Review of the LG 305C Touchscreen Phone from Tracfone
This review by TracfoneReviewer will provide specs and features for the LG 305C, along with likes and dislikes, and where you can buy the phone for the best price.
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| Tracfone LG 305C Review |
The LG 305C uses the CDMA Verizon network and is very similar to the LG 306G which uses AT&T and other networks. If you know which network is better in your area, you can go with the appropriate phone, otherwise you might want to read our GSM vs CDMA Review to learn more about the two network options.
As we mentioned, the LG 305C is very similar to the LG 306G (click for our review), in fact they share almost all the same features. the key difference is that the LG 305C will use Verizon service.
The LG 305C is a touchscreen phone with a 3.2" screen and has 3G and WiFi connectivity. It is not an Android phone however, and thus does not have access to the wide variety of apps Android users enjoy.
Let's take a look at the features for this phone, followed by the phone specifications.
LG 305C Features and Specs
This phone comes with most standard features Tracfone devices usually come with like Voicemail, Caller ID, etc. It also comes with some other great features:
- WiFi and 3G access for Mobile Web Browsing
- Triple Minutes for Life
- 5 Home Screens
- 2 MP Camera and Recorder
- SMS/MMS messaging (text/picture)
- 4 GB Micro SD card included
- Up to 32 GB Micro SD Card
- Bluetooth 2.1
- MP3 Player
- Gravity/Tilt sensor
- 1000 Entry Phonebook
- Alarm, Handsfree speaker, voice recorder
LG 305C Specs and Size:
- 3.2" Touchscreen
- Size: 4.08" x 2.47" x 0.47" (inches)
- Weight: 3.80 OZ
- Battery: 3 Hours talk time, 10 days on Standby
Most of the features for the LG 305C are similar to many of Tracfone's other touchscreen phones like the LG 840G, LG 306G and LG 800G. But the main difference, which we mentioned above, is that the LG 305C uses CDMA towers.
Let's get into what we like and dislike about the LG 305C to better understand if it will fit your needs and how it compares to other devices.
LG 305C Review - Likes and Dislikes
Starting with What We Like:
There are two big things we like about this phone, and they go together (kind of). They are WiFi and CDMA cell service. Why we like these features is because this is the first non-android phone that uses Verizon CDMA towers, and has WiFi. So for everyone out there who has been using phones like the LG 505C or Samsung R455C, you may want to consider switching to the LG 305C just for the WiFi feature.
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| LG 305C Review |
Another great feature is the included 4 GB Micro SD card which you can use to store lots of picture and music on. You can then use the MP3 player feature for the music. Transferring music to your phone from a computer can be done by either connecting a cable or putting the Micro SD card into a card reader.
Battery life for the LG 305C is good, with the standby time longer than most smartphones. However, the LG 306G has 17 days on standby while the LG 305C only has 10. This may be due in part to the way CDMA technology interacts with the phone.
Lastly, we like that the LG 305C does not use the '3 buckets' system that all new Android smartphones use. When you add minutes to the LG 305C they all go into one 'bucket' and are automatically tripled. If you are a heavy texter, using a phone with the single 'bucket' for minutes will allow you to have more texts.
We also want to mention that Promo Codes will also work on the LG 305C (but don't work on Android phones).
Dislikes for the LG 305C
When evaluating dislikes for the LG 305C, there are not many. It is a very solid phone that does the basic stuff of calling and texting well. But it doesn't exceed expectations much, and some users have found a variety of minor problems (which many phones have).
Two of the features which we wish were better are the camera and operating system.
The camera is 2 MP which is OK for quick pictures and for use on the phone, but if you want to actually use the pictures for anything beyond social media, the quality might not be there.
The LG 305C uses a proprietary Java based operating system which basically means you can't access apps like you would on an Android phone, with the same ease. You can still install apps, but there are less options to choose from.
The LG 305C has mixed reports regarding GPS ability. It appears to have GPS listed as a feature, but none can be found on the phone. It may be that the GPS is for use in emergency situations only.
Overall, the LG 305C has many great features, and the dislikes will probably not be a issue for most.
Overview and Where to Buy the LG 305C
We are excited about the LG 305C because it offers WiFi while using a Verizon CDMA cell service. Be sure to check if your area is usable for Verizon before you buy.
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| LG 305C on Amazon |
The LG 305C is available both online and in stores and retails for $40, but we have found the LG 305C at half price for just $20 on Amazon. (we also found the LG 305C on eBay at the same price!)
For further information about this phone, check out the interactive LG 305C tutorial
We would recommend the LG 305C if you're in an area where Verizon service is your main option. But you may want to look into some of the other phones Tracfone has.
Tracfone currently has a wide variety of phones, ranging from Android Smartphones to simple flip phones, and even iPhone 4/4S on their BYOP program. If you're looking for phones, visit our Cell Phone Reviews page for more information.
If you're interested in learning more about Android phones, check out our recent post with the 6 Major Differences between Android and Non-Android phones.
Thanks for visiting, and leave a comment with your thoughts or questions!
69 comments :
Peter,
Have you heard anything about the Moto E coming to Tracfone? I just read an article at tfandroid.com that made me think it could be added to Tracfone in the (hopefully near) future.
Thanks.
Yes, I am looking into the details on this, but other than the news that the Moto E might be coming to Tracfone, there doesn't seem to be any info. Thanks for the tip.
I have this phone, and it's not 3g-it's 2.5g. Slow. Also, mine will not connect to wi-fi. This seems to be a common problem with phone. If you don't plan to use this for internet access, it's OK, otherwise-avoid at all costs.
Has anyone found a skin or case for the LG306G or the LG 305G ??
The WiFi in my case has not connected anywhere, but regarding location based services you would have to go into the settings and into phone settings to change it from e911 to on.
I just ordered this phone for my daughter. It is her first & I think will fit her needs well. I anticipate she will be mainly a text user so the "one bucket" system sounds great. This is our first tracfone - do you know how texting is figured in the airtime minutes? Is it 1 minute per text? And does it apply to outgoing as well as incoming texts? Thank you for this review - very helpful!!
Applies to outgoing and incoming, but is much less than 1 minute per text. More like .3 minutes per text, I think.
Just used the code #32102 today-9/28/14 on a 200 min. card, got my triple minuets and 60 bonus. Thankyou once again.
The tutorial did not show a QWERTY keyboard for texting... Is that true??
Yes, it's true.
Not true, press Message icon, press New Text Message, Add Contact, pick person to recieve, Done, press in the Text Box and the Options box at the top right of the screen and select Keyboard.
good deal for another 11 hrs on ebay "7.99" free shipping!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-306G-with-Triple-Minutes-for-Life-for-Tracfone-New-/131315332942
I just bought it for the hell of it :), have the 840g, but for 8 bucks you can't miss anything :) and it has the 4gig SD and USB cable :) I can use those on the LG smartphone later :)
Deal has ended, its back to 20 bucks.
That was a great deal while it lasted!
Edit...
OK just activated the thing and transferred my time and number to it, I had 94min till Nov 15th, after transferring I ended up with 120, till Jan 15th 2015 So I guess they added a small amount.
Although the 840g is now showing inactive sim, everything else still works, and is still setup with all my contacts, music and pictures, I just copied what I could (pics and music only) to the 306g and spent all night re entering my contacts and setting up each pic on screen for each one. Also after transferring my music, I still had to re make all my custom play lists again, the folders transferred OK, but no playlists were picked up containing the tunes I had setup.
Other than all that, its back to the usual. Its mainly just a "phone", MP3 player. and occasional text message for which it works as advertised :). Email accounts also had to be re entered.
When you go to send a text, tap the menu button on the upper right, tap "Input Method" then "Keyboard". It'll go into landscape mode with a full QWERTY keyboard.
There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between the 305C and 306G. There is no File Manager on the the 305C. Therefore is impossible to download java apps on your computer and install them on the phone. Not one blogger mentions that!
Thanks for bringing this up, it had slipped under the radar and is a significant difference.
I purchased a 305C from NET10 about two weeks ago. When the Auto Device Lock function is enabled, two soft keys - Unlock and Emergency - appear at the bottom of the display. Touching the Emergency key IMMEDIATELY dials 911. There is no "Are You Sure?" message or other user action required; the phone just starts dialing. I accidentally dialed 911 twice in a few days. The first time it happened I was picking up the phone off a table with the keypad locked; unfortunately, that call was completed before I could stop it. The second time I stupidly glanced away while trying to touch the Unlock key and once again hit the Emergency key (that time I was able to cancel the call before it completed). The phone display is very sensitive to touch, which makes this issue even worse. This is a critical and unacceptable flaw. Emergency responders already receive too many accidental 911 calls. I scrapped the thing and purchased a different make and model phone.
Another annoying issue with this phone: in the dark, the display emits a white flash about every five seconds. [Actually, I was picking up the phone in a dark room to investigate why it was flashing when I dialed 911 the first time.] There did not seem to be a setting to disable this feature, so perhaps that feature is supposed to make it easier to locate the phone in the dark. But I keep my phones next to the bed, and the flashing was annoying. Can't be good for battery life, either.
I bought the 306G only to find I got lousy signal so I have the 305C now. The differences I've noticed are-
-lack of file manager (as previously noted)
-no separate email app
-facebook app is in the games and apps menu instead of its own icon
-When you use the qwerty, it doesn't have the text entry setting options of auto-correct and show next word function
-I have never seen the signal say 3G like the 306G did. It just shows bars and 1X
-I used to send text to my phone from my email using phone number@vtext.com. With this phone I get an invalid user error message.
re:opera mini I've seen some say it's not installed but it is, it's inside the games & apps menu
I have successfully connected it to my home wifi
I bluetoothed my contacts successfully
I bought this phone on amazon for 14.99. Happy overall since I needed a CDMA phone in my area and in the area I travel to. Really glad I didn't get an android because everything points to them NOT roaming. If you lurk the official tracfone support forums you find every time someone asks about it the admins won't answer publicly, they tell the OP to check their PM.
Re: the flash the above poster mentioned- Mine does NOT do that. Maybe this is an alert for missed call or text that I haven't noticed yet?
Yes. Go on Amazon and search for the 306C. I just got a case and car charger for $10
I just ordered this phone on Amazon for $14.99!
I got the same price from Amazon.com. Very satisfied with both the phone, its features, and the price.
When I go to put videos onto my laptop from my lg 305c, I do not get any sound with video when I view them on the laptop. Can anyone tell me why?
Does this phone roam
How do I block unwanted texts on the LG 305c ?
WiFi was not connecting for my daughter so I went in the settings and changing the setting from Dynamic to static I think it was and this worked. Now the phone will connect fine to our home internet.
can you block calls with the lg 305c and if so how
can you block a group or a single number with this phone
Is anyone going to answer the 3 questions, above, about blocking incoming calls?
Has anyone bought the 1500 unit web exclusive on Tracfone's website to use on the LG 305c? Do the units triple to 4500 units using that phone? I read a post where some cards don't triple on some phones.
Do you just get 160 characters per text with the LG 305c?
I somehow "activated" a voice that announces when a new message is there and a call-even though I have the alerts set in the sound settings section. How do I turn her off. Its driving me crazy!
I bought mine on X-mas Eve at Walgreens for $20! On sale from $50! pretty happy with it so far!
Works for me as David said. The menu, upper right looks like a small square tablet with horizontal lines. Sure makes texting easier.
My phone came with voice alerts for every action too. Have you found a solution?
Just got mine today from Amazon. $4.99. I get those voice alerts too. "HOME SCREEN 3 TO 5" Very loud and she has an irritating voice. Help.
Go into Settings, scroll to page 2 of settings, open Accessibility, turn off Menu Readout.
Settings, accessibility, turn off menu readout
Net10 LG 305: Reception is hit or miss. Mostly miss...called her while she was traveling home and her phone never rang once and I called more then once. Called again and it turned out she was in the house yet her phone never rang....(in the house!) you get what
you pay for, Bite the bullet and buy a quality expensive phone as you'll be much better off.
Just activated this phone and there is a woman lurking in it that needs to go, how do you shut her up!!!! She speaks every action, back, sound menu off, screen off, aghhhhhh
Thank you, she is gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When using the Lg305c I do the keyboard thing for texting but I done like the landscape key board but if you go to music or like contacts and you hit the "go to" button and a regular non landscape keyboard pops uphow can I get that for my regular keyboard
this phone is useless don't buy it
Thinking of buying either the 305C or 306G in the upcoming week, what are the main differences between the two(Other than CDMA and GSM, and the java apps)?
Not true. For those wanting a simple, basic phone that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars per year, this is it. This is not for those that like being connected 24/7 for inane, unnecessary conversation.
I just purchased a LG305c. It's small & sleek. Suggest a cover for it to protect from accidental drops. It seems simple enough to use. If you plan on buying this phone for the Wifi capabilities, I suggest you try another phone. It is next to impossible to get the phone to work over wifi and for the price I paid for the phone, my time is better spent doing something else then getting frustrated with it.
This phone is a flaming piece of crap! No matter what ring tone I set, It doesn't always use it.
Answering this turd is always fun because it won't always let me. I've had to SWIPE the Green Button a Dozen and more time and it still wouldn't open(?)!! I've tried PRESSING it, Still Nothing! I've tried TAPPING, Same bs. I asked LG, I haven't received an answer on that issue. I'm about to send the phone back in pieces and let them figure it out!
I hope I don't have another Heart Issue because, this phone might decide to not work.
It's most irksome when I use the Camera(s) or Voice Recording because, that's when the Touch Screen Buttons are the most sensitive and cause it to STOP the function I'm using.
When loading Pictures and/or Video to my PC, it's hit or miss. I usually have to unplug and plug it back in four or more times before the Icon in the Toolbar shows up. The Computer "Chimes" every time and is up to date.
I can't believe I have to ask this question.
How do I dial 911 in an Immediate EMERGENCY?
Should I wait until... I'm shot, stabbed, beaten half to death, having another heart attack or should I try Dialing this thing During? It may be a little more difficult as, most of the time, the touch screen DOESN'T like to respond and/or respond PROPERLY when I touch an On Screen Icon. It might actually be funny to tell a would be attacker to "Hold On For A Minute, While I DIAL 911".
I tried programming it to dial 911, but the bloody thing WILL NOT accept it.
My major dislike with this phone is it will not show me the remaining minutes from the TracFone website; it tells me to go look at the damned phone. Have you ever tried to pry a phone from the death grip of a teenager?! It is impossible for me to keep track of how many minutes/messages they are using, because I can't do it online. Anyone else have this problem?
I cannot answer my phone either - I swipe, i tap, i swoosh, fast and slow, I use my finger, my elbow, a stylus, prayer - I can hardly ever get it to answer. It also goes to voicemail instead of even ringing. Weirdest thing is that the camera portion does the opposite of what I choose. Want to take a photo - sorry - it only does negative mode, which I can change over and over to color but it won
t hold. Touch sepia - and it takes it in blue, choose blue and you get - sepia! I bought it from Walmart for a ridiculous price of $30 (my brother bought one for $10) and the number had recently belonged to tow other people whose collection calls I get all the time. I think it would be handy for target practice.
I have so many issues with this phone that it is hard to know what to choose first. I rarely can answer my phone - I swipe, I tap, I swoosh, I pound, fast or slow, I use my finger, my elbow, a stylus, prayer - I can hardly answer it. It also goes to voicemail instead of even ringing. I can't get a call even when I am holding it, waiting for it....waiting for it. Weirdest thing is that the camera portion does the opposite of what I choose. Want to take a photo - sorry - it only does negative mode, which I can change over and over to color but it won't hold. Touch sepia - and it takes it in blue, choose blue and you get - sepia! Oh just remembered - the eeriest thing it does is when I even reach toward it, it will jump to another screen or just randomly choose some icon or flip to the Internet or make a call to someone it once knew - I think it is possessed. I bought it from Walmart for a ridiculous price of $30 (my brother bought one for $10) and the number had very recently belonged to two other people whose collection calls I get all the time. I think it was an unfixed, unlabeled reconditioned junker that they stuck in a new package. I also think it is only handy for target practice.
This is a totally new phone for me. Never had so many options on a phone. However, I have run into a problem that I cannot find the answer. I use my phone to call businesses and doctors, etc. Most of these places have a main number answer but then have extensions to reach the party you need. How do I put in an extension? If I hit the number for the extension I want, it shows up with someone in my contact list of course is not what I need. Please help me.
We echo the comment about the 305C not showing minutes. The only way I can find out is to go to tracfone.com and use their chat line. They always say to go to airtime info but this phone doesn;t have that on the menu. Eventually they check the account. That alone will probably drive us away from tracfone.
I've had the 305C for several months and my biggest complaint is its touch screen. Very easy to accidentally call a person when you are trying to reply to a text. Also, if you put it away before the screen goes blank it has a tendency to call the last person you texted or called.
It tripled on mine. Plus 300 bonus with code from 1 year 400 minute card.
It also does not have a querty keyboard. That is a big minus for me.
Just bought this phone as a quick fix for right now and so far I like it. However, I was wondering if there was any way for me to be able to have the alarm go off with my phone set on silent? Or must I keep the ringer up in order for the alarm clock to work?
Thanks!
Just spent way too long talking to a tracfone rep with no resolution to my problem. I cannot send or receive a media message. Error is "message delivery failed". Anyone else have this problem on their LG305C
My hubby has had this phone for 6 weeks. Doesn't hold a charge. Even in WiFi locations never connects. Battery heats up. Text take up to 12 he's to be delivered! Is it the model itself? Or just a aweful phone?!
I understand. Hubby bought this. Calls don't ring. Text take up to 12 hrs (!) To go through. Sometimes it. Locks him out completely, no am out of tapping or swiping will unlock main screen. Is it product? Or just broke?!
Dear tracphone, trash this model! Its aweful. Period.
You forgot to mention the LG 305c has the tilt gravity sensor and the LG 306G does not
It's not a bad phone. I didn't expect much, so I'm happy. If I wanted all of the bells and whistles of a smart phone, I would have purchased a smart phone. It's makes calls, you can text, browse, take pics/video and send it, and it's fairly easy to figure out. It's fine for me. And for $15 and triple minutes, how can you go wrong?
I have tried 6 different phones of this model. The first three were unactivatable because a new phone number could not be assigned by Tracfone. The last 3 were activated using an existing number, but they all had the same problem: when a call is placed, the screen goes black and the buttons cease to work, leaving battery removal as the only way to hang up.
Is there a speaker function on the LG 305C? I can't seem to find it.
Why don't you tell the truth about these (LG 305C) Phones. If the Phone receives a Media Message, be VERY CAREFUL lifting the Phone up, as it will LOSE said same if the Screen is Brushed or Touched. Any Button on the Sides will perform the same Function.
I looked everywhere in that Phone, but couldn't find it.
LG's RESPONSE;
"Thank you for contacting LG Email Service.
We know having a working phone is truly important nowadays as it is really important part of our daily lives. But don't worry, we are here to help you out and get the issue rectified.
In response to your concern, please consider performing a factory reset on your device and see if this would correct the issue that occurred. But by doing so, it will erase everything on your phone such as your contacts, pictures, music, applications and settings. Resetting the operating system will clear any bugs that have developed and restore the software to factory standard. Kindly follow the steps below:
1 Turn the phone off.
2 Press and hold the following keys at the same time: Volume Down Key + Power/Lock Key.
3 Release the Power/Lock Key only when the LG logo is displayed, then immediately press and hold the Power/ Lock Key again.
4 Release all keys when the Factory hard reset screen is displayed.
5 Press the Volume Keys to highlight Yes, then press the Power/Lock Key to continue.
6 Press the Volume Keys to highlight Yes, then press the Power/Lock Key once more to confirm.
7 Your device will perform a factory reset.
Should you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us via Email, Live Chat, or Phone by calling 1-800-793-8896. For any concern about phone, tablets and headsets repair request you can visit WWW.LGMOBILEREPAIR.COM".
Sooooo, I'll lose EVERYTHING and never know WHAT the Message was. Could it have been a Weather, Amber or Other Emergency Alert?
I've complained about the way this Phone works since I got it. Some days it works fine. Some days the On Screen and Side Buttons barely work and some days the on Screen and Side Buttons are over Sensitive.
I'd like to replace it for a REAL Working Phone and run this LG 305C through a Wood chipper, put the pieces in a Baggie and send it to them. I can't afford to do that, so I don't use it.
Because the Problems I have with it, would I even trust IT to call LG? I think not.
Here's a nagging issue. It decides to control the Touch Screen sensitivity. Sometimes they work fine. Other time the don't work at all and other times I can't even pick up the phone without activating something else and losing an incoming call. Needless to say, I can't carry it with me. Not having a Phone on me at all times doesn't bother me. It irks my wife and cardiologist.
Here's another minor issue. Can't shut off the GPS. Not that it matters 'cause I can't carry the bloody Phone with me.
And STILL No Answers.
When I had to Renew my membership/subscription, or ???? this year, I got a Ration of Bull-Ends from the woman. She told me to wait until she finished asking a question to answer, a non answer IS a WRONG answer and asking a question is a WRONG answer, and etc.
First, it was hard to understand anything she said while she was asking a question.
Second, she would STOP talking RANDOMLY in the middle of a question, making me think she was done, then would get irate when I'd tried to answer.
These people are not providing this (So-Called) Service for Free. They're getting paid PAID by our Government. Just like 99% of Websites.
Now I'm supposed to take a "SafeLink Survey". One question is "How would you describe your SAFELINK Phone?
1) Bring your own Phone (SafeLink SIM)
2) SafeLink smartphone (e.g., iphone, android, etc)
I don't know how to answer that one.
I'm sure the rest of the questions are going to be just as hard to answer. Maybe (Rather) Most Likely they're meant to be. IF no one can complete the Survey... Then there's no complaints. Remember... a Non Answer is a WRONG Answer, or if someone can't answer, they can't complete the Survey. It gives SafeLink a higher rating. It's a Fake Rating.
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