[EDIT 2/4/10: I've revised this article to include updated information where appropriate.]
Tracfone service is available on two types of phones. The first type is referred to as a CDMA phone. These phones use network coverage provided by Verizon (in most cases) as well as Alltel, US Cellular, and sometimes other smaller, regional carriers.
[Note: this information applies equally to TracFone and Net10 handsets. Throughout this post, wherever I refer to TracFone, it also applies to Net10.]
Of the phones currently available with Tracfone service the following models, among others, fall into this category: LG 100c, LG 220c, and LG 290c. It’s not really important to know about the technology behind the phone, but for the purpose of Tracfone use you need to know that this type of phone generally receives a signal in more areas (especially rural areas) than the other type. However, in the past the drawback was that most of the older phones with CDMA technology charged double the amount of minutes for calls made or received from outside the phone’s home calling area. The newer CDMA phones are charged the same rate from anywhere inside the U.S. and are labeled on the packaging as “Single Rate.”
On the Nokia 2126 model, there are actually two different phones with similar model numbers. They are both CDMA phones, but the 2126i is a little newer and does NOT charge for roaming. The 2126 (no i at the end of the model number) charges DOUBLE for roaming. Obviously, this is an important distinction. Also, LG 3280 and 200C, and the Kyocera K126C are among those CDMA phones that do NOT charge double for roaming. The 2126i (single rate) can be hard to find; it is now out of production, and is/was rather coveted by Tracfone enthusiasts.
The other type of technology used in Tracfone handsets is referred to as GSM. This type of phone will be charged the same airtime rate regardless of where you are when you make or receive a call – as long as you have service. I point this out because, as I noted above, the coverage of GSM networks is not as comprehensive in certain areas. Coverage for these models is provided by AT&T and T-Mobile.
Here are links to the maps of coverage provided by CDMA and GSM, respectively:
You can also access TracFone’s coverage map by clicking here and entering your zip code.
For most recent phone models, the letter at the end of the model number indicates the type of technolog – g is for GSM, and c is for CDMA. For example, the LG 410g is a GSM model, while the LG 220c is a CDMA phone.
Finally, below is a list of all handset models available for use with new Tracfone service. Those in bold are CDMA phones (they are not in bold because they are necessarily better or worse, just to indicate they are different):
Motorola: W370, C261, V170, C139, V176, V60i, C155, C343, v120, w370, w376g, w377g, w260g, w175g
LG: CG225, 1500, 3280, 200C, 100c, 220c, 290c, 410g, 600g, 300g, 400g
Nokia: 5100, 1100, 1112, 1221, 2126, 2600, 3390, 2285
Samsung: t101g, t201g, t301g, t401g, r451c
Kyocera: 126C
PB
Thank You for taking the time to post all this useful information.
I live in a fringe, no service area in the Northern Adirondack. This explains why my 2126 worked in areas that no other cell phone would work, especially hiking along the Stone Valley Trail which is deep and rugged. Not my old cingular LG nor my Net 10 Nokia 1600 would work along the trail.
I have to go upstairs or up a hill in my yard to get a signal with the Nokia 1600.
Right now, downstairs in my living room I have one bar on the 2126 and nothing on the 1600. I really liked the 2126 because of the built in flashlight and the keys were stiffer and did not accidentally press while in my pocket or holster like the 1600.
When I switched from Tracfone to Net 10, the NET 10 phone at the time was much cheaper especially when out of state which is why I switched but now have accumulated 1400 minutes because I never get a signal.
I may re-examine Tracfone and my 2126 since the pricing has changed from units to minutes.
Verizon is putting in a new local cell tower which should give reliable local coverage. I am shopping for a new phone possibly the LG 600G.
I will have to consider CDMA phones now because they do work better out here in the sticks. What is the future of CDMA. Wikipedia has a good article on CDMA but no mention of its future.
Hi John
I think that the future of CDMA here in the US is strong, as I don’t see any signs of Verizon changing over their entire network. Regarding your phone, the 2126 is still a very good quality TracFone, even after the dozen or more new models that have come out since – and it’s even better if you have the “2126i” model, as I note in the article above. If you would end up going back to TracFone and want a new phone, the LG 3280 is also a very nice phone. My brother, who also lives in a rural area where Verizon(CDMA) is stronger than ATT (GSM), recently switched from the 2126 (no i) to the 3280. He wanted the 3280 for the free roaming feature, but he’s also pleased with the phone features overall.
Another option that you might not have considered is looking for a NET10 CDMA phone. They’ve only recently (in the last 3-4 months maybe?) released CDMA phones for Net10. I think that the LG200C and the Kyocera 126c are the only models available with Net10, and given those options I would definitely choose the LG over the Kyocera, based on the available features. If you go this route, you’ll get another 60 days of service and 300 minute free with the phone (the LG is $49.99, directly from Net10). And, this way you wouldn’t lose all those minutes you’ve accumulated.
To find the CDMA phones from Net10, you could just look at a local store. But, that would probably end up being a wild goose chase. Check out the Net10 website – http://tinyurl.com/5t6lz7 – and if the Kyocera 126 or the LG200C don’t show up for you using your own ZIP code, try using 50001. Then you’ll be able to order one of those phones, if that’s your choice.
Hope this helps!
John – Another thing that just came to mind is that you might be interested in this article I put together on getting Net10 minutes at a pretty good price – not that you’ll need to add minutes very soon with 1400 piled up, but for future reference:
http://tinyurl.com/5e8qu3
Looking for help with GSM/CDMA problem. From Tracfone’s selection for my zipcode, I bought LG 225. I succeeded in transferring phone no. and units from my old Nokia 2126 to the LG 225. That’s when I find out the new phone cannot get service at my house. Your blog explaining GSM vs CDMA phones tells me why. My Nokia had signals from a Verizon tower. There is AT&T in parts of my town, but not where I live. It did not occur to me that Tracfone who send a phone I cannot use! I bought the LG225 to get the camera and lose the roaming rate. But what’s the use if I can’t send or receive calls when home. So … what are my options? (1) will tracfone let me switch no. and units back to old Nokia and give a refund (I bought LG225 + year card for $99)? (2) does tracfone have a cdma phone with LG225 features (camera + DMFL) and would they do an even swap? (3) is there another choice? Thanks!
Hannah,
TracFone has, unfortunately, been very slow to release nice CDMA phones. There has never been a CDMA phone with a camera. As far as DMFL on a CDMA phone, I believe there are two options. Some, but not many, Walmarts have carried a special LG200C for $20 that came with DMFL and an accessory kit. I have not personally found this package at any of the Walmart stores that I’ve visited (all around my state of WI), but I do know other people in other areas that have found it. The other option is the LG 3280 + 1 year, DMFL card on Trac’s site for $100. But, then you’d have to invest another $100. I doubt that TracFone would refund your purchase, but what I would do is call them and ask if they will exchange your 225 for a 3280 or 200c, and get them to confirm in writing, if possible, that they will give you a free upgrade to DMFL if you send back the 225. This will take care of two of your problems – the DMFL, and single-rate roaming. Unfortunately, if you want to stay with Trac and use a CDMA phone, you’ll have to go without a camera for a while longer, at least. I’m holding out hope that they’ll release a CDMA camera phone, preferably with bluetooth, sometime soon, but I’m not counting on it.
I have a question about CDMA versus GSM (and probably a few other stupid questions too!). I live in central Connecticut where AT&T is quite prevalent, but then again, so is Verizon. Is it possible that a GSM phone could have a better/stronger signal than the CDMA phone in the same place even though CDMA phones are supposed to have the better signal? Is it possible that one brand of phone could pick up a better signal than another. My common sense tells me yes, but cell phone tech savvy I am NOT! I currently am using a Kyocera 126 and due to the fact that it won’t get a signal where I work I am going to reactivate the 376g (when I figure out if I can reactivate it simply by transferring my Kyocera minutes to it instead of buying airtime). In the meantime I am looking into cheap bar styles.
To try and make a long story short I recently picked up the w376g and really disliked it. My first and foremost complaint is the lack of a display on the front cover. I like to look and see who is calling without fumbling and while there are more gripes, I had decided to look into a cheap bar style phone, hence the Kyocera…dirt cheap on ebay.
Now I am looking at the W175 and the C261, both GSM phones. Will I be forfeiting coverage if I go back to GSM? I have read your review on the W175 but was wondering if you had any thoughts or heard any input on the C261. I know there are a few more features on the C261 that might be nice to have but not necessary. I text a bit, I talk a bit.
And finally, thanks again for all your work and your time.
There is some variation in signal reception among different models of phone. As far as I know, the LG 3280 and LG 200c are both excellent at picking up a CDMA signal, and might be a little better than the Kyocera. But they both lack external displays, your biggest complaint about the w376g. Also, the w376g is probably a little better at pulling in a signal than is the C261, although it may be a very slight difference, if any. It’s been a long time since I used a C261, and have never compared it head-to-head with a w376. As far as coverage between the CDMA and the GSM network, that’s really hard for me to answer about your area. It’s really pretty much a trial-and-error situation, if you want to get very specific and both networks are pretty good. You’ll need to see which network covers more of the areas you need it to work most.
Isn’t the C343 a CDMA phone as well. It wasn’t in bold up there so I thought I’d ask. Thanks again.
Yes, you are correct about the C343. My mistake – it has been changed.
I seem to be clogging up the site with my questions, sorry about that! However, do you know if there are tracfones that don’t charge for either roaming or for incoming texts? It doesn’t have to be a terribly new model, I’m not above hitting ebay! I am aware of the 2126i, but how about others?
Any of the phones available for sale at TracFone.com are single rate, as are, I believe, all GSM phones. If you’re looking at an older CDMA phone, I think you’ll have to ask for sure. I know that they Kyo 126, LG 3280, LG 200c, and Nokia 2126i (but not plain old 2126) are all single rate.
Just realized that I didn’t fully answer your question. Regarding the free incoming texts, here’s what Ortizmro wrote recently in a comment:
the following are known to provide free incoming text messages.
Nokia 1100, 2600, 3390,
Motorola V170, C155
Rate:
0.3 to send, Free to receive sms.
What about NET10 phones? Do they all USE GSM or do they all use CDMA or do some use GSM and some use CDMA? I assume the LG600G uses GSM because that is what the G stands for after the 600?
Dallas, you are correct about the ‘g’ at the end of the model number. Net10 does sell CDMA phones, but it seems they are harder to find than TracFone CDMA phones. I think if you go to Net10′s site and use zip 54747 you’ll see their CDMA offerings.
looking for a cdma tracfone live in a rural area with limited service.. free roaming free incoming texting..what is my best tracfone
Tracfone only recommends GSM phones when I put in my zip code. If I put in a zip code that gives me CDMA phones can I then still buy the phone using my original zip code?
Second question, if I buy a CDMA phone when I activate it will I get a phone number in my home area (where they wanted me to buy a GSM phone) or will the number be for the zip code area I put in to get the CDMA phone.
I would like a CDMA phone because I travel to rural areas where GSM servrice is bad.
hi,
I just bought a good unlocked smart phone, and trying to use NET10 SIM card from a Motorola phone, and it did not work. can any one help? maybe it is not possible to use a NET10 SIM card in this smart phone, or something I did not get it to work. tx very much.
You have to use a Net10 phone with the Net10 SIM card, it needs to be activated on their network. Otherwise it won’t work.
I have a Nokia 1112 GSM Tracphone from the Minneapolis area that I’ve been using when occasionally needed in Montana, a CDMA area, as well as when travelling elsewhere. Tracfone CSR tells me that to change phone numbers to Montana, I need to change phones too or I won’t get coverage. Is that really true, technically speaking?
I have a Motorola v170 and a LG 200 c. Also a Nokia 2126. The LG and Nokia phones do not have sim cards, does that mean they are CDMA? The motorola one is refurbished and I got it for $20 with two free 60 min cards so we only activated it but didn’t use it much. You will have to call Tracfone to send you a new sim card to reactivate it.
I’m willing to let anyone have these phones for the price of shipping since I was going to donate them anyway.
Hi M
Thanks for the offer. I’m not interested in those models right now, but perhaps someone else will read your comment and get in touch.
You are correct on the no sim card = CDMA.
FYI someone is selling a Nokia 2126i on ebay for those of you looking for this phone and in a cdma area.
I have a question, if you port your number from a CDMA phone is it then useless or can it be reactivated with a new number?
We ported the number from our old LG 200c to a gsm phone Motorola W376. The old phone was turned off. I then tried to reactivate it for my son since it still had minutes on it and they turned off our new phone because they both had the same number. I then had to have them turn our Motorola back on.
I ended up buying a cheap $8 Samsung T105g for my son instead.
Hi M
Sorry for the delay over the weekend. You should be able to re-activate your old phone, but in my experience you always had to add an airtime card. And it SHOULD get a new number. Not sure what happened with your 200c. You might now be able to port the number from the t105g to the old 200c, if that is your preferred phone. Hopefully since you are bringing in a new number to the old phone, this will eliminate the chance for confusion as to which number should be on which phone. Try working with Elston, a great customer service rep from TracFone. I mention him in this old post:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/tracphone-support/
Thanks so much for your reply. I’ll keep Elston in mind if I have a problem in the future. If I do decide to have the LG 220c reactivated I will make sure to tell them I want a new number. I might just have them reactivate our old moto V170 since it gets free incoming texts. I just needed a temporary phone for my son last summer and it was faster and cheaper buying the T105g than buying a $20 airtime card or waiting for a SIM card.
Are different tracfones sold for different zipcodes? I understand about areas where mostly cdma phones are sold and others where the gsm phones are the only offering. But are there different phones available in a Tmobile area versus AT&T? I just checked a zip code and it had “GSM5AT” in the browser window and they have alot more gsm models than come up with my zip in “COGSM4″.
For example a pink LG 410g, a Samsung T155g and a LG 420g.
I thought when you buy the phone they ship the sim that works in your local area best, so why would it matter which gsm phone you buy?
Hi. Two years ago when I bought my Net10 126C phone, the pamphlet included two maps, one for cdma coverage which was excellent, and one for gsm coverage which had a lot of holes in it. I just lost my phone. I often got coverage sometimes where my friends around me couldn’t so I want another one like it. Do you know if Net10 has changed regarding the two types of phones and their coverage? I just picked up a new Net10 coverage map and it has only one map now. It no longer shows better coverage for cdma phones vs. gsm phones. It just shows the better coverage. And I am having no luck at all finding a cdma phone at any local store so I’m wondering if it makes a difference any more about which one I get in my area? I’m scouring the internet for information and your blog is the most useful. Thanks!
Hi Shanna
Take a look at this article, which explains CDMA vs. GSM a little more:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/tracfone-cdma-vs-gsm/
I have been looking for a CDMA tracfone as I live in a rural area and also travel and can’t get a signal with ATT based phones.
I was at the Tracfone site and they offered a “LG 231 C” with camera. I couldn’t see this on your list. Is it new? $29.99, double minutes for life of phone included.
Sorry, I need to update the post above. The 231c is indeed a CDMA model. Here’s a link to the review:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/lg-231c-review/