So, I recently received a letter from Tracfone stating it was time to upgrade my phone. My current phone is almost a decade old. It's a Samsung Flip Phone running 2G and they stated they are phasing 2G out and I needed to move to 4G. Their upgrade options were not to my liking, at least not until I went through my typical research routine. That being said, and after having read many threads here (especially helpful have been posts by hokiealumnus), I am still not sure of an answer nor have I really narrowed down which phone would be best.
That being said, there are certain requirements I have.
- I would like a phone with above average battery life. Charging more than once a day is simply an annoyance I will not tolerate. All I use my phone for is texting and calls, with the possibility of email, so that really should be a non-issue in this day and age.
- The phone must be unlocked as I will be staying with Tracfone, at least for a while. The cost / month is too much with a notable carrier for my current uses. Paying as I go is simply far cheaper. Although, if signing up for a 2-year plan saved money re the phone, that could be an option. I simply have not found this to be the case, though.
- The phone must have good call clarity (although I wonder how much of this is network based versus phone hardware / software).
- The phone must be text friendly. What I mean is, the screen must be responsive and accurate. Having used friend's phones here and there, one thing I find completely unacceptable is any sort of lag / stutter / inaccuracy of the letter / number keys on screen. I may sausage finger around, which is my own fault, but I would like the screen / touch areas to be as accurate as possible (post any individual calibration).
- I also realize that I simply do not know everything. I do not know what the future will hold, so if there are apps / certain aspects I am overlooking for a phone that, based on my history, I will keep for the foreseeable future, please feel free to provide me insight in the matter.
- Money is no object. Not because I am rich, but for two reasons A) I often find paying more results in paying less in the long run. I am more than willing to spend now if it is advisable to do so, and B) Every time I come here with a price range you guys talk me into spending more anyway
- Size. I DO NOT like big phones. Even the iPhone SE felt big when I held it in person, but I think that's about as small as I will find. Perhaps I simply need to get over the small form factor that was my current / soon to be previous phone.
- Must be 4G capable and compatible with Tracfone (pretty much every phone that is recommended on "best buy" lists is compatible).
- I am not concerned with anything re music, videos, games, internet, etc. I simply do not use my phone for these things. That being said, the internet may be something to consider for "future proofing" my experience, but I can see no future wherein I will need my phone for the other items listed. I have other devices that can handle those aspects. Thus, space is probably not a major concern, i.e. the 16 GB SE would be more up my alley than the 64GB version.
- Camera is an absolute non-issue. Would be perfectly fine if the phone didn't even have one.
- Durability is key. I am actually quite delicate with my phones, as my previous phone wouldn't have lasted these last 9+ years had I been abusive. That being said, I would like a phone that is compatible with protection type items (screen protectors, cases, etc.). If it came standard with the phone so be it, but so long as said phones are of a form factor that allows them to be protected by mainstream products all is well.
- Resale value is not really a concern. By the time I have exhausted my uses for this phone, I doubt, with the way technology works, I will be in a place where it is still relevant enough to be sold. As such, any sort of upgrade program is likely to be irrelevant to me as well.
- Things like Apple Pay and other extra benefits are likely to be of no use to me, but as I stated previously, I do not know everything and have long been out of the "Smartphone" game, so advice here as to what is / could be needed is more than welcome.
Thank you for any help / advice. As always it is appreciated!
That being said, there are certain requirements I have.
- I would like a phone with above average battery life. Charging more than once a day is simply an annoyance I will not tolerate. All I use my phone for is texting and calls, with the possibility of email, so that really should be a non-issue in this day and age.
- The phone must be unlocked as I will be staying with Tracfone, at least for a while. The cost / month is too much with a notable carrier for my current uses. Paying as I go is simply far cheaper. Although, if signing up for a 2-year plan saved money re the phone, that could be an option. I simply have not found this to be the case, though.
- The phone must have good call clarity (although I wonder how much of this is network based versus phone hardware / software).
- The phone must be text friendly. What I mean is, the screen must be responsive and accurate. Having used friend's phones here and there, one thing I find completely unacceptable is any sort of lag / stutter / inaccuracy of the letter / number keys on screen. I may sausage finger around, which is my own fault, but I would like the screen / touch areas to be as accurate as possible (post any individual calibration).
- I also realize that I simply do not know everything. I do not know what the future will hold, so if there are apps / certain aspects I am overlooking for a phone that, based on my history, I will keep for the foreseeable future, please feel free to provide me insight in the matter.
- Money is no object. Not because I am rich, but for two reasons A) I often find paying more results in paying less in the long run. I am more than willing to spend now if it is advisable to do so, and B) Every time I come here with a price range you guys talk me into spending more anyway
- Size. I DO NOT like big phones. Even the iPhone SE felt big when I held it in person, but I think that's about as small as I will find. Perhaps I simply need to get over the small form factor that was my current / soon to be previous phone.
- Must be 4G capable and compatible with Tracfone (pretty much every phone that is recommended on "best buy" lists is compatible).
- I am not concerned with anything re music, videos, games, internet, etc. I simply do not use my phone for these things. That being said, the internet may be something to consider for "future proofing" my experience, but I can see no future wherein I will need my phone for the other items listed. I have other devices that can handle those aspects. Thus, space is probably not a major concern, i.e. the 16 GB SE would be more up my alley than the 64GB version.
- Camera is an absolute non-issue. Would be perfectly fine if the phone didn't even have one.
- Durability is key. I am actually quite delicate with my phones, as my previous phone wouldn't have lasted these last 9+ years had I been abusive. That being said, I would like a phone that is compatible with protection type items (screen protectors, cases, etc.). If it came standard with the phone so be it, but so long as said phones are of a form factor that allows them to be protected by mainstream products all is well.
- Resale value is not really a concern. By the time I have exhausted my uses for this phone, I doubt, with the way technology works, I will be in a place where it is still relevant enough to be sold. As such, any sort of upgrade program is likely to be irrelevant to me as well.
- Things like Apple Pay and other extra benefits are likely to be of no use to me, but as I stated previously, I do not know everything and have long been out of the "Smartphone" game, so advice here as to what is / could be needed is more than welcome.
Thank you for any help / advice. As always it is appreciated!
Last edited:
