I need a cell phone

[Timmy2021]

I don't have a cell phone, can someone suggest a cheap cell phone that will be compatible to Public Mobile's service?  Preferably one with a headphone jack.  Thanks. 

[darlicious]

@Timmy2021 

I wouldn't worry too much with a cracked screen unless it's severely damaged. Half the people out there have a cracked screen it usually makes no difference to the functionality of the device.

@Anonymous 

Unless things have changed in the last 3 months Maxwell phone's have a sim card software defect rendering them unable to read SIM cards. All retailers that sell these phones in Canada should know better......and fined for continuing to sell them after so many returns.....

[darlicious]

@Timmy2021 

Buying retail....I have done a search and new or refurbished you won't get anything under $100 that is not a flip phone or a foreign questionable piece of crap....sorry to be harsh unless you can luck out on a discounted  rca phone from Canadian tire at an absolute maximum price of $60. That being tried and tested by the bf and it performed and lasted in his hands a surprisingly long time..... so I will keep an eye out for one of those.

Otherwise here are a few suggestions from Craigslist that although they are YMMV and buyer beware judging by the ad, the price and the phone they maybe worth investigating. Be sure to make sure they are unlocked and test preferably with a working pm sim card or at least a working koodo or telus sim for compatibility and if possible a non telus family sim card to see if they are unlocked. But the seller should be able to unlock it for you if they are the true owner.

https://toronto.craigslist.org/mss/mob/d/mississauga-motorola-e5-play/7368660314.html

https://toronto.craigslist.org/tor/mob/d/markham-samsung-s5/7364453737.html

https://toronto.craigslist.org/tor/mob/d/toronto-google-pixel-2xl-64gb-unlocked/7360949327.html

https://toronto.craigslist.org/tor/mob/d/scarborough-smartphone-htc-ruby-used/7361118897.html

Online from Wal-Mart unlocked, open box or refurbished.....about $100...double check compatibility first and review the return policy for each phone.Most have a $20 shipping fee

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Samsung-Galaxy-J3-Star-16GB-SM-J337T-Factory-Unlocked-Smartphone-Gold-O...

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Samsung-Galaxy-J2-16GB-SM-S260DL-GSM-Unlocked-Smartphone-Black-Open-Box...

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Refurbished-Samsung-SM-A115UZKAXAA-Galaxy-A11-32GB-Unlocked-Black/PRD4T...

Or new....

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Samsung-A01-Core-16GB-Brand-New/33BEU6QB7LJ8

Others...

https://www.factorydirect.ca/motorola-moto-e5-play-16gb-unlocked-smartphone-black

Best of luck with your search and I will post any deals I come across....but I will stress again the great deal on the Google pixel 2xl that for your needs will last you many years and with a camera that you will fall in love with......a guy on craigslist has one listed for $675!! Even if you look at the far inferior offerings at $100+$20 shipping=$120+tax($15.60)=$135.60 or Google pixel 2xl about $200 cdn

[BKNS27]

@Timmy2021 

I also keep an eye on the Facebook Marketplace for deals. 
I also ask for the IMEI, look for a uncracked screen, minimal dents to the frame and if they are the original owner.

Screens will cost about $200 to replace so I keep clear of cracked screens.

[Timmy2021]

That is a good deal for $27 !

[Timmy2021]

BNKs27, yes, there may risk involved with that locked phone, I need to do more research on it. 

[BKNS27]

@Timmy2021 

I purchased an iPhone 6 for my sister with a uncracked screen but the battery is swelled forcing the screen up for a price of $20. 
Got a new battery for $7 on eBay and I swap the battery…the phone works like a charm for a total of $27.

My sister is super happy with the phone.

[Timmy2021]

z10user, $30 for a new phone is incredible and it has text function, but with 3 alphabets mingled in one digit, it will be cumbersome to type a message, on screen key board will be easier, I will keep it as last resort, 

[BKNS27]

@Timmy2021 

Your phone is probably blacklisted that was stolen or lost and sold by a dishonest seller.

Your will need to get the IMEI number of the phone by dialing *#06# and it will display the IMEI of the phone.

Next go to IMEI Info and type in the IMEI number.

https://www.imei.info/carriers/canada/ 

If it is blacklisted, you can only get it jailbreak and will have limit use of the phone. Not much you can do at this point you can on use it to play games or surf the web.

I always ask for the IMEI of the phone before making the purchase.

[softech]

@Anonymous   you are right. .i think i was quoting the A01 Global version.  If A01 American version, it will work well.

So @Timmy2021  , if you are buying A01, make sure you know the exact model number so you can look up which version is it and you can confirm if it works well

[Anonymous]

 @Timmy2021 : Staples - new - $30 - Maxwest Uno M6 3G. See if you can find it.

[Anonymous]

 @softech : Depends on the exact model name. I have an A31. But with variations, the one that fulfilled my wishlist was made for the UAE market (amongst others).

[Timmy2021]

as long as it can transmit text and make phone call, it will be good enough for me, so the lower the price the better. 

[Timmy2021]

Thanks for the suggestion, I never knew drug store sells cell phone, I surely will explore it, Staple sells only new products and its prices are usually very high, so I seldom shop there, but I could explore it again. 

[softech]

@Timmy2021   Samsung A01 is your dream phone at the moment?  

while it will work on PM, it won't work that well.  on the 3G band, the phone only has B5 and lacks the B2.  On LTE, it only has B5 and B7

so, i suggest to you continue your search for your perfect phone...

[darlicious]

@Timmy2021 

Ok thank you....now I have something to work with....

[Anonymous]

 @Timmy2021 : There are some cheap phones at like Staples and those "drug" stores that sell everything else. Out west we have London Drugs. Best Buy might have some too. They call them unlocked or prepaid phones. They're usually the cheapest of cheap. But maybe that's right up your alley for your needs.

Buying used you'd never want them to ship it to you. You want to be there to see it turn on, get the IMEI, check devicecheck.ca for blacklisted.

Phone repair stores also have used phones. They would want to sell you a no-risk phone. If they sold you a blacklisted phone they wouldn't be in business for long.

[Timmy2021]

I am in Toronto's suburb Mississauga.  So is there any way to unlock it.

Here is my search criteria:

It must has texting capability and has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, price around $60. My reason is that I want it to work like a home phone with speaker and I just use it for emergency situation or for occasional outdoor phone call, I won't be using it to surf internet or for Youtube videos or for music.  I use my PC extensively for internet research, music, videos and for spread sheet projects.

[darlicious]

@Timmy2021 

A used phone can be blacklisted at anytime it is very YMMV when buying second hand. That phone should not be locked as all phones after December 2017 are supposed to be unlocked. If the seller says its locked and/or says you should unlock it I would stay far, far away. You get what you pay for....buyer beware when it comes to the used market.

You would be better off looking for a free cell phone on Craigslist free section. 

Edit:

Honestly....where are you located? I will try to locate you a decent phone within your budget that won't come bite you in the ...ahhhh.....hip!😃

[Timmy2021]

Hi, all, I have found my "dream cell phone" that matches all my search criteria, but it is locked, what does that mean and how can I unlock it. It was produced in January, 2020 and is selling for C$60. 

Samsung Galaxy A01 

Please check if it is compatible with Public Mobile. 

I saw another one but it is "blocked", meaning reported stolen.  

How do I know if any phone I buy is blocked, the seller could be lying, I cannot see the serial number or other id, by the time I receive it in the mail it would be too late, right?  

[darlicious]

@Timmy2021 

I understand your aversion to a cell phone. I held steadfastly to my flip phone until shortly before joining pm and I inherited my late partner's smartphone. I still kept both but once I joined pm to reduce the cost of maintaining two phone numbers I finally relinquished the flip phone to a drawer as an emergency back up phone and put both sim card's in my Samsung A320 and dove into the learning pool of the wonderful world of mobile technology!

You are taking a similar leap....don't hinder your learning with the limits of what a $50 cell phone will get you.....do you really want ramen noodles for dinner? @will13am has made an excellent recommendation I was going to give you the same one. They have sold out of the 64GB one that was $20 cheaper but the Google pixel 2xl with 128GB of memory will hold up for a long time with speed of today's technology so that despite this being a 4 year old phone it was such an advanced flagship phone when it did come out it still out performs most mobile phones today.

Let me put it this way.....I bought the Google pixel 3 six weeks ago just for the camera. I don't even have a SIM card in mine. The fact that if I do put one in its just a bonus that it will enable me to call and text. There are so many other applications that you can use it for that when you do get phone call it will just remind you...."Oh yeah there's a phone in there....maybe I should answer it and see who is calling me!" 

I could have never been able to afford a high quality flagship phone when it came out and I wouldn't be able to justify it to myself today but I couldn't not justify paying under $200 cdn for such awesomeness that originally cost $1300 when it was first released. Your paying only 15% of its original price but you are still getting 100% of its technology. You won't regret this purchase  but if you are finally embracing mobile cellular technology you will regret in a few short months wasting $50 on a phone that doesn't do much more than call and text and watch the circle of death go round and round.

But if you are set on only spending $50 I can hunt down a few deals for you. When you're upgrading your computer private message me.....I've got a Commodore 64 in my basement that I will give you a fantastic deal on!!😉

[BKNS27]

@Timmy2021 

I would recommend a refurbished cell store like Cellular Savings. They have refurbished phones at a reasonable price and they come with 90 day warranty.

Stick to iPhone, Samsung or Google phones…accessories are cheaper. If you are lucky, you could find free accessories on FB marketplace.

https://cellularsavings.ca/ 

[softech]

What is your price range?

I think Costco store has some good Moto phone lately.  

[will13am]

@Timmy2021 , the recommendation comes to under $200 CAD plus Canadian taxes which is not bad.  B&H is one of the best cross border retailers.  They can't do anything about the exchange rate.  Their shipping policy to Canada is top notch.  There's a $1 service charge to remit taxes to the Canadian government.  I along with some other members in the community have shopped B&H deals with good outcome.

[Dunkman]

@Timmy2021 

Just be careful with kijiji or facebook market phones.  Several reports of fraud.  Locked phones, blacklisted phones, defects, etc.....   Even cases of phones that work initially, but then the previous owner blacklists the phone later on and then the phone is useless.  Maybe get a used phone from a family member or friend.  Most people have some old phones that they are not using.  

When you find a potential phone, welcome to ask the forum again to check the phone compatibility.  

[t_p]

In layman terms, any UNLOCKED 4G LTE compatible phones should work with PM. I bought a LG on Amazon new for $90. If you keep watch, there are often good deals.

If you want even cheaper, second hand sites like Kijiji is a good place to browse. Many are advertised in the$50-$60 but of course warranties may be hard to come by.

[Timmy2021]

Thanks for earnest help and suggestion of the community members, I feel that i have discovered a gold mine in Public Mobile, hope some day I'll be a mobile expert and contribute useful insight back to the community.  Right now I am mobile illiterate. 

[Dtack]

@Timmy2021 - check the PM website as they now sell phones, Walmart, London Drugs, FB Marketplace, Kijiji, cell phone repair stores, friends and neighbors...just make sure it is compatible and unlocked.  There are lots of places with reasonably priced older cell phones.  Good luck!

[Timmy2021]

Yes, I did look at PM's phone sale, unfortunately they are all out of stock. The Motorola $99 phone is ideal, hope there will be one available soon.  By the way, if I have a compatible phone, how long will it take for me to be able to make a call.

[Timmy2021]

Thanks will13am, I hope I can find a cheaper one in Canada without incurring the currency exchange rate.  

[HALIMACS · Accepted solution]

@Timmy2021 

Public Mobile offers phones for sale which are unlocked and compatible with their system.

They also include a Public Mobile SIM card.

Have a look:

https://publicmobile.ca/en/on/phone-section