topic Re: Dummy Phones anyone? in The Lounge

Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 01:56:10 GMT

Anyone here have a dummy flip phone and works well with Public Mobile?

I was thinking of buying this from the US. Nokia 2780 Flip Unlocked

It has LTE/4G and VoLTE as well. If on the $15 unlimited talk/text with no data, what's the point of using a smartphone?

I think I heard of one person here with PM had a Cat S22 and worked well with PM but no VoLTE so doesn't work in the US when they travelled.

I'm interested in hearing any feedback. Unless I will be the test guinea pig to try this phone on the PM network. LOL

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

slusagm — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 23:41:39 GMT

@Chalupa_Batman

i did some research online, this phone has boh the 4G and 3G channels needed here. So , you are good with this phone. Go for it

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:06:08 GMT

I agree. I've been doing a lot of research on this phone as well and I'm liking it more and more.

It would be great to hear from others who have flip phones which ones they have and how they work on PM.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

hairbag1 — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:54:10 GMT

@Chalupa_Batman

not a flip but a bar phone...Jethro 4G, comes volte enabled right outta the box. Phone and chrager for under $100 on Amazon with FAST delivery recently.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 01:06:30 GMT

Ha. I was actually looking at that. I was also looking at this one too now...

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Meow — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 23:17:42 GMT

Look at aliexpress. They a have bunch of cheap dumb phones. Even small as kid's palm.

But how are you going to activate account without an app that is another story...

Why would you want dumb phone at all?

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

hairbag1 — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 01:35:20 GMT

@Meow

I was able to successfully activate a new account for a senior relative. I downloaded the PM app to my iPhone, set up the new account, then deleted app. I used a gmail alias for new account and deleted the new number from eversafe. Now the security code always comes to my PM email address rather than the dumbphone, so I can manage the new account for relative. I can report that it works most excellently and relative has caught on how to dial any number. The PM $15 plan has no data to confuse relative and texting is waayyy to complex for relative. It's only been a coupla weeks but I'd highly recommend the Jethro SC490 4G LTE bar phone to anyone looking for a simple, easy to use cellphone.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

hairbag1 — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 01:39:05 GMT

@Chalupa_Batman wrote:
Ha. I was actually looking at that. I was also looking at this one too now...

I also saw that one during my search. I just didn't want to worry about a hinge breaking as my senior relative can be a bit .......ham-handed shall we say !! 😊

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 01:52:34 GMT

Hey @Meow pretty much the same thing as @hairbag1 mentioned. $15 unlimited talk and text no data. Why use a smart phone when you can dummy it up. I already have the plan so I'd just need to swap my SIM card to the dummy phone. BUT... I'd want to make sure it worked in the US too. Granted I have my Telus which as US talk text data included and I have my TextNow SIM which is great in the US too, granted I'd need to use my smartphone to use that but eh... I think for me, I like texting thing. I like being a beta tester on stuff. And let's face it, we do get a lot of questions about the use of dummy phones here on PM so... let's test and play! 🙂

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Meow — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:10:01 GMT

@Chalupa_Batman

I hear you... The only benefit of smart phones I see as being able to use few apps making my life easier.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 00:55:56 GMT

OK. Now I'm added another one to the mix.

CAT S22 Rugged Flip Phone 4G LTE

I know I said no to it before but there are folks on Reddit saying you can add the textnow app to it and use it that way. So now I'm really tempted to get this one. LOL But I do have your Jethro bookmarked as a favorite to look at still.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 01:46:53 GMT

So I ordered both last night. The flip and the Jethro. My neighbor has a Samsung 8 and somehow he erased all his contacts. Sadly he hadn't backed his phone up since 2017 so his wife asked me to get him a dummy phone. So I'm going to let him try these two phones on PM. I'm going to try them too as I have the $15 unlimited talk text plan and this would be just fine for me.

How are your senior relatives liking the Jethro so far @hairbag1 ?? I'm hoping it works very well with PM as the next time I head to the US I'll buy a 14 day add on to try it in the US and see how it goes. Just for giggles.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

hairbag1 — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 04:18:29 GMT

@Chalupa_Batman wrote:
How are your senior relatives liking the Jethro so far @hairbag1 ?? I'm hoping it works very well with PM as the next time I head to the US I'll buy a 14 day add on to try it in the US and see how it goes. Just for giggles.

No prob's so far. Seems to be as simple as it gets. With the Jethro on the PM $15 plan, she can dial out and answer the phone w/o problems. She's finally decided to cancel the landline too ! (She hasn't asked how to text so that's another good sign) After several weeks in service, I'd say it's a good investment for under $100. I'd gladly recommend the Jethro for any senior use who isn't interested in all the bells and whistles.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 16:36:15 GMT

Well @hairbag1 I've given this one a try for a few days and it's not bad. However, and this has just been my experience... while in screen lock mode, somehow the flashlight has come on in my pocket several times. I only noticed because I was wondering why my pocket was toasty warm. By doing so, it also killed the battery much faster. Sadly, for now, this particular phone will be going back.

With regards to that red flip phone... I was actually very pleasantly surprised. Yes, it feels cheap and yes, I do worry about the hinges breaking in the future with my hammy hands... but for $58 it's fun to play with.

I did get the Cat S22 for $66 (open box) and I guess we'll see what happens. Trial and error. Plus it's fun to play with phone. Will follow up after I get it and test it for a few days.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

hairbag1 — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 22:14:51 GMT

@Chalupa_Batman

yea, keep posting about your experiences...so far the relative has no issues with the Jethro, she likes having cell capability now. You provide much needed info to share with other senior users who are intimidated by smart phones.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 21:42:50 GMT

Hey @hairbag1

You should see if the VoLTE is actually working. I got that Cat S22 flip phone, works great on 3G but VoLTE isn't working even though it has it. I have a feeling that phone may have VoLTE but it's not on PM's whitelist.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

hairbag1 — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 22:11:36 GMT

@Chalupa_Batman

I'll check this weekend, but I also think volte isn't really activated on that phone...at least in Public Mobile world.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 20:12:56 GMT

@hairbag1 wrote:
@Chalupa_Batman
I'll check this weekend, but I also think volte isn't really activated on that phone...at least in Public Mobile world.

So the problem is going to be this. When 3G goes down, there are going to be a TON of phones that can do 4G but because they are not allowed by Public Mobile, there is going to be yet another mass exit unless Public Mobile changes their attitude towards the list they allow. That Cat S22 is a great phone and perfect for Public Mobile. Sadly I have to now send it back because it's only good to use for a year. Public Mobile will have no choice but to update their list of allowed phones on their service.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

Chalupa_Batman — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 23:19:35 GMT

@hairbag1

I wonder what the new IMEI checker would say about the Jethro phone now. I'm considering getting it for a few senior neighbors who don't want smartphones.

Re: Dummy Phones anyone?

slusagm — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 23:27:54 GMT

I bet it will still show VoIP unsupported. It is not a phone for any Canadian provider. It might be able to sneak through Telus owns system but PM still tight right the whitelist. It seems it open up a bit, but still mainly for phones that are sold for Canadian provinces, very very few for those nit sold via any provider