I’ve spent a fair amount of my “blogging” time writing reviews of the newest TracFone, Net10, and Straight Talk phone models, and those articles seem to be what prepaid phone users are most interested in. So, it finally occurred to me that I should have a page devoted to linking to all the reviews I’ve done. Here it is:
……………………………………………….
Samsung R451c (Net10 and Straight Talk)
LG 290c (TracFone, Net10, and Straight Talk)
LG 220c (TracFone, Net10, and Straight Talk)
LG 100c (TracFone, Net10, and Straight Talk)
Samsung T301G Review (TracFone)
Motorola w376g review (Tracfone; also same as Net10 w377g)
LG 600g review (Tracfone and Net10)
Compare Motorola w376g and LG 600g
Motorola w175 review (TracFone)
Both my wife and I are using the Motrola w376g and have had several problems sending MMS messages with photos in them.
At first (for the reciever) nothing happened, no ring, no vibrate, nothing…except the sender got charged minutes for sending the MMS.
After calling tracfone they had me do a MASTER RESET and after 24 hours the problem was resolved.
Now one month later when sending an MMS the sender gets deducted minutes, however on the recievers phone the message ” the message you are trying to recieve will not adapt to your terminal” is desplayed????
Anyone else had this or this kind of problems?
Im wondering if its the Phone? or the cell carrier?
Bob –
I haven’t dealt with this personally, but others have and they’ve commented about it on other pages on this blog. Specifically, in the comments related to my w376g review, starting here:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/motorola-w376g-tracfone-review-part-1/
In regards to a guestion about multiple numbers per contact. The Em326g does allow multiple numbers per contact. After creating and saving the contact entry, click on Options, which will bring up a menu that has Edit as a menu item, Highlight amd select Edit, This will open the contact entry. Press Options again,another menu will appear, scroll to New, press Select, this will open a new menu that allows you to Add Number, Add Text and Add Picture. Hope this helps.
I stand corrected. Thanks so much for pointing that out. I’ll have to do an update on that. Funny it’s not more obvious in the menu, though.
Hey Pbush (sorry if you use another name, I don’t know it.)
My son and I have been looking at tracfones for a while now. Earlier on this year, I found your page comparing the w376g to the LG 600g. It was a GREAT help. So now when I need to know about tracfones, I come here.
The phone is gonna be my son’s. He’s starting college soon and so he’s staying with a friend in Bangor and his friend doesn’t have a phone… and the apartment is in the “shadow” of the Verizon building, so they can’t get wireless either. He only gets home to visit about once every other week, so I worry about him a lot. Only time we get to talk is when he’s got a few minutes when he’s at work and we IM on AIM. Plus, I have myriad health issues and I want to be able to contact him if necessary about that. He is a super tech geek, so he loves lots of features. Me, I just want to be able to get in touch with him. (though my MajicJack *snarl* poses its own problems. wish so much I could afford a cell phone for myself.)
ANYway, I love to ramble as you’ve noticed. Sorry. I just finished reading the full review on the T301G, which, bleh… but you mentioned, near the end of the summary, 2 newer phones that would be coming out… so I checked your blog for reviews of them. I read the summary of your review on the em326g. Sounds like an amazing phone. I tried finding info on the other.. the LG 401g but I don’t see any… though my searches on the net say it’s out in stores, and only $19.99? Did maybe I get the model # wrong? Also, it seemed weird that a successor in the LG line would be a lower number than the previous LG 600g. But I don’t know much at all about cell phones.
Oh, is the em326g only a net10 phone? I couldn’t find it on the Tracfone site. And I was hoping it would come with one of those double minutes deals. And mostly I just wanted to know if the em326g is currently the latest and greatest in pay as you go.
Hi Holly
The 410g is available in stores. I have one and have had a review half-written for most of the summer, but keep finding other “shiny new objects” to chase and write about. The quick overview is that it’s a solid little basic phone for $19.99 – excellent signal reception and battery life, adequate audio quality. No camera, no bluetooth, NO DMFL. that last part is the biggy for me. I actually like it very well, and it is a good choice for anyone that doesn’t need DMFL. But DMFL is such a big part of the TRacFone “bargain,” it’s hard to give it a recommendation when adding DMFL will cost another $25. Add the purchase cost and DMFL add-on, and now you’re talking $45. Both the LG 600g and Moto w376g come with BT, Camera, AND DMFL, for less than that price.
As for the EM326g, it’s a very FUN phone, if you want to be able to play games and music, make your own ringtones, and take nice pictures. Audio quality is good, signal reception isn’t as good as the w376/377. It is currently available only for Net10, and I don’t know if it will ever make the TracFone lineup. I can’t believe that TracFone would go the entire Holiday season with giving us something new in their phone lineup, and the 326g seems like it would be a popular choice, but I haven’t heard anything official yet.
I need info on storing contacts Motorola W376G
Should I store as phone or sim? why?
If I get another phone can I copy contacts? How?
I understand about the sim card reader I am looking for the proper way to store contacts so that they can be copied if needed
many thanks
Bernie –
I believe that if you want to use picture ID’s for incoming calls, you’ll need to save the contacts to your phone. HOwever, if you save them to a SIM it will make it easier to copy the contact list to future phones using a SIM card reader (an inexpensive device that allows a computer to read your SIM).
Patrick and LG600g “Gang”
Just wanted to share a short note to Elston:
Hello Elston
You are some good guy.
Received new SIM card you sent me. Have installed, and with 5 minutes help from one of the girls in customer support this phone is on the air, and the voice mail all set up.
It has been a difficult case, however, you have stayed with me and I hope TracFone knows how capable you are, and what great service you give to fix the problems.
Mil gracias, y vaya con Dios’
Gentle Ben
TracFones numbers:
510 , and
504
Translation:
for 49 days, I have been fighting TracFone, to get rid of T-Mobile and port and replace with ATT.
Elston got it done.
Thanks again, Patrick, for the directions and the referral
Gentle Ben
Gentle Ben –
I’m so happy things worked out for you! I hope that I saved you at least some frustration by pointing you in the right direction to get things worked out.
I just found this site and think it’s very informative. I hope someone here can help me out. I need to get a new phone but not sure what to get and would like some opinions. I will use it for emergencies and for some texting. I don’t care if it has a camera or not and bluetooth doesn’t matter either. I found Motorola 260 on Walmart.com-is that a good phone or would a different one be better. Thanks for any help
twinsmomje –
The moto 260 is a good phone for voice calls, but I don’t like the keypad that much for texting. Also, it has something called iTap predictive text, which is a method of making text messaging faster by reducing the number of key presses necessary to spell words. Other phones, such as the LG and Samsung models from TRacFone, have a better predictive text method called T9.
I would suggest the LG 600g for a good all-around phone with good texting. The Samsung t301g is also a good choice. Both are currently $40. A cheaper alternative would be the LG 410g, which you can sometimes find at Walmart with DMFL for $20.
Thanks for answering and for the suggestions. It sounds like the LG 600 might be the best one for me even if it does have camera,etc. It seems to have better texting on it. If you had to make the choice which one would you pick-the 410 or the 600? Thanks
Oops forgot something.
How would the moto 376 be? Could I turn off the predictive text if I want on any of these? Thanks again
Twinsmomje – if you are ordering online, I would suggest the LG 600g since it has DMFL. If you happen to be out and about, check Walmart for a DMFL version of the 410g, which should be $20 or $25. Not all Walmarts have them, though.
The w376g is also a decent choice – superior to the LGs, in sound quality and possibly signal reception, but poorer predictive text and more limited external display (doesn’t show time, signal strength, etc.). Also, the 600g can connect to a computer or another phone to send pictures and ringtones by bluetooth; w376g cannot.
The w376g is actually available on Trac’s site for free with a 60-minute card, as long as you don’t mind a refurbished model. Check out this recent post:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/tracfonepromotionalcodesfordiscounts/
Oh yeah, forgot – yes, you can turn off predictive text on any of these phones. Then, for example, the word “yes” would require you to press the ’9′ key 3 times, followed by the ’3′ key twice, then the ’7′ key 4 times. With predictive text, you’d have to press each key just once and it would predict what you are trying to spell.
Hey Love your site,
I was wondering if you ever did a review on the Mot. V 176 ?
Guess it does not matter as I just ordered one. Used your advice and it should come with a ATT Sim card. I am looking forward to getting a W 376g when they start selling them reconditioned & with a 300 minute time card for 29.99 with an att sim card and free shipping and the 8 dollars in discounts (promo codes).Not much to ask for! If you know of a zip code that has that let me know. As you can tell I am a net 10 guy. Kind of wondering if that was the right choice as our minutes pile up!
In an area that Net 10 only sell’s version phone’s has att coverage would you have any problem activation & using att sim phone in that area? My parents live in zip code 83252 ( Malad, Idaho) I think att sim card would work fine? any comments
Thanks again for all you do,
George
George
I never did review the v176, and it’s been a while since I used one. From what I remember, however, it was a pretty good phone for signal reception and audio quality, though a little on the heavy/bulky side.
If you’re looking for a Net10 upgrade, consider the w377g, which is the same as the w376g, just in the Net10 version. It’s currently $39.99 at Net10′s site. After the $8 discount, you’ll pay $32 plus tax. And you’ll get free shipping, a free accessory kit, and of course the free 300 minutes with all new activations. So basically, if you count the cost of the minutes as $30, you’re paying just a few bucks for a phone upgrade. One tip, though – if you’re transferring the free minutes from your v176, make sure to wait at least a month after activating that v176, and use up a fair chunk of hte minutes before transferring. Lately Net10 has been looking unfaborably upon people who activate one phone after the other just to get the free 300 minutes. Here’s a link to my page about the NEt10 discounts:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/deals/net10-promotional-discount-codes/
And regarding your parent’s location, it looks like there is AT&T coverage there:
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/
So I THINK you should be able to activate the phone using that ZIP, though I don’t know for sure. Even if you have to get a number that’s not local to Madal City, you should be able to use it in there. Farther out to the west it looks like coverage gets a little dicey, though.
I have the LG290c. It’s a very nice phone, but unfortunately STraightTalk has such terrible customer service that I’ve had nothing but probblems since I bought the phone in Oct. They don’t seem to be able to have all aspects of the phone working at once. Then three times when I’ve gone to make calls a recording told me I couldn’t make a call because I had no minutes when I had almost 1,000 minutes on the phone. I returned a Samsung Finesse to them, and still can’t get them to take the charge off my credit card. So in a few days when my thirty day card expires, I will not add another to the phone. I am so tired of trying to deal with these people. I will continue trying to get them to get that charge off my credit card. I’ve already called them countless times and get the same run around. Nice phone, nice plan…a nightmare to deal with..
I wonder if purchasing a Straight Talk phone though Wal-Mart would make it easier to return a phone? The several negative comments about ST’s customer service have got me a bit spooked… I don’t want to have to move phone plans to Verizon, but at least I have a better impression of their cust svc.
I recently asked for a contact # for a TracFone rep. named Kevin, but in reading more post on your blog, the name Elston came up and it sounds familiar. Maybe Elston is the name of the customer service rep. I’m looking for.
Any info would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
KimO
Is there a consensus on the best currently available CDMA Tracfone? I am planning to replace a CDMA that I have had for several years, and just want the best newish model so that I can stick with it for a few years.
pbushx2-
I noticed the following note, recently posted on one of the cell phone blogs:
New Phones
Based on recent FCC documents, it appears that TracFone and Net10 will soon be adding more phones to their lineups. These new models include the LG 320G, LG 420G, LG 620G, LG 900G, LG 231C, Samsung T105G and Samsung T155G.
A new listing by Tracfone in our area is the LG 420G for $19.99 with features that sound intriguing. Do you currently plan to offer a review of this phone or any other of these phones which will be offered by Tracfone?
Thanks, Rollie
Hi Rollie
I actually have one of those in my possession, but I won’t get to the review for at least another week.
Do you happen to have any plans to review the Motorazr v3 being offered on the Straight Talk site? I know the Razr has been around for awhile in different models, but I don’t have any experience with any of them.
Thanks so very much
Also, if you use the Straight Talk plan that is the 1000 minutes, 1000 texts, etc…do the minutes roll over or not? Thanks so much again!
The minutes are not supposed to roll over, when the month is over they reset to 1000.
However, my account has not been rolling over and instead I now have something like 2700 minutes in my 1000 minutes account. Oh well, I figure someday they will catch on and fix it, but I’m not saying anything for fear they will screw it up.
It is not clear to me that the Samsung T301 will pair with hands-free devices like the Blueant Supertooth 3, so that I can operate hands free on the road. I am unable to use earbuds because of hearing aid interference. I want to choose a Tracfone which will pair with my Blueant Supertooth3. What Tracfone will do that?
Hi Bill
Bluetooth is a universal standard, and any bluetooth-enabled tracfone that I’ve tried, including the t301, has paired easily with whatever bluetooth audio devices I’ve tried. However, the problems come in when you try to get the phonebook functions to work with more advanced bluetooth devices. Unfortunately, testing those devices is beyond what I’m able to test personally, because there are so many different kinds. Maybe someone else here has tried pairing this combination of devices (t301 and Supertooth 3), but I unfortunately can’t comment on it personally.
I have at present a LG200C phone and I like the feature that allows me to list in the contact list a name just once and then under that name I can list a Home #, A cell #, a Work # and so on. do any of the new phones allow me to do this? I’m looking at the LG420C and not sure if this model offers that, any other suggestions?
Hi Big John
I believe you’re referring to the LG 420 “g,” not “c.” A couple of points about this phone:
1. First, to answer your question, yes, there is room for more than one number in a phonebook entry – general, mobile, home, office, pager and fax.
2. I’ve recently reviewed this model here:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/lg-420g-review/
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/lg-420g-review-2/
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/lg-420g-review-conclusion/
3. Be careful on this one, as you’ll be switching from a CDMA phone to a GSM phone. The coverage will be different, and the port process will probably take a little longer (probably about 24 hours, but possibly as much as a week.) Switching to another CDMA handset like the LG 220c or 290c will be a smoother transition and guarantee the same coverage. Here’s some more background info:
LG 220c review
LG 290c review
Discussion of GSM vs. CDMA
I have a Straight Talk Samsung T401G and I recently started having problems sending picture messages. I can receive them, but I can’t send them anymore. I called Straight Talk and after talking to about 4 different people for at least a half hour, I was no closer to fixing my problem. I’d rather not reset my phone but if I do that, I’ll have to call and go through it all over again! Have you heard of anyone else having this problem or do you know what to do? I saw one question on another site that was exactly my problem, but it didn’t have an answer
Hi Joy
I just saw a similar question from someone with a different phone. I think the answer I wrote to him applies to you as well. Here’s what I wrote:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/reviews/lg-290c-review-index/#comment-9504
The link for the Motorola w175 review doesn’t work. I did a bit of searching and found it here:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/motorola-w175g-review/
Will you be reviewing some of the phones from the new Walmart Family Mobile plan? The two smarter phones have decent reviews, but I have more trust in your reviews. These are the Samsung Highlight and the Motorola CLIQ XT. I realize they will be operating on T-Mobile’s network which does not have the coverage I prefer in our region, but adding some smart phone features may be worth some service interruptions.
I havebeen asking tracfone cs about a user manual for the lg 420g and they keep refering me to the silly two page “manual” that comes with the phone which to me is completely useless.
I have seen other people complaining about no user manual. I found one this morning that is 18 pages long. Check it out at:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/umd26c21wfhh1xr/LG420g-manual-for-02.pdf
Pepper, FYI I saw the Motorola Razr at a local Biglots store the other day from H2O wireless for $25. Not a bad price.
H2O wireless is a prepaid provider that uses the ATT network and their monthly unlimited talk/text plan is $40 I think.
In case you wanted another alternative to Straighttalk.
anyone else have the new LG321c ?
I have mine 3 days now looks good so far.
Just need to figure out how to install jve apps, games, etc.
Are there any reviews anywhere?
thanks
dan0
I notice that NET10 has just listed the LG 900G phone on its menu of offerings. This is certainly their top phone. The many advanced features combined with the low monthly cost of NET10 phones make the LG 900G extremely enticing. I look forward to reading your comments on this high quality phone. Thanks!!
Hi Rollie
I was not aware of that listing until you informed me of it. I’ll definitely have to give it a look, though I’m not sure when I’ll get to it at this point – I’ve already got quite a backlog of phones to review!
I really wonder, when it says “app capable,” what that means? And where do the apps come from? It certainly looks interesting, though.
pbushx2-
Thanks for your immediate response.
I found the following comments on an Electronics Review Blog which may provide some insight on the “app capable” statement:
“The highlight of this phone is the FULL html browser, a first on a Net10 phone. While there will be no official “app store”, the LG 900 if fully capable of running apps by way of Java applications.”
Thanks for your wealth of information.
I am interested in purchasing a Lg900G phone from Net 10.
I have to because of 845 minutes on our LG 1500.
We hate to loose those minutes that is why we are staying with Net 10.
How can they sell a cell phone with no accesories. How are you supposed to charge the phone. Just one of the accesories that you should have when buying a phone.
Please help if you have any information.
Tried checking other web sites. They must have other names for this phone.
Thank You for any help.
Regards and Respect,
Tom
Where can I purchase a battery for my LG 600–looking at websites that sell batteries, the LG 600 is not shown as an option when buying a battery–is there a compatible battery to the 3.7v SBPL0093402 AAC DC081013?
Hi Barbara
I have a few thoughts on this:
1) Did you try eBay?
2) Can you search just for the battery model rather than the phone model?
3) It might be that you will be better off simply buying a brand new phone and using the battery from that new phone.
4) The LG 420g, and possibly other models such as the 220c or 100c, use the same battery. It might be cheaper for you to buy a 420g and use that battery.
I spend a lot of time on this site…so thank you for being here!
Just want to share my problems with Tracfone…just got an email answer from them, and ended a useless phone call to them about their phones and availability.
I put in 4 different zip codes (CA, AZ, FL, NY) and was shown the Exact Same Phones, after being told that different phones are available in different areas!
The model that I want to replace my older one is ‘not’ for this area, I am told. The LG 290c looks good to me, but I guess I have to settle for a lesser p.o.s!
Should I take my chances, buy this phone anyway, and hope it works?!
Thanks!
Bruce
Hi Bruce
What is your current model? Knowing that will help determine what coverage is in your area.
The 290c is a nice phone and will work off the Verizon towers (and sometimes, smaller local CDMA carriers including US Cellular, among others). But if you have Verizon coverage, this phone should work for you.
If you want to be able to order it, try entering ZIP 54747 on the following page:
http://bit.ly/fliWrS
LG 800G available on Net10
I’m becoming more an more frustrated with the LG800. Where can we find an extensive users’ guide that explains all the icons, how to rid the main screen of them, what they mean and all the stuff that makes the phone “user friendly”? I have searched the net and cae up with nothing. I’m about ready to transfer my minutes and time and port my number back to my old phone. Am I alone in this feeling or are there more users who are becoming sorry they ever got this phone? Any suggestions, Peter?
peter, try this link:
http://www.net10.com/Common/English/Digital_Assets/15595.pdf
It`s about time that Tracfone, Net10, and Straight Talk start including a complete Owners Manual for the Phones they sell. Those little pamphlets that include quick set up and user instructions are not adequate. They will suggest you can “download” the complete users guide and use up an ink cartridge with your printer and have a bunch of 8 1/2 by 11 sheets of paper to reference instead of having a small concise booklet. Hell, even Metro PCS includes a comprehensive users booklet with “all” the phones they sell! If you call Tracfone/Net 10/or Straight Talk and tell them you Do NOT have Internet access and DEMAND an Owners Manual, they Will mail you one if you Bitch enough. That should not be necessary. Just how costly would it be for them or the phones manufacturer to simply include the damn thing!
I agree – it is a bit annoying that it doesn’t come wiht the phone but I always think that such a small percentage of people actually read those manuals and so it is saving a lot of tree if you think about it that way haha. Anyway – the Straight Talk customer care is really good so know they are always approachable, can imagine they would post you a manual if you asked.
LG501C looks nice and probably within my budget. one after e71 looks great (e5g) but probably 188 dollar phone and way out of my budget, and I do see flip fones by kyocera and nokia on their website but none available for tracfone. I would like to see a couple for a change of pace other than lg motorolla samsung. I may have to wait a while for that.
How can you tell what towers a particular model of phone will work with? I live in a somewhat sparsely populated area in Northern California and I’m worried that I’d buy a phone that would leave me without adequate coverage (I’m looking at the LG 500g and the LG 800g). I desperately want to switch from my current carrier, AT&T!
Berkeley, check out these old articles on which phones use which networks:
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/tracfone-cdma-vs-gsm/ (the info is somewhat outdated, but still relevant)
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/tracfone-and-net10-sim-card-info/
http://pbush14.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/more-tracfone-and-net10-sim-card-info/
which of these TracFones have the
* best audio fidelity
&
* best signal reception
I would prefer a CDMA phone but I can tolerate GSM
audio fidelity:
* mic,
* DSP,
* codec,
* etc
cheers
In my opinion, the phone that remains the best in terms of both audio quality and signal reception is the Motorola w376g, which you can still get from TracFone right now. It’s not the “coolest” phone any more by any means, though.
I had cleaned up the old attic in the barn yesterday, and found a 1999 nokia 5180i unactivated, old attel network, is it worth anything? probably retired by tracfone by now.
Hmm, I have no idea on the value of this one, but if I were you I would hold on to it as kind of a “collectors item.” That phone was before I started doing these reviews, so I don’t know much about it. You could try to activate it just to see what happens – that’s probably what I would do. If the activation goes through, it might be fun to keep it around just as a gag.
I have done that before….bit of a pack rat…i only had a contract phone for a one year on i can’t remember what service on a nokia bar phone and my sister switched to it, and nothing but problems…and went back to tracfone since 2001. over 10 years of tracfone. very happy customer, couple problems with the old customer service, and the new one is pretty good. nuff said.