topic Re: To all TracFone users/lovers in Electronics

To all TracFone users/lovers

Julius Seizure — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 20:34:37 GMT

HSN has a very cool phone for the Today's Special on Monday 12/5. It a Samsung Galaxy Sky.

It has 16GB of built in memory as opposed to the usual 8, and it's expandable to 128GB with a micro sd card. It has Android marshmallow 6.0, 4G LTE, and best of all a 5" super AMOLED touch display (720x1280 pixels). This is a screen found on the higher end Samsung phones.

I just bought a Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime recently but I ordered this new phone. It's too good to pass up. 119.95 on 5 flex, and 1350 minutes, text, and data tripled for life.

They have made 2000 units available for pre sale before Monday, and I got mine!

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Nightowlz — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 20:33:28 GMT

I saw that yesterday & wanted to order 2 but zip code says will not work in my area. This really ticks me off as we have been waiting for a 16gb instead of the crappy 8gb.

I don't know if it will work with Tracfone's BYOP plan or not without having the IMEI# to check it.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Julius Seizure — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 20:48:27 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
I saw that yesterday & wanted to order 2 but zip code says will not work in my area. This really ticks me off as we have been waiting for a 16gb instead of the crappy 8gb.
I don't know if it will work with Tracfone's BYOP plan or not without having the IMEI# to check it.

Do you have a TracFone now that works? I've had TracFone for years now. I never buy minutes, I just upgrade the phone and get the minutes that way. I think my service end date is 2023 right now. lol.

Anyway, a couple of times I bought new phones, the zip code finder on HSN's page said the phone wouldn't work but I took a chance and ordered anyway figuring I could send it back if it didn't. Every phone I've ordered has always worked. I may be in an area that will work no matter what the carrier is.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Nightowlz — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 21:06:57 GMT

@Julius Seizure wrote:
@Nightowlz wrote:
I saw that yesterday & wanted to order 2 but zip code says will not work in my area. This really ticks me off as we have been waiting for a 16gb instead of the crappy 8gb.
I don't know if it will work with Tracfone's BYOP plan or not without having the IMEI# to check it.

Do you have a TracFone now that works? I've had TracFone for years now. I never buy minutes, I just upgrade the phone and get the minutes that way. I think my service end date is 2023 right now. lol.

Anyway, a couple of times I bought new phones, the zip code finder on HSN's page said the phone wouldn't work but I took a chance and ordered anyway figuring I could send it back if it didn't. Every phone I've ordered has always worked. I may be in an area that will work no matter what the carrier is.

@Julius Seizure Yes we use Tracfone's now. That's all I have ever used. We get service with AT&T in our area.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

sueinsf — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 22:56:42 GMT

@Julius Seizure wrote:
@Nightowlz wrote:
I saw that yesterday & wanted to order 2 but zip code says will not work in my area. This really ticks me off as we have been waiting for a 16gb instead of the crappy 8gb.
I don't know if it will work with Tracfone's BYOP plan or not without having the IMEI# to check it.

Do you have a TracFone now that works? I've had TracFone for years now. I never buy minutes, I just upgrade the phone and get the minutes that way. I think my service end date is 2023 right now. lol.

Every time there is a Tracfone TSV on either HSN or QVC in the last year or so I look at the phone and consider upgrading (which I used to do). Some of the phones look great. Instead, I keep adding minutes to my current phone. In the long run, this costs more because I only add minutes quarterly which comes to about 800 minutes a year for about $100 (with tax) but I do this for a few reasons.

1. I still have about 2000 minutes and don't need 1350 more

2. I use the phone minimally so don't need all the bells and whistles of the newer smartphones (plus I have an iPhone for work which I use most of the time)

3. I continually read about people who have some trouble with their new phones -- whether it be transferrring from their old ones or some other issue

Not sure what the life of my phone/battery is, so eventually I WILL have to get a new phone. The question is, when? Luckily, I think all of them work here no matter the carrier.

Since I have about 32 days of minutes left, I am sure I will be tempted by this new Samsung too and will take a look.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Venezia — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 23:15:20 GMT

I learned the hard way the last time HSN did a Tracfone TS that I need to know who the carrier is. For the LG Sunset, it was AT&T 4G. Although, they said it would work in my area, the fact is, it didn't. I'd ordered two (one for me, one for DH) and I had to send them back at my own expense (just over $15) since HSN didn't provide a prepaid label. (IMO, not working when they guaranteed they would, should have qualified for "defective" and a free return!)

Add to that, that long after they had gotten the returned phones, they still hadn't processed my refund. After nearly two weeks, I had to call CS and ask what was going on. She verified the phones had been received and had no explanation of why the refund hadn't been issued, but she did it then.

Too much hassle and expense, IMO. I've since ordered the LG TSV that the Q had (which runs off Verizon 4G network) and they work great for us.

So my caveat is: don't assume they are giving you the correct information. I found out after, that AT&T 4G service is almost non-existent in my area, despite AT&T claiming it's great.

I'm sure the Samsung phone is a good deal, but only if it works in your area.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

CinNC — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 23:32:51 GMT

I bought this phone also - for 3 reasons - the 16gb memory and the fact that you can replace the battery and it's Android Marshmallow. I also do a lot of online searches for reviews prior to purchase. (and I used Visa checkout w/coupon that brought the price down to $99)

My Moto E battery died and I ended up with 2 phones around $50 because I really wanted the Galaxy S5 and refused to pay $400+ for a tracfone.

Like my current LG but it's on a GSM network and we live in the country on the edge of coverage. Moto E was CDMA Verison and worked better.

Mostly I just use it for texting, saving photos and a few phone calls so I always have lots of minutes.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

SchippyLuv — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 00:49:16 GMT

But it only has a 5 inch screen and a 5mp rear camera - I like my LG from QVC better because it has a bigger screen and an 8mp camera. I'm waiting for an even bigger screen and more mp...

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Nuttmeg — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 02:57:53 GMT

@SchippyLuv wrote:
But it only has a 5 inch screen and a 5mp rear camera - I like my LG from QVC better because it has a bigger screen and an 8mp camera. I'm waiting for an even bigger screen and more mp...

This a blogger with the latest reviews of Tracfone

http://tracfonereviewer.blogspot.com/

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Tadaki — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 03:39:42 GMT

Is it CDMA or GSM? I can't tell by the specs because it says:

Mode:

CDMA, LTE, GSM

Doesn't it have to be one or the other rather than both?

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Marp — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 03:53:51 GMT

I looked at the Galaxy and got excited when I saw the home key but alas it does not have the notification light like my LG Ultimate. As one that is not tethered to my phone I am dependent on that little light to let me know I've missed a call or message. So hard to give that up,.

Otherwise, reading the manual there are a lot of nice features. Anyone interested in the manual can find it at:

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/201607/20160726002127375/TFN_SM-S320VL_SKY_EN_UM_FINAL_MM_6.0__WAC.pdf

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Venezia — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 04:36:42 GMT

@Tadaki - A few phones will support both GSM and CDMA (like the newer iPhones). I doubt that the Galaxy would, but the only way to know would be to contact the manufacturer or (perhaps) Tracfone. Personally, I've never found the presenters on HSN to be very knowledgeable about the product they're selling, so I wouldn't rely on what they said.

You can google it and get a lot more information. Just type in "will phone support both GSM and CDMA". You can include the specific phone model to try to narrow it down.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Tadaki — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 16:29:26 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
@Tadaki - A few phones will support both GSM and CDMA (like the newer iPhones). I doubt that the Galaxy would, but the only way to know would be to contact the manufacturer or (perhaps) Tracfone. Personally, I've never found the presenters on HSN to be very knowledgeable about the product they're selling, so I wouldn't rely on what they said.

You can google it and get a lot more information. Just type in "will phone support both GSM and CDMA". You can include the specific phone model to try to narrow it down.

Thank you! I didn't realize there was a "global phone" that would support both. I took your advice and went to the Samsung site. In the specs under Battery it says CDMA, which is what I wanted. So I'm definitely thinking about getting this one.

http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/phones/all-other-phones/samsung-galaxy-sky-16gb--tracfone--sm-s320vzkatfn/

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

sueinsf — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 19:02:09 GMT

@Marp wrote:
I looked at the Galaxy and got excited when I saw the home key but alas it does not have the notification light like my LG Ultimate. As one that is not tethered to my phone I am dependent on that little light to let me know I've missed a call or message. So hard to give that up,.

Otherwise, reading the manual there are a lot of nice features. Anyone interested in the manual can find it at:

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/201607/20160726002127375/TFN_SM-S320VL_SKY_EN_UM_FINAL_MM_6.0__WAC.pdf

@Marp I've seen other people comment on how much they like this feature on their LG. Since I don't get a lot of messages on my tracfone, I don't know that that would be essential for me. Other than a notification light, is there another way it indicates there is a message?

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Julius Seizure — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 19:15:20 GMT

@sueinsf wrote:
@Marp I've seen other people comment on how much they like this feature on their LG. Since I don't get a lot of messages on my tracfone, I don't know that that would be essential for me. Other than a notification light, is there another way it indicates there is a message?

It will make a sound when you first get a text message or receive a voicemail. It will only sound once so if you're not near the phone when it happens you won't hear it. You will have visual indications on the screen of a text that hasn't been read, a call that was missed, or a voicemail that is waiting.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Marp — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 19:33:57 GMT

@sueinsf, Millerband is exactly right about other methods of notification.

Since my phone is usually on a desk or dresser and sometimes ignored for a couple of days (I don't use it much) the flashing light is invaluable in alerting me that I missed something.

The color of the light can also be customized to a particular contact or group. For example family flashes green but others might be yellow or if not in my contacts red. I immediately know if it something I need to check or can ignore until I'm ready.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

sueinsf — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 19:53:06 GMT

@Julius Seizure wrote:
@sueinsf wrote:
@Marp I've seen other people comment on how much they like this feature on their LG. Since I don't get a lot of messages on my tracfone, I don't know that that would be essential for me. Other than a notification light, is there another way it indicates there is a message?

It will make a sound when you first get a text message or receive a voicemail. It will only sound once so if you're not near the phone when it happens you won't hear it. You will have visual indications on the screen of a text that hasn't been read, a call that was missed, or a voicemail that is waiting.

Thanks @Julius Seizure and @Marp. My guess is that a visual indication would probably be fine for my needs but I do see how the color coding of the light would be a really nice feature. When I very quickly scanned the manuel, I also found - Flash notification: Set your camera light to blink whenever you receive a notification.

I'm going to watch the presentation (although they really don't give much valuable info) and see if I want to upgrade to this phone. My one concern is that I really want something simple and hope this doesn't take too long to figure out in terms of set up and usage. Than again, if my needs are simple (I don't expect to be downloading lots of apps) then I would guess it is pretty easy to figure out. How hard can it be to set up contacts, make and receive a phone call and send a text??

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Tadaki — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 20:43:12 GMT

@CinNC wrote:
I bought this phone also - for 3 reasons - the 16gb memory and the fact that you can replace the battery and it's Android Marshmallow. I also do a lot of online searches for reviews prior to purchase. (and I used Visa checkout w/coupon that brought the price down to $99)

My Moto E battery died and I ended up with 2 phones around $50 because I really wanted the Galaxy S5 and refused to pay $400+ for a tracfone.

Like my current LG but it's on a GSM network and we live in the country on the edge of coverage. Moto E was CDMA Verison and worked better.

Mostly I just use it for texting, saving photos and a few phone calls so I always have lots of minutes.

Thanks for the info about VISA checkout. Never heard of it before, but I also saved $20.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

Marp — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 21:57:04 GMT

@sueinsf, do you already have an Android smartphone? If so once you sign into your Google account your phone will pretty much set itself up and your contacts and any apps you may have installed will be available on the new phone. Making calls and texting will be much like what you are used to with perhaps a few new options. You will quickly be good to go.

BTW, I will be watching the presentation too. I have a few months before I either have to add time or upgrade but it isn't too early to start.

I'm really happy with the LG Ultimate but the OS is old so missing a lot of features Marshmallow offers but boy will I miss that little light lol.

Re: To all TracFone users/lovers

sueinsf — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 22:19:56 GMT

@Marp wrote:
@sueinsf, do you already have an Android smartphone? If so once you sign into your Google account your phone will pretty much set itself up and your contacts and any apps you may have installed will be available on the new phone. Making calls and texting will be much like what you are used to with perhaps a few new options. You will quickly be good to go.

BTW, I will be watching the presentation too. I have a few months before I either have to add time or upgrade but it isn't too early to start.

I'm really happy with the LG Ultimate but the OS is old so missing a lot of features Marshmallow offers but boy will I miss that little light lol.

@Marp My tracfone for personal use is an LG that is a few years old -- LG840, and I don't believe that is an Android. So this will be my first time setting this all up. I do know that once I do, it will be easy to move contacts and apps next time.

Maybe there will be another phone coming up in 2017 that will have the light. HSN seems to do a bunch of tracfone TSV's and usually a couple are LG -- maybe their next model will have that. Although I'm not sure the Treasure did -- I think that's when I read that people missed that feature...