Both Tello and Cricket have a variety of packages to choose from, but in smaller packages, Tello is always cheaper. Cricket comes with some additional features, such as Cricket Call Defense, to help make the price worthwhile, but for many people, this is not worth the extra cost. For larger plans, Cricket is a more powerful option, with more data and multi-line savings than Tello’s largest plan. Nevertheless, all of Tello’s plans have hotspot features. Although its unlimited plan is smaller, with only 25GB of high-speed data, it is enough for most people, and a single line is much cheaper.

Tello and Cricket Wireless: Choose the right network

Before T-Mobile purchased an operator, Tello was one of the operators that used the Sprint network. Now the new activation will use the new T-Mobile network, which should provide better coverage and speed than the Sprint network. Not only that, compared with AT&T and Verizon, T-Mobile is in a leading position in 5G deployment. If you want to make the most of your 5G phone connection, T-Mobile network is the best choice, and Tello is one of the most affordable connection methods.

Cricket is an operator owned and operated by AT&T, so it naturally uses AT&T LTE and 5G networks. Although AT&T’s 5G coverage lags behind T-Mobile, its LTE coverage is strong enough, and customers should still have enough speed to play streaming and social media. Even so, all new Cricket plans come with 5G access so that coverage does reach and the speed limit Cricket used for enforcement has been removed.

Both operators have a large coverage area, although either operator still has some blind spots, so it is best to try a new network with an unlocked phone so that it can be easily changed if the problem cannot be resolved.

Tello and Cricket Wireless: Tello’s plan

Tello does not have a traditional plan, but allows customers to choose exactly how much data they need and how many minutes they need. Whether you just want enough time to set up to make a few calls per month or need unlimited data, you can configure a reasonably priced plan in Tello.

For minutes, Tello has no minutes, 100 minutes, 300 minutes, 500 minutes, or unlimited at the beginning. Any plan with minutes also comes with unlimited SMS text messages. The data starts in the same way, upgrading to 500MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 6GB, 8GB and unlimited. If you choose the unlimited plan, if you use more than 25GB, your speed will slow down to 2G for the rest of the month.

Tello has pre-configured some plans as the starting point for its potential customers, and can customize these plans according to your needs, because you can accurately understand the amount of data and the number of minutes you use the service. For families, Tello allows multiple lines to be managed from one account, but it won’t get extra savings by bringing in more lines.

All Tello plans support mobile hotspots, so you can share mobile data with WI-Fi devices. Tello also includes international long-distance calls to more than 60 countries/regions, including some popular destinations such as China, Mexico, and India.

Remember, Tello plans to update automatically every 30 days.

Tello and Cricket Wireless: Cricket plan

Cricket has a more traditional plan structure, including four main plans and two data-only plans. The main plan starts from 2GB and 10GB, unlimited calls and texts. These plans do not include mobile hotspots, but if you have a compatible phone, it will connect to 5G. The $55 Unlimited Core Plan supports unlimited data and usage in Mexico and Canada. This unlimited plan also has unlimited text to 37 countries.

If you upgrade to the $60 Unlimited More plan, your data will be upgraded to premium data. This means that your data will have a higher priority than other Cricket customers and will keep your data speed more consistent on a crowded tower. The plan also comes with 15GB of hotspot data, 150GB of myPhotoVault application cloud storage and HBO Max with ads. The video quality of both unlimited plans is limited to 480p.

All Cricket plans come with Cricket Call Defense to help protect you from unnecessary scam calls. 10GB, Unlimited Core and Unlimited More plans can also save up to 5 lines. These plans also come with automatic payment savings.

Data-only plans provide 20GB or 100GB of data on LTE or 5G. The 20GB plan is $35 per month, and the 100GB plan is $55 per month. These plans are ideal for devices such as Netgear LAX20 wireless routers, mobile hotspots, or tablets that require a SIM card.

Tello and Cricket Wireless: Which phones are easy to use?

Both of these carriers can be used with most of the best Android phones, whether you unlock them or buy from the carrier. Since both AT&T and T-Mobile use multiple frequency bands to provide LTE and 5G, the coverage of some old phones will not be the same as new devices. In most cases, 5G phones only need to support the n5 band of AT&T’s current 5G network and the n71 and n41 bands of T-Mobile 5G.

Nevertheless, the best practice is to check your IMEI with the operator before registering to ensure safety. You can find your IMEI by entering *#06# in the dialer of most mobile phones.

If you are ready to buy a new phone, you can buy an unlocked phone to provide the operator with greater flexibility, or buy it directly from the operator. Tello sells many new and refurbished mid-range phones. Cricket has a similar tier of phones for sale, but it has more options. If you don’t want to pay all the fees now, Cricket also allows financing through Affirm. Remember, if you buy a phone from an operator, it will be more difficult to bring it to another operator if it is not unlocked correctly or does not meet the unlocking conditions.

Tello and Cricket Wireless: Which operator should you choose?

Both operators have plans for light and heavy users. When it comes to value, the biggest question is which features are most important to you. Cricket can save on multi-line fees and provide more advanced unlimited plans, although single-line is much more expensive. Additional features like HBO Max are good, but they cannot make up for the price difference. Nevertheless, if you need to connect four or more people, Cricket may be a good choice.

Tello makes things easy, so it’s a simple suggestion for those who just want them to connect with operators and then leave them alone. All of its plans have hotspots enabled, so you can use data as you want. Although its 25GB unlimited plan is not enough for everyone, most users have no problem using data, and the price is less than $40. It is one of the cheapest plans with so much data.

Trim fat

Tello

Everything you need for your smartphone is less

Tello starts at $5 per month

Tello provides you with the tools you need to create the perfect plan with up to 25GB of data and excellent T-Mobile 5G coverage.

AT&T cheap

Cricket Wireless

Save money with multi-line discounts on the AT&T network

Cricket starts at $25 per month

Cricket is a great choice for families due to its multi-line discounts and reliable AT&T coverage. You can also sign up for a massive unlimited plan.