Tracfone data usage - smartphone vs. dumbphone?

[joebedford]

I know there was a thread on this sort of subject not long ago that started quite goofy then actually evolved into some useful information (total opposite of what happens to most threads here 😉 )

I've had a Tracfone for years and it suits me and my usage pattern quite well (just phone calls and only 5 months of the year).

My flip phone is getting long in the tooth and I'm toying with the idea of replacing it with a Tracfone smartphone. I have something like 2000 minutes of unused airtime. I thought there was an algorithm to convert minutes to MB. Apparently there IS such an algorithm but it doesn't apply to smartphones? I've taken a few photos with my phone on the odd occasion when I didn't have my camera. I guess emailing those to myself used some minutes of airtime converted to data use?

Anyway, is it correct to assume that if I get a Tracfone smartphone that the airtime voice minutes I have can be transferred over but I would start with 0MB data? I see they have data cards for $10 to $50 - 300MB to 2GB. I would only surf when actually rolling down the road to research campgrounds and such. 2GB would last a long time. I understand the GB roll over as long as the subscription doesn't expire (we buy 1 year at a time)

Sorry for the rambling post. I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know if I understand correctly. (DW needs to know how much it's going to cost before she'll authorize the expenditure).

Oh, one other question - do all / most smartphones switch to wifi when it's available for data use?

[Denny___Jami]

Interesting I have 2000 minutes on my existing phone. I will have to order it from Trac Phone because my number is in Nebtaska (our homebase) and we will be in Florida.

Denny

[Dutch_12078]

When you transfer your existing Tracfone minutes to a Tracfone Android smartphone, it'll automatically fill the three "buckets". If, for example, you currently have 200 minutes on your phone, it'll become 200 minutes, 200 texts, and 200MB of data on the smart phone. Any new minutes added will automatically triple the face minutes value, including tripling the text count and data MB. I usually buy my Tracfones and minutes from ShopCellDeals.com.

[Denny___Jami]

jmckelvy wrote:

RetiredBob wrote:
I transferred from a dumb phone to a smart phone. All of my minutes transferred, plus I got the same amount of MB of data and texts. When you buy more minutes for Tracfone smart phone, you get triple minutes, triple texts and triple data (eg, buy 60 minutes, get 180 minutes, 180 texts, 180 MB of data).

This is the way it worked for me also when I upgraded to the ZTE Valet phone. It also uses the Verizon network. Minutes, data, and text are now counted separately.

I'm thinking of changing my Trac Phone to a smart phone, so my minutes will transfer but I will have to buy text and data. The phone will text and some limited data but it just uses my minutes but data is 1X. So I take it that will no longer work.

Denny

[jmckelvy]

RetiredBob wrote:
I transferred from a dumb phone to a smart phone. All of my minutes transferred, plus I got the same amount of MB of data and texts. When you buy more minutes for Tracfone smart phone, you get triple minutes, triple texts and triple data (eg, buy 60 minutes, get 180 minutes, 180 texts, 180 MB of data).

This is the way it worked for me also when I upgraded to the ZTE Valet phone. It also uses the Verizon network. Minutes, data, and text are now counted separately.

[bigwheelsturnin]

this might not be useful...but..we use straight talk..Wal-Mart android phone.
$45/month..unlimited data..talk..text.
it's tracfone..and connects mobile data through Verizon towers.You can also auto connection through any WiFi available.
the CDMA models use Verizon and we've had no problems.

[RetiredBob]

joebedford wrote:

RetiredBob wrote:
Bought the phone at Best Buy. Did all the rest online, including transferring my number.

How did you know the phone you selected was compatible with Tracfone?

It has to be unlocked but 2G? 3G? GSM?

It was a Tracfone-specific phone. BB had the best price at that time.

[joebedford]

RetiredBob wrote:
Bought the phone at Best Buy. Did all the rest online, including transferring my number.

That's good to know.

How did you know the phone you selected was compatible with Tracfone?

It has to be unlocked but 2G? 3G? GSM?

[RetiredBob]

joebedford wrote:
Thanks for the answers.

When you folks transferred to smartphones, did you buy off Tracfone's website? Did you have to call them or were you able to do everything online?

Bought the phone at Best Buy. Did all the rest online, including transferring my number.

[FlatBroke]

I did two smart phones. Had to call on the first. Did the second on line. But I was going from Verizon to Tracfone. Learning curve on the first one. Very easy on the second on. I just went to a BYOP and went through another learning curve.

[joebedford]

Thanks for the answers.

When you folks transferred to smartphones, did you buy off Tracfone's website? Did you have to call them or were you able to do everything online?

[Black_Hawk]

RetiredBob wrote:
I transferred from a dumb phone to a smart phone. All of my minutes transferred, plus I got the same amount of MB of data and texts. When you buy more minutes for Tracfone smart phone, you get triple minutes, triple texts and triple data (eg, buy 60 minutes, get 180 minutes, 180 texts, 180 MB of data).

Same with mine

[RetiredBob]

I transferred from a dumb phone to a smart phone. All of my minutes transferred, plus I got the same amount of MB of data and texts. When you buy more minutes for Tracfone smart phone, you get triple minutes, triple texts and triple data (eg, buy 60 minutes, get 180 minutes, 180 texts, 180 MB of data).

[2oldman]

joebedford wrote:
I've taken a few photos with my phone on the odd occasion when I didn't have my camera. I guess emailing those to myself used some minutes of airtime converted to data use?
Oh, one other question - do all / most smartphones switch to wifi when it's available for data use?

I have no knowledge of converting talk time to data. I guess it's possible. If your account has a web presence you could check. Google search doesn't find much.

Switch? My HTC/Verizon-hand-held-computer-which-has-a-voice-app doesn't switch to wifi unless I turn it on. Most any phone will allow you control of your data usage.