Tracfone smart phones

anitagayle · ‎03-10-2010

Has anyone been using any of the Tracfone smart phone offerings? I'm thinking of upgrading in a couple months when my time expires. TIA for any input.

mima · ‎03-14-2010

I'm always confused by the word Tracfone. I have Staighttalk service, which I believe is a tracfone but I'm not sure. I don't know if you mean a no-contract phone or if Tracfone is a brand.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 that is a smartphone. I pay $45 a month for unlimited data, talking and text. Well, they tell you it is unlimited but they shut you off if you use too much. I use a lot though and it hasn't been a problem for me at all. The people they have shut off that I know of don't have any other internet and they use it constantly.

Works great and I wouldn't ever have another contract phone.

Disdatmac · ‎03-10-2010

Don't settle on the more popular services before checking on a few of the smaller ones that don't advertise. We use pure talk right now which is an att provider. They have cheaper prices than straight talk if you use less data. I started using them a couple of years ago when my iphone was out of contract and unlocked by att I now have a newer iPhone 4S that I purchased unlocked from apple. It's important to note you need to use unlocked phones when using services like this. But you can find new and used older smart phone models for less money than the new models. If looking for a used model, the gazelle eBay store offers vast choices. I also have used ting which uses sprint and page plus which offers verizon service. Both are excellent. Google mvno and the Service you want (ie att mvno) and you'll find a lot of choices and information.

Suzeecat · ‎05-05-2010

I think it depends on how you use your phone. I had a tracfone and the way it worked was you bought however many minutes you want in advance. You should find a phone that offers triple minutes. So, if you buy 100 minutes, you get 300 minutes loaded onto your phone. Most Q and HSN tracfones offer triple minutes.

Making calls works pretty straightforward, one minute talking uses one minute. Texts use one third of a minute, but if your text is too long, it may get split into several texts and each one uses one third of a minute. If I remember correctly, connecting to the internet used a half-minute for every minute you were connected. I never used my minutes for the internet, since I could use my home computer for "free" (covered under my monthly internet fee).

Personally, my opinion is that if you use your phone for the internet a lot, a tracfone would not be for you. Straighttalk is a flat monthly fee (no contract), and that might be a better way to go. Virgin Mobile has a monthly contract plan, but they are the absolute worst carrier I have ever had. I will never use them again. Horrible!

stevieb · ‎03-10-2010

Tracfone is a brand... It's one of the older 'pay as you go' providers. I have an account with them and one with Virgin Mobile. I've used VM for quite a while with very few problems. Maybe it depends on where you are... I continue with the no contract, no monthly fee, but merely pay as you go, since I don't tend to use my phone other than primarily for calls, texts and the accessories like calendar, notes, etc. If I'm on the net, I prefer a full size keyboard and can pretty much wait until I have access to one. Then again, I'm not one of those who's had my phone permanently attached to my hand and who can never, ever be without it for a minute, for which I'm thankful...

Wink

In my pantry with my cupcakes...

anitagayle · ‎03-10-2010

I appreciate all your responses, but what I am looking for specifically is experience with any of the smart phones offered by Tracfone. I have had a Tracfone account for many years, so I am familiar with how it works. I am considering going with one of their smart phones when my time runs out in a couple months. I really don't use my phone very much and wouldn't use it for web browsing, but I guess I'm being influenced by all the hype about smart phones. I certainly don't "need" it but am just curious about others experiences.

SeaGal · ‎03-09-2010

The LG840 (tracfone supported by T Mobile and AT&T) is a semi smart phone they call it (I guess cuz it has wi-fi and looks smart!), it calls, texts, voice mail, and does have wi-fi if you want it, not a bad camera and video. Both the Q and HSN sell it with triple minutes for life, you can port your same # too. It is a very nice phone, I have had mine for a year+ and it is all I need. Smile

madcity411 · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/14/2014 SeaGal said:
The LG840 (tracfone supported by T Mobile and AT&T) is a semi smart phone they call it (I guess cuz it has wi-fi and looks smart!), it calls, texts, voice mail, and does have wi-fi if you want it, not a bad camera and video. Both the Q and HSN sell it with triple minutes for life, you can port your same # too. It is a very nice phone, I have had mine for a year+ and it is all I need.

I totally agree with SeaGal's comments on this phone. It's NOT what I would call a "smart phone", however, it is a great little phone for the basic features. ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

seehorse · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/14/2014 anitagayle said:
I appreciate all your responses, but what I am looking for specifically is experience with any of the smart phones offered by Tracfone. I have had a Tracfone account for many years, so I am familiar with how it works. I am considering going with one of their smart phones when my time runs out in a couple months. I really don't use my phone very much and wouldn't use it for web browsing, but I guess I'm being influenced by all the hype about smart phones. I certainly don't "need" it but am just curious about others experiences.

Hi anitagayle,

Hope this helps a little.

I bought the Samsung Centura from HSN (Today's Special) and I really like it.

I've also had tracfones for a number of years. This took a little getting used to because I never had a smart phone before. The only thing it didn't have was to be able to check balance right on screen, but they solved that with an app that allows you to check, so it's OK.

I hardly make any calls, yet I like having the smart phone for shopping - get apps for stores and have sale info available and coupons. Ex. - Harris Teeter has sales for e-vic customers only, so it's nice to be able to pull up the list of items while in the store instead of having to write it down.

You can actually "speak" your text messages instead of typing and "speak" your google searches. It's a nice feature.

If there's WiFi in the store or anywhere, you would not be using your own minutes for data.

LOL At first I couldn't answer a call. I was hitting the green button but was supposed to swipe across to answer the phone. DD had to show me. Other than that, I really enjoy using it and don't miss the keyboard buttons.

Pook · ‎03-20-2010

I also like my Samsung Galaxy Centura that I got from QVC in Dec. I don't use the phone much except for when we are at our vacation place. I like the idea that it is a true smartphone and I can access the internet for free at home or anywhere there is free WI FI. I also like that I can get driving directions and that is what I have data time available for. The apps are great too. I have also downloaded a book and read it when I have to wait while out somewhere.

I definitely would recommend this phone. For someone who doesn't use their phone or text much it's a real bargain.