Flip Phone Users...

[Obice]

Hello,

I'm just curious as the title suggests if there are any flip phone users here and if you are one I applaud you, sincerely. To add a bit more substance to this thread, would you care to share why you use your flip phone?

I'm in between the smartphone world and the feature/flip phone world, I sometimes choose to carry around the former while I very much still appreciate the latter. I prefer flip phones for their simplicity and their (for the most part) single-use functionality (...calling...), and I like smartphones because they are essentially handheld computers so you can do lots of things with them.

[shodder26]

Thanks. 

[shodder26]

Thanks. Ill take a look online. They are not in the walmart here

[darlicious]

@shodder26  Absolutely @GR is correct. I have one as a back up that my boyfriend is currently using after losing his phone.Stkll had access to basic internet, good mp3 player with bluetooth, camera and a micro sd card slot. Quite the capable little phone with long battery life too.

[GR]

@shodder26  the alcatel flip that you can buy at Walmart for around 70$ works good

[shodder26]

Could you tell me what kind of flip phone works with public mobile. Or even a model like the old nokia one. Looking for my mother in law who just wants it for calls only

[Obice]

That may very well happen... I say the "folding" phones are what they will pass off as the next best thing. I also say semantics... There is hardly a difference between folding and flipping when it comes to phones.

We're essentially getting a flippin' foldin' phone... and only for $2,000!

How would you like to pay?

[madhi19]

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@Obice wrote:

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@bridonca wrote:

My primary voice phone is a flip phone.  The audio sounds much better on most flip phones than most smart phones because echo cancelation does not have to be enabled on a flip phone, because the mic and earphone are far enough away to not cause feedback, unlike slab phones.  The battery life is another huge draw.  I can get 4 days usage, unlike a smart phone, which barely lasts a day.

I do not use a flip phone exclusively.  I still use a smart phone for a data device.  I have it in airplane mode most of the time to preserve the battery.  That means I cannot take calls.  But because of it's battery life, a flip phone can be on all the time. 

Now what I love about Public Mobile is they have the  perfect flip phone plan!  $13 for unlimited incoming, unlimited texts, and the 250 MB of data that might as well be considered unlimited data when used on a flip phone!    I can use my smart phone and a voip apps like google hangouts dialer to do unlimited outgoing calls, or if I desire, pay $5 for 500 minutes if I do use more than my 100 minute outgoing quota.

If I had to have one device, I would of course use a smart phone.  But it is, and always will be a compromise device, it is worse than a flip phone or a laptop. 

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I have found that most flip phones can connect to Google which is more than adequate, for example, looking up company numbers and dailing them. Viewing most websites is very unlikely to work though unless your feature/flip phone is modern and has 4G/LTE capabilities but as far as 3G feature/flip phones go they cannot surf the web.

Just for a few examples:

• My Samsung Rugby 4/IV is a 3G and 4G-capable flip phone that I've been able to use to surf the web with, albeit slowly -- of course.
• My Samsung flip phone (SGH C414M, doesn't have a codename) is a 3G flip phone and browsing the web isn't possible, each website comes up as unsecure. Google works for company numbers, though.
• Lastly, the Alcatel GO FLIP is a 3G and 4G-capable flip phone and it too can browse the web, albeit also slowly.

I prefer the audio on a flip phone myself but I cannot find myself to bring with me 2 phones...

I have been playing with the idea to try out using a tablet for productivity/games and a flip for calls/texts.

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I really think the form factor is due for a revival with smartphone performance.

[Obice]

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@bridonca wrote:

My primary voice phone is a flip phone.  The audio sounds much better on most flip phones than most smart phones because echo cancelation does not have to be enabled on a flip phone, because the mic and earphone are far enough away to not cause feedback, unlike slab phones.  The battery life is another huge draw.  I can get 4 days usage, unlike a smart phone, which barely lasts a day.

I do not use a flip phone exclusively.  I still use a smart phone for a data device.  I have it in airplane mode most of the time to preserve the battery.  That means I cannot take calls.  But because of it's battery life, a flip phone can be on all the time. 

Now what I love about Public Mobile is they have the  perfect flip phone plan!  $13 for unlimited incoming, unlimited texts, and the 250 MB of data that might as well be considered unlimited data when used on a flip phone!    I can use my smart phone and a voip apps like google hangouts dialer to do unlimited outgoing calls, or if I desire, pay $5 for 500 minutes if I do use more than my 100 minute outgoing quota.

If I had to have one device, I would of course use a smart phone.  But it is, and always will be a compromise device, it is worse than a flip phone or a laptop. 

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I have found that most flip phones can connect to Google which is more than adequate, for example, looking up company numbers and dailing them. Viewing most websites is very unlikely to work though unless your feature/flip phone is modern and has 4G/LTE capabilities but as far as 3G feature/flip phones go they cannot surf the web.

Just for a few examples:

• My Samsung Rugby 4/IV is a 3G and 4G-capable flip phone that I've been able to use to surf the web with, albeit slowly -- of course.
• My Samsung flip phone (SGH C414M, doesn't have a codename) is a 3G flip phone and browsing the web isn't possible, each website comes up as unsecure. Google works for company numbers, though.
• Lastly, the Alcatel GO FLIP is a 3G and 4G-capable flip phone and it too can browse the web, albeit also slowly.

I prefer the audio on a flip phone myself but I cannot find myself to bring with me 2 phones...

I have been playing with the idea to try out using a tablet for productivity/games and a flip for calls/texts.

[bridonca]

My primary voice phone is a flip phone.  The audio sounds much better on most flip phones than most smart phones because echo cancelation does not have to be enabled on a flip phone, because the mic and earphone are far enough away to not cause feedback, unlike slab phones.  The battery life is another huge draw.  I can get 4 days usage, unlike a smart phone, which barely lasts a day.

I do not use a flip phone exclusively.  I still use a smart phone for a data device.  I have it in airplane mode most of the time to preserve the battery.  That means I cannot take calls.  But because of it's battery life, a flip phone can be on all the time. 

Now what I love about Public Mobile is they have the  perfect flip phone plan!  $13 for unlimited incoming, unlimited texts, and the 250 MB of data that might as well be considered unlimited data when used on a flip phone!    I can use my smart phone and a voip apps like google hangouts dialer to do unlimited outgoing calls, or if I desire, pay $5 for 500 minutes if I do use more than my 100 minute outgoing quota.

If I had to have one device, I would of course use a smart phone.  But it is, and always will be a compromise device, it is worse than a flip phone or a laptop. 

[Obice]

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@madhi19 wrote:

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@Jb456 wrote:

Elders in my family use flip phones still. Why do they? Cause they never grew up with smartphones..they only want call someone..(don't think they even know what a text is lol)

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When I got dad off the landline and on PM this Summer that was the sticking point he wanted the most basic flip possible. Having used it a couple of times since I can see the appeal of a form factor that really fit a pocket, and the rather impressive battery life. 

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Yeah... the bigger the phone the pricier and harder to fit in your pocket. Also, contrary to that, the smaller and typically cheaper the phone, the quicker it breaks. How (cough) convenient.

[madhi19]

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@Jb456 wrote:

Elders in my family use flip phones still. Why do they? Cause they never grew up with smartphones..they only want call someone..(don't think they even know what a text is lol)

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When I got dad off the landline and on PM this Summer that was the sticking point he wanted the most basic flip possible. Having used it a couple of times since I can see the appeal of a form factor that really fit a pocket, and the rather impressive battery life. 

[darlicious]

Hmmmm....flip phone versus smartphone. I have both and was quite happy having only it. The call quality is better filtering out background noise and doesn't interfere with other devices like to smartphones too close together can. I have dropped it more times than I can remember and it's no worse for wear. I struggled the other day getting the back off to put in the pm SIM card so I just dropped it on the floor..tada...back and battery removed! It is a pain in the_____to text on thus the migration to my smartphone that I inherited. However the battery does last an incredibly long time both for call use and as an emergency phone. Won't need a charge for days and days. Haven't actually tested how long but it's retained a charge with occasional use for at least a week. Mine does have the ability to use the internet and has impossibly small and cute Google screen but I've actually tried to surf the net on it. It is a nice feeling knowing your not constantly being tracked and located. It's a great little back up phone and I still use it as my important people number so I know to answer it if it rings and handy to have go call my smartphone when I can't find it. I won't be giving it up anytime soon but I doubt I will replace it when it dies. 5 years old and still going strong and it sure is nice not getting constant pings, dings, rings, beeps, bleeps and blips from all those notifications.

[Korth]

I've found that flip phones tend to have better call quality. Maybe it's just because the form factor has more bulk for speaker and mic and radio hardware, maybe it's not as technologically dense so it can accommodate better chips and larger antennae and stuff. 

But actual call quality - using the phone for voice calls - is not emphasized on smartphones. It's totally ignored and eclipsed by the display/camera resolutions and processing capabilities and Data performances. Nobody even mentions (or seems to care about) voice unless they're marketing the device audio (with emphasis on music bass/volume) or they're monetizing a new "premium" feature technology (like VoLTE). But if you've ever needed to spend time talking to your boss, your minions, and your clients at a Loud And Busy worksite then you'd prefer a phone with decent voice call hardware.

Texting on T9 is an awkward and ugly experience. It's sometimes unavoidable because many people simply don't answer incoming calls anymore. 

Not having access to internet lookups or maps is sometimes a nuisance. But savvy office staff and good old automotive GPS can fill the gap.

Flip phone battery life is usually measured in days instead of in hours. 

And they tend to be far more rugged than flimsy glassphones ever could be.

Although I admit my "new" CAT smartphone is a fine hybrid, it has some handy integrated gadgets and some of the best of both worlds. 

[Obice]

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@kselmak wrote:

My aunt is still using one, she had a smartphone for a bit but most of the time she was not able to answer successfully I think she was pressing to hard and not sliding long enough so it was 50/50 if she'll be able to answer if phone is handy and odds of answering were much lower if she had to dig it out of a purse or get it from another room. I would call about 4 times to get her. Her old one fell apart so I got her used Nokia off of Kijiji for 40. Now she's happy again.

My mom had much easier time adjusting despite being 7 years older but that's possibly because I got her a tablet couple years back and she had chance to get used to it on much bigger screen and without pressure of answering

We have a 10 plan on an old phone too. That's a spare house phone if somebody is dropped off or goes by bus so they can call home or taxi for a ride. We'll just drive it into the ground, got a 'new' battery couple of years back but only because it was a friend's pretty new battery and his phone went to meet st Pete.

I don't care much as long as I can use it properly. I feel my fingers are too chubby for the little screens but if I get anything bigger I'll be able to use it to shovel the snow once I'm done with it and can't put it in a pocket

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Yeah, I'm currently using an iPhone SE which is quite small and then I have a few flip phones but to compare for a second, I have an Alcatel GO FLIP and its body (in its closed position) is just a tad smaller than my iPhone . Now when you go to dial a number, on the other hand, the buttons on the GO FLIP have got to be more satisfying to press if nothing else than the iPhone simply because they are physical keys and not on a screen, and arguably a tad bigger than the on-screen buttons the iPhone has.

[kselmak]

My aunt is still using one, she had a smartphone for a bit but most of the time she was not able to answer successfully I think she was pressing to hard and not sliding long enough so it was 50/50 if she'll be able to answer if phone is handy and odds of answering were much lower if she had to dig it out of a purse or get it from another room. I would call about 4 times to get her. Her old one fell apart so I got her used Nokia off of Kijiji for 40. Now she's happy again.

My mom had much easier time adjusting despite being 7 years older but that's possibly because I got her a tablet couple years back and she had chance to get used to it on much bigger screen and without pressure of answering

We have a 10 plan on an old phone too. That's a spare house phone if somebody is dropped off or goes by bus so they can call home or taxi for a ride. We'll just drive it into the ground, got a 'new' battery couple of years back but only because it was a friend's pretty new battery and his phone went to meet st Pete.

I don't care much as long as I can use it properly. I feel my fingers are too chubby for the little screens but if I get anything bigger I'll be able to use it to shovel the snow once I'm done with it and can't put it in a pocket

[Obice]

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@Jb456 wrote:

Elders in my family use flip phones still. Why do they? Cause they never grew up with smartphones..they only want call someone..(don't think they even know what a text is lol)

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Hmmm, I again, applaud them.

I had a roommate in the past who used a flip phone and wanted as little to do with technology as possible. He had a TV, cable and his flip and nothing else.

I kinda wish this generation was as simple, alas, it isn't and will likely just grow more complicated.

[Obice]

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@klwjones wrote:

I really like my flip. It's simple to use, rugged, dependable and small. What's not to love, untill this gift of free data. Flip no data!  I have my wife's old smart phone and switch my sim card into it after unlocking. How do I use my data it does not seem to want to appear on the phone.Keith

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I find on flip phones that if data is not working, it is almost always because the phone does not have the APN settings configured properly or at all.

On a flip phone it can be tricky to make the data work as unlike smartphones the settings can differ phone to phone (smartphones typically have the same fields to fill out, feature phones not always the case).

Public Mobile APN Settings (according to whiteout.ca)

1. Locate your APN
   • Tap ‘Settings’
   • Tap ‘More’
   • Tap ‘Mobile Networks’
   • Tap ‘Access Point Names’
   • Tap ‘New APN setting (or + sign)’Tap ‘More’

1. Set up your APN
   • Name: PM
   • APN: sp.mb.com
   • Proxy: Leave blank
   • Port: Leave blank
   • Username: Leave blank
   • Password: Leave blank
   • Server: Leave blank
   • MMSC: http://aliasredirect.net/proxy/mb/mmsc
   • MMSC proxy: 74.49.0.18
   • MMS port: 80
   • MCC: 302
   • MNC: 220
   • Authentication type: Leave blank
   • APN type: Leave blank

Note: when you put in 74.49.0.18, I suggest you include 80 like this 74.49.0.18:80. I have found doing this on every flip phone I have had that this always works (combining MMSC proxy with port).

You can take a look here, this is a document I made for some of my own flip phones and some carriers I've gotten to work on them.

https://1drv.ms/w/s!Anqn_P8B_fS6hQCbO_-ZKjoU-4WJ

[Jb456]

First can you log into self serve account and confirm it displays the 1gif data? It should be in add on section of your overview page.

Socond what's the your wife's phone model that you're using with your sim?

Third.. does all other stuff work on wife's ohine? Call in/out? Text in/out?

Last have you tried resetting network settings?

@klwjones 

I really like my flip. It's simple to use, rugged, dependable and small. What's not to love, untill this gift of free data. Flip no data!  I have my wife's old smart phone and switch my sim card into it after unlocking. How do I use my data it does not seem to want to appear on the phone.Keith

[klwjones]

I really like my flip. It's simple to use, rugged, dependable and small. What's not to love, untill this gift of free data. Flip no data!  I have my wife's old smart phone and switch my sim card into it after unlocking. How do I use my data it does not seem to want to appear on the phone.Keith

[Jb456]

Elders in my family use flip phones still. Why do they? Cause they never grew up with smartphones..they only want call someone..(don't think they even know what a text is lol)