Renewed Interest in Basic Phones Optimized for Texting and Talk - No Data Plan Required
Upstate_NY
Enthusiast - Level 1

We are Verizon mobile phone customers for almost 20 years now  We started with a family plan.. Now our kids are all grown and married with their own plans.  My wife and I frequently 1) text these days and 2) talk on our phones.  We have really been happy with the LG Cosmo 3 phones with slider keyboards that we have had since 2014.  We have desktop and laptop Windows computers as well as iPad Air tablets and are computer literate.  We do not really need or want two more expensive computer (smartphones) with expensive data plan and insurance.  We really want an affordable (<$300) 4G VoLTE phone with unlimited talk and text with no data plan or only a minimal data plan required.  I just scrolled through 14 pages of comments about 4G phone and text only phones with QWERTY keyboards and how none are currently available or anticipated.  However, the minimalist movement is growing among younger people in addition to us baby boomers who are technically savvy and NOT elderly (incapable) but strongly prefer an affordable basic phone solution that is optimized for efficient texting - not designed to discourage it.  We are looking into the Light Phone II with AT&T as a potential compromise, but reviving a Verizon LG Cosmo or equivalent Samsung slider phone with 4G VoLTE capability would be great/better.  Decisions are made by carriers and manufacturers jointly. The demand is larger than perceived - and per the Wall Street Journal, is growing.

Re: Renewed Interest in Basic Phones Optimized for Texting and Talk - No Data Plan Required
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Thank you for contacting us about this. I had the original Cosmo basic phone and it was very good. We do offer some 4G basic phones. Here's a link where you can see a few of the 4G basic phones: https://www.verizon.com/basic-phones/

*Debbie

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Re: Renewed Interest in Basic Phones Optimized for Texting and Talk - No Data Plan Required
Upstate_NY
Enthusiast - Level 1

Hi.  We have researched the basic phones offered currently by Verizon.  The Kyocera DuraXV Extreme looks like a good phone, but texting looks a lot more difficult than with our current 3G slider phone with full QWERTY keyboard.  This Kyocera model does not have a touch screen option with virtual QWERTY keyboard that would significantly help with longer text messages. Perhaps the T9 Word texting mode would help somewhat, but not as much as a real (or virtual) QWERTY keyboard.  It is hard to go back to hitting a key three or four times to get the desired letter. 

How much data is required per month for moderate phone and text usage with the Kyocera DuraXV Extreme?  We would have two lines.  Would we get 500 MB per each line with the basic phone post paid plan?  Is that enough? 

Can we use phone settings to turn off data at times to improve battery and limit data charges like the DuraXV model - or is that impossible now with a DuraXV Extreme VoLTE phone?

As an alternative, what is the recommended shared data plan for an unlocked Sunbeam F1 mobile phone for our situation? Can it be used with a basic phone plan or is a shared smartphone plan required?

Is the Sunbeam F1 certified by Verizon to be free of inappropriate software/firmware that sends our data overseas?  If so, is the Sunbean F1 (Daisy or Orchid) a reasonable alternative phone for our situation?  Does Verizon technically support the Sunbeam F1?

We have been very happy with the LG Cosmo 3 slider phone that we have had for the past 8 years.  We hate to lose it and go backward as we text frequently. The extra expense of reliable smart phones (even iphone SE 2020) with Apple Support, insurance and larger data plans is difficult for retirees to absorb in the present economic climate - not to mention the other well-documented issues associated with more fragile smart phones..

 

 

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Re: Renewed Interest in Basic Phones Optimized for Texting and Talk - No Data Plan Required
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hi, Upstate_NY. Having the right device to meet your wireless needs is important. You can check out our current plans by clicking here: http://spr.ly/6601KtzM3 For the DuraXV Extreme, it is considered a basic phone. If you are looking to bring your own device, you can use the following link to ensure it is compatible with the Verizon Wireless network: http://spr.ly/6602KtzMO Concerning limiting use and improving battery life, there are a few features on each device which can be adjusted to provide for the optimal experience for every user. These setting would be based upon the foreseen use of the device and needs of the user. I know that getting the best deals is also important. You can check out our current deals by clicking here: http://spr.ly/6603KtzMP

-Chris

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