StraightTalk phone for Tracfone plan?

[pat fan]

I have an older Tracfone that works fine, buy is a pain for texting. My DS has a StraightTalk phone he no longer uses that has a keyboard. They are listed as "family" companies, so can I switch my Tracfone # and plan to the StraightTalk phone? Or will that phone only work with a StraightTalk "plan"? (Which I don't want/need). I have tried for 2 days to call Tracfone and they are too busy, call back later

 

[Straitlover]

I don't believe so. If you want an official answer, go to the Tracfone Facebook page and post there. They're good about answering stuff there.

 

[Albort]

most straighttalk phones arent unlockable...

also, i believe Tracfones operate on CDMA vs straighttalk's GSM...

 

[Imzadi]

No, the parent company is the same. I think the second richest guy in the world, (literally behind Bill Gates,) owns the company, so he has many "sister" brands all under the same company, but Tracfones, StraightTalk, & Net10 phones and their plans are NOT interchangeable. The software configuration inside each phone is different and each company likes to keep all their info separate.

So you will NOT be able to keep the same phone number or port it to StraightTalk, nor will you be able to transfer over existing minutes.

Unless you are willing to pay the $45/per month fee every month and need the unlimited service, you do not need to get a StraightTalk phone just for a QWERTY keyboard. You can just buy one from the Tracfone site. There are actually places that have reviewed the various phones available and their pros & cons. Just Google Tracfone + the model of the phone.

You can also go to HowardForums.com which has a forum just for Tracfones and read up on the various phones:
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php/330-Tracfone-Net10

I wrote a "review" over on the Budget board when I got my most recent Tracfone that is a camera phone, has limited web capability and can do texting. I do NOT pay the $45 StraightTalk price to have all those services. I just pay my REGULAR Tracfone rates when I use the phone - which is precisely why I wrote my review for the Budget Board.

You can read it here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2486103

 

[Imzadi]

most straighttalk phones arent unlockable...

also, i believe Tracfones operate on CDMA vs straighttalk's GSM...

This is not true. The majority of Tracfones are now GSM phones. You can actually figure out which type of phone it is by the letter at the END of the model number. All GSM Tracfones end with the letter "G" for GSM.

All CDMA phones end with the letter "C" for CDMA, naturally. One of my Tracfones is the LG 290C. I actually have two Tracfones, one for business & one personal and I purposely got both CDMA Tracfones, which was hard to do, as most of them out are GSM phones. But, I live in Verizon country and prefer the reception of it over AT&T. I wanted my base carrier through Tracfone to be Verizon.

Although, I am looking at a GSM Tracfone now which is GSM as it has more features that I really, really want. They are really pushing the GSM phones so they have the most updated features. Whereas the CDMA phones are more antiquated. But it also means having my base carrier through Tracfone switched to AT&T.

 

[pat fan]

Although, I am looking at a GSM Tracfone now which is GSM as it has more features that I really, really want. They are really pushing the GSM phones so they have the most updated features. Whereas the CDMA phones are more antiquated. But it also means having my base carrier through Tracfone switched to AT&T.

I'll have to be careful with that, too. My Ds had a STalk phone that worked here, but got a new Android phone that runs off Sprint (still STalk) and it doesn't work here.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I was just hoping to be cheap and not have to pay for another phone if I could use his old one.

 

[Imzadi]

I'll have to be careful with that, too. My Ds had a STalk phone that worked here, but got a new Android phone that runs off Sprint (still STalk) and it doesn't work here.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I was just hoping to be cheap and not have to pay for another phone if I could use his old one.

As far as I know, Tracfone doesn't use the Sprint network. Usually it has contracts with AT&T or T-Mobile. BUT, if that is pretty much the GSM network in your area, yes, the phone would probably switch over to the Sprint network. It works off of what is the available system in your area. You might look for a CDMA phone instead so you automatically get Verizon or the equivalent in our area.

Right now, the Tracfone site lists the Samsung R455C & the LG501C as the QWERTY phones it has available:

http://www.tracfone.com/phones.jsp

 

[pat fan]

Ok, you seem pretty knowledgeable so here's a question.

Doesn't having no cover mess with the screen on those phones? Mine is the flip-top, so the screen is always covered unless being used, and it seems like always being exposed in a purse or whatever would lead it to getting damaged quite easily. And I have a hard time hearing mine ring from my purse as it is, so there is no way I am putting it in a case, in my purse, I'd never hear it!

 

[Imzadi]

Ok, you seem pretty knowledgeable so here's a question.

Doesn't having no cover mess with the screen on those phones? Mine is the flip-top, so the screen is always covered unless being used, and it seems like always being exposed in a purse or whatever would lead it to getting damaged quite easily. And I have a hard time hearing mine ring from my purse as it is, so there is no way I am putting it in a case, in my purse, I'd never hear it!

They make cell phone touchscreen protectors that you can stick onto the front of the phones. They look like this:

Amazon carries them:
http://www.amazon.com/HTC-Shift-Touch-Screen-Protector/dp/B004K9XY2I

I'm more worried about the little camera lens. It's on the back of the phone and any time I lay the phone down I'm paranoid something will scratch the lens. The only reason I got the current phone was for the camera. My next Tracfone upgrade will be for a better camera. This one had 1.3 megapixels and I want a better camera & more memory for being on the web and a QWERTY keyboard.

When it's in my purse, I keep it in the zippered pocket in the inner wall of the purse, or I slip it into the back of my pants pocket.

I also have a flip phone and that just gets dropped into the bottom of my purse when I being it along. I do miss not having a real cover on my camera phone. But, so far the screen protector is enough.

 

[pat fan]

They make cell phone touchscreen protectors that you can stick onto the front of the phones. They look like this:

DOH! My DS makes that stuff! Thanks!

 

[Straitlover]

As far as I know, Tracfone doesn't use the Sprint network. Usually it has contracts with AT&T or T-Mobile. BUT, if that is pretty much the GSM network in your area, yes, the phone would probably switch over to the Sprint network. It works off of what is the available system in your area. You might look for a CDMA phone instead so you automatically get Verizon or the equivalent in our area.

Right now, the Tracfone site lists the Samsung R455C & the LG501C as the QWERTY phones it has available:

http://www.tracfone.com/phones.jsp

I just switched my phone to the Samsung R455C. Target had it on sale the other week for $49.99. I had a G-model, and the reception at my mother's house (we had the same phone) disappeared (have to drive about 2 miles to get a useable signal now), so I am hoping that a C-model will work. My sister lives across the street form her and has Verizon and ahs good reception. If mine works well, then I will replace my mother's phone w/ a C-model simple phone.


You are correct - Tracfone does not use Sprint. C-model phones are Verizon, and G-models are AT&T/T-Mobile. But StraightTalk does use Sprint for their Android phones only. I checked on that last week for my sister.