BLU Poplano VLE5

You may not being doing anything wrong. That sort of connection problem can happen with any phone (not even smartphone, just any mobile phone) if the signal is weak.

I happen to be using the same phone you are right at this moment.

As far as I have seen, the quick start manual is all that there is.

The phone is bottom rung as far as most phones, but it does work well.

The operating system is small and very efficient.

I recommend getting an SD card, preferrably Sans Disk as it will be top quality.
This card can later be placed in another phone later on if need be.
After the card is inserted, format it as external storage when prompted.

There are two buttons on the right side.
The top one does double duty as volume up and down, top and bottom respectively.

The smaller button is the power button.
If the button is pressed, the screen will turn on or off.
Long pressing this button will turn the phone on or off.

There are multiple volume settings for the different sounds that the device can make for different reasons.

To get started, push a volume key.
The volume menu will appear at the top.
Touch the tiny arrow to the right of the volume bar, and more volume adjustments appear.
Start with media in the center, alarm all the way up, and ringer all the way up.
Notifications can be around the middle.
This should get you going.

The volume for media is only for the device itself (built in speaker).
If you plug in headphones, connect to bluetooth, etc. the volume is a different setting for each- and is remembered for the next time each device is used.

On that note, when on a call, there are multiple volume settings as well.
The phone handset icon is your calling button.
Press this, and your calling/contacts app will open.
Press the red dotted icon in the center, and a keypad will appear.
Set your answering machine at home to the maximum amount of rings, and call it with your phone.

First, use the built in earpiece, and adjust the volume. You probably want it all the way up.

Second, touch the little speaker button on the lower right. This will turn on the speakerphone, and you can now hold the phone where you can see it during the call.
Adjust the volume for this about half way up. Any more than halfway, and there may be problems with echo sounds (my experience).

Third, try some headphones. Adjust the volume to your liking.

Try these things, and then you should be able to make calls and hear what is going on.

As you said that you are just starting your Android adventure, I will let this exercise get you going for now.

Any questions, problems, etc. just ask here or in a personal message.

Like I said, I am using the same device as you among others.

So far, I really like the Poblano. It gets the job done, and it does seem to work well.

There are a few tweeks that can be done to make it rather enjoyable and simple to use.

It is a great phone to start with, and I wish that my first android had been more like it.

Hadron said:

You may not being doing anything wrong. That sort of connection problem can happen with any phone (not even smartphone, just any mobile phone) if the signal is weak.

Click to expand...

Yes, exactly.
This is one reason that I recommend having a Wi-Fi calling app as an option.

If cellular is weak or nonexistant, Wi-Fi calling can be a life saver.

It also gives the convenience of having two numbers on the same device, with separate calls and messages.

I have this phone. I was so frustrated that my friend could not hear me but I could hear her. I finally found out why. It seems if you put the phone near your ear it hits the mute button. I tried several times with the same result. would put the phone to my ear. she can't hear me.. pulled it away.. and yep... mic was muted.. I've decided you can't let it touch you when you're talking. It does all sorts of strange things. I use it on speaker now whenever I can. Very frustrating!!!

You could try installing a different dialer that has a different screen configuration

MollyBme said:

I have this phone. I was so frustrated that my friend could not hear me but I could hear her. I finally found out why. It seems if you put the phone near your ear it hits the mute button. I tried several times with the same result. would put the phone to my ear. she can't hear me.. pulled it away.. and yep... mic was muted.. I've decided you can't let it touch you when you're talking. It does all sorts of strange things. I use it on speaker now whenever I can. Very frustrating!!!

Click to expand...

This happens to me as well.
But in reality, it is better to not have the phone touching your head while in use, and even better to hold it away from you and use the speakerphone.