Will either of these phones work in my area? (Samsung T404G or LG 800G)
Hey guys. I'm a total cellphone newbie. (A cheap Tracfone that I got a few months ago was my first phone that doesn't have a cord running to the wall.) Anyway, I've been wanting to get one with a few more bells and whistles and saw that these two phones (the Samsung T404G and the LG 800G) currently come with triple minutes for life. I'd be happy with either one (preferably the Samsung for the QWERTY keyboard) but I'm in a market area that doesn't offer those phones. I'm just wondering if one of these phones really would work fine in my area if I just went ahead and plugged in another market area's zip code on Tracfone's website. My actual zip code is 97630 (Lakeview, Oregon - middle of nowhere) and I guess we're mainly serviced by Verizon, though AT&T's coverage map seems to include our area as well. Anyway, I'm hoping you fellows could share some of your expertise with me. Thanks.
Tracfone would much rather sell a GSM phone than a CDMA phone, due to costs. So if you are not offered GSM phones, there is a very good reason - they won't work. Tracfone is forced to set you up with CDMA. And the AT&T coverage map bears this out. You will get either no service or partner roaming service. Neither of those will let you activate an AT&T Tracfone, because an AT&T tower is required to seal the deal. There are more CDMA phones than what is offered on the website, which is not intended to be the last word on phones. There are phones at plenty of neighborhood stores and also on ebay, etc. Any CDMA Tracfone that is not totally obsolete will work. Even if you manage to activate a GSM phone by traveling to a compatible area, there is no guarantee that the roaming partner will have a service contract with Tracfone. I don't think the roaming agreement is with AT&T. Tracfones have their own rules.
Tracfone would love to stick you on AT&T or T-Mobile if they thought there was any chance you could get a signal. Since the only phones they offer for your zip code are CDMA model phones it's a pretty good bet the only coverage 'Tracfone' can provide there is via Verizon. If AT&T provides service there it could be through partner carriers that Tracfone might not have agreements with, I ran into that situation with another individual here in these forums. Real AT&T customers had coverage in his area but none of the GSM phones he ordered from Tracfone, using the zip code trick, would work nor even activate.
No, not at this time. If Tracfone ever offers a card to add TMFL to your phone like they currently have the DMFL card that could be an option for you, they don't do things that encourage folks to switch to CDMA (they make less profit) that's why those phones so far have been less than their GSM counterparts. You could keep an eye out for the LG505C which everyone expects to be released 'someday', it's a CDMA touchscreen with a slideout keyboard that they currently show on their activation page.
This seller (well known and trusted by everyone here) has the Tracfone LG290C (DMFL) for sale - 3 different packages. HSN has had this phone with TMFL, but not currently. He also sells thru Amazon. http://stores.ebay.com/shopcelldeals...?_nkw=tracfone
When I put in my zip code (67410) on the Tracfone website the LG800C is an option for me, but the Samsung T404G is not. Earlier this month both were options for me on the Tracfone website. What is up with that? I would like a triple minute phone.
Would I be OK ordering the T404G from Amazon since the LG800C is an option for me on the Tracfone website? Thanks!
Okie dokie, well I'm glad you guys know what's what. Do you know if there are any CDMA phones that come with TMFL?
The LG 501c with TMFL is listed on ebay right now. The seller is shpocelldeals which is the trusted seller Tracfancier was referring to. It comes with TMFL, 1200 minutes and 1 year of service for 94.99 including shipping. That is the one I would recommend for anyone who wants a CDMA phone with TMFL.
What about the LG 501c with DMFL? That would be a better choice than the LG 290c. It is a qwerty and has more current features. IMHO.
I've heard the LG290C is really good for voice quality and signal reception on several forums. I had the LG501C for about 1 week then it went in my donate box, the voice quality on the LG501C was horrible, at least on the one I got, and the signal reception wasn't as good as my LG231C. The LG501C sounded overly compressed, I did like the keyboard but I like to have conversations I can understand too. Do any of the folks here, that are suggesting the LG501C, have this phone and like it? Just wondering because the one I got sucked.
Originally Posted by HomeinKS
When I put in my zip code (67410) on the Tracfone website the LG800C is an option for me, but the Samsung T404G is not. Earlier this month both were options for me on the Tracfone website. What is up with that? I would like a triple minute phone.
Would I be OK ordering the T404G from Amazon since the LG800C is an option for me on the Tracfone website? Thanks!
HomeinKS,
Yes order your LG404G if you want it. It's not offered right now because they probably don't have any in stock. It has been a good seller with the TMFL included. You tend to see phones appear and disappear on their web site depending on their stock on hand. FYI, you'll probably need to contact Tracfone and get a T-Mobile SIM card after you receive it since you're in a Verizon/T-Mobile area (COGSM5) according to your zip code. The phone you get outside of Tracfone will probably have an AT&T SIM card in it.
Thank you BobbyLee. I have noticed things appear and disappear from the tracfone site, good to know why.
I said the LG800C wasn't available on the tracfone site; I meant the Samsung 404G was not available on the site. But I think you answered my question anyway.
Hopefully my daughter will like the Samsung T404G. She wants a Verizon plan and I told her I'm not signing anything.
I've heard the LG290C is really good for voice quality and signal reception on several forums. I had the LG501C for about 1 week then it went in my donate box, the voice quality on the LG501C was horrible, at least on the one I got, and the signal reception wasn't as good as my LG231C. The LG501C sounded overly compressed, I did like the keyboard but I like to have conversations I can understand too. Do any of the folks here, that are suggesting the LG501C, have this phone and like it? Just wondering because the one I got sucked.
No, I have never had an LG 501c, just the LG 500g. Never had the LG 290c, so don't know how it compares to that.
Hopefully my daughter will like the Samsung T404G. She wants a Verizon plan and I told her I'm not signing anything.
Just remember it will probably come with an AT&T SIM card, if you have problems (can't activate or no signal) call Tracfone customer service and ask for a T-Mobile SIM card. According to the AT&T coverage map they have coverage via partners in your area but T-Mobile's coverage map shows pretty good coverage.
Hopefully my daughter will like the Samsung T404G. She wants a Verizon plan and I told her I'm not signing anything.
If she has her heart set on Verizon, maybe you should look into PagePlus. Runs on the Verizon network, uses Verizon postpaid phones and cheaper plans than Tracfone.
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Originally Posted by EnohpcartNewb
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