Electronics

[sueinsf]

I see this is a special on HSN today.  Does anyone have an Alcatel tracfone and if so, how is it?  I've had a couple of LG phones using AT&T/T-Mobile towers and I know that coverage for me is good.  I know both HSN and QVC sell various LG models, some Samsung and some Alcatel but I've never had an Alcatel and wondering how it compares? 

I've avoided upgrading my phone becaue I just don't need all the bells and whistles of the new smartphones, but now that I am down to 60 days of service on my current phone, and it costs $25 for 90 days of minutes, I'm wondering if I should upgrade for this price or wait for the next LG TSV.  I know this phone is new so I can't check any reviews...

[123SuzyQ123]

It looks like a good deal to me.  I have an older Alcatel tracfone and am considering this one.  It pays for itself by the 1350 included minutes and I have a $10 off coupon, which makes it a good deal.

[Nuttmeg]

This is a Tracfone blog.

http://tracfonereviewer.blogspot.com/2016/07/new-zte-and-nexus-smartphones-coming-to.html

[Stargazer77]

@sueinsf I bought this for my mom the other day (well, she's paying, I'm just the orderer).  She has an old Tracfone slide out keyboard phone.  She loves it, but you can't get them anymore.  I explained to her that the batteries only last so long and I suggested she get a smartphone as a second phone with a new number, just to see how she'll like a smartphone type of phone.  It will be here in a few days and we'll see how it goes.  It looks like a very nice phone.  Personally, I prefer LG, but that's what I'm used to.  I like LG's slide down menu from the top of the screen.  I've only had LG smartphones.  I did buy an Alcatel one a while back, but I didn't care for the interface so I sent it back.

[Moonlady]

That was definitely a good deal and looked like a nice phone. I considered the Alcatel (pop -something lol) at HSN a couple of years ago. Online, I saw there was an issue with the screen freezing, but otherwise people liked the phone. I'm sure that issue has been addressed by now, anyway. I'm still loving the LG Ultimate 2, lol. I especially like the colored LED lights that can be assigned to contacts because I usually have the sound off. I have two new cases enroute right now, so I'll feel like I have a new phone!

[sueinsf]

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@Stargazer77 wrote:

@sueinsf I bought this for my mom the other day (well, she's paying, I'm just the orderer).  She has an old Tracfone slide out keyboard phone.  She loves it, but you can't get them anymore.  I explained to her that the batteries only last so long and I suggested she get a smartphone as a second phone with a new number, just to see how she'll like a smartphone type of phone.  It will be here in a few days and we'll see how it goes.  It looks like a very nice phone.  Personally, I prefer LG, but that's what I'm used to.  I like LG's slide down menu from the top of the screen.  I've only had LG smartphones.  I did buy an Alcatel one a while back, but I didn't care for the interface so I sent it back.

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Thanks everyone for your comments and let me know what your mom thinks @Stargazer77. 

I didn't get the Alcatel TS but I know HSN's phones often have sale prices with free shipping (that one is only $10 more at $99.95 right now).  I also was looking at the Samsung Galaxy Prime Tracfone.  Samsung is probably a better phone than Alcatel, but it's also more expensive ($129.95).  Still not sure if I want to switch to Verizon service (since that would be CDMA) from my current AT&T/T-Mobile although they are probably both fine.  I still would rather have something more simple but I just don't see that happening with any of the newer phones -- all keep adding more and more features (even if I don't need them!).

[Stargazer77]

@Moonlady Me, too, moonlady!  That's my favorite feature.  Truthfully, I would really like to update my phone to something bigger with a newer operating system, but I love that LED light so darn much!!  I don't think it's a feature I'll see again, sadly.  

My mom's Alcatel phone arrived today and I've just finished activating it and setting it up.  Activating it couldn't have been easier, although this phone is getting a new number, not a ported number (she already has a Tracfone), so maybe that was the difference between this experience and my previous ones.

The phone itself is very nice.  It's bigger than what I'm used to and I find it a bit bulky for talking, although I think that's something you would get used to.  I will say that the nice part of having a bigger phone/screen is a bigger keyboard.  That was really nice.

After playing with it for a bit, for me personally, I think I have to stick with LG.  I've only had LG smartphones and not only am I used to them, but I also really like them, I like the pull down menu at the top.  The Alcatel pull down menu is different.  I like the LG version better.  

I hope other people will post their experiences as the phones roll in.  

[Stargazer77]

@sueinsf  Hi, Sue!  We were typing at the same time.  I posted a mini review in my reply to moonlady, if you'd like to read.  

[sueinsf]

Thanks @Stargazer77  - did read your comments.  So now I have to decide if I want one of the many LG's out there right now (QVC has Rebel and Destiny, HSN the Treasure - although currently sold out) or wait for a newer one, or take a look at the Samsung, as I know they are a major phone brand too. I believe the Samsung is 5" so a little smaller than the Alcatel.  Or stick with my LG840 but since it's going to cost me about $100/year for minutes to keep it active  (maybe less if I can get a discount code) I keep thinking maybe I should just upgrade the phone (even though I am perfectly happy with it). 

[Moonlady]

Stargazer, you're right. These LED contact buttons are a thing of the past. Not because users don't like them, but because they do. Enter apps where you have to download them for that function. Same with the flashlight, which I love and which is included with the LG Ultimate. There's an app for that, too. I don't download, apps, though, but that's just me. Anyway, my 2 new cases came today--cheap way of feeling like I have a new phone! I look forward to everyone's reviews...how's the screen? How's the keyboard? The audio? I have so many songs on the Ultimate, good audio is a must. Also, some reviews say (for some phones) you have to download an app to download songs. That's not for me! HOWEVER...there's another Tracfone coming up early next month (QVC), and you can be sure I'll be looking. I'm not averse to a 5" screen, but that's my maximum--it has to fit in.my cute little wristlet lol!