Smaller flip phones needed!

[lkasko]

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.

[Ann154]

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

[glitchedpixel]

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.

[bewilder]

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?

[bewilder]

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.

[glitchedpixel]

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.

[mama23dogs]

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@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.

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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.

[bewilder]

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.

[mama23dogs]

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

[vzw_customer_support]

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!!

[bewilder]

No, Corey, that wasn't beneficial.  In case you haven't been following people have been complaining for months that their small, compact 3G phones will no longer work soon and they will be forced to buy a larger phone that they don't want.  Linking to the very phones we are complaining about is not helpful.  I'm not sure how you could think that was helpful unless you aren't paying attention.

What would be helpful is not forcing us to buy larger phones, or switch carriers. Its not a difficult concept but Verizon doesn't seem to grasp it or they just don't care that they are going to lose those customers.  After all, we are in the minority. I can 100% guarantee that I will be leaving Verizon if something doesn't change in this regard in the next 60 days. 

[deloused]

Most people don’t want small flip phones, it’s time to face the music

[bewilder]

I'm not a sheep, and don't care what most people want. I'm not the only person who wants a small flip phone, by any means. I didn't start this thread.

In response to a previous post, I have found no evidence that AT&T shutdown of 3G has already begun, or that it will begin in the immediate future. 

[mama23dogs]

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@bewilder wrote:

In response to a previous post, I have found no evidence that AT&T shutdown of 3G has already begun, or that it will begin in the immediate future. 

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How about AT&T’s own statement.   https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/att-plans-to-shutdown-its-3g-network-in-2022/

“In some markets, it may be necessary for us to turn down one band of our owned and operated 3G network, such as 1900 MHz or 850 MHz service, ahead of February 2022.”

[vzw_customer_support]

Your feedback is greatly appreciated, bewilder. I will be sure to share it with our leadership team so that they can pass it onto our partnered device manufacturers. Please continue to use the link we provided earlier to view our latest basic phone offerings. GregL_VZW

[kzakza]

Went to three Verizon stores that all had only one of 3-4 flip phone models on display (and one was a discontinued model!), so unless you buy the displayed model, you're buying one sight unseen and will be charged a restocking fee if you return it.  Terrible customer service there.

I bought one today (Alcatel Go Flip V) to replace an old Samsung. It's so wide that it's uncomfortable to hold, making texting totally impractical. Clearly not designed for use by a woman, just men with large hands!  Will be shopping other providers because, per the specs, all the phones Verizon is supporting are just as huge.

[mama23dogs]

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@kzakza wrote:

Went to three Verizon stores that all had only one of 3-4 flip phone models on display (and one was a discontinued model!), so unless you buy the displayed model, you're buying one sight unseen and will be charged a restocking fee if you return it.  Terrible customer service there.

I bought one today (Alcatel Go Flip V) to replace an old Samsung. It's so wide that it's uncomfortable to hold, making texting totally impractical. Clearly not designed for use by a woman, just men with large hands!  Will be shopping other providers because, per the specs, all the phones Verizon is supporting are just as huge.

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The sales pages include all specs, including weight and dimensions of each phone,

[kzakza]

Yes, of course I looked at the specs, but seeing the thing itself is more helpful. It's like a sizing chart when you're buying clothes online - it *sort of* tells you how something will fit, but not as well as seeing the real thing. What's your beef here, anyway? This is a forum to share user experiences, isn't it?

[mama23dogs]

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@kzakza wrote:

Yes, of course I looked at the specs, but seeing the thing itself is more helpful. It's like a sizing chart when you're buying clothes online - it *sort of* tells you how something will fit, but not as well as seeing the real thing. What's your beef here, anyway? This is a forum to share user experiences, isn't it?

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Pardon?  Beef?   My experience is the specs with measurements are published and that's a place to start.  🙄

[bewilder]

I've received the exact same beef when I said a certain phone is too large.  Some people just think they know what others should like. Small differences in size make a huge difference in comfort- usability in the hand, and comfort-carryability in the pocket.  I understand completely.

Unfortunately, the fact that you can't activate any of the smaller phones anymore means you're stuck with the big fat rocks that all of the 4G phones are.  It is absolutely disgusting that Verizon decided to keep 3G operational for another year AFTER their deadline for activating new phones had passed!  The only reason I didn't replace my Gusto 3 with a new Gusto 3 last spring is because I thought it would be useless at the end of the year. Then in summer they decided to extend it another year, but still won't let you activate a 3G.

THANKS VERIZON. SMH

[vzw_customer_support]

I understand your frustration as it relates to the retirement of our 3G network, bewilder. It is a continuing process as things are changing with how phones work and the technology behind them. We have announced this action well over two years ago and working to help those customers with 3G devices to transition over to a 4G/LTE device. Here's a link that goes over just one of many postings about this subject. https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-218813/

Also, to your point of needing smaller flip phones, we do offer quality handheld 4G basic phones that are similar to the previous 3G phones that currently have limitations as the network improves with better service. Here's a link to our 4G basic phone line up that will give you better options https://www.verizonwireless.com/basic-phones/ Does this information shed some light on the situation?

EdwinW_VZW