My new smartphone--extreme budget version
I don't use a cell phone very often. I have no signal at my house, so my phone is turned off unless I go out. Even then, if I need to make a call it's anyone's guess whether or not I'll have a signal. Only a few people have my cell number, so my phone rarely rings. The only texts I get are occasional ones from my daughter or granddaughter. Still, I've had a mobile phone going way back to the days when they were called "bag phones," and I like the security of carrying one.
When I found myself needing a new phone this summer, I thought it would be fun to get a smartphone--not because I wanted to stay connected to the Internet more than I already am (I don't!), but because they look interesting and amusing. I needed to do it with as little $$ outlay as possible, so here's what I did.
The phone is a Nokia Lumia 635. It's a Windows smartphone. I had my eye on it for awhile, and when the price dropped way down to $39.99, I bought it. I was going to sign up with Go Phone, but then my son told me about Black Wireless, an AT&T MVNO. I paid $10, which expires in 90 days. Calls are 5¢ per minute, and texts are 5¢ each. They have other plans, but we'll see how this one works out after the 90 days.
I know I'm not the only one at the KT who doesn't give a cell phone heavy use, and thought someone else might be interested in this low-cost option.
Good for you Alisande. We bought one earlier this year, like you we don't talk or text much at all. One thing we got it for was if we are out and our shift suddenly gets changed, we'd know, by checking our emails. Sometimes they get cancelled and sometimes they're extended.
We got a Huewei for $60. We had a flip phone before, with a pay-as-you-go. Those plans work differently than they do in the States. If you don't top it up, you can't carry over your minutes, they're all lost. So it's essentially a forced monthly bill. $15/month or $100/year, so we buy the annual one. I've got lots of time on it, from our old phone. It has wi-fi, I didn't want to pay for built-in accessibility, 3G or whatever it's called.
I still don't know how to use the darned thing. I never know how to log off of anything, it's not set up the same as sites on the computer.
Very good!
that sounds good! Like you, I was interested in " smart" phones, just for learning something new. I didn't want to pay for the Apple iPhone so one day while browsing at the dollar store , just for fun,I bought a tracfone LG 840G which has wifi on it. I'll play with this until I decide what, if any, I want to get next. I was thinking of the Samsung Galaxey which is an Android and larger than the one I bought. How is your new phone doing for getting signals?
Well, I still don't have a signal in the house, but I was able to make a call from my porch. I think the signal depends on service you sign up with, doesn't it? I had Verizon, but Black Wireless is affiliated with AT&T, which I think is slightly better around here.
Jasdip, Go Phone works like that--if you catch it before the time period expires, your minutes roll over. One of my friends has that $100/year plan.
I could do $100/year with Black Wireless, but thought I'd start out with something even cheaper. Because I am . . . um . . . frugal. :-)
Glad that you can call from home now! I have Verizon here so it works well on my flip phone but not so good with the tracfone...until I go into town. It sounds like you have a good deal! :). I am not a big user of a cell phone either, it is rarely turned on unless I know someone may want to contact me while away from home.
I was resistant at first to get a smart phone, but I am glad I did. You discover all the things that are pertinent to you and use it accordingly.
i like how I can use it asa GPS or always be able to look thing up where ever you are.
I LOVE my Smartphone. My son got me one for Christmas. He pays my bill. Sadly I busted it. I am due for an upgrade in December so right now I have an older one. Still does all the good stuff. I'll get the bigger screen one then. I love being able to take pictures, have my grocery list in my notes, have my Hobby Lobby coupon right with me and a lot of other things that they do.
My son just bought a new one about a month ago. While the guy was telling him about it he threw it across the room. The new cases they come in now are so much better. Unless you run over it with your car like I did. They can be pricey.. Love my smartphone. Would hate to be without it..
Good deal, Alisande! I'm also looking for a new phone/plan.
Right now I'm considering Consumer Cellular. My sis and bil will be switching to them in January when their contacts expire. From what she told me, they can both be on a plan for a $40 monthly. But you have to buy your phone up front. They are looking at a Motorola Moto. My sis does not use her phone much but my bil uses his a little more than she. I'm kind of waiting to see what they think about it and then go from there.
Alisande, if AT&T is your carrier and the signal is poor at your home, they will send you (for FREE) a signal booster to put inside your home. It's an "AT&T 3G MicroCell" (made by CISCO) and is 3G and 4G handset compatible.
You will have to program into it which cell phone numbers are allowed to use the signal, and the limit is THREE cell phones. So you could program in the numbers for your daughter and son-in-law who live nearby (as long as they are also on AT&T) as well as your own.
You have to call customer service -- they don't just automatically send these things out to everyone.
Thanks for the tip, Lindsey. I didn't know that, and I'll check it out. If AT&T doesn't consider an MVNO to be part of the "real" AT&T, maybe we can get it through my son and DIL, who have AT&T. Or at least they could get it for themselves.
Sorry I got your children mixed up, Alisande! I was thinking it was your daughter and son-in-law that live close to you, but it's your son and daughter-in-law!!
You know, I didn't even realize that, Lindsey. I guess I subconsciously edited for accuracy. LOL