December 12, 2012

LG 840G Review - Tracfone

A Newer Phone From TracFone with 3G and WiFi

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer, we share news, reviews and information about Tracfone Wireless!

The LG 840G is a touchscreen phone from Tracfone that offers a smartphone feel and look but with a no-contract prepaid cell phone.

It is basically a much improved LG 800G with only a slightly higher price tag.

Many people agree that the LG840G is Tracfone's best offering yet (excluding smartphones), with a handful of great features that give this phone a similar feel to other smartphones on the market. But be aware this phone does not compare with top of the line phones from other major contract companies.

The LG 840G is not a smartphone, and does not use Android operating system like most smartphones. Airtime on the LG 840G is in a single 'pool' unlike all of the smartphones from Tracfone.

Learn more about what smartphones are currently available in our Latest Tracfone Smartphone List 2017.


LG 840G Features and Specs

This phone has most of the standard Tracfone features, but also includes several useful features worth spending a little extra for.
Review of the LG 840G from Tracfone
White LG 840G
  • Triple Minutes for Life
  • Mobile Web
  • Media Player
  • 2.0 MP Camera/Video
  • Hands Free Speaker
  • Voice Recorder
  • Wall Charger
  • 3-4 day normal use battery life
  • 3G and WiFi Connectivity
  • 2GB MicroSD Card
  • About the size of an iPod Touch or iPhone

Likes and Dislikes for the LG 840G from Tracfone


Let's begin with the Likes:
There are quite a few features for the LG 840G that make it a very worthwhile upgrade from other phones. 

Triple Minutes for Life means that if you add a 60 minute card, you would get 180 total minutes! (and don't forget to use a promo code!) 

The battery life is advertised to last 4hrs of constant talk time, or 13 days on standby. Users have determined that with normal use, the battery lasts an impressive 3-4 days.

tracfone review lg840g
Large view of LG 840G
Another big plus for this phone is the included 2GB MicroSD card. On previous phones such as the LG 500G or 530G, one would have to buy a MicroSD card separably in order to use the Media player or store more than a small amount of data on the phone. But the LG 840G delivers with it's included MicroSD card. 

Finally, one of the best features for the 840G is the 3G/WiFi. When connected to WiFi networks, such as in your home, at work, or other locations with free WiFi, browsing does not deduct from your prepaid minutes. This makes it possible to actually use the Mobile Web without draining your prepaid minutes in a hurry. 

Additionally, the previous standard minute rate for web browsing of .5 units per minute has been changed to a ratio of actual data used, instead of time spent online. This also makes web browsing more economical than in the past.

New - Check out our post on How to Install Google Maps on the LG840G

Dislikes for the LG 840G
This phone does a good job of correcting a lot of the Dislikes we had about previous Tracfones. The included SD card, WiFi connectivity and Triple Minutes for Life leaves only a small handful of possible dislikes, which we will quickly mention here.

The phone runs a java based proprietary operating system which allows the installation of .jar apps, and is not a smartphone. This means that android apps etc. won't work on this phone. But, with a little effort, apps such as Google Maps can be installed on the phone.

Another interesting dislike is the QWERTY keypad that appears when texting or entering a web address. The problem occurs when one navigates to a website that has open text areas for entering information (such as registering for a website). No keypad appears and so it is impossible to enter any information. Using a different browser such as Opera Mini, is one way to get around this problem. Hopefully this issue will be addressed in the near future.

Finally, it is important to mention again that this phone is a good phone, with some great features and a good price, but it doesn't run on a standard OS, like Android for example.

If you are interested in a great phone with a QWERTY keypad, consider the LG 530G.

Overall Opinion and Review of the LG 840G

The LG 840G is stylish, modern and faster than previous Tracfone mobile phones with the feel of an iPod touch or iPhone. It provides plenty of useful features such as the microSD card, WiFi, and Triple Minutes for Life.

This phone is a great upgrade from other Tracfones, but those who are thinking of switching from a contract smartphone to the LG 840G may be a little disappointed with some of the limitations.

You should really check out Tracfone's Android Smartphones if you are looking for features and the ability to use apps.
lg 840g covers
Tuff Silicon Cover for LG 840G

The cellphone retails for $59.99 most places, with occasional sales at various locations. However, it can sometimes be found for much less from Amazon (last check it was $40 w/ free shipping!)

With any touchscreen phone, covers and cases are very valuable in protecting the phone from scratches or other damage. Here is a link to LG 840G Covers on Amazon with lots of options to suit anyone's needs and preferences.

Looking for more info on other phones? Check out our other Tracfone Reviews

Leave a comment with your thoughts or questions, and be sure to browse all the comments below, as there are plenty of great tips and answers there!

260 comments :

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TracfoneReviewer Team said...

I would suggest using google to find more about using Google Voice with Tracfone. There should be some resources available for learning about that.

Yes, if she can find WiFi, and connect (which is usually easy) then she should be able to at least send texts for free with google Voice. But receiving will still cost 1 text.

it might just be easier to use the LG 840G, which will be cheaper per text.

Anonymous said...

Yes, the non-Android LG840G seems like a cheaper option text charges-wise. I think she wanted and Android phone to use the apps which would not be available for the non-smart phone? There's trade-offs and I guess it comes down to what you use your phone most for? If you don't text much, then the Android phone with Tracphone is a great option especially if you do use a lot of or certain apps often. But, if you're texting a lot it seems the non-Android LG840G or monthly $30 unlimited texting with the Walmart tMobile would probably be better options. No one phone fits all! Thanks again for all your much appreciated help.

Anonymous said...

I have this phone and had no problems so far, it is my back up phone, i have a Boost phone fore everyday one monthly payment and i get everything $40.00 a month no contrac.

Anonymous said...

I know this is very late, but I think that button may actually be a proximity sensor. Probably both models have it, but it only shows up on the white phone because it's black on white.

Anonymous said...

how do you make voice calls using wifi on this phone?

Anonymous said...

The LG 840G is neither an Android nor a Smartphone. It is a prepaid AT&T swipe screen phone that is not a flip phone . To add GPS and maps you will need to learn how to install .jar apps. In my opinion it is easier to open an AOL mail account as this phone is set up to receive AOL, and It works well. The LG 840G also receives tweets and messages from two other social networks. Texts cost one cent for three average texts. Picture messages are one cent per received or sent picture. The LG 840G is a 3G/WiFi phone that may or may not work on 4G or LTE networks. .

If you think you need GPS, Maps, and will do heavy texting you are probably better off with a contract smartphone as these features are already installed. You should find more WiFi hotspots with a smartphone. Beware: There may be a cap on heavy Internet use unless you have an unlimited plan. . If you do a lot of driving in unfamiliar places TomTom GPS for your car is a better choice. Usage is never capped or throttled. Garmin is another GPS for your car. I have friends who had it and liked it until it failed unexpectedly.

I bought two LG 840 G phones in 2013; the last in December for specific reasons: T3/M3, adaptive accessories, WiFi, Bluetooth, the large black font on keyboard and the phone. The phone repeats each number I tap out. I do not like GPS or need it. GPS is not installed on this phone.

I recommend this phone highly for anyone of any age who is visually or hearing impaired. It is very easy to use. But it is small and lightweight - which may be a hinderance for those with grip/hold issues.

Because I easily drop small, light items I bought a TOUGH brand hard rubber phone case that includes a soft interior and a durable clip. It is ugly as sin, but it has protected my phone when dropped on concrete, large rocks and other hard surfaces. I found mine in the electronics department of America's largest retail store.


Anonymous said...

Help for Google Maps & the midlet warnings (taken from an Amazon review of the LG 840g) The best app I've gotten so far is Google Maps, which works just as well in 3G as it does in WiFi on this phone. Get the signed version with the local Java keypad removed, from http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28943990/LG840g_Apps/lg840g_googlemaps.zip. The version you get from m.google.com isn't signed, and pops up 'untrusted midlet' warnings every 5 seconds or so (every time it loads data). You can zoom in and see labeled attractions and businesses, you can use the satellite and street views, and you can turn on the live traffic overlay much like the full browser-based version. Hope it helps!

Anonymous said...

Those "Get" texts are annoying & expensive (1 min + "extra" time). I've asked the senders (iPhoners) what they sent & they replied there was no picture, just a text. Can't figure it out.

Antilope said...

There is no app on a TracFone LG840G to block or reject calls or numbers. But there is this work around. You can install a silent mp3 ringtone and assign it to the offending number. Your phone will still display that it received a call, but you won't hear it ring. Here's how: You can create a silent mp3 ringtone with Audacity,
a free sound editor. The silent ringtone should be 10 seconds in length, but the file size should be smaller than 300k. Download the silent mp3 to the LG840G SD card, AUDIO folder. Go to SETTINGS/FILE MANAGER/MEMORY CARD/AUDIO - Click on the silent mp3 file name. Click USE AS Ringtone. You can assign this silent ringtone to the offending number. Or you can make the silent ringtone the DEFAULT RINGTONE. Then assign real ringtones to all of your contacts. Then any number not in your contacts list will ring the silent ringtone and not bother you.

Anonymous said...

LG 840G sim card rejected. New 840G in 4/13 worked fine for 4 months then would come up sim card rejected. Turn off, remove battery for 30 sec then reinstall, turn on.
Works again. Used this method for a month. Then sim card rejected only. Called tracfone went through symptoms, they sent new sim card. Problem remained. called back, they sent new phone. this one works but needs the battery removed to reboot from time to time. Now it takes 5 to 10 tries to reboot. has anyone had this problem with the LG840G? Like the phone otherwise, do I try another one or upgrade ?
Any advise? Thanks

Anonymous said...

how do i get the wi-fi- to work? i have tryed everything they said to do, and it still rejects it. i am very tired of this phone. if you can't help me i will run the damn thing over!! ron

Anonymous said...

I had difficulty with the keypad when my phone was new. I figured it would get better with practice. I gotta say, it still mostly sucks. DO NOT LIKE THE KEYPAD! Since I use the phone mostly as a textmachine, that's...unfortunate.

Anonymous said...

When I check my email, I can't open .doc or .pdf attachments. It pops up saying file not supported. How can I fix this?

Knowmad said...

Has any one else had their LG840g browser access the web by it's self? I was sitting here watching TV and saw my phone light up, when I checked it the browser was on to TF homepage. at the time it was connected to the 3G service and WiFi was off. I'm assuming this happens a few times to me as I never use the Browser on service, always over WiFi yet in my Usages section under my Account shows data transfers. losing min. is seriously irritating.

Anonymous said...

Just bought a LG840 w/Wi-Fi and was under the impression that if I use the web browser with free Wi-Fi at home that it should NOT use my minutes, but I just used it and it deducted like 20 minutes after only about 5 minutes of ACTUAL use!!??? Any ideas?

Anonymous said...

I bought the LG840g last summer and liked it so well I bought one for each of my grandchild for Christmas. I bought mine specifically for the swipe screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, M3/T3, 3G, and virtual keyboard as I am older and I live in a very rural area. The bigger letters on keys is a bonus for old eyes..

Anonymous said...

I know ppl here have warned about buying the LG840G @ a $ General store. Well, I did and saved a bunch of money this way. I've read that somebody here bought this phone for around $50 or $60 (with discounts and stuff), well, I bought mine at $ General for a mere $19.99. Maybe DG doesn't exchange or refund non-working/damaged cell phones, but they sure have great deals on them and I rather take the risk buying one there, than buying it anywhere lese for more money and having the hassle of sending it back if it's broke. To me, $20 is not a very great loss.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Peter, I have an LG840G and have had it for about a year. I left it on the charger all night, and then left for the day and forgot the phone, so it stayed on the charger for almost 24 hours. When we got home it was signaling that I had a message. I got that message. But since I took it off the charger it tells me that it is unable to send a message when I try to text or call . Is there anything I can do, or do I need to get a new phone?

Anonymous said...

Any way to delete the games that come pre-installed on the LG 840G?

Donald said...

Also be careful buying from Tracfone. I purchased two 840g phones, but had trouble getting them to work. We travel a lot and when I called Tracfone and explained our problems they said they would send us different phones, that will work better for us. They said send the 840's back in the envelopes that came with the new phones. We did all that and after a total of over 4 hrs with CS and getting replacements were1/2 the phone at 1/2 the price, we then found out they don't refund the difference.

Anonymous said...

I recently purchased the lg840g tracfone. It said it had bluetooth available, however I am able to pair with my device, but when a call comes in you have to hit the answer screen on the phone before the bluetooth will take over which makes this "not" handsfree while driving. Any way to get around this or am I doing something wrong.

Anonymous said...

how do I remove pics off the LG840 phone? I tried to delete a pic and it still shows up in the section for pics and wallpapers.

Anonymous said...

got a question.. had a trac phone prior to getting this lg840g and the battery on the first one stayed with me a good while maybe a week but went on a 4 day cruise and my track phone fully charged and turned off and in 3 days i get this beep beep and the battery is dead anyone have this or similar problem BA70

drewski said...

The price has lowered, now it's 19.99 on sale at Best Buy. This phone works with the Safelink government free phone program so you can use it to replace that crappy free phone they send, still get your free service, and NOT be embarassed to pull it out of your pocket in public!

Anonymous said...

Or from Amazon. There supposedly "new" isn't. I bought 1 and had to return it.

Unknown said...

My son has an 840G. It's only 14 months old. He liked the phone until a couple weeks ago. That's when it died! It wouldn't charge anymore. We thought the battery needed replaced. Bought a new battery online. Didn't help! Called tracfone, they told me they can't repair it+to buy new phone!!!! Has anyone else had this trouble with this phone?!?!? I'm so frustrated! It's only 14 months old!!!!

Anonymous said...

No. They are installed in the firmware and cannot be deleted.

Anonymous said...

No offense, but what do you expect from a inexpensive tracfone?
simply keep your sd card and accessories from it, and buy a new one and port the number if you wish. Problem solved.

Anonymous said...

Hi Peter,
Wow, I just checked the dates on these. I was thinking of getting an android tracfone but after reading your info and answers, I'm going to get a new card and re-activate my LG 840G phone!!
Thanks so much for all the good tips on your blog!
Lauren in W Michigan

lilkunta said...

What are the mesaurements/dimension of the LG840G ?
Please add them to the description /specs above.
Thank You.

gmannix62 said...

On the side of the photo there should be sa button titled 'email'.clik that and enter an email address.Be warned,tho,some people claim to have lost up to 5 minutes by emailing from this phone. I seldom use the email feature so I caannot say for sure.

gmannix said...

I hae ALWAYS used refurbs,since 2006,anyway.Had one problem way way back and TF sent me a brand newphone in exchange..Go Tracfone!!

Anonymous said...

Could call LG840g, touch *, enter password, get voice mail. (all good). NOW do the same, but it says "Mailbox number"...except I don't have (or know) any "Mailbox number". Any idea how to get past this and retrieve voice mail?

Anonymous said...

The phone I currently own is a white Tracfone LG 840G with Triple Minutes for life that I bought off Amazon, but when I added minutes to my phone, it didn't triple. I called the representatives at Tracfone about it and they said that my phone didn't have triple minutes for life. What is wrong with my phone.

Anonymous said...

Incoming calls on my Tracfone LG 840G

don't ring instead I get the you have mail for incoming phone calls. How can I fix it. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I am interested in the LG840G but I can't find any information on what kind of touch screen it has. I am handicapped and can't use my hands, I use a wooden stick to type, drive my power chair and other things. The wooden stick will only work on a resistive screen, does this phone have a resistive screen?

Anonymous said...

https://support.google.com/mail/troubleshooter/1668960?hl=en#ts=1665119,1665162

The above is from Google support for setting. I used pop3 setting configuration, and it worked. I tried imap, and failed.

Anonymous said...

Your ringtones must be 300kb or under.

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a phone without phiz...does the lg840g have any.. I cant find them

Anonymous said...

If my phone is charged 100%, by the end of the day it has to be charged again. Does anyone else have this problem. I don't know what to do.

Unknown said...

They have a bunch of android phones, online, and at Wal-Mart

Unknown said...

you can use more than a 4gb card in it. mine has an 8gb and I put my 32 in there, and it recognized it. i didn't actually put any files on the 32, because it's for another device. I too am wondering if I can use a faster memory card,, because my phone comes to a standstill when I load my music 7.5gb (I guess I could get rid of a few songs :(

Unknown said...

This is a weird glitch that happens when you reply to a txt that was more than one page

Unknown said...

If you get poor customer service, hang up and try again. I have had a few extremely competent and helpful people. So they are out there.

Unknown said...

go into an actual Wal-mart, find an associate whose not painting their nails, or what not, and ask them, walmart.com site is useless for tracfone. Awesome prices though!

Unknown said...

blutooth

Unknown said...

Is there a "best" place to put my ringtones, so I can access them faster. I took them off of my memory card and loaded them in the phone itself, but that didn't help. I think the problem is that the phone doesn't differentiate between ringtones and mp3's which causes a huge lag every time I want to assign a ringtone to a new contact. ALSO!! WARNING IF YOU MOVE YOUR CONTACTS TO YOUR SIM-CARD, YOU WILL LOSE ALL OF THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN YOUR CONTACTS AND THEIR RINGTONE, If you move them back to your phone, you will have to add the ringtones again, 1 by 1, and at 3.5 minutes each, that is a long and boring process!

Unknown said...

also, is it any faster to access mp3s if they are all in their own folders (artist, album,etc) or if they are all just thrown into the music folder?

toodles said...

Had an 800G before, which was not very sensitive. Big imiprovement on the 840G. My question is this: Is there a way to get the 840G not to rob a whole minute, when someone calls and voicemail comes on for 1 second. My family tries to reach me sometimes 5 to 10 times in a row, when I am not available, using 5 - 10 seconds, but the phone takes 5 - 10 MINUTES. Not fair. The older 800G took .3, as I remember when there was no answer. Anyone got any ideas, or a better phone idea?...that is non-android?

Anonymous said...

Constantly dropping calls!

Anonymous said...

Is there a way to access emojis to the texting keyboard? I have looked at download graphics, but don't see any.
Also, when I receive a text, the incoming phone number shows even tho the number is in my Contacts. Is there a way to get the name to show on the incoming message?
Thx

Anonymous said...

I have downloaded mp3 ringtones but it does not let me use the option "use as" for a ringtone. I've even tried to convert before loading to phone. What am I doing wrong? Please help me!!!

Anonymous said...

My husband has an LG840G, he has entered his contacts but when one calls in all that shows up is the # not name, I have looked at the manual and this isn't addressed, could someone help please? Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information about how to get clock out of middle of picture. I wanted the date, so I just moved it over some so the picture showed what I wanted. This is a great site. There is one question I would like to ask, I transferred an old basic Trac Phone to this new LG840G (minutes went over, but the due date of service did not, only showing 60 days instead of 1/31/2017)? Called rep., no help. Anybody got a suggestion.

Billy Bob said...

if see the person's name you received a text from and the text received read ok or K, would you open it? I get kmart texts. Would at least like to see it is from them, then I may or may not open. Remember, you "spend" no minutes for unopened texts, that is why no preview. :D

Unknown said...

I just received this phone as an upgrade to my Safelink plan. When i try to access a website, I receive the message ""Page too large." Any suggestions? I don't understand why internet would be included with this phone if I can't view anything.
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I have the 840 tracfone and I do like it . Only one problem I have the sound on #7 and it is not very loud I keep it in my purse and can barley hear it. Has anyone else stated this problem?

Anonymous said...

Got this for the triple minutes for life
3/17/2016 I just added a 120 minute card with a 60 minute promo code, it only added 180 minutes. ... not triple the 120 like it should, what's the deal?

Anonymous said...

I can't thank you enough for this! I have Safelink, so can't use a smartphone, but really wanted google maps with traffic for doctor appointment in the city, etc.

Anonymous said...

Is there any way to send videos to your email with the lg 840g tracfone. I've tried but I keep getting maximum size exceeded.

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