Tracfone Sales, Discounts and Deals -Fall 2014

Sales and Discounts on Tracfone Cell Phones and Minutes - Sept. 2014

Save Money on Tracfone with these deals!

There are plenty of great deals and discounts on Tracfone devices and minutes, but it can be hard to find them when you need it most. So below we share with you some of the latest and greatest deals we've found from around the web.

Tracfone is a wireless prepaid cell phone company that sells both phones and service minutes. They are usually very low cost, and make it easy to own a cell phone for less than $20 a month. Visit About Tracfone to learn more about them, or see our Cell Phone Reviews page to check out the phones.

Here at de9w2dsl, we keep track of the best prices on Tracfone mobile devices and minutes, and then share them with you. These deals don't always last long, so don't wait.

We try to find and share a variety of deals here to appeal to what you're looking for. Many of these discounted Tracfone products will save you a few bucks, but that can go a long ways sometimes.

If you're looking for more ways to save money, visit our Tracfone Promo Codes page. And don't forget to check out our recently updated post on How to Set Up the Tracfone Family Value Plan which can be a great money saver.

Well, let's get to these Tracfone Sales.

Tracfone Deals and Sales - September 2014

These are some great deals and discounts we've found, but please let us know in the comments if you find others!


1. ZTE Valet Android with 200 Minutes (Tripled to 600) for $45

ZTE Valet for $45

Buying phones bundled with minutes is almost always a great deal, and this ZTE Valet with 600 total minutes is no exception.

The Valet is a touchscreen Android smartphone with 3.5" screen and many great features. See all the details by reading our Tracfone ZTE Valet Review.

This deal is great because the 600 minutes would normally cost $40, so for $5 more (plus another $5 for shipping) you get an Android smartphone!

View the deal on Amazon for all the details!


2. Alcatel 382G "The Big Easy" for $10

This phone is simple and practical; made for ease of use and good durability. It is a popular phone with Tracfone users because it does the basic things of calling and texting with large easy to use keys. Take a look at our Alcatel 382G Review for more information on this phone.

You can get the Alcatel 382G with Double Minutes right now on Amazon for just $10. It normally goes for $40!


3. Motorola EX431G with Triple Minutes - $7!

If you're just looking for a simple phone that has Triple Minutes for Life, or you don't have a phone with Triple Minutes for life, you should seriously consider this great deal!

The Motorola EX 431G is a QWERTY keyboard phone with lots of great features like MP3 Player and 2MP camera. It also comes with Triple Minutes for Life, and is on sale for just $7!

View our review of the Motorola Ex431G to see if it might be the right phone for you.


4. LG Optimus Dynamic II with 600 Minutes for $99

The LG Optimus Dynamic II is one of the most popular Tracfone devices right now for good reason, it comes with a 3.8" touchscreen and is powered by Android. The majority of users who have tried other Tracfone smartphones prefer the LG Optimus Dynamic II.

Take a look at our Review of the LG Optimus Dynamic II, and be sure to read through the comments.

At just $99 (and free shipping!) for the phone and 600 minutes, you are really getting the Dynamic II for just $60 with a $40 200 minute card - which is a great deal.

View the deal on eBay for more information.


5. 200 Minute Card for $32!

If you're looking for minutes, and don't mind waiting for the PIN to be mailed to you, buying cards online can be a great deal. Normally, a 200 minute Tracfone card goes for $40, but this deal has the card for just $32 and free shipping.

So plan a little in advance, and take advantage of the $8 off a 200 minute card!


6. LG Optimus Dynamic II w/ 1200 Minutes for $99 from HSN

This deal probably won't last long, but it is a good one if you're looking for an Android phone bundled with lots of minutes! The 1200 minutes are worth $99 by themselves, so you basically get a great Android smartphone for free!

View the deal on HSN but you better hurry because it probably won't last!


de9w2dsl works hard at finding the best prices, and biggest deals. We are dedicated to providing information and helping save you money. Please let us know if you see better deals around! Leave a comment or visit our Facebook page!

Continue learning about all that Tracfone offers by checking out our Tracfone Android Phone List which has all the latest smartphones from Tracfone listed and easy to compare.

You may also find our Tracfone BYOP page useful for learning about which phones you can bring to Tracfone, including the iPhone 4.

Also, the LG Optimus Fuel, with Android 4.4 is now available. View our full post on the LG Optimus Fuel to learn more, and find where you can buy it (and how much it costs!).

Thanks for visiting, and we hope you enjoy these deals!

iPhone 6, First Review

I want to start this by saying, I was and still am, extremely happy with my iPhone 5S.  It was a bit thinner, and longer than the 4S that I had used for two years, had better battery life, better camera, and a slew of other features that made it much better experience than the 4S.  Since June, I've been looking forward to getting the 6, but given that I had been testing iOS 8 for months, wasn't all that excited, until it arrived.  I was a bit concerned that the size increase would make it uncomfortable to hold and use with one hand, but the concern quickly disappeared!

As you can see above, the 6 has quite a size advantage over the 5S.  Yet as you can see below, still fits easily into the palm of your hand, as is still completely usable with one hand.  

What thoroughly impressed me, was the sheer thinness of the iPhone 6 (below).  I'm not sure why I was surprised, as Apple has made nice advances with each prior iPhone.  With the 6, however the advances are far superior than any previous iPhone.  

Sure the internals all were upgraded, new processor, better camera, better wi-fi antenna, better battery etc, etc, etc.  The thinness and size are two of the things that make this iPhone the best yet.  To be fair, I have not tested or tried the 6 Plus, so I can't speak to it just yet.  

From the moment I started using the 6, I was impressed.  I loaded it from my last iPhone 5S backup, so my apps, and content were available almost instantly.  As the apps began to update for iOS 8, they began to support the larger screen size of the 6, which made them all that much better.  

With each iPhone release comes a new operating system.  When I began testing iOS 8 since early June, there didn't seem to be a great difference from iOS 7.  Once I started using the iPhone 6, the new features seem to come to life.  From the new Speak Screen setting, to the new Handoff feature, to the ability to enlarge your whole screen using the new Zoomed Feature (and those and just 3 of the hundreds of new features), everything just worked better on the new iPhone.

Speak Screen let's your iPhone talk and tell you exactly what's on your screen (whatever app you may be in).

Handoff let's you start something on one device and continue on any of your other devices using the same iCloud account.  

This is the standard display, below is the new Zoomed display option, which you can see makes everything bigger and easier to see.

There is  so much more to cover, but I wanted to get a quick review out for those of you wondering if you should upgrade or not.  If you are on the fence, let me be the one to push you over.  The iPhone 6 is not only well worth the upgrade, but it is simply the best iPhone to date!

I will have more to write in the coming weeks.  If you've upgraded, or newly purchased the iPhone 6, I'd love to hear from you regarding what you like, and even what you don't!

Until next time...best to you and your devices!

Apple Pay!

Along with two new iPhones, Apple has ambitiously made the way you pay for things so very easy by creating Apple Pay!

What it is...
With Apple Pay, you'll be able to pay for things in any physical or online retail store using a contact-less touch system. When you make a purchase the retailer does not see your name or card number and even better, Apple collects no purchase history.

A Token element...
I apologize if this gets to tech speak here, but here's how this works;  Apple Pay uses NFC (Near Field Communication), the Secure Element and Touch ID.  You enter your credit card details into the system which confirms your card with your bank, and creates a unique Device Account Number (aka a token), this is held in the Secure Element on your device.  Your transactions are authorized using the token and a one-time dynamic security code.

Devices that will be able to use Apple Pay include...
Apple Pay will be available on the  iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. It will also works with iPhone 5, 5C and 5S devices but will require an Apple Watch.

Scan your credit card in with your devices camera...
Now I'm not certain just how secure this process is, but you can pre-load your credit card into your iPhone using your camera. Once approved the card appears in the Passbook app.

Apple Pay and Apple Watch...
Coming early next year, Apple Pay will work with your Apple Watch once you enter your passcode. Now this part is very cool, if you remove your watch payments are suspended until you put it on again and re-enter the watch code. Nice!

What happens if I loose my device?
If you loose your iPhone, the Find My iPhone app will suspend payments from your device once it is placed in Lost Mode. You will not need to replace your card, just create a new token on the device.

Very secure!
Because transactions are validated using dynamic codes it impairs or blocks hackers from scanning and stealing account details during a wireless transaction.  According to Morgan Reed, of the App Association, "Consumers can be confident their Apple Pay transactions will be private, safe, and secure." 

Info NOT stored in iCloud (or any other cloud for that matter!)
The essential credit card data is not held in the iCloud, making it extremely secure. Google Wallet's failure was due to the fact that it held this highly sensitive data in an insecure cloud.

Where Can Apple Pay be used?
At first, Apple Pay will be available in the US, where American Express, Visa and MasterCard  and most of the biggest banks support it at over 200,000 shops. Mastercard says such payment services will be widely available in 12-18 months.

What will this cost the consumer?
Apple will be taking a processing fee from banks.  The amounts are large, and Apple may gain close to $30-$50 million in added income on existing iTunes purchases, and the best part, it costs you nothing!

Other Benefits?
Apple Pay will be awesome when you are price comparing sites;  look at an item in a store and if you find it cheaper somewhere else, order it there!

Finally...
Both PayPal and Square have said they will support Apple Pay within their services.  Apple Pay is expected to launch in the US in October, and internationally in the very near future.

LG 305C Tracfone Review

Review of the LG 305C Touchscreen Phone from Tracfone

This review by de9w2dsl will provide specs and features for the LG 305C, along with likes and dislikes, and where you can buy the phone for the best price.

Tracfone LG 305C Review

Tracfone Wireless is a low cost prepaid cell phone and service provider in America. They contract with major companies like AT&T and Verizon to use their networks.

The LG 305C uses the CDMA Verizon network and is very similar to the LG 306G which uses AT&T and other networks. If you know which network is better in your area, you can go with the appropriate phone, otherwise you might want to read our GSM vs CDMA Review to learn more about the two network options.

As we mentioned, the LG 305C is very similar to the LG 306G (click for our review), in fact they share almost all the same features. the key difference is that the LG 305C will use Verizon service.

The LG 305C is a touchscreen phone with a 3.2" screen and has 3G and WiFi connectivity. It is not an Android phone however, and thus does not have access to the wide variety of apps Android users enjoy.

Let's take a look at the features for this phone, followed by the phone specifications.

LG 305C Features and Specs

This phone comes with most standard features Tracfone devices usually come with like Voicemail, Caller ID, etc. It also comes with some other great features:

• WiFi and 3G access for Mobile Web Browsing
• Triple Minutes for Life
• 5 Home Screens
• 2 MP Camera and Recorder
• SMS/MMS messaging (text/picture)
• 4 GB Micro SD card included
• Up to 32 GB Micro SD Card
• Bluetooth 2.1
• MP3 Player
• Gravity/Tilt sensor
• 1000 Entry Phonebook
• Alarm, Handsfree speaker, voice recorder

LG 305C Specs and Size:

• 3.2" Touchscreen 
• Size: 4.08" x 2.47" x 0.47" (inches) 
• Weight: 3.80 OZ 
• Battery: 3 Hours talk time, 10 days on Standby

Most of the features for the LG 305C are similar to many of Tracfone's other touchscreen phones like the LG 840G, LG 306G and LG 800G. But the main difference, which we mentioned above, is that the LG 305C uses CDMA towers.

Let's get into what we like and dislike about the LG 305C to better understand if it will fit your needs and how it compares to other devices.

LG 305C Review - Likes and Dislikes

Starting with What We Like:

There are two big things we like about this phone, and they go together (kind of). They are WiFi and CDMA cell service. Why we like these features is because this is the first non-android phone that uses Verizon CDMA towers, and has WiFi. So for everyone out there who has been using phones like the LG 505C or Samsung R455C, you may want to consider switching to the LG 305C just for the WiFi feature.

LG 305C Review

WiFi allows you to connect to any wireless internet and surf the web for free, provided you can connect to the wireless network.

Another great feature is the included 4 GB Micro SD card which you can use to store lots of picture and music on. You can then use the MP3 player feature for the music. Transferring music to your phone from a computer can be done by either connecting a cable or putting the Micro SD card into a card reader.

Battery life for the LG 305C is good, with the standby time longer than most smartphones. However, the LG 306G has 17 days on standby while the LG 305C only has 10. This may be due in part to the way CDMA technology interacts with the phone.

Lastly, we like that the LG 305C does not use the '3 buckets' system that all new Android smartphones use. When you add minutes to the LG 305C they all go into one 'bucket' and are automatically tripled. If you are a heavy texter, using a phone with the single 'bucket' for minutes will allow you to have more texts.

We also want to mention that Promo Codes will also work on the LG 305C (but don't work on Android phones).

Dislikes for the LG 305C

When evaluating dislikes for the LG 305C, there are not many. It is a very solid phone that does the basic stuff of calling and texting well. But it doesn't exceed expectations much, and some users have found a variety of minor problems (which many phones have).

Two of the features which we wish were better are the camera and operating system.

The camera is 2 MP which is OK for quick pictures and for use on the phone, but if you want to actually use the pictures for anything beyond social media, the quality might not be there.

The LG 305C uses a proprietary Java based operating system which basically means you can't access apps like you would on an Android phone, with the same ease. You can still install apps, but there are less options to choose from.

The LG 305C has mixed reports regarding GPS ability. It appears to have GPS listed as a feature, but none can be found on the phone. It may be that the GPS is for use in emergency situations only.

Overall, the LG 305C has many great features, and the dislikes will probably not be a issue for most. 

Overview and Where to Buy the LG 305C 

We are excited about the LG 305C because it offers WiFi while using a Verizon CDMA cell service. Be sure to check if your area is usable for Verizon before you buy.

LG 305C on Amazon

If you're considering the LG 306G vs LG 305C, they are almost identical, with the main difference being which cell network they use.

The LG 305C is available both online and in stores and retails for $40, but we have found the LG 305C at half price for just $20 on Amazon. (we also found the LG 305C on eBay at the same price!)

For further information about this phone, check out the interactive LG 305C tutorial

We would recommend the LG 305C if you're in an area where Verizon service is your main option. But you may want to look into some of the other phones Tracfone has.

Tracfone currently has a wide variety of phones, ranging from Android Smartphones to simple flip phones, and even iPhone 4/4S on their BYOP program. If you're looking for phones, visit our Cell Phone Reviews page for more information.

If you're interested in learning more about Android phones, check out our recent post with the 6 Major Differences between Android and Non-Android phones.

Thanks for visiting, and leave a comment with your thoughts or questions!

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

The Apple iPhone press conference, held this week was a great showcase for the latest addition to the iPhone family, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.  Like previous releases, these iPhones themselves don't offer any real groundbreaking changes, rather they offer subtle incremental changes.  As come to be expected, there are two new speedier processors, the A8, and M8 motion processor.  With the larger iPhones, Apple has also given us new Retina HD displays, which give us better clearer resolution than previous iPhones.  As also has come to be expected, the camera gets some incremental updates.  The camera has a new sensor with something Apple calls Focus Pixels(?), and we now get 1080p video at 60 fps (or frames per second).  The new iPhones also give us faster downloading via LTE as well as better, faster wi-fi.  Now comes what in my opinion, is the best feature of the new iPhones, Apple Pay!  Apple Pay, using technology called NFC (near field communication), your iPhone can now be used to easily  pay for things you purchase at retailers around the country.  Simply hold your iPhone 6 near the new contactless reader with your finger on the finger scanner of your iPhone and just like that you can pay for your items!  Your iPhone does not hold or store your credit card, that information is held safely within your iTunes account, all you do is use your finger to verify who you are, and your iPhone does the rest!  Awesome...

Another interesting factoid about these new iPhones, they come in three storage capacities:  16GB, 64GB, and 128GB.  I'm not sure why they choose to get rid of the 32GB option instead of getting rid of the 16GB option, but I'm sure they have their reasons.  Best guess, the iPhone 7 will start at 64GB and go from there.

The iPhone 6 is available for pre-order starting this Friday, and available at retail outlets next Friday, 9.19.14.  For those of you who didn't know, they iPhone can and should be purchased at the Apple Store.  If you'd like to know why, please reach out to me via this blog, or feel free to email me at Geoff@themacmentor.com.

I'll have more towards the end of next week, on iOS 8 after it gets released.  

Until then, best to you and your devices!

Tracfone Promo Codes for September 2014

List of New Tracfone Promo Codes September 2014

Below is a list of promotional codes for Tracfone updated for the month of September. Use these codes when adding minutes to your phone. These codes are collected and organized here by de9w2dsl.

Tracfone Promo Codes for September 2014

Tracfone is a wireless cell phone and service provider that offers low cost phones and prepaid minutes. Whenever you add minutes to your phone, you might also be able to use a promotional code to get extra minutes for free.

Each month we collect the latest codes from around the web and put them here for your convenience to help get the most minutes for your money.

The codes listed on this page are just the latest for September 2014. You can view our full list with many more codes on the main Tracfone Promo Codes page.

Please note, these codes don't always work. Sometimes codes are for certain phones, or certain areas so be sure to try several different codes. Also be aware that promo codes do not work for Android Smartphones form Tracfone or Tracfone BYOP devices.

Leave a comment with how the codes worked for you, and enjoy the free minutes!

Tracfone Promo Codes - September 2014

Codes are listed with the card they work with, but any code will also work for higher value cards. (so a code for the 60 minute card will work with all the minute cards).

60 Minute Card enter code 59396 to get 30 bonus minutes

120 Minute Card use code 17202 for 30 extra minutes

200 Minute Card enter promo code 15085 and get 40 bonus minutes

450 Minute Card add code 53288 to receive 50 extra minutes

400 Minute/1 Year Card use promo code 72235 or 91311 and receive 250 free minutes

These are the latest codes valid through September 2014. We hope they worked for you and helped you get extra minutes for free! Let us know if there are other codes, or how these codes are working.

We recently compared the LG 840G VS LG 306G so take a look at these two triple minute phones that both accept promo codes!

If your interested in new phones, be sure to visit our Cell Phone Reviews page which has a list of all the phones we've reviewed including Android phones like the LG Optimus Dynamic II.

And for those looking forward to the LG Optimus Fuel and Samsung Galaxy Ace Style, we still have not confirmed a release date for these phones. We are looking forward to them as much as you!

Thanks for visiting!