AbnanDroid: Tracfone Android Smartphones

Showing posts with label Tracfone Android Smartphones. Show all posts

LG Lucky L16C Tracfone Android Review

LG Lucky Review, Specs and Details - Android Tracfone

This post shares the latest information on the LG L16C Lucky and includes our review and comparison to other available devices. We hope this information is helpful, and will continue to update as more details become available.

LG Lucky Review

Another new Android device is available for use with Tracfone, and it is the LG Lucky, also known as L16C. This is an android powered device that is for use with Tracfone prepaid service.

Tracfone sells both prepaid cell phone service, and cell phones to use with their service at fairly low prices. The phones available through Tracfone are not the latest options, but have enough features to satisfy most users. For those who demand a lot from their device, consider learning about Tracfone 4G LTE service which allows you to use top of the line Android and Apple devices.

The LG Lucky is the latest in a growing selection of smartphones that Tracfone continues to deliver since their first meager offering back in 2013 (do you remember the LG Optimus Dynamic?). You can see for yourself on our Android Tracfone List.

Phones have slowly improved over time, with several devices sporting 4" or greater screens, better processors, and more memory. The LG Lucky, while not at the top end of available phones, is a solid contender and compares similarly to the Samsung Galaxy Stardust and LG Optimus Fuel. The LG Ultimate 2 would be a good choice for those looking for a larger screen.

We can see straight away that the Lucky has a smaller, 3.8" screen. For most people, this is a big drawback. But some consumers would prefer a smaller device. Some of the other notable features include a 1.2 Ghz dual core processor, and Android 4.4.

Let's get into the full list of specs and features on the LG Lucky.

LG Lucky Specs and Features List

These are the current features available on the LG L16C Lucky smartphone.

Android 4.4 KitKat
3G Connectivity on Verizon Towers
WiFi
GPS
Bluetooth 4.0
Triple Minutes for Life Split into Text/Talk/Data
Hands Free Speaker
Hearing Aid Compatible
Access to Over a Million Applications through Google Play
Up to 32 GB SD Card Compatible, comes with 4 GB SD Card

LG L16C Lucky Specs

Size: 4.43" x 2.50" x 0.49"
3.8" Touchscreen
1.2 Ghz Dual Core Processor
1 GB RAM
Internal Memory - Unconfirmed
Weight: 4.2 ounces
Battery: 7 Hours Talk Time, 10 Days Standby

There are a couple of features that stand out on this device, such as the processor and RAM. We also like that it has Android 4.4.

Let's get into our review of the LG Lucky to give a better idea of how the device compares to other phones.

LG Lucky L16C Review - Likes and Dislikes for the Phone

Straight away we find that the Android 4.4 KitKat is a great OS to use. It is compatible with an extremely wide variety of apps through Google Play that give the LG Lucky many additional uses. You can take a look at our List of the Best Android Apps for some ideas.

The LG L16C also has a 1.2 Ghz dual core processor, and 1 GB of RAM. Both of these are better than Tracfone's original Android offerings like the ZTE Valet, which means the Lucky will be faster, and able to have more apps running at one time. However, modern smartphones are now running with at least 2 GB RAM, and often quad core processors. If you're planning on being a heavy user, especially with games, you may want to look for a more robust device.

While the size, at 3.8", might turn some people away, we find this is a convenient size for those who don't want to do much on their phone beyond talking and occasionally texting or checking email. If you do plan to do more than that, a 4" screen or larger is just much more convenient.

We have not confirmed how much internal memory is available, but you can use up to a 32 GB external SD card with this phone, and it even comes with a 4GB card which is great for loading some music or videos on.

The battery life on the LG Lucky isn't as great as some devices, especially the Moto E, which has a very nice battery life.

The LG Lucky will use Verizon towers through Tracfone's prepaid service, so be sure to check what the service will be like in your area before buying the phone. Android phones split minutes into three separate pools of Talk, Text and Data.

The camera on the Lucky isn't very impressive, and it doesn't appear to have a front facing camera either.

Overall, the LG L16C is a versatile, average performing Android device that might be right for certain people. Starting at just $60, it is a lot easier on the budget, but you might be better off with an LG Optimus Fuel which shares many similarities, but can be found on Amazon for $30.

How the LG Lucky Compares to Other Android Phones

Access Google Maps on the LG Lucky

The LG Lucky is very similar to several other Tracfone devices including the LG Optimus Fuel, and Samsung Galaxy Stardust. Indeed, these phones share many of the same features with only slight variations such as screen size or memory.

The LG Ultimate 2 is a little ahead of the LG Lucky in performance and screen size, plus the Ultimate 2 has a nice amount of Internal Memory.

The Lucky is recommended over the ZTE Valet, LG Optimus Dynamic, Samsung Galaxy Centura and Unimax Max Patriot phones. These phones are all a bit too old to be very useful anymore.

We are excited to share that it appears that Tracfone may also releasing several more phones, including the devices for use on GSM networks. These devices are the LG L15G (same as the LG Lucky, but for GSM) LG L22C and LG L21G. The LG 22C and 21G are the same, but for CDMA and GSM respectively and will feature Android 5.0. No word on when these will be released, but we will keep you updated!

Read up on our GSM vs CDMA comparison if you aren't quite sure what this all means.

For a full list of phones, check out our Cell Phone Reviews page.

Where to Buy the LG Lucky and Covers/Cases

We have currently only found the LG Lucky on the Tracfone website. Head over there and then shop their phone selection to see the device. Tracfone may go out of stock, in which case they remove the listing.

We will update when the Lucky is available through other retailers.

You can find plenty of cases and covers for the LG Lucky on retailers such as Amazon and eBay. Here are the LG Lucky Cases we've found on Amazon.

You can also take a look at the interactive tutorial for the LG Lucky.

The LG Lucky is another stop in Tracone's slow progression of Android devices, and it offers some nice features, but we hope Tracfone continues to bring us more modern smartphones.

Thanks for visiting and we hope you found this information useful.

Follow all the latest info and join over a 1000 other fans on our Facebook page where we share the latest news, blog posts, deals and other stories.

You might also want to check out our Tracfone BYOP page which contains the latest information on brining your own phone to use with Tracfone.

If you have questions or thoughts, be sure to leave a comment below, and also check for information posted by other readers!

Add More Text Messages to Your Tracfone Device

Get Extra Texts with a Text Airtime Card

For many of us, texting is our biggest drain of minutes on our Tracfone smartphone. And up until now, the only way to add more texts was by getting a card for more calling and data as well.

With Tracfone, you buy phones and prepaid minutes to allow you to make calls, send texts and surf the web on data. Tracfone sells a variety of prepaid cards, and each card adds more texts, data and calling minutes at the same time. However, with Android powered devices, your texts, data and calling minutes are split up, so you can run out of data or texts and have to buy more calling minutes to refill your data and texts, even if you don't want any more calling minutes.

But Tracfone has just added a new prepaid card you can purchase to add additional text messages to your phone. (check it out here)

Now you can buy extra cards for data, or texts without spending more on calling minutes.

This is great news, especially as Tracfone offers more and more smartphones, including through their 4G LTE BYOP program. And remember that these data and text specific cards only work with smartphones.

Let's explain how each of these cards work, and how much it costs.

Buy Only Data or Text Messages for your Tracfone Smartphone

There are three kinds of prepaid cards you can buy from Tracfone to use with your smartphone:

Airtime Cards - available for all phones
Data Cards - only available with smartphones
Text Cards - only available with smartphones

Airtime cards provide you with a certain number of minutes, as well as service days. Here is the list of card amounts and service days. Remember, all smartphones also receive Triple Minutes, which triples each of these cards when you add them to your phone.

60 Minute Card comes with 90 service days (with a smartphone, split into 60 calling minutes, 60 texts, and 60 mb of data) - $20
120 Minute Card come with 90 service days - $30
200 Minute Card comes with 90 service days - $40
450 Minute Card comes with 90 service days - $80
400 Minute Card comes with 365 service days - $100
1000 Minute Card comes with 365 service days - $160 (online only)
1500 Minute Card comes with 365 service days - $200 (online only)

Data Cards will give you additional data, but nothing else, no additional service days are added. We would recommend trying to use your home or work WiFi that is free, rather than using data unless you need it. Here are the data cards available.

300 MB - $10
750 MB - $20
2 GB - $50

And finally, Text Cards can be added to give additional text messages to your smartphone. Again, no additional service days are added. There is currently only one option for adding more texts to your phone.

1000 texts - $10

At first glance, 1000 texts for $10 looks like a good deal, but is it? Let's break it down.

Comparing the Cost Per Text for Airtime and Text Cards

Tracfone Airtime Card

Is it cheaper to buy an Airtime card or a Text card to refill your Texts?

If you buy the 60 Minute Airtime card, you will get 60 texts, which is automatically tripled to 180 on all smartphones (you also get 180 calling minutes, and 180 mb of data, plus 90 days of service) for $20. This works out to just over 11 cents per text - not great.

But if you got the 450 Minute Airtime card you will get 450 texts, tripled to 1350 for $80. This comes to about 6 cents per text, which is better, but not great.

What if you went for the 1500 Minute Airtime card which gives 1500 texts, tripled to 4500 for $200. You would be paying 4.4 cents per text.

And what does the 1000 texts for $10 come to per text? 1 cent per text. Let's put all the number together:

60 Minute Card = 11 Cents per Text
450 Minute Card = 6 Cents per Text
1500 Minute Card = 4.4 Cents per Text
1000 Texts Card = 1 Cent per Text

As you can clearly see, if you only need text messages for your phone, the special text card is the best deal. But if you need additional calling, data or service days, the 1500 Minute Card is the next best deal.

So what should you do if you need just a few calling and data minutes, plus service days, but go through texts quickly? Try this setup:

Join the Tracfone Family Value Plan which is $10 for the first user, and $6 for each user after that. You get 50 minutes, plus 30 service days each month, and additional users get 40 minutes.

So you would have 150 Calling minutes, 150 mb of data, and 150 texts for $10 per month. Then you can buy the text refill card, which would give you 1000 texts for just $10. You would have a total of 1150 texts per month, for just $20. And other users could do the same.

This is a great option for families with teenagers who will mostly use text messages.

We hope this analysis is help for you if you're comparing airtime cards. Drop us a comment below if you have questions, or additional insight to share.

Be sure to take a look at our Tracfone BYOP page, which now includes 4G LTE devices like the iPhone 6, that you can use with Tracfone.

You may also be interested in our Android Tracfone List which shares a summary of each of the smartphones available from Tracfone.

And don't forget about our Tracfone Promo Code page, even though you can't use them with Android phones, you can still use them for all the other devices.

Thanks for visiting!

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!

Samsung Galaxy Stardust Specs and Features with Tracfone

We will share the latest news, features and details for the Samsung Galaxy Stardust (S766C) below, and continue to update as we get more information about this new Android Tracfone device.

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy Stardust S766c

The Samsung Galaxy Stardust is a smartphone newly available with Tracfone service. (It is also available with Straight Talk) This phone initially appears similar to the LG Optimus Fuel, and especially the Samsung Galaxy Ace Style, but it does share some features with the LG Ultimate 2.

Tracfone now has more than ten Android powered smartphones that can be used on their prepaid service. They continue to release new phones which are for use exclusively on their prepaid service, as well as allow more phones for use on the Tracfone BYOP service. For more details on BYOP, follow the link to our page.

At the end of 2014, Tracfone released three new phones with the best specs and features yet, they were the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop, Moto E, and LG Ultimate 2. These phones each had screens larger than 4", good processors, and other good specifications.

The Galaxy Stardust will run on CDMA towers through Verizon service, which is the same of all of Tracfone's smartphones at this time. For more about CDMA, and if an Android phone will work for you, visit out CDMA vs GSM Comparison.

But how does the Samsung Galaxy Stardust stack up with Tracfone's other offerings? We'll answer this once we review the full list of features and product specifications.

Samsung Galaxy Stardust Features and Specifications

Try not to get the Samsung Galaxy Stardust confused with the Samsung Galaxy Ace Style, they are very similar, but looking at the specs we see some differences:

Samsung Galaxy Stardust Feature List

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
3G Connectivity through Verizon Towers
WiFi
GPS
Bluetooth 4.0
Triple Minutes for Life with minutes split into Talk/Text/Data
Hands Free Speaker
Gravity and Tilt/Shake sensor
Hearing Aid Compatible
Up to 64GB MicroSD Card Compatible

Samsung Galaxy Stardust Specifications

Size: 4.77" x 2.46" x 0.41"
4" TFT Touchscreen
1.2Ghz Dual Core Processor
1 GB RAM
8 GB Internal Memory
Weight: 4.1 OZ
1500 mAh Battery, 12 Hours Talk Time/ 11 Days Standby

The specifications for the Stardust are fairly consistent with the other phones Tracfone has recently released. One very exciting feature is the 8 GB of internal memory, the most we've seen on a phone offered by Tracfone. We will be sure to locate that actual available space, but it looks promising

Now let's see how the Stardust looks compared with some of the other Android phones from Tracfone.

If you want to see a full list of Tracfone smartphones, visit our Android Tracfone List for quick comparisons.

Samsung Galaxy Stardust Compared to Other Tracfone Smartphones

The main differences between the Stardust and Ace Style are the RAM and Internal Memory. The Stardust has twice the amount of RAM and Internal Memory as the Ace Style, which means it can have more apps running at one time, and have more apps loaded on the phone. We still haven't seen the Ace Style released, so maybe Tracfone has just skipped it, and gone straight to the slightly better Samsung Galaxy Stardust.

When comparing the Stardust to the LG Ultimate 2, we see that the Ultimate 2 has a larger screen at 4.5", but a similar processor, RAM, and internal Memory. The Ultimate 2 also has the slightly newer Android 4.4. The LG Ultimate 2 is our current pick for the Best Tracfone Cell Phone, but the Stardust isn't far off, and may be more desirable for some.

Both the Moto E and Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop also have larger screens, at 4.3" and 5.0", but have similar specs on RAM, processor, and camera, and the Stardust even appears to come with more internal memory.

What we can determine from this is that the Samsung Galaxy Stardust isn't going to be the next big phone for Tracfone users, but it does fit in with the current best offerings, and for those who prefer a smaller screen, it might be a great option.

We will continue to share details about the Samsung Galaxy Stardust as it becomes available. At this time the Stardust is available on eBay and QVC:

View the Samsung Galaxy Stardust on eBay

for $99

View the Samsung Galaxy Stardust for $109 on QVC with 1200 minutes

We haven't seen the Stardust available on very many other retail sites, or the Tracfone site, but it should be available soon form these sources.

You can view the tutorial for the Samsung Galaxy Stardust S766C to learn more about the phone.

If you have thoughts, questions or your own opinion of this phone, leave a comment below!

You might also find our List of the Best Android Apps useful if you're looking for a smartphone, or already have one.

And don't forget about our simple guide on How to Check your Airtime Balance from a Smartphone.

We strive to provide accurate, useful information for consumers. Thanks for visiting us! Keep up with the latest news and posts by liking our Facebook page!

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.

----------

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!

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.

Review of the Unimax MaxPatriot Android Phone from Tracfone

This review will provide specs and features for the Tracfone UNIMAX 671c MaxPatriot, as well as a comparison to other phones available, and is provided by TracfoneReviewer.

UNIMAX MaxPatriot with Tracfone

The UNIMAX MaxPatriot is an Android powered smartphone offered by Tracfone Wireless for use on their prepaid cell phone network. Tracfone offers a variety of phones and prepaid service options, which you can learn more about by reading our Beginners Guide to Tracfone.

Tracfone continues to release smartphones running the Android Operating System. These phones provide more features and functionality, with the ability to download and use applications on them.

Not a lot of information is available about the UNIMAX company, or sometimes UMX Mobile. They appear to be based in China, and are expanding into the Android mobile phone market quickly. Quality may not be quite on par with more established brands like Samsung, LG and Motorola.

The UNIMAX MaxPatriot comes with a 4" screen, Android 4.1, and a 5 MP camera. You also get Triple Minutes for Life, which all Android phones from Tracfone come with.

There are several other options for smartphones with Tracfone, including the Tracfone BYOP program, where you can bring certain phones to use with Tracfone. Also take a look at our Tracfone Android List for a complete of the smartphones available through Tracfone.

Some of the current top phones from Tracfone are the LG Ultiamte 2, Moto E, and Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop. We will briefly compare these with the MaxPatriot a little further on.

Let's jump into the features and specs on the UNIMAX phone.

UNIMAX MaxPatriot Features

Android 4.1.2
3G on Verizon Networks
WiFi
5 MP Rear Camera
GPS
Bluetooth
MP3 Player
Micro SD Card compatible up to 64GB
Triple Minutes for Life
Hearing Aid Compatible
Voicemail, SMS, MMS and Voice dialing

UNIMAX MaxPatriot Specs and Technical Details

Size: 4.80" x 2.46" x 0.41"
4" Touchscreen
1.2 Dual Core processor
1 GB RAM
1.5 GB Internal Memory, about 1 GB Usable
Weight: 4.6 ounces
Battery: Talk Time 7 Hours, Standby 8 Days

The features are fairly straight forward and similar to many of Tracfone's other Android devices. The UNIMAX has WiFi, Triple Minutes for life, Micro SD card slot, GPS, and more.

The technical specs are where we get a little disappointed.

The MaxPatriot comes with a 4" touchscreen, which larger than some other Tracfone devices, but smaller than some as well. The Dual Core processor sounds good, but the internal memory is very disappointing, with only about 1 GB actually usable. Some apps can be loaded on an external SD card, but we would still like to see closer to 8 GB.

The LG Ultimate 2, for example, has more than 4 GB internal memory.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's go over some of our likes and dislikes about the UNIMAX, and then we will compare it with some other phones.

UNIMAX MaxPatriot Review - Likes and Dislikes

What we like about the MaxPatriot

UNIMAX MaxPatriot with Maps

The UNIMAX 671c has many of the standard features of an Android smartphone with Tracfone service.

We like that it comes with the Android OS, which allows users access to over a million apps. These apps have huge potential, and give the phone many added benefits and features.

Take a look at our List of the Best Apps for Tracfone Android for some ideas.

While it is great that the MaxPatriot has Android, it isn't the latest version.

The screen size is another good point for the phone. At 4", it is mid-sized in the Tracfone lineup, which will be exactly what some users are looking for. Not everyone wants a large phone, although it is nice sometimes. The LG Optimus Fuel, for example, has a smaller, 3.5" screen while the Alcatel Onetouch Has a much larger screen, at 5".

We do think that the price, listed at $70, is more or less reasonable. And it is likely to be available for much less online, which makes this a very affordable phone.

Let's move on to our dislikes for this phone, of which there are a few.

What we Dislike about the UNIMAX MaxPatriot
We do have a handful of grips against the MaxPatriot, partially because it is an older phone, and there are much more advanced phones currently available with Tracfone.

The rear camera on the UNIMAX has 5 MP, which is good. But it doesn't have a front facing camera, which we find disappointing.

Internal Memory is probably one of our biggest disappointments with the UNIMAX MaxPatriot. At only 1.5 GB total internal space, and less than 1 GB actually usable, we're not sure how useful this phone will actually be for most people. Unless you can move a large number of apps to the external SD card, you will be limited in your options.

Battery life seems poor on the UNIMAX, with 7 hours talk time listed, but often even less actually achieved. The Moto E, which has great battery performance, has more than double the talk time of the MaxPatriot, at 16.5 hours. If you can stay close to a charger, then it isn't a worry, but otherwise you may look elsewhere.

Finally, we've noticed a number of consumers echoing dissatisfaction with the overall quality and design of the phone. For some users, it works great, but others report various bugs, or a completely dead phone after just a few months.

The UNIMAX MaxPatriot has some decent features, but it doesn't seem to be a phone that will be too popular.

Using Android Phones with Tracfone

We want to highlight some important points about using an Android phone with Tracfone, that you might not be aware of.

First, All Android phones with Tracfone currently use Verizon CDMA cell towers. Tracfone has some sort of contract with Verizon. This means that if Verizon service isn't available in your area, then you can't use a Tracfone smartphone there either.

All Tracfone Android devices come with Triple Minutes for Life, and minutes are split into three pools: calling, texting, and data.

For more differences and information, read our post on the 6 Major Differences Between Android and Non-Android phones.

And if you just want to learn about how minutes work, take a look at How Tracfone Minutes Work on Android Phones.

UNIMAX MaxPatriot Comparison to Other Androids

We will quickly compare the UNIMAX to some of the other popular smartphones available with Tracfone.

Basically, the Moto E, Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop, and LG Ultimate 2 are all better than the UNIMAX MaxPatriot. They all have larger screens, similar or better processors, more internal memory, similar or better cameras (and front facing), newer Android OS, longer battery life, and more, compared to the UNIMAX.

The only area where the MaxPatriot has an edge that we can find, is in it's lower initial retail price.

But if you compare the UNIMAX to the LG Optimus Fuel, which can be found for $20, we would go with the Optimus Fuel for the lower cost, and newer Android OS.

If you want to know our top choice in Tracfone devices, take a look at TracfoneReviewer's Best Tracfone Device.

Conclusion and Where to Find the UNIMAX MaxPatriot

As you can probably tell, we don't find the UNIMAX to be a very inspirational phone, and there are other options which will be a much better choice for most consumers. However, it is probably better than some of Tracfone's first Android devices, like the ZTE Valet, and LG Optimus Dynamic.

The MaxPatriot is available on the Tracfone website, and in some stores. We haven't found it on other online retailers yet.

Please read the comments below before you consider this phone, as many users are reporting a lot of dissatisfaction with this device. We strongly recommend choosing another device, as there are plenty of other Android options from Tracfone at a similar price, with much better performance.

Take a look at the interactive tutorial to learn more about how this phone works.

We hope this information is accurate and useful. Leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions about this phone.

Also take a look at some great Sales and Discounts on Tracfone Devices.

And don't forget about Smartphone Covers and Cases, which can go a long way in protecting your phone!

Thanks for visiting!

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!

List of the Best Android Apps for Tracfone

View a list of the best applications to use with Android OS for Tracfone users. This list is compiled by TracfoneReviewer, with help from our readers.
See our Complete List of the Best Android Apps below!

More and more Tracfone users are switching to Android powered smartphones that Tracfone has been making available, especially as new phones like the LG Ultimate 2, Alcatel Onetouch, and Moto E are released with large screens and good performance.

Android smartphones are incredible powerful, offering many of the same functions as a laptop computer. Android is simply an operating system that is standardized which allows many different people to create applications, or programs, which can work on all the different Android devices. You can surf the web, check email, look up information, manage banking, and much, much more.

But sometimes it is hard to know exactly what you should be doing with your Android phone, and what apps are the best for making life easier, and more convenient.

So we are creating a list of the Best Apps for Tracfone Android users. And we want to hear from you! Leave a comment below with your top apps, and we'll work on adding the best to the list.

Now let's get to the list of apps!

List of the Best Apps for Android Tracfone Users

These apps are some of the most popular, and most useful and cover a variety of categories. We will try to share as many apps as are useful for using with Tracfone Android devices.

Not everyone uses the same apps, or has need of particular apps, but browse through the list and see what sounds useful to you!

1. Tracfone Specific Apps

Tracfone App
The app from Tracfone to check your balance, and manage your account. If your phone doesn't have a lot of space, you can just bookmark the Tracfone website and check your balance there.

AppMgr III app

AppMgr III
A convenient app manager that can let you move apps to your SD card to free up space. AppMgr III is especially useful for Tracfone Android users because of the limited internal space on many of the phones. AppMgr III does more than just moving apps, it also can freeze apps, and do other management tasks.

Note: Some phones won't allow you to move Apps to your SD card. You will have to root your device if you want to do that.

2. General/Productivity Apps

Amazon Kindle App
Have an entire library on your phone. The Amazon Kindle App allows you to download books from Amazon, and read them on your phone. This is a simple, powerful app that works well,
Plus, pair it with many sources for free kindle books, and you have an almost unlimited FREE supply of reading material.

Swiftkey
This app replaces your stock keyboard with one of the most popular, and best keyboards available for smartphones. Besides using advanced algorithms to track and predict your typing to speed it up, the app also looks great, and has a number of different styles and themes to choose from.

Pocket
A save for later app that makes it simple and easy to save webpages and many other things for later offline consumption. You can keep everything in one easy to find place, so you don't forget about that article or video you wanted to see.

Gas Buddy
Find the cheapest gas with this super convenient, community updated app. Whether your just driving around your town, or traveling across country, search for and find the cheapest gas in your area or along the route and save some extra cash! It isn't hard to check the prices, and sometimes gas can be significantly cheaper just a few miles away. But be careful you don't get too caught up, because driving 50 miles out of your way probably isn't actually saving you much money...

3. Note, Task and List Apps

Evernote
This convenient app makes note taking a breeze. Jot down a to do list, or write up a few paragraphs, no matter what you are recording this app can do it. You also have great syncing functions across devices, including your computer.

Wunderlist app

Wunderlist
Managing lists and tasks is much easier with Wunderlist. It also has great syncing abilities with other devices, and is also very easy to share your to do lists with others. Where Evernote excels at note taking, Wunderlist excels at list making, both are valuable tools to staying organized and on track.

Google Keep
As a relatively new and unknown app, Google Keep is simple, and amazingly useful. It can be used for a variety of functions beyond simple list making and note taking, including setting reminders and recording photos and voice. This is a very handy app to have for when you need to run to the grocery store, or get a reminder about something at work, and it allows syncing across devices, and list sharing.

Any.do
Providing an 'all-in-one' to do list for anything from household chores, to work related tasks. Any.do is a clean and simple app that focuses on helping you remember what you need to do, and accomplish your daily goals. You can also sync between devices, and set reoccurring tasks.

4. Social Apps

Facebook
A standard for most smartphone users, the Facebook app allows you to surf Facebook with ease. The app works well, and is used by millions. Not much really needs to be said, although you do have to download an additional app if you want to use messenger, which is a bit annoying.

Instagram for Android

Instagram
For sharing pictures with friends, Instagram is another great app, and a lot of fun to use with a smartphone as you can quickly snap a picture, and then share it with all your friends and family.

Other Social apps
There are plenty of other social apps, like twitter and snapchat, that we don't feel the need to go into. Social apps are much more preference based, and it usually depends on whether you have friends already using those networks.

5. Free Calling/Texting Apps

Skype
For everyone who already uses Skype on your computer, the app is fairly similar and allows you to make free calls to others with Skype, or use Skype Credit to make calls both locally and internationally. This is a convenient app, and works well between your computer and phone.

Line app for Android

Line
Widely popular in Asia, this free messaging app is powerful and simple. Text friends, call, and even video call for free when your on a WiFi connection. A great way to stay in contact with friends and family for free.

Whatsapp
More popular in America, Whatsapp provides and great instant messenging service and has millions of users. It was recently bought by Facebook, but does not appear to be changing anything. While you don't get ads or annoying stickers with Whatsapp, you do have to pay for it after your first year. It costs $1 per year.

Google Hangouts
Another great resource from Google, Hangouts offers great group video calls and many other features. Text, send photos, and much more. One of the best for keeping in touch with people a long way away.

Textra
A replacement for the standard text messaging app, Textra offers more features, customization, and looks a lot better. Download it and you will never look back. Unlike the other free messaging apps listed above, Textra replaces your standard text messaging app with a stylish materialistically designed one. Not really a free messaging app, but a free app to replace your text messaging app.

5. Phone Management Tools

Tasker
Tasker is an automation tool, which allows you to set a wide variety of tasks to be done automatically at certain times, or with certain triggers. You can use it to do simple things like turn your cell phone to silent when you get to work, or turn WiFi off when you leave your house. It can also do a wide variety of more advanced options, and is a fun app for those who like to tinker and mess around with devices. It does cost a couple bucks, but is worth it for the convenience and fun.

Llama
If you don't want to spend money, Llama is a free alternative to Tasker and can do many of the same things. The key features include the ability to set certain profiles, like silent ringer, when you get to certain locations, like your office. Give it a test run and see what you think, and then consider if you want to pay a little to get Tasker.

IFTTT
If This Then That. Use this simple formula to create an endless array of options. For example, if the forecast calls for rain tomorrow, then send a notification. Or if I arrive/leave work, log the time to a Google doc. The options are amazing, and there are thousands of 'recipes' online that range from incredibly useful, to hilariously funny. Combine it with Tasker for even more power.

Clean Master
Clean Mater optimizes and cleans your phone to remove excess and temporary files, and close background apps to boost performance. It is a very useful app especially for those who have limited internal memory on their phone. Clean Master has a simple interface that is easy to navigate and understand even if you don't know what temporary files are.

Avast Android App

6. Security Apps

Avast
You should have a Security and Anti-virus app on your phone, and Avast is the best free option. It will do weekly scans, and check files you download. Avast also has a variety of other tools, and other related apps for more security and convenience.

Android Device Manager
In case you lose your phone, or it is stolen, you want to have downloaded Android Device Manager. It will allow you to locate your device, have it ring to help you find it, reset the lock screen, and even erase the data on the phone.

7. Podcast Apps

Podcast Republic
Download, listen and organize all your favorite podcasts with this easy and convenient app. Search for new podcasts, locate your favorites, and listen to them all in one place. If you don't know what a podcast is, or don't listen to them, you are missing out. Download the app and start listening and learning great new things from the thousands of free podcast shows available.

Podcast Addict
Another widely popular podcast app, use this to download, discover and listen to all your podcasts. Great search features make it easy to find new shows to follow. Seriously, if you aren't taking advantage of podcasts on your smartphone, do yourself a favor and check them out! You can conveniently download podcasts while using WiFi, and then listen to them later for free!

8. Fitness

Google Fit
This fitness tracking app will log your activities, and keep you updated on how far you are walking/running/biking. Set goals for your workout, and then track how you do. You can also track how far you walk in a day, and much more. Can integrate with other fitness apps, and Android Wear.

7 Minute Workout
Almost everyone wants to be more fit, but most of us find it hard to set aside the time for fitness. The 7 Minute Workout is a great solution, as it allows you to complete 12 different exercises in 7 minutes that improves your health and fitness. Give it a try, and start making fitness a reality. There is also another version of the app here, if you want more options.

9. Mapping/Navigation Apps

Get the 1 Year card on Amazon!

Google Maps
The best when it comes to mapping and directions. If you don't already have it, download it. One feature many don't know about is that if you access Google Maps via WiFi, and save the maps for offline use, you can then navigate using GPS and saving your data.

My Tracks
A simple tracking app that can follow you in real time and give you information about distance, elevation, time, and much more. Save maps of your tracks to share with others, or for future reference. This app was created by Google.

Map My Hike GPS Hiking
A superior tracking app that can do way more than just track your hikes! See lots of detailed states for your hike, bike ride, walk, drive, and much much more! Get updates during your trip, and share your hikes with friends on Facebook.

NavFree
Traveling to a new city? Looking for a Navigation tool that won't burn through your data? NavFree is the solution! It is a free navigation app that uses maps saved on your device to navigate you through whatever city you're in. It has lots of additional features, and while it may not quite be up to par with Google Maps, it does a great job, and doesn't require data to work!

Waze
A GPS Navigation app with community based traffic updates which will keep you informed about the best routes, and even let your friends know your ETA. Waze can be connected with Facebook to import your contacts, and has turn by turn navigation over maps which are constantly updated by the community. This is a great app if you live in areas prone to congestion and traffic, or if you just like keeping up with your friends and family!

10. Music Apps

Spotify
Listen to music free on your phone. Choose a song, or artist, and enjoy a variety of songs related to it.

Pandora
A great way to discover new bands and artists, Pandora lets you pick a song, and then creates a radio station of related music that you can listen to on your phone.

Jango
Similar to the other music apps, Jango also works outside the US unlike Pandora or Spotify. Pick a song or musician, and then listen to a variety of related songs. Jango isn't quite as good as the other two options, but still works well.

11. Google Apps: (that aren't listed other places)

Google Now
Get faster access to Google and voice activated actions with Google Now. Huge number of neat features, including location based information, weather, news, and much more..

Google Drive - Storage

Google Drive
A simple way to access your Google Drive from your phone. If you don't already use Google Drive on your computer, well, you're missing out to a whole suite of amazing and free tools. Google Drive syncs between your devices, and is great for accessing and sharing information.

Google Docs
Need to have an important document with you to reference in a meeting? Google Docs works with Google Drive, and supports a variety of document formats that you can take with you on your phone, and even create new docs as well. Easy to collaborate with others on a shared project.

Google Camera
A powerful camera application that you can use instead of your default camera. Give it a test, and you may be surprised by the improvement in features and functionality. Includes HDR+, Lens Blur, Video, Photo Stitching and more.

12. Games

The Moto E Android phone

We want to hear about your favorite games! Let us know in the comments which games are your top picks, and we will add a list here!

We hope this list will give new Android users a good place to start when looking for apps, and possibly help Android power users find a new app to try.

If you don't have an Android phone, go check out our Tracfone Android List which shows all of Tracfone's current options for Android phones.

Currently, the LG Ultimate 2, Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop, and Moto E (click the links to view on Amazon) are the top performing phones available with Tracfone. These phones are usually available on the Tracfone website, and are also available many places online like Amazon and eBay

.

You can also bring your own smartphone to use with Tracfone! Drop by our Tracfone BYOP page which includes a list of compatible phones, like the Moto G.

As the Holidays arrive, be sure to read our Tracfone Christmas Gift Guide which contains a wide variety of ideas for gifts to buy Tracfone users. This is a good resource if you just can't find the right gift for someone!

Thanks for visiting, and remember to leave a comment with your picks for the best apps on your Android device! Let us know if we missed any good options!