Smaller flip phones needed!
lkasko
Enthusiast - Level 1

Anyone else really angry that Verizon doesn't offer a smaller flip phone? The reasons I use a flip phone, besides not wanting the time-wasting temptation of a computer at my fingertips every second, are: 1. small size and 2. replaceable battery, both of which are a bonus for someone who backpacks as much as I do. Today I talked to a rep who said the Cadence phone was the same size as mine in one dimension and just a tiny bit bigger the other dimension. That was completely UNTRUE. I looked up the specs, and the Cadence is bigger in every way than my old LG. But at some point I'm being forced to get a new phone because of the 4g switchover. Verizon, if you are going to offer flip phones, make them better, sleeker, and SMALLER! I have been with Verizon since long before cell phones, but I will switch if I can't get a better, smaller flip phone in the next year. After all, there are a lot of cheaper companies out there. There's no reason not to offer better-looking, easier-carried flip phones.

Re: Smaller flip phones needed!
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

Can you please post the sizes of the phone you have and the new 4G basic phones you looked at? 

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

Re: Smaller flip phones needed!
glitchedpixel
Specialist - Level 1

You know Verizon doesn't make phones so that switching bluff was pointless. If you want a smaller flip phone, contact the companies that make them. All Verizon does that it has control over is provide service.

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Re: Smaller flip phones needed!
bewilder
Contributor - Level 1

Ummm, no, Verizon decides which flip phones I can use with their prepaid plan. There may be smaller phones out there but I can't use them.

I have a Gusto 3 now, and its perfect. For all the years I have had a cell phone they have been getting smaller. Now the smallest I can get with my prepaid Verizon plan is the Cadence.

I tried the Cadence, and its horrible. Its MUCH larger than my Gusto. Its like carrying a rock in your pocket.  There are no mailboxes available for text; all of your ingoing and outgoing/sent mail just sit in one big disorganized pile so you can't tell what is what. 

Like the OP, all I want is a SMALL, FUNCTIONAL FLIP PHONE like I have now, and like I've had for 10 years! Is that so much to ask, that I not be forced to get a more expensive phone that is much larger AND much less functional?

 

 

Re: Smaller flip phones needed!
bewilder
Contributor - Level 1

It looks like AT&T may be able to meet our needs, since Verizon is unresponsive to those of us who want to keep using compact flip phones. With AT&T continuing 3G service until 2022, it appears that we can switch to them and use the LG B470, which is larger than my Gusto but smaller than the awful Cadence or any of the other options available from Verizon. Its a little wider than the Cadence, so I'll have to get one in hand to feel whether its really the best option or not. There are also older options like the ZTE Z222 which are even smaller but may be hard or impossible to find in new condition. Both also have text mailboxes which the awful Cadence does not. I found these 2 without much effort, so there are probably others with similar dimensions. I'm not thrilled about having to switch to another carrier but there is no way I'm going to start carrying a rock like the Verizon 4G flip phones in my pocket after using a nice compact flip phone for so many years.

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Re: Smaller flip phones needed!
glitchedpixel
Specialist - Level 1

The trend is smartphones with all screen faces and the future is 5G. AT&T doesn't make phones either. If a carrier supports a phone you want to use, fine. Point still stands that eventually 3G will be 100% shut down and flip phones are such a niche market now that it doesn't make any business sense to carry more than a small handful of models.

If you really want small and compact, Verizon carries the palm.

Re: Smaller flip phones needed!
mama23dogs
Legend

@bewilder wrote:

It looks like AT&T may be able to meet our needs, since Verizon is unresponsive to those of us who want to keep using compact flip phones. With AT&T continuing 3G service until 2022, it appears that we can switch to them and use the LG B470, which is larger than my Gusto but smaller than the awful Cadence or any of the other options available from Verizon. Its a little wider than the Cadence, so I'll have to get one in hand to feel whether its really the best option or not. There are also older options like the ZTE Z222 which are even smaller but may be hard or impossible to find in new condition. Both also have text mailboxes which the awful Cadence does not. I found these 2 without much effort, so there are probably others with similar dimensions. I'm not thrilled about having to switch to another carrier but there is no way I'm going to start carrying a rock like the Verizon 4G flip phones in my pocket after using a nice compact flip phone for so many years.


I think you misunderstand the AT&T 3G shut down.  It’s happening now, and will be complete in about 15 months.  (Beginning of 2022).  Just like Verizon, they have stopped selling 3g only phones and are not allowing activation of 3g phones at the end of this year.  

AT&T forums already report of loss of 3g service.  Flip phones with no service and non AT&T androids that have no ability to call, because calls drop to 3g.  

Your problem is because all new phones are VoLTE capable, both carriers.  Verizon is just a bit ahead of AT&T.   All AT&T newest phones are larger.  The size is required to accommodate stong LTE antenna.  So switching will delay the inevitable for 12 months or so, maybe.   And you get cruddy customer service and a 2nd class carrier.  

Or you can just adjust and accept this is progress.

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Re: Smaller flip phones needed!
mama23dogs
Legend

I forgot to mention the batteries.  LTE must require more juice, so I think all the batteries are slim, but larger capacity 

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Re: Smaller flip phones needed!
bewilder
Contributor - Level 1

2022 is 27 months from now, not 15.  Thanks for your comments though, I will be sure to investigate what you said further.  I only had one conversation with AT&T, and their employees might be every bit as clueless as some of Verizon's.

 But either way, larger flip phones with reduced functionality is  not progress.

 

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Re: Smaller flip phones needed!
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

VZW doesn't want you to leave. Our goal is to help. Here's a link to our available basic phones https://www.verizonwireless.com/basic-phones/. Also, you can visit your nearest VZW location http://vz.to/2bedgLg to check out the available flip phones if you haven't done so already. I hope this is beneficial.

 

CoreyM_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

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