4G LTE with Tracfone BYOP

Use 4G LTE Smartphones with Tracfone BYOP program

This post details the latest on Tracfone BYOP and 4G LTE. We will continue to update it, as well as our main Tracfone BYOP page which also contains a list of compatible phones. 

Tracfone BYOP 4G LTE 

We are excited to share the news that Tracfone has now opened their BYOP program to 4G Smartphones! Previously, only Verizon compatible 3G phones were capable of being used with Tracfone BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone). This meant the best phones you could get were the iPhone 4s, Moto G, and other similar types. While these smartphones are great, they are not top of the line.

With 4G LTE now available with Tracfone, you can use the iPhone 6, or a Samsung Galaxy S6, or many other high-end devices and get the fastest data speeds. The only requirement is that it must be able to connect with Verizon 4G service to activate.

We will dive into more details on activating your phone and what kind of requirements there are after we cover the basics of how the Tracfone BYOP program works.

How Tracfone BYOP 4G LTE Works

Using a 4G LTE device with Tracfone BYOP works similarly to bringing a 3G device to Tracfone. You will need to have your own smartphone, and it needs to be compatible with Verizon service.

Tracfone contracts with Verizon to use their cell towers for service, but everything goes through Tracfone. If you go outside the coverage of Verizon, you may lose service, or run on lower speeds.

To get started with Tracfone BYOP, you will visit this Tracfone page and check that your phone is compatible by entering your ZIP code and MEID/ESN. Following the steps, you will be prompted to buy an activation kit, which will give you a SIM card and Network Access Code.

Additionally, you can go over to SaveonTracfone.com and buy the Activation kit there. You can choose between the 4G LTE and 3G kits, and it might be a few dollars cheaper.

Most users are reporting a quick and painless process, but you should be prepared if something doesn't work right, and you need to make a phone call to customer service.

Phone Requirements and Activating on Tracfone BYOP

Activation Card for 4G LTE

The requirements for what kind of phone can be activated with 4G service on Tracfone seems a little more straightforward than before. You need a device that is compatible with Verizon 4G LTE, which includes a wide variety of top of the line devices. It also needs a clean ESN, which means it can't be in contract, or stolen.

A 4G LTE device will need a SIM card to connect with Tracfone, and this will come with your activation kit. On a side note, once you have activated a Verizon compatible 4G LTE device, you can take the SIM and move it to many other devices that would not be able to activate on their own. Not all the details are clear on this, but many users are confirming switching between devices.

This could be very convenient for those who want to have a backup device, since you could just buy another phone, and then switch the SIM card to it if you ever needed to.

To activate your phone, make sure you have the 4G LTE activation kit (or start by getting it, which will be mailed to you in about a day) and then proceed through the steps on the Tracfone website or by calling Tracfone.

To review, here are the steps:

1. Get a 4G LTE compatible smartphone that runs on Verizon and has a clean ESN (is not on contract or stolen) and test it on the Tracfone BYOP website.

2. Follow the steps on Tracfone and purchase your Activation kit (SIM card) and Network Access Code. The SIM card will be mailed to you. You can Also purchase this through SaveOnTracfone.com.

3. Activate your 4G device only at Tracfone.com or over the phone.

If you have thoughts or questions on this process, check out the comments below.

Where to Find Phones for Tracfone BYOP

You need a 4G LTE capable device that is for Verizon service (CDMA) to use it with Tracfone BYOP. Fortunately, there are many different phone options, and many different retailers to choose from. Used or new will work, as long as they are not currently under contract.

One of the cheapest and easiest places to find phones is online. You can quickly browse many different options and price points, as well as used, new and refurbished. Follow the links below to get started and see some of the options. Once you have a certain phone in mind, you can search for that device.

Search for Verizon 4G LTE phones on Amazon

Search for Verizon 4G LTE phones on eBay

There are many more retailers to search including Newegg, BestBuy and more.

To get some ideas, and for a full list of compatible phones for both 3G and 4G LTE, visit our Tracfone BYOP page.

We hope this covers the exciting news about Tracfone's slow expansion into 4G LTE and hope that they will also add support for 4G on GSM networks.

Please let us know if we missed anything, we strive to provide accurate and helpful information!

If you're interested in other phone options, visit our Cell Phone Reviews page which includes many Android devices like the LG Ultimate 2, which was our pick for the Best Tracfone Smartphone.

We have also created a list of the best Apps for Android with more than 40 great apps, almost all of which are free. I have found Clean Master App to be very handy for keeping my phone running well, and reducing wasted space.

Thanks for Visiting!

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Best Tracfone Cell Phone

Top 5 Tracfone Prepaid Cell Phones 

Everyone wants to know, what is the best Tracfone device? Which cell phones are the best options from Tracfone? We provide for you here the updated list of Best Tracfone Cell Phones for 2015!

List of the Best Tracfone Cell Phones - photo by arlo_

As you might expect, this list is dominated by the Android powered smartphones Tracfone has released over the last year or two. But which one will receive the top pick? And where in the ranking do the rest of the phones fall? This is almost the best android Tracfone list, but we included some other phones. See the list below!

If you want to see a full listing of all the smartphones, take a look at our comprehensive Android Tracfone List.

We are judging this list of the best cell phones based primarily on features, specifications, and performance as well as feedback from customers. Price and availability will only be small factors, as both of these variables change often.

We will provide a short description of each phone in the list, and a link to our full review if you would like to learn more about a particular phone. This list is written has a helpful guide, that can give you an idea of which phones are generally better than others. However, each phone has certain features which are more important to some people, thus making that phone the best choice, even if it isn't at the top of our list.

We originally created this list of the best Tracfone devices in January, 2014, but have updated in March of 2015.

List of the 8 Best Cell Phones from Tracfone

The list will contain our eight top picks, starting off with number eight:

#8 Best Tracfone - LG 840G

This phone comes in at the eighth spot for its wide popularity, low cost, and good features. The LG 840G has been available for consumers to purchase and use with Tracfone for several years. It offers several great features that help get it onto this list, including Triple Minutes for Life, WiFi, Touchscreen and 3G speeds.

The LG 840G does lack the ability to access Android apps, because the phone uses a proprietary java operating system. You can still use some apps, like Google Maps, but it is not as easy as an Android phone. View our complete review of the LG 840G to learn more about this phone.

The LG 840G is a solid phone with great value for the money. And with prices for this phone as low as $20 on Amazon, it is a great bargain. (you may need to shop around for the lowest price).

The LG 306G is a similar phone, but a little newer, and worth including along with the LG 840G. Learn more about the LG 306G in our Review.

#7 Best Tracfone - LG Optimus Dynamic

LG Optimus Dynamic

The LG Optimus Dynamic arrives on this list of the top Tracfone cell phones as the first Android phone. It is actually pretty similar to the LG 840G (which isn't surprising since they are both made by LG) but with one major exception - Android OS.

With the Android operating system, it is possibly for you to access thousands of different apps (now over a million) through Google Play and use them on this phone.

The LG Optimus Dynamic also comes with WiFi, 3G speeds and a free 4GB Micro SD card. Read our review of the LG Optimus Dynamic to get all the details on this phone.

This phone does have a much older version of Android than any of the other smartphones from Tracfone. It uses Android 2.3 and some have reported it as being a little slower than preferred. The screen size is small compared to modern smartphones.

But the Optimus is the cheapest option between the other Android Tracfone's, at around $20 on Amazon. And there is also a version of the phone offered in white for those who might prefer it.

Unless you really want an Android powered phone, but are very tight on money, we would recommend continuing down the list for better smartphones.

#6 Best Tracfone - Samsung Galaxy Centura

Samsung Galaxy Centura

The Samsung Galaxy Centura comes in at #6. With these  Android phones, they all offer great features and value, but they have small differences that separate them.

The Galaxy Centura offers all the features you expect from an Android Tracfone - WiFi, Triple Minutes for Life, MP3 player, 3 MP camera and more (read our Review of the Samsung Galaxy Centura for all the specs ad features).

But what puts it in 6th place on our list are some of the following issues: First, the Galacy Centura uses Android 4.0 OS, while the ZTE Valet has a slightly newer operating system. Second, the Samsung has a slightly slower processor compared to the ZTE Valet and Huawei Glory.

All of the 'first generation' smartphones for Tracfone (LG Optimus Dynamic, Samsung Galaxy Centura, ZTE Valet and Huawei Glory) are no match for the newer phones further down this list. But they do provide good value for the cost of the phone,

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Centura is a solid phone, which is why it ranks in our best Android smartphones from Tracfone list. View the Centura on Amazon at $30 less than retail price.

#5 Best Tracfone - ZTE Valet

ZTE Valet

The ZTE Valet reaches number five on our top Tracfone cell phone list with specs slightly better than the Samsung Galaxy Centura, great features and widespread popularity.

The Valet comes with Android 4.1 OS and all the other features you expect from Tracfone like Triple Minutes for Life, WiFi, and GPS. The Valet also comes with a 4 GB Micro SD card, adding to the value of this phone. You can learn all about the ZTE Valet by reading our review.

What keeps this smartphone from the top spot are the reports we've heard from users that the WiFi can be weak at times, and nowhere near as strong as some would like. This might be a problem with just some phones, but it does keep the Valet from our top spot.

Price-wise, the ZTE Valet is a great buy. We have found it on Amazon for under $20, and many places like eBay, Amazon and HSN sell it with a minutes bundle. The ZTE Valet and Samsung Galaxy Centura are both good phones, and have been the two most popular Android smartphones of the first generation, that Tracfone released.

When comparing the ZTE Valet to phones further down this list, like the Moto E, the Valet is a lesser phone in almost every way. So be aware, it is a good device, but you can get better technology for your money.

#4 Best Tracfone - LG Optimus Dynamic II

The LG Optimus Dynamic II was released a few months after the smartphones listed above, and brought with it a larger screen, and better features and specifications.

It is the successor to the original Optimus Dynamic, and was a very popular choice for Tracfone users until it was later eclipsed by some of the options further along in our list.

With a 3.8" touchscreen, Android 4.1 and many more features that are improvements over previous smartphones, the Dynamic II is a good option even now, for people who don't plan to use demanding apps, or load too much on the phone.

Check out our full Review of the LG Optimus Dynamic II to learn more about this phone.

The Dynamic II is available for around $50 on Amazon, and can sometimes be found for less on various other shopping websites.

Worth mentioning at this point is the LG Optimus Fuel. It has a newer operating system than the Optimus Dynamic II, but a smaller screen size. If you prefer a smaller phone, but want modern smartphone features, read our full Review of the LG Optimus Fuel.

Update! Several more phones have come out, including the LG Optimus Fuel and Samsung Galaxy Stardust. We would rate the Optimus Fuel ahead of the LG Optimus Dynamic II, and the Samsung Galaxy Stardust ahead of the both the Fuel and Dynamic II, and maybe tied or ahead of the Moto E.

#3 Best Tracfone - Moto E

Tracfone Moto E

The Motorola Moto E is one of three Android smartphones Tracfone released in a '2nd generation' that all have more modern specifications and features, including bigger screens, newer OS, and better processors.

The Moto E has a 4.3" touchscreen, Android 4.4, 5 MP rear camera and all the other usual features like WiFi, GPS, and Triple Minutes for Life. Take a look at our Specs Page for the Moto E for more details and information.

The Moto E is the cheapest of the newer smartphones from Tracfone, and can be found on Amazon for $79 or for a little bit more you can also get a 400 minute card.

The Moto E doesn't have a front facing camera, which is a drawback, but battery performance is excellent, and it will last more than a day with moderate usage when most other phones would be out of juice.

#2 Best Tracfone - Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop

Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop

Coming in at #2 is the Alcatel Onetouch. The biggest feature for this phone is the large, 5" screen which many Tracfone users have craved for quite some time.

But beyond the big screen, the Alcatel also has a quad core processor, 1 GB of RAM, front and rear cameras, and all the other usual features like WiFi, GPS and Triple Minutes.

If you want to learn more about this phone, see our complete specs and features list for the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop.

The Icon Pop is the most expensive Android smartphone at this time, but it provides the largest screen at this time as well. You can find the Alcatel on Amazon for about $120, and sometimes there are great deals bundling it with minutes.

The only downsides to this phone are a somewhat small internal memory of about 2GB, and minor problems with stuttering playback of video.

Now time for our top choice:

#1 Best Tracfone - LG Ultimate 2

LG Ultimate 2

The Ultimate 2 comes with many of the best features and specs of any Tracfone device at this time, leading it to the top of our list of best Tracfone cell phones.

With a 4.5" touchscreen, front and rear cameras. dual core processor and 1 GB of RAM, the Ultimate 2 can keep up with all the most recent apps released for Android. You even get almost 5 GB of internal memory on the Ultimate 2, which is the most for any Tracfone device. This memory is used for storing photos, apps, and much more.

The Alcatel does have a larger screen, but the screen on the Ultimate 2 is more than adequate for most, and the rest of its features make of for the difference. Users report being very satisfied with upgrading from other, first generation smartphones to the Ultimate 2.

While Tracfone will certainly release a newer, and better phone, for now the Ultimate 2 is our top choice. You can learn more about this phone, and the features it has, by reading our Full Review of the LG Ultimate 2.

This phone can be found from many sources online including eBay, Newegg, and Amazon. We have found it for just $99 on Amazon.

For a more detail comparison of some of the top choices, including the LG Ultimate 2 vs Alcatel Onetouch, take a look at our recent post, What is the Best Tracfone?

Honorable Mentions - Moto G, iPhone 4S on BYOP

Many Tracfone users are bringing their own phone (BYOP) to Tracfone to use with the prepaid service, and this includes phones such as the Moto G and iPhone 4S.

Both of these phones have great specs and features, and the Moto G is probably slightly better than the Ultimate 2, but it depends on your preferences. Follow the links above to learn more about using these phones with Tracfone, or visit our main, Tracfone BYOP page for all the details.

We hope you found this article useful, leave a comment with your pick for the best Tracfone device. Also be sure to share this with your friends.

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We also want to share that Tracfone continues to add new phones to their lineup, so keep up with the latest by checking our Homepage.

For more on the cell phones offered by Tracfone, visit our Cell Phones Review page.

Also don't forget about our most popular page, the Tracfone Promo Codes!

Thanks for visiting!

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How to Check your Tracfone Airtime Balance on Android Devices

How to Check How Many Minutes you have on Tracfone Android Phones

Tracfone My Account app

On older, non Android phones, airtime and service days was displayed on the home screen and via the prepaid menu for easy monitoring.

But on Android Smartphones, there is no automatic menu or display for your airtime. So how can you check your balance? We will answer that here!

Tracfone is a prepaid cell phone service provider that also sells phones to use with their service. They have a wide variety of phones, from flip phones to touchscreen smartphones. (visit our Cell Phone Reviews page to see the options).

On the Android phones, minutes are not treated the same as on feature phones, they are split into three buckets for texts/talk/data.

It is always important to keep track of your airtime and service days with Tracfone because if you run out of minutes or service days, you can't make any calls. Now with your texts, talk and data split into different buckets for Android phones, it is even more important to keep track of how many of each you have remaining. Take a look at our explanation of How Minutes Work on Android Phones for more information.

Well there is an easy way to track your Tracfone minutes on the Android phones:

Tracfone Airtime App for Checking your Balance

Tracfone Airtime Widget on Android

The Tracfone App (follow the link to it on Google Play) is a helpful app you can download on your Android phone and use to check your balance.

Once you download the app you can enter your details and keep up with your remaining minutes.

You can even add a widget to your home-screen that will display your airtime, much like on older feature phones!

If you don't have the space for this app on your phone, or want to check your balance online, there are two more methods you can use.

You can always go to the Tracfone website, whether from your phone or on a computer, and log in and view your account details. From there check your airtime balance and it should show your remaining minutes, and/or send you a free text with this information.

Speaking of texts, you can now buy extra text messages for your phone. Read our analysis of the new Text Message card and more!

Additionally, you can enter the following URL to check your balance: "https://www.tracfone.com/direct/CheckBalance?input_phone=1234567890" (replace 1234567890 with your phone number). You will get a text with your balance.

Tracking your airtime is important, so that you don't run out at an inconvenient time when you really need the phone. You can make your life a little easier by looking into the Tracfone Family Value Plan.

With this plan, you pay $10 a month for the first phone, and $6 for each additional phone to receive 50 and 40 minutes plus 30 service days, each month. Follow the link above to view our full post on it, and learn how to enroll.

If you're shopping for a smartphone, be sure to check out our Android Tracfone List, which includes all the current smartphones available from Tracfone. And see our post on the Major Differences between Android and Non-Android phones from Tracfone.

You can also Bring Your Own Phone to Tracfone, including devices like the Moto G and iPhone 4S.

Thanks for visiting and leave a comment if you still have any questions.

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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 Overview of Tracfone or visit our Cell Phone Reviews page. We also created a 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)

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What is the Best Tracfone?

Which Tracfone Device is the Best?

This a popular question here on TracfoneReviewer, and we will share with you which Tracfone smartphone is the best overall phone, as well as compare it to the other options available.

Our Pick for the Best Tracfone Device

Tracfone has released many new phones over the last year for use on their wireless prepaid network. This includes mostly Android powered smartphones. And we're expecting them to continue to release newer and better phones.

It is also possible to bring your own phone to Tracfone. This opens the door to many more devices, although it is still somewhat limited. Visit our Tracfone BYOP page for the full list of phones.

With all these different devices, sometimes we just want to know which one is the best phone to buy?

We are here to answer that question! We will cut to the chase and just tell you, and then explain why:

TracfoneReviewer's pick for the best phone as of January 2015 is the LG Ultimate 2.

Before you jump to the comments section and post why it isn't, we do want to say that the LG Ultimate 2 isn't the best phone for everyone. It has certain features that make it the best phone for most people.

So we will compare the LG Ultimate 2 with several other phones, which may be better options for you, including the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop, Moto E, and Moto G and share why the Ultimate 2 wins overall.

LG Ultimate 2 Comparison

The LG Ultimate 2 has a lot of great features that put it well beyond many other Tracfone devices. But there are some other recent phones which have great features as well.

We will be quickly covering some of the other best phones currently available from Tracfone, and hopefully giving you a better idea about what each phone offers, and which one might be the best for you.

Let's get started.

LG Ultimate 2 Vs Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop

Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop

The Alcatel Onetouch and Ultimate 2 were each released about the same time, in November 2014. They each offer a lot of great features, with several similarities like Android 4.4, 5MP rear camera with front camera (and autofocus), 1 GB RAM, WiFi, GPS, etc.

But there are also some key differences which we will go into now.

One of the most obvious differences when comparing these phones is the size difference. The LG Ultimate 2 has a 4.5" screen while the Alcatel has a larger, 5" screen. However, the Ultimate 2 has a higher pixel density, so images might look slightly better on the Ultimate 2.

For processing power, these two phones are fairly similar with the Ultimate 2 using a 1.2 Ghz Dual Core and the Alcatel using a 1.2 Ghz Quad Core. The extra cores on the Alcatel Onetouch help it keep up with the large screen, and increase its multitasking ability.

Now for a major difference that isn't always clear. The Alcatel Onetouch comes with about 2 GB of usable memory on the phone to store apps and other information. The Ultimate 2 has closer to 5 GB of internal storage. Both phones also have external memory slots, but not all apps are transferable to external memory, and it is usually nice to have more space for storage.

So as you can see, both phones offer great features, but in our opinion the LG Ultimate 2 is the better phone overall. But if you want the largest screen, go with the Alcatel and you won't be disappointed.

LG Ultimate 2 Vs Moto E

Tracfone Moto E

The Moto E was also released about the same time as the LG Ultimate 2 and shares some similar features like 1.2 Ghz Dual Core processor, 1 GB RAM, 5 MP camera, Android 4.4, WiFi, GPS, etc.

Yet it lacks some important features, like a front facing camera or autofocus.

The Moto E also has a smaller screen, at 4.3", but with greater PPI.

The Ultimate 2 beats the Moto E on internal storage, with the Moto E only coming with around 2GB of usable space. Both phones have external SD card slots.

Where the Moto E does excel is in battery life and performance. It is a well made phone that can keep up with almost all modern apps and any other requirements, and easily last the full day on moderate to heavy use. The LG Ultimate 2 also does well performance and battery wise.

In the end, the Ultimate 2 wins because of the features the Moto E just doesn't come with. Yet the Moto E is a great choice for those who don't need to take selfies, and don't need a lot of space for apps.

LG Ultimate 2 Vs Moto G

Well, the Moto G sounds familiar right? It should, because it is the big brother to the Moto E, and improves over that phone in many great ways that put it on par with the Ultimate 2, such as 5 MP rear camera and 1.3 font camera with autofocus, 1 GB RAM, Android 4.4, 4.5" touchscreen, WiFi, GPS etc.

Before we get further, one major difference between these phones is that the Moto G only can be used with the Tracfone BYOP program, which means you have to find a phone that was previously used on Verizon, and then go through a process to activate it on Tracfone. For some, this has been an easy process, for others it has been much harder. The Ultimate 2, on the other hand, is activated normally with Tracfone, as you would any other Tracfone branded device.

Now for some more key differences. The Ultimate 2 comes with 6 GB of internal spaces, with over 4 GB of it usable. The Moto G has 8 GB, with over 6 GB usable. However, the Moto G does not have an external SD card slot, so no extra memory can be added.

The screens for both phones are the same size, but the Moto G has a much better screen quality and resolution, at 720x1280, with the Ultimate 2 using 800x480.

For processors, both phones have 1.2 Ghz, but the Moto G processor is Quad Core and the Ultimate 2 has only a Dual Core. The Moto G has a slightly newer processor and graphics, making it better at handling the latest apps.

Battery life for both phones is very good, but the Moto G has been crafted specifically with power saving in mind, leading to a full charge easily lasting two days with low to moderate use.

The Moto G beats the LG Ultimate 2 in many categories, yet we have a hard time giving it the top spot because it isn't as easy to find and activate, which is a big factor.

In the end, the LG Ultimate 2 is close or even with the Moto G on many features, but is easier to use with Tracfone, and has the ability for extra memory. It's a close call, but we choose the Ultimate 2.

If you're looking for the best specs, go with the Moto G on Tracfone BYOP (and that post will help give you the information you need to make it happen).

Where to Buy the LG Ultimate 2

The LG Ultimate 2 is widely available on Amazon, eBay and other online retailers. The best deal is to buy it bundled with minutes, where you can often save $50 or more. Check out these deals:

LG Ultimate 2 with 1200 Minutes on Amazon for $149

LG Ultimate 2 with 1200 Minutes on eBay for $149/free shipping

We hope you found this comparison useful, and that it helped answer your questions. If you have more questions, or wish to share your opinions, use the comment section below.

For a complete list of all the smartphones available from Tracfone, visit our Android Tracfone List. You will also be able to compare key features from each of the phones to help you choose the best option that fits your needs.

Visit the Cell Phone Reviews page for an index of all our reviews and a great place to start when shopping for a phone.

Finally, we recently completed a Beginners Guide to Tracfone, which shares a lot of useful tips and information and may be helpful even if you've been with Tracfone for a long time.

Thanks for visiting!

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New to Tracfone? Start Here! - Tracfone Beginners Guide

Learn How to Get Started with Tracfone Prepaid Service

Getting Started with Tracfone

If you're new to Tracfone, or trying to learn about it, this is a great place to begin.

We are going to go through the very basics of what Tracfone is, what they provide, and how to get your phone up and running!

We will also give a general overview of the prepaid minutes you need for calling and texting, and also the phones you can buy and use with Tracfone.

Let's get started!

What is Tracfone?

Tracfone is a low cost wireless prepaid cell phone company. They provide both cell phone service, and phones to use with their service.

If you would like more general information on Tracfone, go check out our page, About Tracfone (and then come back).

What Does Tracfone Offer and How Do Minutes Work?

Tracfone offers prepaid cell phone service in the form of minute cards, with values ranging from 30 minutes to 1500 minutes. Some options are only available online at the Tracfone website, but many prepaid minute cards, like the 60, 120, 200, 450 and 400/1 year cards are available from many different retailers, both in stores and online. (You can find cards at stores like Walmart, Target, Dollar General, Amazon, and eBay)

Tracfone 1 Year/400 Minute Card

Unless otherwise marked, most of the minute cards come with 90 days of service. So, for example, if you buy a 60 minute card (which usually costs $20), you get 60 minutes for calling and texting, and also 90 days of service time

If you use all the 60 minutes, you can't make any more calls or texts. And if you get to the end of the 90 days, you also can't make any more calls or texts. So you don't want either to run out!

The nice thing is that minutes and service days roll over. So if you already have 100 minutes, and 10 service days, when you add a 60 minute card, you will end up with 160 minutes and 100 service days!

So its good to keep a little bit of a buffer on your minutes/service days.

Many Tracfone devices come with either Double Minutes for Life or Triple Minutes for Life. These are great bonuses that make it so every minute you add to your phone will be either doubled, or tripled. Look carefully at the descriptions for Tracfone devices to see which they include. Most newer Tracfone's come with Triple Minutes for Life, including all the Android phones.

Tracfone service can be very low cost, as little as $10 a month. And some options even take away the worry of keeping track of your minutes.

The Tracfone Family Value Plan is a great deal for getting minutes and service days automatically added to your phone each month with no hassle. Visit our Guide to the Tracfone Family Value Plan to learn more!

Tracfone also provides its own phones to use with its service. These include both smartphones and regular phones. They have a fair number of options, ranging from $10 flip phones, to $100 Android powered smartphones. We will cover more details on the phones offered by Tracfone a little further below.

Minutes are deducted for calling or receiving calls, and for sending or receiving texts, and also for surfing the web.

On Android smartphones, minutes are split into three pools, one for calling, texting and data. Learn more about how minutes work by reading our Guide to How Minutes Work with Tracfone Smartphones.

Now, let's move on to activating your Tracfone.

How to Setup Your First Tracfone

Setting up a new Tracfone devices is fairly easy, and can usually be done in a few minutes, with it taking a few hours to fully activate.

Each Tracfone device should come with a small red card that includes instructions, and the phones serial number which you will need to register the phone.

You can activate your phone by following the directions, and either calling Tracfone or going online to their website. You can choose to either activate your phone with a new number, or transfer your number from your old phone.

The process for activating phones with Tracfone is usually very easy, and doesn't take much time. But occasionally, and especially with BYOP phones or Android phones, you might run into problems that cause it to take longer. The key is to be persistent and patient.

Once your phone is activated, you will be able to manage your minutes on the home screen (except for the smartphones, which can't display that). You can also check your minutes by signing in to the Tracfone website and going to your account page.

Now that your phone is all set, you can add minutes to it, and start enjoying the freedom and flexibility of a no-contract phone.

Cell Phones Available with Tracfone

As we mentioned above, Tracfone provides its own devices for use on their cell phone network. They get these phones through partnerships with many major cell phone makers like LG, Samsung and others.

Tracfone cell phones cannot be used on other networks, and other cell phones (except for BYOP phones) cannot be used with Tracfone.

There are three general categories of Tracfone devices that we will explain:

• Non-Android Phones
• Android Smartphones
• BYOP Phones

The Non-Android phones are the cheapest, and usually include flip phones, some touchscreens, and other 'basic' phones which do calling and texting well, but might not have internet capabilities. These phones may have double or triple minutes included, and often have long battery life.

These phones have been around for a while, and are generally durable and get the job done. Some examples include the LG 530G and LG 306G.

See these and many more phones on our Cell Phone Reviews page.

Moto E - Android Tracfone

Android Smartphones are a little more expensive, but come with the Android Operating System which is a standardized OS making it possible to download and use a huge variety of Apps through Google Play. This adds amazing potential to these phones, and a long with internet connectivity, you can do a lot beyond calling and texting.

The Android phones significantly range in prices and specifications. The LG Optimus Dynamic can sometimes be found for just $20, while the LG Ultimate 2, and Moto E are closer to $100, but are probably worth it. All Android phones come with Triple Minutes for Life.

Learn more about these and other Android phones on our Android Tracfone List.

Lastly, Tracfone recently created a new program called 'Bring Your Own Phone' or BYOP, which allows users to bring a Verizon CDMA device to use with Tracfone. This has opened the door to phones like the iPhone 4S, and Moto G. The BYOP program is still a little new, and details are not always clear. But you can find everything we know, on the Tracfone BYOP page.

These are the three basic categories of phones available with Tracfone. Each category offers different things to users.

Tracfone Promo Codes

If you're new to Tracfone, you might not know about Tracfone Codes! Basically these are codes provided by Tracfone which will give you extra minutes for free whenever you add a new prepaid minutes card. There are certain codes that work for different Cards.

Visit our Tracfone Promo Codes page for all the codes, and more details.

Unfortunately, these codes won't work with BYOP or Android phones.

Additional Tracfone Resources and Helpful Links

We want to share a few more additional resources for learning more about Tracfone, and getting the most from your device. So browse the following links and take advantage of the information.

For the latest deals and sales on Tracfone devices, head over to our Deals and Discounts category which features periodically updated blog posts that share the lowest prices on Tracfone devices and minutes.

If you have a new smartphone, two posts which are great resources are The Best Android Apps for Tracfone, and Tracfone Smartphone Cases and Covers.

Debating about buying a smartphone? Our list of 6 Major Differences Between Android Smartphones and Non-Android phones may help you with that decision!

Well we hope this information will help you out, and be sure to leave a comment if you have questions! Also share this along with a friend who could also use it!

And if you want to keep up with us and the latest news and info, follow us on Facebook.

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Tracfone Sales and Deals for 2015!

Sales and Discounts on Tracfone Minutes and Cell Phones for 2015

Enjoy this list of great deals and sales we've tracked down for you. These are some of the best prices we've seen, and are through a variety of different sources. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Deals, Discounts and Sales on Tracfone!

Ring in the new year with some fantastic deals on Tracfone devices and minutes. These discounts will hopefully make 2015 a little brighter!

Finding the best prices on stuff can be a challenge, you just can't always tell when something is a good deal, or really on sale. But we monitor the prices for a wide variety of Tracfone products, and share the best deals with you here!

For those who might be unfamiliar with Tracfone, they are a low cost wireless prepaid cell phone company. They provide both cell phone service, and cell phones. To learn more about what Tracfone is and how it works, visit our About Tracfone page. You can also take a look at the cell phones available on our Cell Phone Reviews page.

Some of the biggest deals we share below are for the latest Android smartphones to come to Tracfone like the LG Ultimate 2 and Moto E. The deals we have found include not only the phones, but minutes as well for a great price! 

Well, let's get straight to the Tracfone deals for 2015!

Tracfone Discounts, Deals and Sales on Cell Phones and Minutes

Below are listed five great deals, check them out before they disappear!

1. LG Ultimate 2 with 1200 Minutes for $129!

The LG Ultiamte 2 is one of the latest smartphones to come to Tracfone. It features a 4.5" touchscreen, front and rear cameras, Dual-core 1.2Ghz processor, and about 4-5GB usable internal storage! Get more info on all the latest smartphones from Tracfone on our Android Tracfone List.

Buying the LG Ultimate 2 on sale with 1200 minutes is a great deal at $129 because the 1200 minutes (a 400 Minute/1 Year card tripled) are worth $100, making the phone cost only $30! You get a great smartphone, and 1200 calling minutes, texts and MB of data!

View the Deal

Moto E on Sale!

2. Moto E with 1200 Minutes for $99

The Moto E is another smartphone from Tracfone running Android 4.4 with a 4.3" touchscreen. It also has a 1.2Ghz Dual-core processor, and rear camera. This phone is very fast, and has great battery life.

This deal includes the Moto E and a 400 Minute/1 Year prepaid card, which usually retails for $100. This means you basically get the phone for free! If you don't want the minutes, the Moto E is available by itself for $89 on Amazon.

View the Deal

3. Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop with 1200 Minutes for $129

With the largest screen (5"), the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop is a big phone that comes with a Quad-core 1.2Ghz processor, front and rear camera, and Android 4.4.

When the Alcatel was first released for Tracfone in Nov 2014, it started at $149 for the phone itself. Now you can get the phone PLUS a 400 Minute/1 Year card (worth $100) for $129! Its a great bargain.

View the Deal

4. LG 305C and LG 306G for $10 each

For those who don't need all the features of an Android phone, and want to keep more money in their pocket, the LG 305C/306G are going for a great price.

They come with a 3.5" touchscreen, and a variety of other features, and Triple Minutes for Life.

For those who might not know, the LG 305C is for people who use CDMA cell phone networks with Tracfone, and the LG 306G is for those who use GSM with Tracfone. Want a little more info on which is right for you? View our complete GSM vs CDMA blog post that not only provides definitions, but will help you know which one to use.

These phones are a great buy if you currently don't have a phone with Triple Minutes. For just $10 you will get your minutes Tripled every time you add more prepaid minutes! So if you add a 60 minute card, with these phones (and most Tracfone cell phones) you will get a total of 180 minutes!

View the LG 305C (CDMA)

View the LG 306G (GSM)

5. 200 Minutes for $32 (save $8)

Tracfone minutes have very consisten pricing, and usually can't be found at much of a discount. But this deal is for a 200 minute card that will be mailed to you for $32 including shipping. The 200 Minute card usually retails for $40, making this a savings of $8 or 20% off!

You will have to wait a few days, but will receive a card (or piece of paper) with the airtime PIN. Don't forget to use a Promo Code when you add the minutes!

View the Deal

Bonus Deal! Moto EX431G for $7

While the Moto EX431G isn't an Android phone, it does have Triple Minutes for Life, and plenty of the basic cell phone features you expect from a Tracfone device. it also has a nice QWERTY keyboard which makes texting fast and fluid.

This phone is a great buy if you don't already have a phone with Triple Minutes, or for a young kid who you don't really want surfing the net all the time.

View the Deal


Well that covers the best deals we've found. Let us know in the comments if you find more great deals!

If you're shopping for a phone, don't forget about the Tracfone BYOP program, which allows consumers to bring their own smartphones to use with Tracfone. This includes phones like the Moto G and iPhone 4S. Follow the link above to learn more.

We also recently shared our pick for the Best Android Apps for Tracfone users. Go check them out and let us know which apps are your favorite! And if you do have a smartphone, you should probably protect it with a cover or case. We list some of the most popular smartphones with Tracfone, and where to find great covers for them.

And if you like saving money, check out our post on the Tracfone Family Value Plan. It is a convenient way to get minutes every month, and also can be a great deal.

Thanks for visiting, and pass this along these deals to a friend!

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Tracfone Smartphone Covers and Cases

List of Cases for Tracfone Android Devices - Smartphone Covers

When buying a new smartphone, one of the first priorities after starting to use the phone is to find a way to protect it from weather, accidents, and anything else that could damage it.

List of Tracfone Cases and Covers!

Using a case and screen cover will help keep the screen in good condition, and protect the phone should it be dropped. Some cases are rated to withstand significant damage while keeping the phone intact, and others are completely waterproof.

A case or cover can go a long way in protecting smartphones from damage, but there are thousands of different cases for different phones, which sometimes makes it hard to find the right one.

So below we are creating a list of different phones for Tracfone, and where to find cases or covers for these phones. For many of them, a simple search on Amazon, eBay or other online retailers will result in lots of options, but for some phones it can be harder to find a good case.

If you're also looking for a new smartphone, our Android Tracfone List is a good place to start because it lists every smartphone currently available with Tracfone (besides those available with Tracfone BYOP) along with basic information about each phone so you can quickly compare them.

You can also simply visit our Tracfone Reviews page for a list of all our phone reviews.

Well, let's get to the cases and covers!

List of Cases and Covers for Tracfone Smartphones

We will start with some of the most popular phones, and provide as many options as we can. If you don't see a phone, or find a new source for cases, let us know in the comments below.

LG Ulimtate 2
The LG Ultimate 2 is one of the best Android phones available with Tracfone and comes with a a large 4.5" screen. There are a lot of options for cases and covers for this phone, because it is widely used.

Search for LG Ultimate 2 Cases on Amazon
Search for LG Ultimate 2 Cases on eBay

The LG Ultimate 2 goes by several other names, including LG L70, LG Optimus Exceed II, and LG Realm. So you can look for cases for these phones as well, and they will fit your LG Ultimate 2.

Learn more about details of this phone, including full specs and lots of user feedback, by visiting our LG Ultimate 2 page.

TPU Plastic Case for the Moto E

Moto E
There are a lot of great phone case options for the Moto E, which has a 4.3" Screen. The Moto E is a widely popular budget phone, which means there are lots of accesories, cases and covers for this device.

Search for Moto E Cases on Amazon
Search for Moto E Cases on eBay

You may be able to find cases and other accessories in retail stores like BestBuy, just make sure you get a case for the Moto E, and not the newer Moto E II.

Find out the full specs and details for this phone on our Moto E page.

Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop
With the largest screen size currently available for Tracfone (at 5"), the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop is a large phone with a lot of other top features. A good case, and cover for the screen, will help keep the phone functioning for the future.

Search for Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop Cases on Amazon
Search for Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop Cases on eBay

The Alcatel Onetouch sometimes is listed as the Alcatel Onetouch Pop Icon, so don't be worried if that's what the listing for the covers say.

Get more information about the Alcatel by visiting our Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop page.

LG Optimus Fuel Rubberized Case

LG Optimus Fuel (L34C)
This is a smaller but powerful smartphone running Android 4.4 with a 3.5" touchscreen. A lot of Tracfone users picked this phone up during the Black Friday sales which saw it drop to just $10!

Search for LG Optimus Fuel Cases on Amazon
Search for LG Optimus Fuel Cases on eBay

The LG Optimus Fuel also sometimes goes by the name LG Optimus Zone 2, and there are a lot of options for covers and cases.

If you want more details about the phone, visit our LG Optimus Fuel page.

LG Optimus Dynamic II
The LG Optimus Dynamic II was, at one point, the best phone available on Tracfone. But the smartphone, with a 3.8" screen, has been replaced (by the phones listed above mostly). It is still a solid device, and worth using, and protecting.

There are plenty of options for the LG Optimus Dynamic II, as it has been available for some time now.

Search for LG Optimus Dynamic II Cases on Amazon
Search for LG Optimus Dynamic II Cases on eBay

For more on this phone, view our complete Review of the LG Optimus Dynamic II.

We will be adding the LG 840G, LG 306G and LG 305C to this list soon. Please let us know in the comments any other phones you would like listed!

A quick note on the different kinds of cases and covers available. Sometimes it is hard to know what kind of case to buy.

What Type of Case Should I Get?

There are many different kinds of cases available for smartphones. Everything from super slim covers, to extreme heavy duty safe-like cases. But which one should you buy for your phone?

Well, that is really a question that you must answer for yourself depending on how concerned you are with damaging your phone (or how likely you are to drop it) and whether you mind adding extra weight and bulk to the phone.

Generally, the more protective the case, the bulkier your phone will be.

Let's go through some of the more common cases to help give you an idea for what might work best for you.

Slim Design cases and covers
These are cases that are very lightweight, and add very little extra size to the phone. They offer decent protection from shorter falls, and will help keep the outside of your phone from wear and tear. A slim case is best for people who keep their phone in their pocket, or simply want as little extra size and weight as possible.

Rubberized or Silicone Slim Case
These kinds of cases are made of soft rubber, silicone, TPU or other materials, which slips around the phone, and gives excellent grip. They can, however, make it a little harder to get out of your pocket, but it isn't as likely to slip from your hand.

Snap-on Hard Plastic Slim Case
Another slim case, but this phone usually comes in two pieces that snap together forming a hard shell around your phone. This case is easier to get in and out of your pocket, but isn't as easy to hold on to. Adds some extra durability to your device.

Here is a video showing the difference between rubberized hard case, silicone, and TPU.

Rugged Case for the LG Ultimate 2

Rugged Designs
There are many, many different variations, but in general, cases with a more rugged design offer more features (like stands for holding your phone) and more durability while also adding extra weight and size.

There is a wide range of options with Rugged cases, some that are completely waterproof, or even drop proof up to a certain height. Read through the descriptions for the cases to learn more about what the case is meant to do, as cases often have different attributes and strengths.

There are lots of other cases available, and each has certain features and conveniences. Cases are usually inexpensive, so it isn't that bad if you don't like the first case you buy. It is better to find a case that fits your needs.

We hope you found this post useful! Take a moment and share it with your friends and family who might find it useful too!

Take a look at our recent list of the Best Android Apps for Tracfone users (and anyone else).

And don't forget about our most popular page, the Tracfone Promo Codes! But these codes won't work with Android phones.

Finally, its not too late to get some ideas from our Christmas Gift Guide! Take a look, and find some great Tracfone related gift ideas!

Thanks for visiting, Merry Christmas!

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