On sale @Walmart

[buzard]

Walmart has the phone (T-Mobile) for $190 and the $50 T-Mobile plan for $30. For the price of the phone and plan that sounds really hard to beat!

What is the best battery life manager for a non rooted phone?

 

[captainbob]

Juice Defender Plus

 

[buzard]

Thanks! Picked it up today. Never had a smartphone and I'm overwhelmed with the options and setup.

 

[redheadedguy]

I remember getting my first Android smartphone. you'll love it!

 

[buzard]

Activation was really easy. Online is the way to go. Everyone that posted negative comments on various sites tried to activate by calling T-Mobile. The Walmart $30 a month plan has unlimited data and text but only 100 minutes of call time. But it does appear anything done via wireless connection is not counted including phone calls. You do not get to tether on this plan however! My main reason to get the phone is access to web, maps and GPS while running around L.A. Sometimes finding Wifi "AND" an outlet for the laptop is almost impossible.

Just using power manager that comes with phone and setting display to lowest brightness I can have phone on for 2 days without charging.

The Google voice search seems to do almost as well as Siri. A very nice surprise.

Also I read about the volume lowering when anything was plugged into the phone jack. I do get a message about hearing damage but I can crank it up to setting 15 no problem. 9 is fine for normal listening volume.

I'm getting solid 4g 4bars at work and 2-3 bars 4g at home.

So I'm impressed but this is after only 4 days. I'll have to see how everything is after about 6-9 months from now.

My old phone was an LG Rumor from Virgin Mobile. The web browser was useless because it was so small, so I dropped internet service. The good part was I had the account for about 4-5 years so I have the plan that costs $60 ........a year!!! Have to buy $15 every 3 months even if I have time left. That's still hard to beat even though it's talk and text only! That plan is no loner available of course.

 

[pegb856]

The Google voice search seems to do almost as well as Siri. A very nice surprise.

If you like Google search, you should try "Skyvi". It's in the Play store and it's free. Oh and it's also fantastic!

Now to the phone, I picked up one of these last week used, brought it home and immediately ordered an unlock code since I'm using it with Straight Talk's "Bring your own Device" plan with the ATT SIM option. This is my impression of the phone, it has descent specs with a nice screen, a 1 gig processor and a great form factor. I personally prefer a device in the 3.5" to 3.8" screen size range. Performance wise it's a bit of a disappointment, it's a little laggy and sometimes the screen is a bit unresponsive. Since I was having issues with the stock rom I decided to root the device and hope to find a good custom rom option. After trying a couple different ones I've settled for RebelRom 3.0 Beta1 [ROM] Exhibit II RebelROM 3.0 Beta 1(4/13/12) - xda-developers. Thus far it has solved most if not all of the issues with the phone that I have had and it's a lot snappier. Rooting may not be for everyone but if you are the modding type I highly recommend you do it. There's not a large selection of custom roms for this phone but I found a decent one. There's not a designated forum on XDA for this phone so you are going to have to do a search to find your options and make sure you read read read carefully before you jump on the rooting bandwagon.

$190 is a great price for this phone new and since it is one of the few T-Mobile devices that also have all of the bands needed to run on ATT's 3G network (it's very fast when in a good signal area) it makes it an even better bargain. I paid $25 for the unlock code from Cellunlocker.net - #1 Unlock Codes for Network Cell Phone Unlocking and had the code within 60 minutes of submitting the order.

 

[damon7620]

I got this phone for $184 back in December at Walmart.

 

[rexxcastle]

ok, the $50 plan for $30 is a BAD BAD deal if you use alot of Data, the $50 plan is only *First 100MB at up to 4G speeds

the $30 plan is 5GB at 4G.

Looks like they are trying to Divert people away from that Big cheap data plan alot of us are currently on , im sure the extra minutes cost them WAY less than the huge data usage on these $30 plans

 

[rexxcastle]

If you like Google search, you should try "Skyvi". It's in the Play store and it's free. Oh and it's also fantastic!

Now to the phone, I picked up one of these last week used, brought it home and immediately ordered an unlock code since I'm using it with Straight Talk's "Bring your own Device" plan with the ATT SIM option. This is my impression of the phone, it has descent specs with a nice screen, a 1 gig processor and a great form factor. I personally prefer a device in the 3.5" to 3.8" screen size range. Performance wise it's a bit of a disappointment, it's a little laggy and sometimes the screen is a bit unresponsive. Since I was having issues with the stock rom I decided to root the device and hope to find a good custom rom option. After trying a couple different ones I've settled for RebelRom 3.0 Beta1 [ROM] Exhibit II RebelROM 3.0 Beta 1(4/13/12) - xda-developers. Thus far it has solved most if not all of the issues with the phone that I have had and it's a lot snappier. Rooting may not be for everyone but if you are the modding type I highly recommend you do it. There's not a large selection of custom roms for this phone but I found a decent one. There's not a designated forum on XDA for this phone so you are going to have to do a search to find your options and make sure you read read read carefully before you jump on the rooting bandwagon.

$190 is a great price for this phone new and since it is one of the few T-Mobile devices that also have all of the bands needed to run on ATT's 3G network (it's very fast when in a good signal area) it makes it an even better bargain. I paid $25 for the unlock code from Cellunlocker.net - #1 Unlock Codes for Network Cell Phone Unlocking and had the code within 60 minutes of submitting the order.

You do realize thats on sprints network for android right? Thats who they contracted out to do all the android users on their service, Tmos edge is faster than sprints side provider 3g speeds

 

[grahamc1965]

If you use the byos from straighttalk it runs off at&t towers .

 

[ja5219]

Bought this phone back in November for $200 with just $3.14 of SIM card credit. This is definitely a good deal.

I wouldn't recommend the $50 plan though if you're after data, since you're almost immediately throttled past 100MB, go for the $60 2GB one of If you hardly use minutes.. do the $30 100 mins/Unlimited txt/5GB data. Its the plan im on and I love it.

 

[pegb856]

You do realize thats on sprints network for android right? Thats who they contracted out to do all the android users on their service, Tmos edge is faster than sprints side provider 3g speeds

No this phone is a GSM device and is not compatible with Sprint. Straight Talks BYOP program gives you the option of ordering either an ATT or T-Mobile SIM. I used the ATT one. BTW, Straight talk now has an Android phone using Verizon's network, the days of Sprint only Androids on ST are over. It's the Samsung Proclaim, the Samsung Illusion rebranded.

My current device is an Android running on Verizon's network, runs great no issues and so much better than Sprint was.

 

[rexxcastle]

No this phone is a GSM device and is not compatible with Sprint. Straight Talks BYOP program gives you the option of ordering either an ATT or T-Mobile SIM. I used the ATT one. BTW, Straight talk now has an Android phone using Verizon's network, the days of Sprint only Androids on ST are over. It's the Samsung Proclaim, the Samsung Illusion rebranded.

My current device is an Android running on Verizon's network, runs great no issues and so much better than Sprint was.

What phone are you using on straight talk thats running on verizon?, the Proclaim?

 

[pegb856]

What phone are you using on straight talk thats running on verizon?, the Proclaim?

No, I've had a couple different Verizon Androids flashed to ST, right now I'm using an HTC Rhyme. I was using a Droid Incredible but passed it on to my spouse.

Here's a link to the website for more info: http://http://sites.google.com/site/smartphonesunlimited/contact-me

The guy does a great job, everything works perfectly when hes done.
http://http://sites.google.com/site/smartphonesunlimited/contact-me

 

[rexxcastle]

No, I've had a couple different Verizon Androids flashed to ST, right now I'm using an HTC Rhyme. I was using a Droid Incredible but passed it on to my spouse.

Here's a link to the website for more info: http://http://sites.google.com/site/smartphonesunlimited/contact-me

The guy does a great job, everything works perfectly when hes done.
http://http://sites.google.com/site/smartphonesunlimited/contact-me

that link dosent work for me

 

[pegb856]

Smart Phones Unlimited

 

[buzard]

After about a month, no real issues to complain about. Only needed a couple of apps. If I do about 2-3 hours of internet I'm running low power at end of day. If I only use it as a phone it will go 2 days. I'm sure a power saver app can improve that, I'll try one soon. Screen is very, very sensitive. Keeping phone in my shirt pocket seems to activate all sorts of stuff but I just hit the back icon and it's back to the main screen. Also the "tap screen to reply to message" takes a tap or two to activate. At work I get the 4G icon and 4 solid bars all the time.

Got all my phone numbers into the phone finally. Had to really use the manual for a few things. Really happy with the phone. But since I've never had a smartphone I'm easily impressed.

 

[OverByter]

Just wondering since you bought the phone outright with no subsidies why won't T-Mo give you your subsidy unlock code? Back in my Blackberry days with AT&T I used to contact customer retention and get my unlock code in a matter of minutes for free. Since you own the phone and there are no ETF's I don't understand why T-Mo won't provide you with this information. Has anyone even tried? Might be worth a shot.

 

[jophtcedo]

I just bought one for $174 at Walmart this evening and went for the Walmart exclusive $30 100 min / 5GB 4G deal. I'm more of a data user than a "talker"... so this will work out perfect. Seems to be a very "solid" deal for the price. Have no complaints.

 

[buzard]

I still like the phone! Screen is really sensitive. It's always doing stuff when I carry it in my shirt pocket. Only about 3 times I could not get a signal inside a store, perfect when outside. Still haven't rooted the phone, don't see much need to.

No dropped calls, I have big fingers so texting and typing requires attention. Main used is internet access at work, maps-directions when traveling. I don't have a problem getting through the day on a charge.

A few months ago I had a race to find and watch a youtube video with an iPhone 4. I won big time.

For $200 and $30 a month I haven't seen anything else that can beat this combo.
Are there better phones, YES! But all I want is ; a phone, internet access, texting that's pretty much it. This will do that.

 

[tube517]

I love this phone. i rooted and put RebelROM and it has a some Ice Cream sandwich features (not the full OS) baked in the ROM.

 

[bob60626]

I got two WITH two fifty buck cards for under 400, shipped and taxed, from T Mobile online a few months ago. I think they still have that.

 

[buzard]

Still going strong. Internet is hit or miss. Yahoo and Google maps seem to be next to impossible. But the GPS is great. Now that everyone can get the same plan ($30 a month) via T-Mobile I can upgrade to a newer phone. Still the best $200 cell phone I ever found.

 

[johnsweb]

Have you got any advise for a new phone that has good price and features? thanks

 

[buzard]

T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Avant looks good. It's $199. Basicly the same deal but with a newer phone. I'ts so new there is not much info yet.