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News for the LG Optimus Dynamic 2 - LG L39C

The LG Optimus Dynamic 2

Tracfone recently released four Android smartphones for use on their wireless prepaid network and one of the phones was the LG Optimus Dynamic. (click for our review)

Unfortunately many people were underwhelmed at the lack of features, and the older 2.3 Android operating system.

But Tracfone has now released the LG Optimus Dynamic II - an upgraded and more powerful version of the first. We started to hear rumors about the possibility of another Tracfone Android, but now we have found confirmation through multiple sources.

The Dynamic 2 comes with Android 4.1, the latest of any Tracfone smartphones, and boasts other great features like a 3 mega pixel camera, and 3.8 inch touch screen. The touchscreen on the Dynamic II is bigger than any of the other smartphones offered by Tracfone.

You can find the LG Optimus Dynamic II on Amazon and several other online retailers, but we haven't found it available directly through Tracfone yet.

We will be completing a full review of the Dynamic II in the near future, until then you can check out the LG Optimus Dynamic 2 User Guide.

Or you might find the Dynamic 2 (LG L39C) online tutorial useful for learning more about this phone.

What to Expect from the LG Optimus Dynamic

At this point there is little information about how good the phone really is, but based on the specs and features, it seems like it could be a contender for Best Tracfone Cell Phone.

The Dynamic 2 comes with all the features one would expect on an Android Smartphone, like WiFi, GPS, gravity sensor, mp3 player. hands-free speaker, and even 3 home screens.

The size of the phone is pretty normal for a smartphone, at 4.43" x 2.55" x 0.47" and weighing in at 4.5 OZ.

Battery life seems like it will be a little better than Tracfone's other smartphone offerings, with talk time of up to 8 hours reported, and standby of 11 days.

One of the best features of the Dynamic 2 is price, it appears to be priced less than or around the same price as the Samsung Galaxy Centura.

We found the LG Optimus Dynamic 2 on Amazon for $99, but we haven't been able to find it on the Tracfone website yet. It has also been seen on some other retail websites, and even in some stores.

We will be doing a full review of the Dynamic 2 once we gather the information, until then, leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions.

If you're looking for Android phones with Tracfone, read some of our other smartphone reviews, including the ZTE Valet and Huawei Glory.

A Look Back at some big Things that Happened with Tracfone in 2013

Happy New Year Everyone!

2014 is here and there is a lot to be excited about. But lets take a quick look back at some of the things that came out in 2013 for Tracfone. It was a very exciting year, and you might have missed some of the big news and phones that showed up.

Plus, many of the things that happened in 2013 may have a big affect on what's in store for 2014 from Tracfone, so here we go!

Beginning of 2013 - LG 840G Gains Popularity

While the LG 840G was actually released in 2012, it saw a huge rise to Tracfone'a most popular cell phone in the first half of 2013. The touchscreen combined with WiFi, Triple Minutes for Life, access to Google Maps and many other nice features made it a great phone to upgrade to for many longtime Tracfone users.

It was a step up from most other basic flip phones and allowed Tracfone customers to get a taste of the potential a smartphone could have. But the LG 840G wasn't quite a smartphone, with no access to popular apps like Apple or Android phones had.

But the phone's success may have helped encourage Tracfone towards what became one of the biggest news stories for Tracfone in 2013.

Two Words: Android Smartphone

Tracfone's Current Smartphones

By far, the biggest news for Tracfone in 2013 was the release of Android Smartphones for use on the Tracfone prepaid wireless network.

Rumors started filtering in around early summer, about the possibility of four Android powered phones coming to Tracfone. Many held their breath to see if this would actually become a reality, because the lack of a Tracfone smartphone had long been one of its disadvantages.

Around mid 2013, the rumors became truth as the Samsung Galaxy Centura and ZTE Valet were the first Android Smartphones to show up in stores on on the Tracfone website for use on their prepaid network.

Not long after this, two more smartphones also showed up, the LG Optimus Dynamic, and the Huawei Glory. While these phones are not the newest smartphones on the market, they are all Android smartphones, offering access to Android apps and features that Tracfone users had never had access to before.

Something of a 'new age' was ushered in with these smartphones, because up until this point, Tracfone was really only seen as a no frills, budget cell phone service provider. But now, they still have the prepaid, wallet-friendly cell phone service but with feature-rich smartphones that leave the consumer with no sacrifices made.

While using a smartphone with Tracfone prepaid service isn't for everyone, and not all Tracfone customers were jumping at the chance to buy one of these new phones, it was a great step forward and a big change for Tracfone in 2013.

A Piece of News that May Have Flown in Under the Radar

One bit of news that came out at the end of 2013 may have one of the biggest impacts on consumers going forward.

Tracfone announced that anyone can now bring their own cell phone to use with Tracfone prepaid service. So instead of being forced to use one of the phones Tracfone sells, you can choose your own, and then sign up for Tracfone service.

There are some limitations at this time. Only CDMA cell phones are being accepted at this time, and no iPhones. You will want to check and make sure you can bring your phone to Tracfone before actually making the switch. You can do that on their website. Visit the link above if you need more information.

2013 has been fun, and we've seen some big things happening. But 2014 may prove to be even more eventful, with the high possibility of more smartphones coming to Tracfone.

What to Expect from TracfoneReviewer in 2014

We are excited for 2014, and we are making plans to provide more information and better resources for you, our valued visitors. We will also be working hard at keeping the Tracfone Promo Codes that everyone loves updated for each month.

What do you want to know more about? Now is your chance, leave a comment with what questions you want to see answered, or what articles you would want to read!

We are going to continue providing reviews of Tracfone cell phones as they come out, and other informative articles that will help you save money, learn more, and get the most out of Tracfone.

We will also try to keep you posted on the latest news and updates from Tracfone as we learn more about many new and exciting possibilities. So stay tuned!

Thanks for visiting, and for making 2013 a great year for TracfoneReviewer blog, stick around, because 2014 will be even better! Happy New Year!

Now You Can Use Any CDMA Android Smartphone with Tracfone Prepaid Service

Tracfone Android News!

We are covering some exciting Tracfone news as it develops:

There were rumors that Tracfone would soon allow users to bring their own Android Smartphones to use on Tracfone prepaid networks, and we recently noticed confirmation of this.

Tracfone states on their website that you can now bring your own phone when switching to Tracfone.

Yes, this means you don't have to use one of Tracfone's cell phones to use their prepaid service! While Tracfone recently released four Android Smartphones for use on their prepaid network, these phones are a few years behind modern smartphones. But now you can pick the latest and greatest smartphone, and still use it with Tracfone.

Unfortunately you can't bring any phone, but you can bring any CDMA Android Smartphone, which gives you some pretty advanced options, like the Samsung Galaxy S3. Tracfone does mention that Apple and Blackberry phones won't work.

How You Can Use Your Existing Smartphone with Tracfone

Here is a quick guide for how you can pick a cell phone and use it with Tracfone prepaid service.

If you already own an Android Smartphone, and want to check if it will work with Tracfone, start by checking if it is a CDMA cell phone. If you use Verizon service, then it is CDMA. You can also check by looking for a SIM card (sometimes under the battery). If the phone has no SIM card space, it is CDMA. (learn more about the Difference between CDMA and GSM here)

Screenshot about using any Android Smartphone with Tracfone

Next, you will want to go over to Tracfone and check that your phone will work, and that you will have service in your area, by entering your ZIP code and phone's serial number.

From there you can simply follow the steps as Tracfone will have you purchase an access code, transfer your number (you get to keep it), and buy airtime.

What This Means for Tracfone Customers

This is exciting news for Tracfone customers and non-customers alike, because it means that you will have access to a much wider range of cell phones to use with Tracfone prepaid service. Do you like the features of an Android Smartphone, but don't want to pay the high costs for a contract service? Now you have some options.

This also means that Tracfone is moving towards allowing more and more different cell phones for use on their prepaid service.

You can still purchase their existing Android Smartphone offerings, the Huawei Glory, ZTE Valet, Samsung Galaxy Centura, and LG Optimus Dynamic. These phones come at a relatively low price compared with other smartphones on the market. But if you want the best Android Smartphone to use with Tracfone, now you can do that!

We will keep this updated as more information becomes available, and details are clarified. Please be sure to leave a comment with any questions or thoughts.

You can also take a look at our Holiday Tracfone Gift Guide or check out our most popular page, the Tracfone Promo Codes.

Don't forget to share this with friends and family who might want to know about this exciting Tracfone news!

A Comparison of the Valet and Centura Galaxy from Tracfone

The Samsung Galaxy Centura and ZTE Valet are both in stores and online, including Amazon, eBay, and Tracfones website. We want to give you a quick comparison of these two new android powered smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy  Centura

These phones are just the first two of a total of four phones Tracfone has released that use Android OS, as we mentioned in our recent post covering Tracfone Android Smartphone Rumors.

Check out our review of the other two smartphones, the LG Optimus Dynamic and Huawei Glory to learn more.

The Samsung Galaxy Centura and ZTE Valet both come with Triple Minutes for Life, WiFi Connectivity and many more standard features that are also available on phones like the LG 840G.

What these two phones offer that has not been available before is the Android operating system, which allows users to access thousands of apps for almost anything you can think of. Tracfone will also be offering data cards alongside their normal prepaid minutes and service days.

Now, let's just cover some of the features that make these two phones stand out among the rest of Tracfone devices. We will do a full review for the Samsung Galaxy Centura and ZTE Valet in the near future, once these phones are a little more 'tested'.

Samsung Galaxy Centura Features and Specs

This touchscreen smartphone is pretty standard when comparing it to other smartphones with a 3.5 inch screen and standby batter life that will last 10 days (but battery talk time of only 7 hours). It comes with Android 4.0, which is one of the newest versions of the Android OS.

As we mentioned above, this phone has WiFi connectivity, which means that when there are wireless networks around, you can connect and surf the web without using up your data. So if you are usually in an area with WiFi, this phone could be very budget friendly.

Samsung Galaxy Centura - Click for full size

Other great features for the Samsung Galaxy Centura:

• Uses Verizon 3G Networks (CDMA)
• 3MP Camera
• 800 Mhz processor
• Mobile Web
• MP3 Player
• Micro SD card slot (for up to 32 GB - But no card included)
• Triple Minutes for Life
• Airtime Display for Prepaid Minutes and Service days

For more features, specs, details and opinions, read our full Samsung Galaxy Centura Review.

Obviously, compared to older Tracfone mobile phones, the Samsung Galaxy Centura has a lot of powerful features. The most important features it comes with for us are Triple Minutes for Life, WiFi, and Android OS.

This phone (and the ZTE Valet) finally bridges the gap between cell phone and smartphone for Tracfone prepaid users. If you like the incredibly low cost of Tracfone ($6 a month for some) but want a newer phone with powerful features, this phone is a great option.

The Samsung Galaxy Centura is available at several locations online, including at HSN.com and eBay, but it retails for $129.99 at the Tracfone website.

We have also recently found the Samsung Galaxy Centura on Amazon for around $120.

Now, let's take a look at the ZTE Valet, which has a few nice surprises, and a lower price!

ZTE Valet Features and Specs

The Tracfone ZTE Valet comes with many of the same features as the Samsung Galaxy Centura, like a 3.5 inch touchscreen. The Valet has a slightly better processor, at 1.0 Ghz and it uses a slightly newer OS - Android 4.1.

ZTE Valet - click for full size

Features for the ZTE Valet:

• 3G and WiFi
• 3MP Camera
• Mobile Web
• MP3 Player
• 4 GB Micro SD card included (expandable up to 32 GB)
• 11 days Standby batter life, 5hrs talk time
• Tracfone Airtime balance display - to track your prepaid minutes
• 4.65 x 2.46 inches (height/width) and 4.5 oz.
• CDMA Network

For more features, information, details and specs, read our full review of the ZTE Valet.

Both the ZTE Valet and Samsung Galaxy Centura have access to Android apps through Google Play (with over 700,000 apps available). Both phones also have Google Maps and other online Google services.

These two phones are fairly similar, but there are some important differences we want to point out.

ZTE Valet from Tracfone

The ZTE Valet comes with a 4 GB Micro SD card, which the Samsung Galaxy Centura does not come with. The Valet also has a faster processer, and uses a slightly newer version of Android.

But perhaps the most interesting difference between these two Android smartphones is the price. As we already mentioned, the Samsung Galaxy Centura goes for $129. The ZTE Valet is available in stores and online for a retail price of just $99.

You can also buy the ZTE Valet on Amazon for about $90.

So while you will have to choose for yourself which of these two Tracfone smartphones you prefer, based on price and features, we at TracfoneReviewer prefer the ZTE Valet.

Both phones can be found and purchased at the Tracfone website, under 'shop for phones'. Just enter your ZIP code and you should be able to browse these phones and others. If you can't find the phones, leave a comment below.

We hope you found this useful, and we will be trying to put together full reviews for each of these phones in the near future. Be sure to share this with friends or family who might want to know about these new Android prepaid phones!

More articles on Tracfone that might be useful: Learn about the Difference between GSM and CDMA Tracfone Cell Phones and which one is right for you. Also check out our Tracfone Promo Codes for October 2013 but you may want to see the full Tracfone Promo Codes page where we list lots of codes to get free minutes whenever you add airtime to your phone.

We've got lots more info on Tracfone phones and service, so just take some time to browse! Thanks for visiting!

Will Tracfone Finally Have an Android Powered Cell Phone?

Details are still a little murky, with lots of rumors and anonymous claims, but they all have one consistent aspect, and that is that Tracfone might be on the verge of releasing Android powered smartphones for their customers.

**UPDATE**
This Post is out of date! Tracfone has released four new Android Smartphones, and you can read our review of each one below:

LG Optimus Dynamic

Samsung Galaxy Centura

ZTE Valet

Huawei Glory

You can also view our Comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Centura and ZTE Valet to learn more.

***

Tracfone Released the Samsung Galaxy Centura Android for Tracfone available to purchase at HSN.com.

Samsung Galaxy Centura Android  for Tracfone

You can see the Samsung Galaxy Centura at HSN.com to learn more (although it might be sold out by now).

The Samsung Galaxy Centura has been around for Net10 and Straight Talk users for a little while, but Tracfone has never had a smartphone, or an android powered phone. The closest thing was the LG 840G.

This Samsung Galaxy Centura will be able to use apps, browse the web via Google, use Google Maps and other Google products with ease. It is an exciting direction Tracfone is heading.

At this point, HSN.com is the only place we have found selling this new Android Tracfone, but we will keep you updated if other options become available!

EDIT: We have also found the Samsung Galaxy Centura on eBay, although the price is not great, and getting it from HSN.com is a better deal at the moment.

Possibly Four New Android Tracfone Cell Phones

If you read this forum post from HowardForums it suggest that there will be four new Android powered cell phones coming to Tracfone, as well as special data cards you can purchase from Tracfone.

Many of the details are still unclear, like when these phones will be available or what they will cost. (or how the data charge will work). But the phones look pretty exciting. The phones that possibly will be available for Tracfone are:

• LG L38C Optimus Dynamic with Android 2.3 (see Tracfone tutorial)
• Samsung S738C Galaxy Centura with Android 4.0 (see Tracfone tutorial)
• ZTE Z665C Valet with Android 4.1 (see Tracfone tutorial) 
• Huawei H868C Glory with Android 4.0 (see Tracfone tutorial)

Samsung Galaxy Centura

While we don't have confirmation that these phones will be available for Tracfone users, it seems very likely. What we do know is that Android powered cell phones are finally coming to Tracfone.

EDIT: The ZTE Z665C Valet has been spotted in stores! At this point it has only been found in Best Buy retailing for $99. It is the only one of the four mentioned above that has been found in store for sale, but it is a pretty good sign the rest will soon follow!

EDIT 2: Both the ZTE Z665C Valet and Samsung Galaxy Centura are now available at Tracfone.com under 'cell phones'. As are the Hauwei Glory and LG Optimus Dynamic!

ZTE Valet

One thing to note is that all of these phones appear to be for CDMA networks, which would be Verizon. Learn about the Difference between GSM and CDMA and which is right for you.

Check back often as we will try to keep everyone updated as more details become available.

While this is exciting news, for many Tracfone users, this won't change anything. You can still use your current cell phones for whatever capacity you choose to, and prices should stay the same. In fact, some older Tracfone cell phones are actually going on sale for great low prices! Check out our recent post with the Best Tracfone Deals in September!

Thanks for stopping by, leave a comment with your thoughts or questions on this exciting development of Android smartphones coming to Tracfone.