible and good credit I have to pay a "premiere" carrier more money? I'm glad I've never been foolish enough to spend money on a "texting plan". Text messaging are cell carriers greatest scam and I'm glad Cricket is around to shed some light on this.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surma884 Avatar
171 months ago
Good in theory but check out their coverage. This phone is pretty much worthless if you travel anywhere. :rolleyes:

I find it annoying when I have no service anywhere. Imagine this thing, you would be surprised when you HAD service.

That is why they are called a "regional" carrier.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)