How Many Minutes Does Texting Cost For Tracfone?

How Much Does Texting Cost for Tracfone?

This is a relatively common question many people have when looking at buying a Tracfone cell phone.

Cell Phone Closeup By seanmcmenemy

Tracfone is a prepaid, no-contract cell phone service provider. They have low cost minute cards, and many cell phones for under $100 (and even under $20). With Tracfone service, you pay for how much you use the phone, and you have to buy prepaid minutes to put on the phone before you can use it.

Texting with Tracfone is very reasonable, and we are going to share exactly how it works, and how much it will cost you.

Before we get to the cost, we must explain that texting charges are different for Tracfone's newer, Android powered smartphones. These smartphones put minutes into three separate 'pools' of calling/texting/data.

Read our guide, How Minutes Work on Tracfone Smartphones to get the full explanation. We will share below how much texting will cost on the smartphones as well as regular Tracfone devices.

Now, let's first explain the cost for texting with Non-Android phones:

Texting, or SMS, costs 0.3 units (or minutes) for each text (sent or received) on non-Android phones

Sending an MMS costs 0.5 unites, and pictures cost 1 unit on non-Android phones.

Sometimes pictures can cost more, especially if they are larger images. And remember that you get deducted for every text you send or receive.

What about Android phones? How much does texting cost on a Tracfone smartphone?

This is a very straightforward answer, because texts are already separated from calling and data on the smartphones.

Texting on a Smartphone costs 1 text (sent or received)

Sending a photo deducts from your data based on the size of the photo

So with a smartphone, each text deducts one text from your 'text pool'. At this time, here is no way to just buy texts, so if you run out you will have to buy another prepaid minute card.

Some users have experienced problems sending photos on smartphones. This may be due to these users leaving their data turned off (which is usually a good idea, because it keeps apps from using data). Data is used when sending pictures.

If you have more questions about the smartphones from Tracfone, check out our Android vs non-Android comparison, that covers many of the differences.

Texting with Tracfone is very reasonable, although if you send thousands of texts per month, you may want to look for an unlimited plan.

There are also some other costs that you should be familiar with when using Tracfone:

Surfing the web browser costs 0.4 units per minute on older, non-Android phones

On newer Tracfone Cell phones, such as the LG 840G or any Android Smartphones, using the web browser costs differently based more on the amount of data used, instead of time online. Additionally, the LG 840G and all the Android phones have WiFi connectivity, which is free to use on the phone when you are connected to a WiFi network.

Using Tracfone prepaid cell phones is great for those who want an emergency phone, don't use their phone too often, or just need a phone in a hurry. And with many of the newer Android powered smartphones, they have become even more economical for daily use.

To learn more, read our Beginners Guide to Tracfone, to answer many of the comment questions consumers have.

We hope this has been helpful! Leave a comment if you have questions, and thanks for visiting!

Keep up with the latest from our blog by following us on Facebook!

(This post was originally published 1/9/2013, but was updated and republished 2/23/2015 with more accurate information)

Baca Lebih Lengkap

Lg Sunset Review - Tracfone Gsm 4G Lte Smartphone

Review of the LG L33L Sunset from Tracfone with 4G LTE

This post shares the latest details on the LG Sunset from Tracfone. The Sunset is the second Android smartphone from Tracfone that uses GSM service. It is the first smartphone that is 4G LTE capable. This review by , while cover the important specs and features, and include a comparison to other devices, and where to buy the phone.

LG Sunset with 4G LTE 

Tracfone has released the first 4G LTE capable device for use with their prepaid service and it is called the LG Sunset (LG L33L). It is also unique being only the second Android device available for use with GSM networks. The LG Sunrise L16G (hopefully we won't get confused), is also a GSM capable device released by Tracfone, but with a smaller screen, lesser specs and no 4G.

Update - It appears that Tracfone is also retailing the LG Destiny (L21G), which is exactly the same as the Sunset as far as we can tell.

For those who might be unfamiliar with Tracfone, they are a wireless prepaid service provider who also offers cell phones to use on their low cost service. Tracfone contracts with major service providers like AT&T and Verizon to use their networks for Tracfone prepaid service.

Tracfone also allows users to bring their own phones to Tracfone, recently adding GSM devices to their list of CDMA smartphones approved for use. Visit our Tracfone BYOP page for more information on that.

Over the last few years Tracfone has steadily closed the gulf that had opened between the phones they offered, and the phones available to consumers on other networks. At first we got very basic Android devices that were seriously lacking. But slowly more CDMA smartphones with better specs appeared.

And now Tracfone takes another step forward in closing the gulf (or, at least, not letting it get wider), but releasing the first 4G LTE capable device.

Tracfone had already been allowing customers to bring 4G LTE capable devices to use with Tracfone BYOP by purchasing an Activation Kit, but the LG Sunset is the first phone available directly through Tracfone.

Well, enough about the background details, let's take a look at this Android smartphone and see how it stacks up.

LG Sunset Features and Specs

Below are the features for the LG Sunset, followed by the technical specifications

LG Sunset Features and Details

• Android 5.0.1 Lollipop
• 4G LTE Connectivity through AT&T GSM Service
• WiFI
• GPS
• Bluetooth 4.1
• 5MP Camera (with Auto-focus and Flash) VGA Front Camera
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Hands free Speaker
• Triple Minutes for Life
• Access to over a Million apps through Google Play store
• Micro SD Slot for up to 32GB External Memory

LG Sunset Technical Specs List

• Size: 5.11" x 2.55" x 0.43"
• 4.5" Touchscreen (480x854 at 218 DPI)
• 1.2 Ghz Quad Core Processor
• 1 GB RAM
• 8 GB Internal Memory (about 3-4 GB use-able)
• Battery: 10 hrs Talk Time, 10 Days Standby, 1900 mAh battery

A great list of features and specs for the Sunset, but does it remind you of another phone? It should! It has the same features and specs as the LG Power (L22C) and LG Destiny (L21G) except for the 4G LTE connectivity. In case you were wondering, the 'L' in the Sunset's L33L name is for LTE. (However, the LG L21G is also listed as featuring 4G speed).

Let's get into some of the things we like and dislike about the LG Sunset.

LG Sunset Review - Likes and Dislikes

We will begin with the features we like best.

LG Sunset Likes

LG Sunset front, side and back

The Sunset is a really great device, so it is easy to run down a list of the features we are excited about in this device. The screen size is the same as the LG Power and LG Ultimate 2, at 4.5" which is a convenient size for most people.

Just like the Power, the LG Sunset comes with 1 GB RAM, 8 GB Internal Memory and a 1.2 Ghz Quad Core Processor. These are all very adequate and about the best you can get from Tracfone at this time. The Internal Memory is 8 GB, but closer to half of that is actually use-able. 4 GB is enough space for a variety of apps, but you won't be able to fit your music or video library on the phone without an External Micro SD card.

Android 5.0.1 is another prominent feature of the LG Sunset. If you prefer this newer version of Android, you will be happy to see it on the Sunset.

The biggest feature on the LG Sunset is the ability to connect to 4G LTE service through AT& GSM cell towers. Tracfone has contracted with AT&T to use their existing network of service to run Tracfone devices. With 4G LTE you get faster download speeds when surfing the internet on your phone so less time waiting for a video to load.

Previously, Tracfone only had Android smartphones available on Verizon CDMA networks, limiting consumers who didn't have good Verizon coverage in their area. Now you have another option in AT&T GSM service.

We are very excited about the 4G LTE feature this phone offers, because it is another step forward for Tracfone, getting better and better devices to use on their low cost network.

For a quick comparison of all the Android devices on Tracfone, visit our Android Tracfone List.

Now we will cover a few negatives for the LG Sunset

LG Sunset Dislikes
While there is not a lot we've found about the LG Sunset we don't like, there are a couple of features we would like to see improved.

The rear camera on the Sunset is fairly good with 5MP and autofocus. However the front camera is only 0.3 MP. This is adequate for video chatting, but might be lacking if you started taking photos in challenging lighting. We would want this phone to come with a better camera.

Internal Memory on the LG Sunset is modest, with 8 GB total, but about half of that used by the Operating System. This leaves around 4 GB for storing everything you plan to load on your device. There is an external Micro SD card slot, but not everything can be transferred. Tracfone customers have been longing for a device with better internal memory, and hopefully we will get something with closer to 16 GB in the near future.

Finally, none of the Android devices from Tracfone can be used with Tracfone Promo Codes. You do get Triple Minutes for Life, and minutes are split into text/data/calling, however, promo codes often help many users get enough minutes for their needs.

That covers the main points for the LG Sunset. Remember, you can also check out our Review of the LG Power for additional details and comments, because these phones share many of the same features.

LG Sunset Compared to the LG Ultimate 2, LG Power and BYOP Devices

So how does the Sunset compare to some of the other phones offered by Tracfone?

Well, as you should be aware of, the LG Sunset is basically the same as the LG Power and LG Destiny except for the 4G LTE on GSM networks. If GSM coverage is better in your area, then this phone is your best choice.

Compared to the LG Ultimate 2, the Sunset has slightly better specs, like a quad core processor, but abuot the same amount of internal memory. The only reason to switch from the Ultimate 2 would be if you preferred 4G LTE coverage on GSM networks.

As you can probably tell from this review, the main feature for the Sunset is GSM 4G LTE coverage. So if you would rather have GSM coverage, this phone is one of the best options currently available from Tracfone.

If you're not quite sure about what GSM means, visit our guide to the Difference between GSM and CDMA.

So how does the LG Sunset compare to phones you can bring to Tracfone BYOP's GSM service? Well, as you should expect, bringing your own device to Tracfone allows you to access many more options, and most of them are better than the LG Sunset. The Moto G (2nd Gen), LG U2, Samsung Galaxy S3 and other devices in this range can be found for around $200 and will generally come with better and/or larger screens, more internal memory, and perhaps similar or slightly better other features. But if you want to avoid the possible hassles of finding and activating a device on Tracfone BYOP, the Sunset is a great alternative.

Visit our GSM Activation Kit for Tracfone BYOP if you're ready to give it a try.

Conclusion and Where to Find the LG Sunset

We hope this helps you gain a better idea of how the LG L33L Sunset compares to other devices available. We would recommenced it if you are looking for a new device and prefer GSM coverage. We also expect Tracfone to continue to release new devices for GSM, however we don't know what kind of schedule this will follow, or if the devices will be any better than the Sunset.

Overall the LG Sunset is a good device, and a great option if you are looking to buy a smartphone int he near future. We haven't seen the Sunset available on the Tracfone website, but it is available through several other third party retailers.

The LG Sunset was offered for a limited time on HSN for $130 with a 400 Minute/1 Year card, but the price has increased to $150.

You can also find the LG Sunset with a 1 Year/400 Minute card on eBay for $150

We haven't seen the Sunset anywhere else yet, but will update as more buying options become available.

There are plenty of LG Sunset cases on Amazon, because the Sunset shares the same form as the Destiny, Power, Leon and several more devices.

You can take a look at the Interactive Tutorial for the LG Sunset to learn more about how the phone works.

If you're new to Android, you might find our List of the Best Android Apps a good place to start and see all the different possibilities.

Also take a look at our post on How Minutes Work for Android Tracfone Devices. This informative post shares some of the differences between Android phones and Non Android devices, and what it means for your minutes.

Keep up with the latest information and posts from us by joining over 1100 followers on Facebook!

Thanks for visiting and leave a comment with any questions or thoughts on this new smartphone.

Baca Lebih Lengkap

Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz Review - Tracfone Android

Review of the Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz from Tracfone

Below are the specs, features and our review for the Alcatel Onetouch Pixi available from Tracfone. We have compiled the information here to provide our readers with the best resources for making decisions about buying phones from Tracfone.

Alcatel Pixi Glitz Review

The Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz is a budget smartphone that comes with some surprising features like Android 4.4, and a price that is almost unbeatable. But is this phone worth it? And what about a few specs that could be serious drawbacks? We will be covering all this and more in our review of the Alcatel Onetouch Pixi.

For those who might not know, Tracfone is a prepaid wireless phone company that offers both airtime, and cell phones throughout America. Tracfone doesn't actually own any cell phone towers though, but rather contracts with other carriers like Verizon and AT&T to use their networks. With Tracfone, you can have cell phone service for less than $10 a month if you don't need to use your phone very much, and they have more airtime options for those with more needs.

For more about Tracfone, start with our Beginners Guide which will cover the basics, and then you might want to visit our Cell Phone Reviews page to see the various phones they offer.

The Pixi Glitz is one of the newer phones from Tracfone, and it uses GSM towers from AT&T. It was released in the Fall of 2015 as Tracfone continues to roll out more smartphone options for their network.

Alcatel is a Chinese mobile phone manufacturer (as is ZTE) that was founded in 2004 and is a subsidiary to another Chinese company called TCL, according to Wikipedia sources.

On first glance one can immediately tell that the Pixi Glitz doesn't have the same performance as some of the other phones Tracfone has recently released like the LG Sunset and ZTE Quartz, however the price on the Pixi is what sets it apart, as many consumers have found the phone for $10 in stores, or sometimes even less.

Before we get into the full specs for this smartphone, we want to share our quick pro's and con's.

Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz Quick Facts

The Good:
-Android 4.4
-Inexpensive - $10-20

The Not so Good:
-Small Screen and Poor Pixel Density- 3.5" at 167 PPI
-Low RAM and Internal Memory
-No Front Camera

There are certainly some trade-offs for this phone, but let's take a look at the full list of features and specs before we get any further.

Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz Features and Specs

Below are the features, followed by the technical specifications.

• Android 4.4
• 4G Connectivity on AT&T GSM network
• GPS
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• FM Radio
• Voice Dailing and hearing aid compatible
• 3 Home Screens
• MP3 Player
• MMS
• Voicemail, call waiting, caller ID
• Access to over 1 million apps on Google Play
• Triple Talk, Text and Data for life

Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz Specs

• Size: 4.41" x 2.45" x 0.47"
• 3.5" Touchscreen - TFT LCD
• 1.3 Ghz Processor 
• 512 RAM
• 2 GB Memory (up to 32 GB external Micro SD card)
• Battery: Talk Time 5.7 hrs, Standby 12 days

Android 4.4, while not the newest, is a relatively recent version of the operating system and one that will allow a number of apps to be compatible with this device, we just wish the phone and more memory and RAM. It appears that some sources indicate this phone comes with 4 GB internal memory, but we only noticed 2 GB total space, of which a little over 1 GB is actually available to the users. The RAM is also on the low side, at only 512 mb.

So let's get straight to our review of the Pixi Glitz and discuss what we like and don't like about this Tracfone smartphone.

Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz Review

What we Like:

Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz 

As we mentioned, this phone uses Android 4.4 which is a relatively recent version and we would be disappointed if it used an older version. One of the more popular features is the ability to ask Google questions by simply saying 'OK Google'. This is a very handy feature when you want to look up something in a hurry.

The Pixi Glitz uses GSM networks and has 4G connectivity. Before you buy this phone check that you will have service in your area for the Tracfone GSM network, which would be AT&T.

Finally, the Alcatel Onetouch Pixi does come with all the basic calling and texting features like voice dailing, Caller ID, MMS, and more. You also get Triple Talk, Text and Data for life - which means anytime you add airtime it will get split into three buckets, and also be tripled. Note, triple minutes doesn't work on the new smartphone airtime cards.

What we really find great about this Tracfone Android phone is the price. But remember how much the phone costs we looking at the performance

Now we will share some of the drawbacks for this device.

What we Don't Like:
There are a number specifications that are just not up to par for this phone including the RAM and internal memory.

The minimum RAM most phones have these days is 1 GB and many phones even have 2 or 3 GB in order to handle the more resource intense apps that are available. RAM also helps with multitasking, so only 512 MB of RAM will mean the Pixi Glitz can't run as many apps at once. The internal memory is limited, but not as low as the old LG Optimus Dynamic.

Screen size on the Pixi is also small at only 3.5" and with a rather low pixel density of about 167. For some, this might be a positive because the phone will be easier to fit in a picket, but the small screen size does make the keyboard a little harder to use and type on. The larger the screen, the larger the keyboard which generally makes for easier typing.

The Pixi Glitz also lacks and front camera, and the rear camera is just 2 MP. It is hard to complain about this phone too much, since the price is so low, but we just want everyone to be aware that you will not be getting everything on this phone that a more expensive phone might have.

Lastly, the phone does feel a little cheap. This is as expected however, for a device at this price point.

Maps on the Pixi Glitz

This phone mainly comes down to the money (as you could probably tell), and for the money it is pretty good value. But those looking for a phone to run a variety of different apps and keep up with various daily needs, this device might not cut it.

At the price, one could just take a risk and buy the phone to see how it works, but if you're actually looking for a phone to use in the long run, you're better off with a higher quality and better performing device.

What the Alcatel Onetouch Pixi might be good for are people who only need a smartphone for one or two things like checking email. It might also be good for children as a first phone, because if they drop it or lose it, the investment is very small.

You can find the Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz on Amazon, and also on many other online retailers like BestBuy and Walmart. You can also phone the phone in many stores.

There is an interactive tutorial for the Alcatel Onetouch Pixi Glitz to help show how it works and where to find various features on the phone.

Resources for Tracfone Android Smartphones

We have created a number of helpful articles about using Android phones with Tracfone, and you can read them for yourself to help learn more about how these phones work, and how to get he most form your device.

First off, read more about How Airtime Works on Tracfone Smartphones which includes an explanation of the differences between smartphones and non-smartphones with Tracfone.

Learn how you can Check your Airtime Balance on Tracfone Smartphones which is not as simple compared to non-Android devices, but there are several different options.

Also read up on the new Smartphone only Airtime cards and see our analysis on whether they are a good deal. And lastly, visit our Android Tracfone List which you can use to browse the different smartphones offered by Tracfone, and quickly compare the options.

We hope this information has been help, and leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions!

Baca Lebih Lengkap