Samsung Galaxy A02s (S124DL) Tracfone Review & Specs

 Samsung Galaxy A02s (S124DL) Review - Tracfone Smartphone 

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A02s Review

The Galaxy A02s features a 6.5" screen, an octa-core processor, and triple rear camera - all for under $100 retail price. Find the full list of features, specs, and detailed review here and let's find out if this device will be a good low cost pick for Tracfone users.

Samsung has released several new devices in the last few months with their Galaxy A12 and their new 5G capable device the Galaxy A32. We also expect to see some other higher-end phones in the near future, such as the A42 5G. Keep up with all the Latest Tracfone Smartphones to see what has been released.

The A02s brings a much larger screen size and form factor to the Samsung lineup. In fact, last year's model, the Galaxy A01, had just a 5.7" screen. Now for some users, the smaller screen and size is actually a big plus, so be aware of the size change in this device if that's something you look for.

We're already surprised by some of the features offered in the A02s, but let's get to our pro's and con's

Samsung Galaxy A02s Quick Facts:

What we Like:
Big 5,000 mAh Battery
Large 6.5" screen
Under $100 retail price
Octa-core Snapdragon processor

What we Don't Like:
Just 2 GB RAM and 32 GB Storage
No Fingerprint Sensor
Mediocre cameras

The Galaxy A02s is a low cost device and as such it has to cut corners in some ways to keep the price down. Some of these areas seem to include the storage and RAM, screen resolution, and a fingerprint sensor. But it still comes with a fairly capable Snapdragon processor and plenty of battery life.

As we get into the full list of specs and features for the A02s, keep in mind that this phone is much cheaper than most others available from Tracfone, and we will be comparing it to some other options at the end.

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A02s (S124DL) Features and Specs

Below are the features followed by the technical specs

• Android 10 *with upgrade to 11 likely
• Samsung One UI 3.1
• 4G LTE 
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
• Bluetooth 4.2
• Alarm Clock
• GPS
• MP3 Player
• Standard 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play
• Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
• SMS/MMS
• USB Charger (USB Type-C 2.0)
• Compatible with Samsung Gear Smartwatches
• Facial recognition for unlocking

Samsung Galaxy A02s Technical Specs
Size: 6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in (6.91oz)
Camera: Triple-rear camera 13+2+2 MP and 5 MP Front Camera
Screen: 6.5" HD PLS IPS display (720x1600 resolution)
Processor: 1.8 Ghz Octa-core processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 450)

Memory: 2 GB
Storage: 32 GB internal storage, supports up to 256 GB MicroSD Card
Battery: 5,000 mAh battery (non-removable) with talk time up to 34 hrs, standby 20 days

Most consumers are very familiar with the Samsung brand as they are a global manufacture and the largest consumer electronics maker (by revenue) in the world. They are based in South Korea and have a broad lineup of smartphones with their high end device, like the Samsung Galaxy S21+, a contender for one of the best phones in the world.

The Galaxy A02s  does get many of the classic design elements of Samsung phones with a familiar layout for the charging and headphone ports, a generally sleek design, and it also features Samsung's one UI changes to the stock Android OS.

Now let's get into the details with our review of the A02s.

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A02s (S124DL) Review

Touchscreen

The 6.5" HD PLS IPS touchscreen on the A02s is surprisingly large for a phone in this price range and it is actually very comparable to the 6.5" screen on the much more expensive ($299) Galaxy A32 5G.

While the resolution of 720x1600 and pixel density of about 270 are not particularly impressive, the screen is bright and performs very well for any and all media activities. With a 20:9 ratio, it follows the trends of taller devices to fit the larger screen. For those who prefer a smaller form to fit in one hand, this may not be the best option.

Samsung Galaxy A02s (S124DL)

Internal Performance - Processor, RAM and Storage

Featuring the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor and Adreno 506 GPU, performance on the A02s is pretty snappy for a low-end device. The processor is a few years old at this point, but has enough performance to accomplish most tasks including some gaming.

What is disappointing to see is only 2 GB RAM which will hurt the ability to multitask or run multiple apps at once, or any resource-demanding apps or games. There are unlocked versions of the A02s that have 3 and 4 GB RAM which would ensure a smoother overall experience.

For storage, the A02s has 32GB internal storage and a micro SD card slot for up to 256 GB additional storage. 

The A02s should keep up with most tasks, such as browsing the web or getting on social media. But the limited RAM makes us hesitate to recommend this device for much more beyond that as it will likely start to struggle with running too many apps at once or really demanding apps. 

Camera

Triple rear camera sounds great at first but the 13 MP rear shooter with a 2 MP macro and 2 MP depth sensor aren't anything all that special. They will capture reasonably clear photos with good lighting, and you can even shoot portrait style photos. Samsung clearly had to cut some corners to keep the price low, and the cameras on the A02s appears to be one of those corners. In low light conditions the images will be much less usable. With how quickly cell phone cameras have improved, it becomes very noticeable when we see technology even from a year or two back.

The rear wide angle main camera does have auto-focus, LED flash and can shoot videos at 1080p at 30fps.

The front selfie camera is just 5 MP, and, like the rear camera, is adequate but not impressive. 

For a more powerful camera setup consumers will have to be willing to spend a bit more.

Get better pictures with our 8 Tips for Better Photos with a Smartphone.

Battery

Excellent battery life is one area the A02s excels at thanks to a 5,000 mAh battery. Expect usage time of up to 34 hours and up to 20 days on standby. With light to moderate use this phone will easily go a day or more on a full charge. And for recharging, it has 15W fast charging to fully charge in just 3 hours.

Android OS

The Samsung Galaxy A02s features Android 10 but Tracfone will likely make it upgradable to Android 11 as they have been doing that with a variety of devices. The phone also features Samsung's One UI 3.1 which has a number of small changes and upgrades. 

Make the most of your smartphone with our List of Best Android Apps.

Design

The Galaxy A02s follows the general design layout of the other devices in Samsung's budget lineup including the Galaxy A12 and A32 5G with a teardrop notch on the screen for the selfie cam and a plastic back. The device is on the larger side, and fairly heavy at almost 7 oz. 

Bezels on the front screen aren't so bad on the sides but a little noticeable on the bottom. The right side of the phone has the power and volume buttons, and the bottom is where the USB Typc-C 2.0 charger port, 3.5mm headphone jack and speaker are located.

There's nothing fancy about the overall design of the A02s, and we would have liked to see a fingerprint sensor, but at this price, it is more than adequate and functional.

Conclusion

If you do not need a lot of performance from your phone and will not be using the camera for much more than snapping photos to share on social media, then the Galaxy A02s is a very affordable phone with a huge screen and long battery life. It is a good option for those that like watching videos, browsing social media and surfing the web, but aren't planning to download very many apps or games.

At this price point it is hard to find a better option available from Tracfone. However, for those willing to spend a little more, there are several phones in the $100-$150 price range with improved performance and cameras. 

Other Options to Consider Versus the Samsung Galaxy A02s

These are some other smartphone options currently available from Tracfone that are either similarly priced, or a little more expensive but with improved features.

The Tracfone Moto E (XT2052DL) is priced about the same as the Galaxy A02s and offers fairly similar features and performance, but with an improved processor and smaller touchscreen. For those looking for a budget phone but don't want the Samsung experience, the Moto E from Tracfone may be a good option.

For those willing to spend a little more, the Moto G Play (2021) and Moto G Power (2020) are both currently available for just $119 on eBay and each offer improved performance for handling more apps and activities. The Moto G Play has the same internal storage, but increases the RAM to 3 GB and has a newer processor. It is generally a similar budget phone, but without some of the drawbacks from the Galaxy A02s. Read our Review of the Moto G Play to learn more.

The Moto G Power offers 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage and a much more powerful processor. This would be a good option for those looking to play games with their phone, or just have a bit more power. Take a look at our full review of the Moto G Power to learn more.

The Samsung Galaxy A12 is another option, but it is almost twice the price. It does feature 3 GB RAM, improved processor and quad rear cameras. 

There are some other low cost options from TCL and Acatel, but we generally don't suggest these devices.

Where to Buy The Samsung Galaxy A02s

The Galaxy A02s is only available from the Tracfone website at this time but we will continue to update when it becomes more widely available.

Shop the Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A02s for $69

Samsung Galaxy A02s User Manual and Devices Tutorials

Get the Samsung Galaxy A02s User Manual to learn more about the device.

View the Device tutorials to see how to do various actions on the phone.

That concludes our review of the Samsung Galaxy A02s. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions. 

If you are new to Tracfone, start with our Beginners Guide!

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Take a look at some of our recent posts, including a Guide for Making your Airtime Last Longer and Everything you Need to Know about Data Cards.

And don't miss out on the best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales!

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Tracfone 3G Network Closure 2022 - What You Need to Know

Tracfone 3G Shutdown - List of VoLTE Compatible Phones and Closure Dates

The latest news and information from TracfoneReviewer.

Tracfone Closing 3G Networks in 2022

Starting a early in 2019, some Tracfone users received messages from Tracfone that their 3G devices won't work with Tracfone in the near future. Phones must have VoLTE or HD Voice capability to work after the 3G network shutdown.

It has been several years since the initial network closures, and we are nearing the full shutdown of 3G cell networks. 

What does this mean for you and why is it happening? We've got those answers for you plus additional information on phones that are VoLTE capable.

3G Network Shutdown Dates

All major network service providers are shutting down their 3G networks to make room for 4G and 5G expansion. This includes Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Since Tracfone cell phones use these networks, any Tracfone devices that are not 4G capable will also be disconnected. Below are the current network closure dates, but these dates have changed a lot over the last few years (Verizon changed it several times)

Verizon 3G Network Shutdown Date - Dec 31st, 2022

Verizon originally set their network shutdown date in 2019, but have since pushed it back several times to ensure a smooth transition. Most Tracfone users on Verizon's network have already made the switch to a compatible device.

AT&T 3G Network Shutdown Date - Feb 22nd, 2022

AT&T has been fairly consistent with their plan to shut down their 3G network in 2022. But it is possible they may have to push it back to accommodate some systems that are still reliant on their 3G network. Tracfone users, however, should expect to switch to a compatible device before the expected network closure date.

For additional information on the network closure and to check if your device is/was affected visit here.

T-Mobile 3G Network Shutdown Date - July 1st, 2022

T-Mobile has also moved their dates around some, and this is partially due to their acquisition of Sprint in 2020. T-Mobile will be closing all Sprint networks in 2022 and migrating those customers to T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G networks.

These are the tentative 3G network closure dates, but may get pushed back for various reasons.

Why is Tracfone Shutting Down 3G and 2G Networks?

Many users are asking why Tracfone is shutting down their network and forcing them to get a new phone.

The answer is, Tracfone uses Verizon's, AT&T and T-Mobile networks, and they are all shutting down their 2G and 3G networks which will affect all Tracfone devices (GSM or CDMA) using these networks that do not have 4G LTE capability.

2G and 3G networks are outdated network technologies and shutting them down will create additional space for faster networks. 

Why do you need a new phone to get service? The answer is VoLTE/HD Voice capability.

What is VoLTE/HD Voice and Why Do I Need It?
The term VoLTE simply stands for Voice over LTE (with 4G LTE meaning 4th Generation Long Term Evolution) which means phone calls use the LTE data networks rather than the older voice networks. HD Voice is simply high-definition voice calling and also uses 4G LTE network coverage.

In the past (and with many of Tracfone's CDMA/GSM phones), smartphones would use the LTE networks for data, while still using the 2G or 3G networks for voice calls.  Only phones that are VoLTE capable can make voice calls on the 4G LTE network. Thus, with major network providers closing 2G and 3G networks, only VoLTE capable phones will be able to make calls.

Some may be asking why Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile need to close their 2G and 3G networks? The reasoning is that they will be able to repurpose these bands for higher speed 4G LTE and 5G in the future.

Do I Need to Upgrade my Tracfone Cell Phone?
If you received a message from Tracfone that your phone is not compatible, then you will likely need to buy a new phone.

In most cases Tracfone should have already sent you a notification about the need to change/upgrade your device.

Check out the Latest Tracfone Smartphones available for the newest options to upgrade to.

In some cases it seems that the VoLTE capability can be 'turned on' for an account/SIM card. Information is still difficult to nail down, and how or why this works is also a bit murky, but some users have reported several different methods for getting VoLTE on their phone. So far this has been used on devices with Verizon network access but may also work for AT&T devices.

This only is working on somewhat newer phones, like the Samsung Galaxy J3 Sky, Sky Pro, and Luna among others. It may be worth trying before going out to buy a new phone.

To try and enable VoLTE turn off your phone, remove the SIM card and remove the battery (if possible) and wait for 20 minutes. Then reinstall the battery and SIM, and turn the phone on. To check if the phone has VoLTE, make a call and look in the top bar to see if the phone switches from 4G LTE coverage to 4G or 3G. If the phone switches out of 4G LTE, it is not using VoLTE.

Additionally, some users reported transferring service from a non VoLTE enabled device to a VoLTE capable device, and then transferring back and keeping the VoLTE. Activating a new SIM card in your phone may also turn on VoLTE.

Tracfone didn't activate VoLTE on the phones they were selling until more recently, but many are capable, they just need to be activated.

So what phones are VoLTE capable?

List of VoLTE Capable Phones from Tracfone

The phones listed below are compatible with VoLTE according to Tracfone. Any phone currently on the Tracfone website is also compatible. Any recent phones from the last two years are also compatible. This list is not complete, and we will continue to add to it as we learn more.

Tracfone Moto G6 on Amazon

• Samsung Galaxy S7
• Samsung Galaxy J7 Crown
• Samsung Galaxy J3 Orbit
• Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro
• Samsung Galaxy J3 Luna Pro
• Samsung Galaxy J2
• Samsung Galaxy A10e
• Motorola Moto G6
• Motorola Moto E5
• LG Fiesta 2
• LG Stylo 4
• LG Stylo 3
• LG Premier Pro
• LG Rebel 4
• LG Rebel 3
• LG Rebel 2
• LG Journey
• LG Solo LTE
• Alcatel TCL LX
• Alcatel TCL A1
• Alcatel MyFlip
• ZTE Blade T2
• ZTE ZFIVE C
• ZTE Z233
• iPhone 6 or newer

What About Unlocked Phones?
For unlocked devices, almost all recently released phones are VoLTE compatible. Here is a list of compatible phones that is from 2017 but includes which older devices (such as the iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy S5) have VoLTE.

Here is a list from AT&T showing all compatible phones on their network.

For those who might want to dig deeper there is a lengthy thread on HowardForums on this topic.

Leave a comment if you have questions, thoughts or additional information. We will continue to update this post as more details emerge.

Join us over on Facebook with a growing community to stay up on all the latest news and information.

If you are new to Tracfone start with our Beginners Guide or take a look at 6 Ways to Check your Tracfone Airtime.

Also don't miss our list of the best Deals, Discounts and Sales on Tracfone devices.

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Tracfone Best Smartphone Deals & Sales - October 2021

 Best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales for October 2021

Everyone wants a good deal and to save some money, especially when buying an expensive phone and there are so many different places to buy from!

We are here to help with the best prices on recent Tracfone smartphones and unlocked devices! We track and monitor various deals online and each month we gather the best prices on popular Tracfone smartphones and provide the updated deals to our readers below. Some of these deals include airtime bundles, and others just the phone. (The best value usually includes airtime bundles).

Prices and deals can change often, sometimes going up or down. We've included both Tracfone smartphone deals and several unlocked phones that can be used with Tracfone BYOP.

Keep up with the newest phones in our Latest list of Tracfone Smartphones (2021) like the newly available TCL A3X and Samsung Galaxy A32 5G.

Now let's get to the deals.

Tracfone Deals and Sales List October 2021

Samsung Galaxy A12

The Galaxy A12 was just released in the summer of 2021 and comes with a huge 6.5" touchscreen, octa-core processor and quad-rear camera setup. It also features 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage. It is the most budget friendly of the recent Samsung lineup, with the Galaxy A32 also just newly released but with a higher price tag. The Galaxy A12 is a great smartphone option for the price, and there is a limited-time sale from HSN:

Get the Samsung Galaxy A12 on QVC with airtime bundle for $134

Get the Samsung Galaxy A12 on HSN with airtime bundle for $159

Shop the Samsung Galaxy A12 on eBay for $149

Alcatel TCL A3X

The A3X is newly available and comes with Android 11. It also features a 6" screen, triple rear cameras, 3 GB RAM and an octa-core processor. For the price, it is hard to beat but the brand doesn't have the best history in reliability so keep that in mind. 

Shop the TCL A3X on HSN with airtime bundle for $99

Moto G Stylus

The Moto G Stylus (2021 version) packs a lot into one phone in this price range. It comes with a 6.8" screen, 128 GB internal storage, 4 GB RAM, 48 MP quad-rear camera system and octa-core processor. There is a detachable stylus for using with the massive screen, and the phone has battery life up to two days. 

Get the Moto G Stylus on HSN with airtime bundle for $189

Get the Moto G Stylus on eBay for $199

Moto G Power

Bringing a lot of great performance, the Moto G Power has a 6.4" touchscreen, 64 GB internal storage, 4 GB RAM, 16 MP rear camera and runs on Android 10. It also packs in a big battery for multi-day performance while also featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 octa-core processor. Check out our Review of the Moto G Power for the full specs and details. It has been available for almost a year now, and prices are very reasonable at this time.

Get the Moto G Power on eBay with airtime bundle for $119

Tracfone Moto E 

Newly available in early 2021, the updated Moto E is a low cost option that still offers great performance for the price. It comes with a 6.2" screen, Octa-core processor, Android 10 and 32 GB internal storage. It also features dual rear cameras and a fingerprint sensor. 

Find the Moto e on Amazon for $59

Find the Moto e on eBay for $59

LG K31 Rebel

The latest version from the popular LG Rebel line, the K31 features a 5.7" screen, Octa-core processor, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage and runs Android 10. It also features a rear 13 + 5MP rear camera and 5MP front. It is a pretty basic budget phone but for light users it is a great low-cost option.

For the full specs and more, see our Review of the LG K31 Rebel. 

Get the LG K31 Rebel on Amazon for $43

Get the LG K31 Rebel on eBay with airtime bundle for $99

Samsung Galaxy A21

As the big brother to the A11, the A21 features a slightly larger, 6.5" touchscreen, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB storage and quad rear camera setup. It also comes with Android 10 and 4,000 mAh battery. While it has some great features, the price does run a bit high compared to some other phones like the Moto G Power which has more RAM and storage.

Get the Samsung Galaxy A21 on QVC with airtime bundle for $143

Unlocked Smartphones for Tracfone BYOP

Want a little more flexibility in the phones you can buy" Plus if you ever want to change to a different network service provider, you can bring your phone with you. Tracfone BYOP allows you to buy an unlocked smartphone and use it with a Tracfone provided SIM card. 

Moto G Play (2021)

Unlocked and capable of running on all major networks, the Moto G Play has a large, 6.5" screen, 32 GB storage, 3 GB RAM and runs Android 10. It also features a water-repellent design and up to 3 days of battery life.

Get the Moto G Play (unlocked) on Amazon for $159

Moto G Power (2021)

Unlocked and ready to connect on any major network, the Moto G Power comes with a 6.6" screen, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, Snapdragon 662 Octa-core processor, and Android 10. It also features a water-repellent design and up to 3 days of battery life from a 5,000 mAh battery.

Get the Moto G Power (unlocked) on Amazon for $199

That concludes our deals and sales list and hope these help you get the best price on a new smartphone!

Leave a comment below with any thoughts or questions and also join us on Facebook to connect with our growing community and get the latest info.

All the phones in our list above are VoLTE capable according to Tracfone, but you may want to take a look at updates to our post about Tracfone Closing their 3G CDMA network and how it may affect you.

Keep up with the latest in 5G network access with Tracfone including 5G Coverage maps! And a list of Tracfone 5G phones.

If you're new to Tracfone, start with our Beginners Guide which shares helpful information about how it all works.

And finally don't miss out on our Tracfone Promo Code list with many different codes to get free minutes when adding airtime!

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Tracfone Promo Codes for October 2021

 Tracfone Promo Code List - October 2021

Tracfone Promo Code list for October 2021

Fall is here, temperatures are dropping, and we are sharing new Tracfone promo codes for our readers!

Each month we post new codes from around the web after we test them for our readers and visitors to use for free.

To get the free minutes, just enter the code when buying or adding airtime online, on your phone, or over the phone. Some codes are for use with certain devices, or can only be used a few times.

Be sure to double check that you get the bonus airtime, as Tracfone has had issues lately with actually adding the bonus airtime to customers account balance. 

Below are codes for regular airtime cards, add-on cards, and smartphone only cards. Select the code for the card you will use, and enjoy the bonus minutes!

These are just the latest codes, but we also have many more options listed on our main Tracfone promo code page.

Don't miss out on the newest phones from Tracfone, like the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G or the Moto G Power, with our List of the Latest Tracfone Smartphones.

Let's get tot he codes!

Tracfone Promo Code List October 2021

For Smartphone Airtime Cards

41363 - 100 bonus Talk - $15 Smartphone Card - October 2021

81933 - 100 bonus Data - $25 Smartphone Card - working October 2021

85254 - 100 bonus Data - $25 Smartphone Card - working October 2021

56955 - 200 bonus Talk - $35 Smartphone Card - working October 2021

69458 - 500 bonus Data - 1 GB Data Card - working October 2021

78439 - 500 bonus Data - 1 GB Data Card - working October 2021

22448 - $50 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - working October 2021

37329 - $15 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - working October 2021

41667 - $15 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - working October 2021

45529 - $15 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - working October 2021

67472 - $15 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - working October 2021

Regular Airtime Cards

55698 - 20 bonus minutes - 60, 120, 200 and 450 minute airtime cards - October 2021

83597 - $15 off (online only) - October 2021

42283 - $15 off (online only) - working October 2021

38085 - $15 off (online only) - working October 2021

These are the latest promo codes from Tracfone for October 2021. We hope these codes worked for you and leave a comment below with any thoughts or questions. If you didn't get your bonus minutes, check out our recent post on what to do.

What is the best Tracfone smartphone? Check out our updated post to find out!

New to Tracfone? Start with our Beginners Guide which walks through the basics of how it all works and some resources for learning more about adding airtime, activating new phones or getting the best deals. Or learn more about the new Unlimited Smartphone Cards and how they work.

How secure is your phone? We just shared the top Smartphone Security Tips!

Join us on Facebook for all the latest posts and send us a message if you have questions!

Don't miss out on the best Tracfone Deals and Sales including unlocked phones for Tracfone BYOP.

And lastly, get 7 Tips to Make your Airtime Last Longer plus data saving tips!

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