Showing posts with label LG Smartphones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LG Smartphones. Show all posts

December 9, 2020

LG K31 Rebel Review (L355DL) - Tracfone Review

 Tracfone LG K31 Rebel Review (L355DL) - Android Smartphone

tracfone l355dl review user manual

The LG K31 Rebel features a 5.7" touchscreen, 32 GB storage, 2 GB RAM and an Octa-core processor. It also comes with a 13 + 5 MP dual rear camera setup, and Android 10, the latest operating system at this time.

Several new LG smartphones have come to Tracfone recently, including the LG Premier Pro Plus, LG Reflect, and now the LG K31 Rebel.

The K31 is the smallest and least expensive option of the three, and the latest in the LG Rebel lineup, replacing the popular LG Rebel 4.

Let's take a look at the pro's and con's for the LG L355DL Rebel.

LG K31 Rebel Quick Facts

What We Like:
-32GB storage
-Android 10
-Octa-core processor
-Reasonable price
-Small size

What We Don't Like:
-Only 2 GB RAM

The LG K31 Rebel comes with a lot of great features in a small size, something we don't see as much of anymore as most phones stretch to the largest possible screen size. The Moto G Power, by comparison, is half an inch taller, and more than a quarter of an inch wider. which might not sound like a lot, but can make a big difference for those with smaller pockets, or smaller hands. 

The Rebel is clearly targeting consumers who want the small size of phones from a few years ago, or just need a backup device that isn't going to take up much space.

Let's take a look at the full list of features and specs to see what else K31 Rebel offers.

Tracfone LG K31 Rebel (L355DL) Features and Specs

Below are the features, followed by the technical specs.
  • Android 10
  • 4G LTE Coverage (Verizon)
  • WiFi
  • GPS
  • Accelerometer
  • Bluetooth 5
  • Alarm Clock
  • Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play Store
  • Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
  • Hearing Aid compatible
  • SMS/MMS
  • MIL-STD-810G compliant
LG Premier Pro Plus Technical Specs
  • Size: 5.82" x 2.79" x 0.34" and 5.15 OZ
  • Camera: Dual rear camera: 13 + 5 MP wide angle with front 5 MP selfie camera
  • Screen: 5.7" HD+ 1560x720 display (IPS LCD)
  • Processor: 2.0 Ghz Octa-core Processor (Mediatek Helio P22 MT6762)
  • Memory: 2 GB
  • Storage: 32 GB (additional storage via MicroSDXC card)
  • Battery: 3,000 mAh (non-removable) with 11.5hrs talk time, 13 days standby
The manufacturer of the K31 Rebel is one of the largest electronics companies in the world with cell phones one of their strengths. LG has a variety of different phones ranging from budget to flagship and a number of them are compatible with the Tracfone BYOP program (such as the powerful LG G8).

Looking through the specs on the L355DL we see some nice improvements over previous LG models including the HD+ touchscreen and octa-core processor. However, some of the specs, such as the RAM, don't seem to be a significant improvement over last years models such as the Journey or Solo or Rebel 4.

Let's get into the full review to find out.

Tracfone LG K31 Rebel (L355DL) Review

Touchscreen

While most phones aim for larger and larger screens (and often without actually increasing the size of the phone by much), the K31 Rebel settles on the 5.7" IPS LCD screen. It has a resolution of 720x1560 that gives it a pixel density of 299, which is about average. Overall the screen is sharp and bright, but not quite at the level of more expensive devices with higher resolution.

The K31 Rebel has one of the smallest screen sizes currently available from Tracfone with most other phones featuring screens in the 6"-6.5" range. If a small screen and small phone are important factors in your buying decision, the Rebel is one of the only options. 

LG K31 Rebel L355dl specs

Internal Performance - RAM, Processor, and Storage

The performance on the K31 Rebel is good thanks to the 2.0 Ghz Octa-core processor but it could be better if the phone came with more than the 2 GB RAM currently available. 

Everyday use of the phone, including surfing the web, using social media apps and basic games will function well. However, more resource intensive games or apps will strain the device, and likely run into performance lag. But with the small screen size, most gamers would be looking elsewhere for a new phone.

The Rebel also has 32 GB internal storage and a MicroSDXC slot for extra storage.

Surprisingly the K31 Rebel shares the same internal specs as the LG Premier Pro Plus and the LG Reflect (with the exception that the Reflect has 3 GB RAM) even though both have much larger screens, and higher price tags. 

Camera

Dual rear cameras are becoming the norm and the K31 Rebel comes with a 13+5 MP setup for capturing the portrait style photos and ultra-wide angle. It also features Phase Detect Auto Focus (PDAF), LED flash, HDR and panorama. 

On the front the Rebel has a 5MP selfie shooter. The cameras take surprisingly nice photos for the price point this phone comes in at, and they work great for capturing a moment and sharing with friends and family on social media. 

For video, the phone has 1080p 30fps on both the front and rear cameras.

Take a look at our 8 Tips to Take Better Photos on your Smartphone.

Battery

The K31 Rebel's small size leads to a small battery that is just 3,000 mAh and has about 11 hrs talk time and 13 days on standby. This will generally last a full day with low to moderate usage.

The battery performance isn't too far off from many of LG's other smartphones, but far less than devices such as the Moto G Power which has a 5,000 mAh battery that easily lasts two or more days.

Android OS

The LG K31 comes with the new Android 10, the latest version, which has both performance and security improvements over past versions. It also has a number of new features such as gesture navigation, location privacy controls, better notification controls and the ability to create or scan QR codes for your WiFi network.

The phone also comes with LG's UX 9.1 which is a custom skin offering visual adjustments and features over the stock Android OS.

Get the most from your smartphone with out list of the Best Android Apps.

Overall Design

The design of the K31 Rebel is fairly straightforward with LG's normal button locations on the side of the phone. The Tracfone version does not have a finger print sensor while the unlocked version does appear to have a fingerprint sensor on the back. The screen has a notch in the center for the front facing camera, and the bezel on the bottom is a little larger than most devices. But the phone is small, and easily fits in the hand or pocket. 

At the bottom of the phone are the charging and 3.5mm ports. The Rebel is MIL-STD-810G compliant, meaning it is made to handle more rugged conditions. But specifics on what the K31 Rebel can handle are unclear, so we don't recommended testing the durability of the phone.

Conclusion

The LG K31 Rebel is a low-cost, smaller-sized smartphone that is designed for users who don't need, or want a bigger phone. Yet it still offers many of the same performance and features of LG's other Tracfone smartphones. 

Whether you are looking for a backup phone, or just prefer a device that is easy to hold, but still has updated features and performance, the LG K31 Rebel is a great option.

If you are looking for a little more, and are willing to spend a little more, there are a number of other great options, such as the Moto G Optimo MAXX, Moto G Power, or Samsung Galaxy A20.

LG Rebel 4 vs LG K31 Rebel

For Tracfone customers that have the LG Rebel 4, the question is, should you upgrade?

The LG K31 Rebel offers a number of great improvements over the Rebel 4, including more internal storage, better performance, updated Android OS, bigger screen (but almost the same physical size), improved cameras, and a number of other minor feature upgrades.

So should you upgrade? Well if you like the size of the Rebel 4 but the performance is slow, the K31 Rebel will make a great upgrade that is still a similar size. If you are looking for more performance or a larger screen, consider the LG Reflect, or the Moto G Power.

See all the new phones in our List of the Latest Tracfone Smartphones.

Where to Buy the LG K31 Rebel

The K31 is available from a number of online sources, and include several offers with airtime bundles.

View the LG K31 Rebel with airtime bundle on HSN
View the LG K31 Rebel with airtime bundle on QVC
View the LG K31 Rebel on Amazon

Get 2 LG K31 Rebels in this special deal from HSN


LG K31 Rebel User Manual and Tutorials

View the LG K31 Rebel User Manual

Find help for the LG K31 with the Device Tutorials

That concludes our review of the LG K31 Rebel from Tracfone. We hope you found it useful and leave a comment with any thoughts or questions.

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

Join us over on Facebook for the latest news and posts or send us a message for more direct help questions.

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 our monthly Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales!

Thanks for visiting!

October 19, 2020

LG Stylo 5 (L722DL) Tracfone Review

 LG Stylo 5 Review - Tracfone Smartphone

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer where we share the latest news, reviews and Tracfone promo codes!

Tracfone LG Stylo 5 review

The LG Stylo 5 from Tracfone comes with a 6.2" touchscreen, 13 MP camera, 32 GB internal storage and a octa-core processor. It is newly available with Tracfone mid 2020, although it has been available unlocked for much longer.

From the popular Stylo lineup made by LG, the Stylo 5 continues the trend of a detachable stylus and large touchscreen while also offering several other improvements including increased internal storage, and newer Android OS.  

But it is also surprising to see a number of the same features on the Stylo 5 as the previous generation, including the same processor, screen size and rear camera megapixels. 

Plus, Tracfone has released several other smartphones with large screens and good performance, like the Moto G7 Optimo MAXX and Samsung Galaxy A20 and even others (visit our Latest List of Tracfone Smartphones to learn moe). 

Does the LG Stylo 5 bring enough features to make the price worth while? Let's get into our pro's and con's for the Stylo 5.

LG Stylo 5 Quick Facts
What we Like:
-Large 6.2" screen
-32 GB internal storage

What we Don't Like:
-Expensive - $150-200
-Several features are the same as previous version

We see some nice features coming with the Stylo 5 which we will go into more detail further on including the screen and storage. But it just seems like this phone was somehow delayed for many months and came out at a time when many other Tracfone devices are being released with much more impressive features.

But let's take a look at the full list of specs and features on the Stylo 5 to learn more.

Tracfone LG Stylo 5 (L722DL) Features and Specs

Below are the features, followed by the technical specs.

  • Android 9 Pie
  • 4G LTE Coverage
  • WiFi
  • GPS
  • Accelerometer
  • Bluetooth 5
  • Fingerprint sensor
  • Alarm Clock
  • Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play Store
  • Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
  • SMS/MMS
  • Detachable Stylus

LG Stylo 5 Technical Specs

  • Size: 6.33" x 3.09" x 0.34" and 6.38 OZ
  • Camera: 13 MP rear camera and 5 MP wide angle front camera
  • Screen: 6.2" HD+ Full Vision 1080x2160 display
  • Processor: 1.8 GHz octa-core processor (SDM450)
  • Memory: 3 GB
  • Storage: 32 GB (Up to 2 TB additional storage via Micro SD card)
  • Battery: 3,500 mAh (non-removable) with 21hrs talk time, 20 days standby
The manufacturer of the Stylo 5 is one of the largest electronics companies in the world with cell phones one of their strengths. LG has a variety of different phones ranging from budget to flagship and a number of them are compatible with the Tracfone BYOP program (such as the powerful LG G8).

Looking through the specs on the L722DL Stylo 5, we see some improvements over previous LG models like the updated Android OS, increased RAM and more internal storage. However, some of the specs, such as the processor, are not a significant improvement over last years model.

Let's get into the full review to learn how this may affect the overall phone.

Tracfone LG Stylo 5 Review

Touchscreen
Starting off with the screen, we get a 6.2" IPS LCD touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080x2160. The pixel density is at a good place with 390ppi which helps give it a crisp, clear display. While this is the same size and resolution as the previous model, the Stylo 5 uses the better IPS LCD rather than TFT on the Stylo 4. Overall it is a good screen with good brightness capabilities and it doesn't have the tear drop notch that many smartphones are using these days for the front facing camera.

Performance - RAM, Storage and Processor
This is where the Stylo 5 just isn't as impressive as some other recent smartphones from Tracfone. It comes with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal memory, which is a nice improvement over many older Tracfone smartphones, and it also has an Octa-core processor. 

However, the Stylo 5 actually has the same processor as the previous model, the Stylo 4. While the Snapdragon 450 processor was relatively new for the Stylo 4, using the now 3 year old processor again for the Stylo 5 puts it at a performance disadvantage compared to almost any other recent smartphone from Tracfone. 

For general phone actions such as texting, browsing the web or light gaming, the Stylo 5 will perform just fine. But we have some concerns about the performance for any more resource intensive activities.

The processor isn't bad, it's just a bit older and underpowered compared to many of the processors on newer phones. 

When it comes to internal storage and RAM, Tracfone has just recently released two phones that offer 4 GB RAM/64 GB storage which many customers have asked for. The Samsung Galaxy A50 and Moto G Power offer some serious performance, and are only a little more expensive.

Camera
A 13 MP rear shooter is on the Stylo 5 with Phase Detect Auto Focus for better autofocus performance in videos and in darker environments. There are a umber of other features also included such as Burst shutter, Timer, and Flash.

The Front camera is a very standard 5 MP wide view camera capable of selfies and more.

The cameras on the Stylo 5 are good and capable of capturing some nice images. There are several other smartphones from Tracfone now that have double or even triple rear cameras for capturing portrait style photos and more. If 

For video, the Stylo 5 has 1080 HD recording at 30 fps which works well for capturing videos to share with friends or family.

If you're looking to get better images, see our 8 Tips for Better Cell Phone Pictures.

Battery
The Stylo 5 comes with a non-removable 3,500 mAh battery which will produce about average screen time compared to other devices. It has about 21 hrs talk time, and 20 days on standby.

It certainly doesn't have as long of a battery life as some other recent smartphones like the Moto G7 Optimo MAXX, which can last up to two days on a single charge. 

Android OS
The LG L722DL comes shipped with Android 9 Pie. It's a relatively recent version of the OS but we hope to see an upgrade available for Android 10 as some other devices have been getting on Tracfone.

There are also several Tracfone devices that are now available with Android 10, which is the latest, and it is usually good idea to get a phone with the most recent operating system as possible for the best features and security.

See our List of the Best Apps for Android to get the most from your phone!

Overall Design
The design of the Stylo 5 includes a number of great features like a fingerprint sensor on the back, a metal band around the outside edge of the phone for extra durability, and a detachable stylus for using on the touchscreen.

The stylus, which is perhaps the highlight of the phone, works smoothly on the screen and is great for drawing or writing notes. There aren't many phones with a stylus, and especially not in this price range.

The power button is on the right side, while the volume buttons are on the left. On the bottom is a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C charging port, and the stylus. 

Conclusion
While the LG Stylo 5 has some great features and performs well overall, it seems like it was released a year too late. There are a number of other smartphones from Tracfone now that have better features for a similar price. 

Want a phone with a larger screen? Want a device with more storage or performance? Want a better camera? You can find all those things in some of the new releases from Tracfone including the LG Reflect, Samsung Galaxy A50 and Moto G Power.

The bottom line is that the LG Stylo is a pretty good smartphone overall, but there are better options in almost every category available and most customers would want to get the most for their money.

Get all the information on new phones from Tracfone in our Latest List of Tracfone Smartphones.

Where to Buy the LG Stylo 5

There are currently several online places to get the Stylo 5, with some options including airtime bundles that usually make for the best overall deal.

Get the LG Stylo 5 on Amazon with Airtime Bundle for $149
Get the LG Stylo 5 on Tracfone for $149
Get the LG Stylo 5 on HSN with airtime bundle for $199

We will add more options as they become available.

Tracfone LG Stylo 5 User Manual and Tutorials

Get the LG Stylo 5 User Manual to learn more about this phone by following the link (PDF).

Also view the Device Tutorials for additional testing or questions. 

That concludes our review of the LG Stylo 5 from Tracfone. We hope you found it useful and leave a comment with any thoughts or questions.

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

Join us over on Facebook for the latest news and posts or send us a message for more direct help questions.

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 our monthly Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales!

Thanks for visiting!

July 21, 2020

LG Premier Pro Plus (L455DL) Tracfone Review

LG Premier Pro Plus Review - Tracfone Smartphone

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer! We share news, reviews and Tracfone promo codes!
LG premier pro plus l455dl review tracfone
Tracfone LG Premier Pro Plus Review

The LG Premier Pro Plus, newly available with Tracfone in 2020, has a big, 6.1" screen, 32 GB internal storage, 2 GB RAM, Android 9 and dual rear cameras. 

While Tracfone offers a wide variety of smartphones from different manufactures, the Premier Pro Plus is the latest LG phone from Tracfone since 2019 when we saw the LG Solo LTE and LG Journey

It offers increased internal storage compared to the Solo and Journey, although all three only have 2 GB RAM. The Premier Pro Plus does have the largest screen of the trio. 

Tracfone offers a number of other smartphones with 32 GB internal storage including the Samsung Galaxy A20 and Moto G Optimo MAXX. See all the new devices in our Latest list of Tracfone Smartphones.

Let's look at the pro's and con's for the L455DL

LG Premier Pro Plus Quick Facts

What we Like
32 GB internal storage
Duel rear camera
Octa-core processor
Reasonable price

What we Don't Like
Only 2 GB RAM

There are a number of great features and improvements on the Premier Pro Plus (although we wouldn't count the long name as one), such as the increased storage over previous LG phones, the Octa-core processor and the dual rear camera setup. But we also still see the same amount of RAM as phones from several years ago which isn't all that exciting.

How will the Premier Pro Plus stack up and is it worth an upgrade? Let's get into he full list of specs to find out.

Tracfone LG Premier Pro Plus (L455DL) Features and Specs

Below are the features, followed by the technical specs.
  • Android 9 Pie
  • 4G LTE Coverage
  • WiFi
  • GPS
  • Accelerometer
  • Bluetooth 5
  • Fingerprint sensor
  • Alarm Clock
  • Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play Store
  • Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
  • SMS/MMS
LG Premier Pro Plus Technical Specs
  • Size: 6.15" x 2.92" x 0.34" and 6.1 OZ
  • Camera: Dual Rear camera 13 MP and 5 MP wide angle with front: 8 MP selfie camera
  • Screen: 6.1" HD+ 1560x720 display
  • Processor: 2.0 Ghz Octa-core Processor (Mediatek Helio P22 MT6762)
  • Memory: 2 GB
  • Storage: 32 GB (Up to 2 TB additional storage via Micro SD card)
  • Battery: 3,500 mAh (non-removable) with 17.5hrs talk time, 12 days standby
The manufacturer of the Premier Pro Plus is one of the largest electronics companies in the world with cell phones one of their strengths. LG has a variety of different phones ranging from budget to flagship and a number of them are compatible with the Tracfone BYOP program (such as the powerful LG G8).

Looking through the specs on the L455DL we see some nice improvements over previous LG models including the larger HD+ touchscreen and octa-core processor. However, some of the specs, such as the RAM, don't seem to be a significant improvement over last years models such as the Journey or Solo.

Let's get into the full review to find out.

Tracfone LG Premier Pro Plus Review

Touchscreen
The Premier Pro Plus comes with a 6.1" HD+ display that has a resolution of 1560x720 for a pixel density of about 282. While the pixel density is about average, the screen itself is big and bright for a budget phone. A nice upgrade over older models. There is a pronounced notch in the top of the screen for the front facing camera.
LG Premier Pro Plus review and specs
LG Premier Pro Plus front and back view

Internal Specs - Storage, Processor and RAM
A decent amount of internal storage space comes with the Premier Pro Plus, as we have seen on most of the new phones Tracfone has been releasing. Of the 32 GB of space, about 16 GB are actually usable. There is also a MicroSD card slot for expanding the storage.

The Octa-core 2.0 Ghz processor is a mid-level chip that balances performance with price. It is capable of running the dual-rear cameras smoothly, and handling most games and apps without issues.

Where the Premier Pro Plus might struggle a little is with multitasking and resource intensive applications. That's because it only has 2 GB RAM. 

Camera
The LG Premier Pro Plus has a dual-rear camera setup on the back of the phone along with an LED flash. The cameras, one a 13 MP and the other a 5 MP wide shooter, have fast autofocus and a variety of shooting modes including portrait and HDR. On the front is an 8 MP camera with facial recognition and more.


Battery
On the Premier Pro Plus we see a 3,500 mAh battery that is non-removable. Nothing too surprising or interesting when it comes to the battery other than the USB Type-C charging port. It has decent performance at 17.5 hrs talk time, and 12 days standby. It might not make it through a full day on a single charge with heavy use. For those looking for a phone with significant battery life, look into the Moto G Optimo MAXX.

Android OS
The LG L455DL comes shipped with Android 9 Pie. It's a relatively recent version of the OS but we hope to see an upgrade available for Android 10 as some other devices have been getting on Tracfone.

See our List of the Best Apps for Android to get the most form your phone!

Overall Design
LG has made some nice design improvements for the Premier Pro Plus with a metal frame design, 2.5D Arc Glass and an overall sleek look compared to previous generations. It doesn't have the same look or feel as more expensive models, but it also doesn't look like a cheap budget phone.

Located on the back is the fingerprint sensor, and on the bottom are the charging port and 3.5mm headphone jack.

Conclusion
With the LG Premier Pro Plus we see a nice, large screen, good performance and storage, and a decent camera. It is not the most powerful phone, but performs pretty well. For LG fans it will make a nice upgrade over older smartphones. Just be aware that Tracfone might release some other LG phones, like the Stylo 5, sometime later this year.

There are several other recent phones from Tracfone that offer bigger screens, longer battery life, or better performance. The Samsung Galaxy A20 or Moto G Optimo MAXX or two such devices.

Also consider taking a look at our list of the Best Tracfone Smartphones to see what is at the top of the line.

Where to Buy the LG Premier  Pro Plus

There are currently a few online places to get the Premier Pro Plus, with some options including airtime bundles that usually make for the best overall deal.

Get the LG Premier Pro Plus on HSN with airtime bundle for $99

We will add more options as they become available.

Tracfone LG Premier Pro Plus User Manual and Tutorials


Get the LG Premier Pro Plus User Manual to learn more about this phone by following the link (PDF).

Also view the Device Tutorials for additional testing or questions. 

That concludes our review of the LG Premier Pro Plus from Tracfone. We hope you found it useful and leave a comment with any thoughts or questions.

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

Join us over on Facebook for the latest news and posts or send us a message for more direct help questions.

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 our monthly Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales!

Thanks for visiting!

August 23, 2018

LG Stylo 4 (L713VL) Tracfone Review

Tracfone LG Stylo 4 (L713VL) Smartphone Review

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer - with News, Reviews and more about Tracfone Wireless.

Tracfone lg stylo 4 l713dl review
LG Stylo 4 Review Tracfone
UDPATE: When first released, the Stylo 4 was incorrectly listed as compatible with CDMA networks but the phone was actually shipped with GSM compatible SIM cards which has since been unlisted. The CDMA version is now available from HSN and Amazon

It has been several months since Tracfone released a new device but they have surprised us with something unique in the form of the LG Stylo 4 (L713VL). It follows in the line of previous LG Stylo devices, including the Stylo 3 which we reviewed earlier this year, and the Stylo 2 from a couple years back. The main differences with the Stylo 4 is the amazing screen it comes with.

There are not many smartphones with a screen larger than 6" but Tracfone has just released the LG Stylo 4 which features a massive 6.2" screen. If you prefer larger screens, this might be a great option for you. The phone also comes with 16 GB internal storage, 2 GB RAM, an octa-core processor and 13MP rear camera.

Another big feature on the new Stylo 4 is the Android 8.1 Oreo operating system it comes with. Most Tracfone smartphones are still running older Android versions so users may find it very enticing to upgrade to the latest OS. (note that Android 9 Pie is just starting to be released, but only for flagship phones)

Let's look at the quick facts for our pro's and con's on the Stylo 4:

LG Stylo 4 Quick Facts

What we Like
-Large 6.2" screen with great resolution
-Android 8.1 Oreo
-13 MP Rear Camera with Auto-focus and Portrait mode

What we Don't Like
-Only CDMA version available (at this time)
-Only 16 GB Storage and 2 GB RAM
-A little expensive (comparison to Moto G6 Play below)

The huge screen with great resolution plus Android Oreo are two key factors that make the Stylo 4 very interesting. But like many Tracfone devices, it is limited in that it only has 16 GB storage and 2 GB RAM.

Another key bit of information to note is that this phone is for use with CDMA networks on Tracfone (primarily Verizon cell towers) and we don't see any information about a GSM version coming anytime soon. Tracfone has released very few GSM smartphones in the last year as they appear to be catering towards CDMA users or markets.

As for Triple Minutes for Life, the Stylo 4 does not come with it as far as we can tell. Tracfone's plan is to not include it with any phones released past April 2017 and they appear to be sticking with this policy. For more on this, visit our Guide to Tracfone Ends Triple Minutes.

Now here are the full list of features and specs for the Stylo 4.

Tracfone LG Stylo 4 (L713DL) Features and Specs

Below are the features followed by the technical specs
  • Android 8.1 Oreo
  • 4G LTE capable using CDMA networks (Verizon)
  • WiFi 802.11b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • GPS
  • Alarm
  • Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play
  • MP3 Player
  • Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
  • SMS and MMS
  • USB-C Port
  • Accelerometer
  • USB Cable/Charger
LG Stylo 4 Technical Specifications 
  • Size: 6.30'' (H) x 3.06'' (W) x 0.33'' (D) and 6.07 oz
  • Camera: 13 MP Rear Camera with Phase Detect Auto Focus (PDAF), flash, portrait mode and more. 5 MP Front Camera
  • Screen: 6.2" FHD FullVision TFT display at 2160x1080 resolution
  • Processor: 1.8GHz Octa-Core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ SDM450
  • Memory: 2 GB
  • Storage: 16 GB (about 8 GB usable) and up to 256 GB via Micro SD Card
  • Battery: 3300 mAh with 13hrs talk time/11 days standby
The manufacturer of the Stylo 4 is one of the largest electronics manufactures in the world. LG has a variety of different phones ranging from budget to flagship and a number of them are compatible with the Tracfone BYOP program.

There is actually an unlocked version of the Stylo 4 on Amazon with slightly different features. It comes with 32 GB internal storage, 3 GB RAM and is compatible with both GSM and CDMA networks. Beyond these differences it appears to be the same and is currently listed for $50 more than the Tracfone version.

Let's get intot the details of what the LG Stylo 4 has to offer with our full review.

Tracfone LG Stylo 4 (L713DL) Review

Touchscreen
The biggest feature (pun intended) on the Stylo 4 is the screen at 6.2" with a resolution of 2160x1080. It is larger than the previous model (the Stylo 3 had just a 5.7" screen) and has the best resolution of any phone from Tracfone in this price range. It also features the popular 18:9 screen ratio.

The screen is so large that the phone includes a stylus, which is helpful for some users. In many cases we see large screens sacrificing on PPI - Pixels Per Inch, where a higher PPI is generally better. The Stylo 4 has about 390 PPI making it better than most other Tracfone devices in this category.

A large screen does make it easier to watch media, or type on the keyboard, however it also makes it more challenging to handle or fit in a pocket. Smartphones with large screens aren't for everyone, but if you do prefer it, the Stylo 4 comes with a very good screen for the price.

lg stylo 4 l713dl specs
LG Stylo 4 Review

Internal Specs - Processor, RAM and Memory
The Stylo 4 comes with the standard 16 GB storage/2 GB RAM almost every other Tracfone smartphone in this price range has come with in the last year. This phone only has about 8 GB storage space for the user to install apps and save pictures so you will find this very limiting. But if you don't plan to run very many apps, it is less of an issue.

The processor on the Stylo 4 is actually quite good, featuring a 1.8 Ghz Octo-core processor from Qualcomm. It is a powerful yet efficient processor that was recently released.

The processor on the Stylo 4 won't hold users back, but the RAM and Memory might so keep that in mind.

Camera
A 13 MP rear shooter is on the Stylo 4 with Phase Detect Auto Focus for better autofocus performance in videos and in darker environments. There are a umber of other features also included such as Portrait mode, Burst shutter, Timer, and Flash.

The Front camera is a very standard 5 MP wide view camera capable of selfies and more.

The cameras on the Stylo 4 are good and capable of capturing some nice images. This phone easily has one of the better cameras versus other Tracfone devices in this price range.

For video, the Stylo 4 has 1080 HD recording at 30 fps which works well for capturing videos to share with friends or family.

If you're looking to get better images, see our 8 Tips for Better Cell Phone Pictures.

Battery
The battery capacity is 3300 mAh which gives users approximately 13hrs of talk time and about 11 days on standby. With the size of the phone we would have expected a larger battery, like the 4000 mAh battery in the Moto G6 Play. With the help of the new efficient processor, the battery life is pretty good overall.

Android OS
The Stylo 4 is the first Tracfone smartphone to feature the newer Android 8.1 Oreo operating system. With each new Android iteration there comes a variety of cosmetic and functional changes, usually for the better, that help with the efficiency and usability of the phone.

Because Tracfone smartphones are not able to receive Android updates like unlocked devices, it is important when purchasing a new phone to make sure you get one with a newer OS so you don't have to worry about security issues in much older versions.

See Best Android Apps for Tracfone

Conclusion
With any phone in the budget price range it will have to sacrifice in some areas to keep the price low and with the Stylo 4 we see that especially in the storage and RAM for the phone. However, the screen and processor are both quite good, leading to a great overall experience as long as you don't need a lot of storage and won't be playing resource intensive games or applications.

The fact that it also features Android Oreo is also a huge plus, and the camera on the Stylo 4 is also good for a phone at this price.

The main consideration for most users will be if they want a phone with a 6.2" screen which will be great for watching videos but may be hard to hold or fit in a pocket. For a phone with a smaller screen but otherwise similar features, consider the LG Premier Pro.

Let's look at what may be the closest competitor, the Moto G6 Play.

Comparison: LG Stylo 4 vs Moto G6 Play

The Moto G6 Play is an unlocked smartphone available at the same price, about $199, and has a variety of pro's and con's compared to the LG Stylo 4.

The Moto G6 Play has more RAM, at 3 GB and also more internal storage, 32 GB, compared to the Stylo 4. The G6 is unlocked and compatible with either GSM or CDMA networks and can be used with Tracfone BYOP. As for battery life the Moto G6 Play is a beast in this category with many users getting two days of use off of a single charge.

Both the Stylo 4 and G6 Play have similar 13 MP cameras and they both run Android Oreo.

When it comes to screen size, the Moto G6 Play has a smaller, 5.7" screen with less resolution and DPI. The G6 Play only has a quad-core processor compared to the superior octo-core processor in the Stylo 4.

Each of these phones have some great features, and some areas where costs were cut. Right now you can get the Moto G6 Play on Amazon for just $191.

Where to Buy the LG Stylo 4

The LG Stylo 4 is available from several different retailers and we expect to see it offered from more in the near future.

The best deal at this time is through HSN which is offering it with an Airtime bundle and additional accessories for $229

View the LG Stylo 4 with Airtime Bundle on HSN

We have also found it on Amazon for $229 .

And the Tracfone website also has it for sale for $229

That concludes our review of the LG Stylo 4 from Tracfone. We hope you found this review helpful. Leave a comment with your thoughts or questions!

Don't miss out on our Guide to Making Your Airtime Last Longer which has a number airtime saving tips.

We also recently updated How Data Works on Tracfone Smartphones which also includes information on how to buy just data for your phone.

Join us on Facebook to keep up with the latest news and reviews.

And finally, see our Deals, Discounts and Sales for all the best prices on Tracfone devices and unlocked phones.

Thanks for visiting!

February 13, 2018

LG Rebel 3 (L158VL/157BL) Review for Tracfone

Tracfone LG Rebel 3 (L 158VL/157BL) Review - Specs, Features and More!

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer - with news, reviews and much more!
lg rebel 3 tracfone review
Tracfone LG Rebel 3 Review

The LG Rebel 3 is now available from Tracfone featuring several significant updates over the older Rebel models that Tracfone still offers. Learn all about what this phone has to offer, how it compares to other Tracfone devices, and where to find it for a great price.

UPDATE - Tracfne now offers a GSM version of the LG Rebel 3 (model L157BL) on the Tracfone website.  You will need to enter your ZIP code to confirm it will work in your area. Thanks Anonymous for the heads up!

The Rebel 3 comes with a 5" touchscreen, Android 7.0 Nougat, Quad-core processor, 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal memory. The biggest changes over the older Rebel phones is the extra RAM and internal memory.

This phone is one of the first new devices from Tracfone in 2018 and while it doesn't offer any groundbreaking specs at first glance, it is very reasonably priced and will make a great budget smartphone. We expect Tracfone to release several more phones in the near future, and you can find any new phones on our list of Latest Tracfone Smartphones (2018).

Now let's look at the quick facts for the LG Rebel 3:

LG Rebel 3 Quick Facts

What we Like:
Android 7.0 Nougat
2 GB RAM
16 GB Memory
Reasonable Price

What we Don't Like
Only CDMA  GSM version now available - See 'Where to Buy' section below
No Triple Minutes

As with many of the newer phones from Tracfone, the Rebel 3 does not include Triple Minutes for Life which is disappointing. Learn more about these changes in our post, Tracfone Ends Triple Minutes for Life.

Let's see the full list of specs now.

Tracfone LG Rebel 3 (L158VL) Features and Specs

Features listed first, followed by the technical specs
  • Android 7.0 Nougat
  • 4G LTE (Verizon CDMA) (and now GSM)
  • WiFi
  • GPS
  • Bluetooth 4.1
  • MP3 Player
  • Alarm Clock
  • Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play
  • Voicemail, Caller ID, SMS/MMS
  • 5 MP Rear Camera/ 5 MP Front
LG Rebel 3 Specs
  • Size: 5.7" x 2.8" x 0.3"
  • 5" TFT Touchscreen (480x854 resolution)
  • 1.1 Ghz quad-core processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon)
  • 2 GB RAM
  • 16 GB Internal Memory (About 10 GB Usable)
  • Battery: 2500 mAh with 12 hrs talk time, 11 days standby
Several of the features on the LG Rebel 3 are similar to the Rebel 2 (such as the processor and screen size), but there are some improvements that go a long way in making the Rebel 3 much more usable for the majority of consumers. We will look more closely at some phone comparisons further on.

LG Electronics is a multinational electronics company based in South Korea that manufactures ans sells a wide variety of devices such as TVs, Appliances, cell phones and more.

They are one of the largest smartphone manufacturers and their flagship phone is currently the LG V30, which features a 6" touchscreen, octa-core processor and Android 7.1.2.  (And can be used with the Tracfone BYOP program).

While the LG Rebel 3 does not have the same performance capabilities as the V30, it is very capable none-the-less, and let's look at each of the main features on this phone.

LG Rebel 3 (L158VL) Review

Touchscreen
The LG Rebel 3 comes with a 5" TFT touchscreen at a resolution of 480x854. This results in about 195 PPI, which is not quite as good as many phones with this size screen, although many of Tracfone's other devices have similar specs. The Samsung Galaxy Luna Pro, however, has an HD screen with higher resolution at the same 5" size. Brightness and colors are both good on the Rebel 3.

LG Rebel 3 tracfone
LG Rebel 3 (L158VL) Front, Side and Back
Many phones now have larger screens in the 5.5" to 6" range. A larger screen is nice for making it easier to see images and read text, but obviously creates a more bulky device. It may be worthwhile to visit an electronics store and try holding phones with various screen sizes to help choose what size is preferred. The LG Fiesta 2 and Samsung Galaxy Sky Pro both have 5.5" screens.

Internal Specs - Memory, RAM and Processor
One of the biggest improvements over the previous models is the expanded memory and RAM. the Rebel 3 has 16 GB internal memory which results in about 10 GB usable space for apps, music, pictures and more. Be aware that this space can fill quickly, so the external microSD card slot may come in handy which can hold up to 32GB.

The quad-core 1.1 Ghz processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon) and 2 GB RAM give enough power for multitasking and running most games. RAM allows the phone to run multiple apps at once, or run more resource intensive apps. We are happy to see Tracfone offering phones with enough RAM to make the phone effective for most activities. But remember that top of the line smartphones now come with closer to 4-6 GB RAM and octa-core processors.

Camera
The rear camera on the LG Rebel 3 is 5 MP and features HDR, HD video recording, flash, autofocus, 4x zoom and more. The front facing camera is also 5 MP and has a number of features for selfies including gesture shot, selfie light and cheese shot.

Overall the cameras are great for recording and sharing images or video on social media and to share with friends on family.

Battery
A 2500 mAh battery comes with the Rebel 3 which is on the small side, but fairly typical for phones of this size. Battery life is about 12 hrs with low to moderate use, 11 days on standby.

Reducing the screen brightness and putting the phone in airplane mode can go a long way to extending the battery if you are worried about running out. A car charger or external battery pack (like the Anker 10,000 mAh powercore battery) are also great options to always keep your phone powered.

Android OS
The Rebel 3 comes with the latest Android OS (7.0.1 Nougat) which is good because it is not possible to update the operating system on Tracfone devices. Android 7.0.1 features a number of improvements and appearance changes such as fast app changing (by double tapping the recent apps button), the ability to access notification settings more quickly, bundled notifications and more.

Triple Minutes
One drawback for the Rebel 3 is that it does not include Triple Minutes for Life. This means if you add a regular airtime card (60, 120, etc) it will only give you the amount listed on the card. You can learn more about these changes on our Tracfone Ends Triple Minutes post.

Network Connectivity
UPDATE: Tracfone now offers a GSM version of the Rebel 3. See 'Where to Buy' section for link.

As with many of the smartphones from Tracfone, the Rebel 3 uses the CDMA network which is Verizon cell towers and is 4G LTE capable. The Rebel 2 was a GSM version, and we hope that Tracfone will release a GSM variant of the Rebel 3 but that may not happen. Tracfone offers many more CDMA phones than GSM currently. If you are looking for more GSM options, consider the Tracfone BYOP program.

Conclusion and Quick Comparison for the Rebel 3

With a number of improvements over the previous versions, the Rebel 3 is a well rounded budget smartphone that, at the current price, is a great deal. It has good performance and enough space for most user's needs.

Compared to the LG Fiesta 2, the Rebel 3 has a smaller screen, but the same storage, RAM and Android OS. The Fiesta 2 has a 13 MP camera and larger battery.

The closest comparison is with the Samsung Galaxy J3 Luna Pro, which also has a 5" screen, 16 GB memory and quad-core processor. The Luna Pro uses the older Android 6.0 and only has 1.5 GB RAM but is a very popular device and performs well for most users.

Where to Buy the LG Rebel 3

The LG Rebel 3 is currently available with an airtime bundle. We will update as it becomes available from more places

LG Rebel 3 GSM on Tracfone Website

LG Rebel 3 CDMA on Amazon with 1000 Talk, 2000 Text and 2 GB Data for $45 (limited stock)
LG Rebel 3 CDMA on HSN with 1500 minutes for $59!

That is a very good deal, as the maritime alone is worth $100. This deal may not last for very long.

To learn more about the Rebel 3 take a look at the online tutorial for it.

Leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions, or join us on Facebook where we share the latest information and you can message us directly with specific questions.

Don't miss out on the best Tracfone Deals and Discounts which also includes great unlocked phone options to use with the BYOP program.

And see our list of the Best Tracfone Smartphones in 2018!

Thanks for visiting!

July 29, 2016

Tracfone LG Rebel L44 VL Review

Review of the LG Rebel L44 VL from Tracfone

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer, a blog about Tracfone Wireless cell phones. If you're new, take a look around, as we share lots of tips, news and reviews relating to Tracfone. Below is our review of the LG Rebel, a newly available phone to Tracfone prepaid customers.

LG rebel review
Tracfone LG Rebel L44VL Review
Tracfone's LG Rebel is a versatile but basic smartphone recently released on the Tracfone website and through many other retailers. It comes with a 4.5" screen, quad-core processor, and 8 GB internal memory, among other features.

There has been quite a flood of new smartphones from Tracfone over the summer of 2016, and the LG Rebel comes in at one of the more budget friendly options. We recently reviewed the LG Stylo 2, which has a large, 5.7" screen, but is about twice the price of the Rebel. You can learn more about the new phones coming to Tracfone by reading our posts, New LG/Samsung Devices coming to Tracfone, New Alcatel/ZTE Devices coming to Tracfone, and New Apple iPhones Coming to Tracfone.

Let's get back to the Rebel, and look at our quick facts for this Android smartphone:

Tracfone LG Rebel Quick Facts

The Good:
-Android 5.1
-Reasonable price - $79 most places
-Quad-Core Processor

Not So Good:
-Only 8GB Internal Storage (about 3-4GB usable)
-Smaller Screen - 4.5"
-Retailing for $100 on Tracfone website - which is similar price to the slightly better LG Treasure

The Rebel is very similar to the LG Treasure, in fact, the non-Tracfone versions are called the LG K4 (Rebel) and LG K7 (Treasure). The Treasure is the step up from the Rebel, and has a few improvements, which we will go into more detail about a little later. Tracfone has also recently released the LG Premier, which is in the same lineup as the Treasure and Rebel, with with slight improvements over both (such as a larger, 5.3" touchscreen).

LG is one of the worlds top ten mobile phone makers, along with a large number of other manufacturing operations, such as TV's, appliances and much more. They are a South Korean company that operates globally and has phones ranging from budget to high-end and everything in-between.

The LG Rebel is a newer phone, released in early 2016, with Android 5.1 and aiming to be a budget friendly smartphone.

Let's see the full list of features that come with this phone.

LG Rebel Features and Specs

Below are the features, followed by the technical specifications for the Rebel
  • Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
  • 4G LTE Capable using CDMA Networks (Verizon)
  • 5 MP Rear Camera (with LED flash and Autofocus), 2 MP Front
  • WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1
  • Alarm Clock
  • MP3 Player
  • Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play
  • GPS
  • Voicemail, Voice dialing, Caler ID
  • Handsfree Speaker
  • Two Homscreens
LG Rebel Specs:
  • Size: 5.20" x 2.62" x 0.36"
  • 4.5" Touchscreen at 480x854 resolution (218 DPI)
  • 1.1 Ghz Quad-Core Processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 8 GB Internal Memory (about 3-4 GB usable), MicroSD Card Slot (up to 32GB)
  • Battery: 1940 mAh with 9 Hours Talk Time, 11 Days Standby
The LG Rebel (L44VL) is the CDMA version of the phone, and will use Verizon's 4G LTE network through Tracfone. There is also the GSM version, known as the L43AL, which will use AT&T towers and have the same features and specifications. What might be confusing for some is that Walmart is already selling both versions, but calling them both the Rebel. We expect Tracfone has a different name for the L43AL version, but do not know what it will be yet. Just be aware which version you need, and if you want the GSM version, Walmart already has that available for purchase.

Now for our review of the LG Rebel, where we share our pro's and con's for this device.

Tracfone LG Rebel Review and User Manual

What we Like
As with our review of the LG Treasure, there is a lot to like about the LG Rebel as it is a low-cost smartphone with very reasonable features and performance. We also like that it is widely available, with both CDMA and GSM versions.

The Rebel has a Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 1.1 GHz Quad-Core processor which is very responsive and quick. It also has a 5 MP rear camera which includes LED flash and autofocus plus HD video recording. The front camera is 2 MP and good for video chatting and selfies, although the quality isn't quite as good as the LG Treasure.

lg rebel review
LG Rebel Review - Front, Side and Back
This smartphone comes with Android 5.1.1 which is a newer version of the OS, but not the newest. With Tracfone smartphones, you aren't able to update the operating system for various reasons, so it is good to periodically upgrade your phone to one with a newer OS to avoid vulnerabilities older operating systems may have. So if you're using an older smartphone with Android 4.1 or 4.3, you might consider upgrading to the Rebel just for the newer OS, although you will probably also see a nice performance increase as well.

We like the overall appearance and performance of the Rebel. LG is well known for making dependable smartphones, and the Rebel is no exception. Be aware that this phone is a budget smartphone, so it probably won't keep up with the demands of someone who uses their phone often, but for low to moderate users, this is a good option.

Before conclude, we do want to give some drawbacks about this phone we think consumers should know before buying.

What we Don't Like
First on our list of dislikes is the low RAM and internal memory. This is something almost all of Tracfone's more budget friendly devices are plagued with, and we hope that better options will be available soon. For most users, 1 GB RAM is fine, but if you run multiple apps at once, you may see some lag or slow down. And with only 8 GB internal memory (about 3-4 GB usable) you will have to be mindful about what you put on the phone. The Rebel does have a Micro SD slot, so you can add up to 32 GB external space to the phone.

The screen size on the Rebel is 4.5", which is the same as the LG Ultimate 2, but a little on the small side for average smartphones these days. Some prefer a smaller screen, but if you have trouble typing on the virtual QWERTY keyboard, or want more space for reading or viewing pictures/video, consider going with a phone that has a larger screen. The LG Stylo has a 5.7" screen, which makes typing on the virtual keyboard much easier.

Finally, the cost of the LG Rebel on the Tracfone website is a little high, especially when you compare it to the LG Treasure available from HSN. The Treasure comes with a bundle of airtime worth $100, and retails for $129 (we have seen it at $99). The Rebel is $99 on the Tracfone website, although other retailers have it for less.

If you think you may want a screen larger than 4.5", then you should consider the Treasure or other devices, but if you like the 4.5" screen, the Rebel is a good phone.

Get even more details about the LG Rebel by taking a look at the User Manual or the Interactive Tutorial.

Should You Upgrade to the LG Rebel?

Many of our readers have already been asking if the Rebel is a good phone to upgrade to from older Tracfone smartphone devices. The answer depends on how much you use your phone, and your personal preferences.

For those who have older devices like the LG Ultimate 2, LG Optimus Fuel, or even the LG Optimus Dynamic 2, the Rebel might make a good phone to upgrade to as it will run faster and more smoothly, and also use the newer, Android 5.1.1 OS.

Those who like to use their phone often, or want a larger screen, consider some of the other phone options available from Tracfone, or even look into Tracfone BYOP.

Where to Buy the Tracfone LG Rebel

The LG Rebel is already available form a number of retailers. It generally goes for $79, although the Tracfone website has it for $99.

LG Rebel (CDMA) from Target
LG Rebel (CDMA) from BestBuy
LG Rebel (CDMA) from Walmart
LG Rebel (GSM) from Walmart

The Rebel is also available on QVC.com bundled with airtime, which can be a great value.

We expect it to be available in most of these retail stores as well. Let us know if you find any better deals on it.

There are plenty of options for Rebel Cases and Covers on Amazon. If you're looking for a case, remember that the LG Rebel is the same as the LG K4, so you can search for that as well.

Overall, the Rebel is a good but basic smartphone that will be best for low-moderate users. It may also be good for first time smartphone buyers.

We hope you found this review useful in learning about the LG Rebel form Tracfone. Leave a comment below with your thoughts, questions or any corrections.

Here are some additional helpful resources we have created for Tracfone Android users:
How to Check your Airtime on Tracfone Android Phones
How Minutes Work on Tracfone Smartphones
How to Buy Only Texts for your Smartphone
Are Data Cards a Good Deal from Tracfone?
Analysis of the New Smartphone Only Airtime Cards from Tracfone (UPDATED)

Also check us out on Facebook, where we have an active community of Tracfone users and share news, tips and answer questions!

Thanks for visiting!

July 19, 2016

Tracfone LG Stylo 2 (L81AL) Review

Review of the LG Stylo 2 (L81AL) from Tracfone

Below is our review for the LG Stylo 2. If you're new to TracfoneReviewer, be sure to take a look around at some of our recent articles. We share lots of news, reviews and other info about Tracfone.

tracfone LG stylo 2
Tracfone LG Stylo 2 Review
The LG Stylo 2 is a newly released smartphone available for use with Tracfone prepaid cell service and comes with Android 5.1.1, 8 MP camera, and uses GSM networks. It also features a large, 5.7" touchscreen which may be its biggest selling point.

Tracfone is releasing a large number of new smartphones over the summer of 2016 and the LG Stylo 2 is one of many that are already available. We're doing our best to keep up with ll these new devices, and you can learn more by taking a look at our recent posts; New Samsung and LG Tracfone Smartphones, New ZTE, Alcatel and Huawei Tracfone Smartphones, and News about iPhones coming to Tracfone.

The LG Stylo 2 is a mid-level phone that is a step up from the LG Treasure we previously reviewed (which is a step up from the LG Rebel).

The Main difference between the Treasure and the Stylo 2 is the screen size, which the Stylo 2 has the advantage on.

Let's take a look at our quick facts about the LG Stylo 2 to get a general idea of its strengths and weaknesses.

LG Stylo 2 Quick Facts

Pro's
-Android 5.1.1
-5.7" Touchscreen
-Good camera - 8 MP rear, 5 MP front
-Quad core processor

Con's
-Only 8 GB Internal Memory
-Only 1 GB RAM
-A little expensive - currently $200 with airtime bundle from HSN

The LG Stylo 2 is a little bit more expensive than most Tracfone smartphones, but it also has some better features than most. It is a newer phone, only released in April of 2016, and has mix of features that make it a capable device.

There are two versions of this phone, the GSM version we are reviewing here, and the CDMA version known as L82VL, which Tracfone should be releasing sometime in the near future and will likely be identical except for the cell towers it uses.

The naming of the Tracfone LG Stylo 2 is a little confusing, as many of the specs are more in line with the LG G Stylo, rather than the LG Stylo 2 unlocked version. But the size matches the LG Stylo 2. Spec-wise, the Tracfone version of the LG Stylo 2 is not as powerful as other versions listed on the internet.

Let's take a look at the full list of features for the Tracfone LG Stylo 2.

Tracfone LG Stylo 2 Features and Specs

Below are the phones features, followed by the specs
  • Android 5.1.1
  • 4G LTE capable using GSM Service on AT&T
  • 8 MP Rear Camera, 5 MP Front Camera
  • WiFI and Bluetooth
  • GPS
  • Access to Over 1 Million Apps through Google Play
  • 2 Home Screens
  • MP3 Player
  • Hearing Aid Compatible
  • Voice Commands
  • Hands Free Speaker
  • Voicemail, Caller ID, and other basic phone functions
LG Stylo 2 Technical Specs
  • Size: 6.10" x 3.13" x .29"
  • 5,7" touchscreen at 720x1280 resolution
  • 1.2 Ghz Quad-Core Processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 8 GB Internal Memory (compatible with up to 128 GB MicroSD card)
  • 3000 mAh Battery with 13 hours talk time, 12 days standby
There's not too much that is surprising about these specs beyond the large screen size on the Stylo 2. The rest of the specs are fairly consistent with other LG phones released recently like the LG Treasure, although the Stylo has some minor improvements such as the 8 MP camera.

Below we will cover the pro's and con's for this phone to highlight some of the things we think consumers should be aware of when making a buying decision for this device. With every phone, there are various pro's and con's and the Stylo 2 is no exception.

LG Stylo 2 Review - Our Likes and Dislikes

What we Like:
Obviously the big screen is the big selling point for the Stylo 2, and we like that Tracfone is making a device available to consumers with a nice large screen. While making it easier to see things on the screen, it is also easier to type on the virtual QWERTY keyboard because the keys will be larger compared to smaller phones. The resolution and quality of the screen is good, and delivers a nice viewing experience, although it doesn't quite keep up with higher-end devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S6.

tracfone lg stylo 2 review
LG Stylo 2 - with Stylus
The LG Stylo 2 runs Android 5.1.1 which is a newer version that doesn't have some of the security risks older versions like 4.1 and 4.3 had. With Android OS, you can use the Google Play Store to browse over 1 million apps that will do just about anything. When you find one you like, you can download it directly to your phone. If you're new to using Android, take a look at our post on the Best Apps to use on Android where we share some of our favorite apps.

The 8 MP rear facing camera is a nice step up from 5 MP which most other Tracfone devices come with. Plus, the LG Stylo 2 has a 5 MP front camera for video chatting and selfies. The quality is adequate for most needs, but don't expect to win any photography awards for your pictures.

There's a lot to like about this phone, and we find it to be one of the better options currently available from Tracfone, but there are a couple negatives that we want our readers to be aware of before they buy.

What we Don't Like about the LG Stylo 2
There are a few things about this phone that aren't ideal, and make our list of dislikes. The main things are the cost, the lack of a radio, and low memory and RAM.

The current price of the LG Stylo 2 is $199 with a bundle of minutes worth $100. That's not a bad deal to be honest, but at the same time, we can't help but mention a few phones that you could get for the same amount of money (but without the minutes bundle). The main one on our list is the new Motorola Moto G 4th generation currently available on Amazon. It has a 13 MP rear camera, 16 GB memory, octa-core processor, and much more. But it also has a smaller screen at 5.5" and you will have to use it with Tracfone BYOP.

One feature that many Tracfone users like is a radio, and sadly, the Stylo 2 appears to be lacking that. There are a number of alternatives to radio, like podcasts, and various music streaming services like Pandora and Spotify. So it isn't too hard to find a replacement.

Lastly, we aren't all that excited about the 8 GB internal memory in the Stylo 2 and 1 GB RAM. It would be nice if it had a little more memory for storing apps and other things. For most users, 8 GB of memory will be enough to have a fair number of different apps, along with some photos and other content.

That covers our list of likes and dislikes. We hope that helps our readers understand exactly what this phone offers, and were it might be lacking. Overall we don't have that is negative to write about this phone, it performs very well compared to other Tracfone smartphones.

LG Stylo 2 - Finding Covers and Cases

Finding a cover or case for certain Tracfone devices can be a challenge, but if you buy the Stylo 2 through HSN, the bundle includes a case which is very convenient. If you're still looking for a screen protector, or other case options, we've found some options on Amazon:

LG Stylo 2 Screen Protector - $7.95 on Amazon

LG Stylo 2 Cases (various) - on Amazon

LG Stylo 2 User Manual and Interactive Tutorial

We've gathered both the user manual and an interactive online tutorial from Tracfone for the Stylo 2 that you can use to learn how the phone works.

See the LG Stylo 2 User Manual Here, and take a look at the Interactive Tutorial here.

LG Stylo 2 Overview and Where to Buy

This phone has a nice, large screen. And for many, that will be very convenient and a lot of fun. It makes watching videos, viewing pictures, and even texting, easier. The rest of the performance features on this phone are adequate to keep up with the daily demands.

For those who don't like large screens, or need a lot of internal memory, then this isn't the phone for you. For more internal memory, consider looking into unlocked devices to bring to Tracfone BYOP. For a smaller screen, the LG Rebel and LG Treasure are two options.

The LG Stylo 2 is currently available from HSN for $199. It has occasionally been on sale for $179.

We will update when the phone is available elsewhere. If you find this phone at other retail locations, let us know in the comments section below.

That concludes our review of the LG Stylo 2, we hope the information is helpful. Leave a comment with any questions or thoughts, and let us know if you see any corrections.

For more Tracfone smartphone related content, take a look at our recent analysis of the changes Tracfone made to Smartphone Airtime cards.

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May 19, 2016

Tracfone LG Treasure L51AL Review

Review of the LG Treasure (L51AL) from Tracfone

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer, a blog with information, reviews and promo codes for Tracfone. Below is our review for the new LG Treasure. We hope you find the information helpful!

LG L51AL tracfone review
Tracfone LG Treasure Review
The LG Treasure is a mid-level (compared to other Tracfone smartphones) Android 5.1 powered phone newly available to Tracfone prepaid customers.

Tracfone is beginning to release phones at a faster pace, with several new devices becoming available over the last month (including the ZTE ZMAX 2, Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime, and Samsung Galaxy S6). We are excited to be bringing to you today our review for the LG Treasure for use with Tracfone Wireless.

The LG Treasure is basically the Tracfone version of the LG K7, which was just released earlier in 2016. Tracfone has now also released several more LG phones in this lineup, including the LG Rebel and LG Premier. For more on these other phones, visit our post, New LG/Samsung Phones Coming to Tracfone.

The LG Treasure is a budget smartphone that still comes with a large screen and some great features. Many Tracfone customers are looking for smartphones that fit into the budget phone category and won't break the bank.

The question many users might be wondering is if this phone is worth upgrading to from some of Tracfone's older smartphone options. We'll try to answer that a little further on, but first let's look at the quick facts for the LG Treasure.

LG Treasure (L51AL) Quick Facts

The Good:
-Android 5.1.1
-5" Touchscreen
-5MP Front and Rear Camera
-Reasonable Price - currently $99 from HSN.com

Not So Good:
-only 4GB useable space
-somewhat smaller processor - 1.1 Ghz

At first glance, this phone appears to deliver some great features for the price, but it does neglect a few things, like internal memory and processing power. But you can't really expect to get a high performance phone for a low cost, unless you buy a used/refurbished phone and bring it to Tracfone's BYOP program.

LG is one of the largest companies in South Korea and produces a wide range of products sold across the globe. They are also one of the largest mobile phone manufacturers, and have a diverse lineup of phone options, including their new flagship phone the LG G5 which features the latest version of Android, v 6.0.1 marshmallow.

The LG phones released by Tracfone to use with their prepaid service won't have quite the same performance features as LG's flagship, but they also won't cost as much.

Let's take a look at the full list of features and specifications for the LG Treasure.

LG Treasure (L51AL) Features and Specs

Below are the phone's features, followed by the technical specifications
  • Android 5.1.1 Lolipop
  • 4G LTE service using AT&T's GSM Network
  • 5MP Front and Rear Camera
  • WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1
  • Access to over 1 Million apps via Google Play store
  • Alarm Clock
  • MP3 Player
  • GPS capability
  • 2 Home screens
  • Voicemail, Voice Dialing
  • Handsfree speaker
LG Treasure Specs
  • Size: 5.65" x 2.85" x 0.35" Weight: about 5 oz.
  • 5.0" Touchscreen at 480x852 resolution (196 ppi Pixel Density)
  • 1.1 Ghz Quad-core processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 8 GB Memory (about 4GB Useable) MicroSD card slot
  • Battery: 2045 mAh with Talk time 9hrs, Standby 11 days
A quad-core processor combined with 5" touchscreen and Android 5.1 is a very nice collection of features that make the Treasure a desirable option for many people. But what about the 4 GB of usable internal memory, is that too little?

Let's get into our review of the LG Treasure from Tracfone with our pro's and con's for this device, followed by a quick comparison to some of the other similar devices available from Tracfone like the LG Sunset and LG Ultimate 2.

LG Treasure Review - Likes and Dislikes

What we Like about the Treasure
There's quite a bit to like about this phone. After all, it is a newer device built to be budget friendly while still maintaining some great features

lg treasure l51al review
Tracfone LG Treasure front, side and back
We really like the screen size, the dual 5 MP cameras, and that the Treasure runs Android 5.1.1. We also think this phone is a great value at the current price.

The LG Treasure comes with a 5" touchscreen, which is about the average size these days for a smartphone device. The resolution isn't the best, at 480x852 pixels, but LG did a really great job on making this screen bright and clear.

When taking pictures with the LG Treasure, you will notice that it has a 5 MP rear camera and 5 MP front camera. This gives you fairly good image quality for taking selfies or other photos. The rear camera also has an LED flash, while if you are taking photos with the front camera it has a neat feature that lights up part of the screen to act as a flash in low light situations. It is unusual for a budget smartphone to have such a high resolution front camera, and we hope this trend continues.

The volume and power buttons are located on the back of the phone, which may be more convenient for some users, and keeps the edges of the phone free from any buttons. This is great for those of us who tend to accidentally hit the buttons on the side of phones when trying to hold them.

Tracfone devices, unlike most unlocked phones, do not get Android OS updates (it has something to do with compatibility issues, and Tracfone would have to be involved in making sure the updates worked properly, but they don't currently want to do this) so it is nice to see that the LG Treasure comes with Android 5.1.1, which is a newer version that doesn't have some of the vulnerability issues previous Android versions had.

Finally, we are really happy with the overall value of the LG Treasure as it is currently offered by HSN bundled with an airtime card worth $100, and the whole bundle is going for $99, making the phone free. If you need airtime anyway, you might as well upgrade to this phone. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, lets look at a couple of concerns we do have.

What we Don't Like about the Treasure
There are two main concerns we have about the LG Treasure and we want to mention to help our readers before they buy this phone.

First, the LG Treasure only comes with 8 GB internal memory, of which, only about 4 GB is actually usable (the other 4 GB is used by the OS and pre-installed apps). For many users, this won't be a big deal because most of Tracfone's other smartphones, like the LG Sunset and LG Ultimate 2, have a similar amount of internal memory. Just keep in mind that you can't load this phone up with too many photos or large applications. Some apps can take up a full GB of space, so you would run out quickly.

The LG Treasure does come with a Micro SD card slot, which allows you to use up to 32 GB of external storage. This is great if you have a lot of music or other files you want to add.

The second concern we have is with the processor performance. The Treasure comes with a 1.1 Ghz quad core processor. This is more than enough power for everyday apps like Facebook, Instagram or calling/texting. But if you want to running larger, resource intense apps like certain games, you may run into performance trouble. The Treasure does have 1 GB RAM, which is average, yet overall we think the average user won't have any issues with performance.

That concludes our likes and dislikes, let us know in the comments if we missed anything, or if there are certain features you like/dislike!

Update - initially it appeared that the LG Treasure would have 1.5 GB RAM, but it urns out to only have 1 GB RAM.

LG Treasrue compared to LG Sunset and LG Ultimate 2

The LG Treasure is similar or an improvement over the LG Sunset and LG Ultimate 2 in almost every way, which makes sense since it is much newer. The improvements, however, are generally only small improvements.

Compared to the LG Ultimate 2, the Treasure comes with a larger screen (5" vs 4.5") a better processor (quad-core vs dual-core) better cameras (5 MP front and rear vs 5 MP rear camera and 1.3 MP front) and more internal memory (8 GB vs 5 GB). The LG Treasure also comes with Android 5.1.1 versus 4.4 which the Ultimate 2 come with. These improvements are noticeable, but not huge. If you are currently using an Ultimate 2 and considering upgrading, the Treasure would probably be a little faster and have a little better performance overall.

One important piece of information to note is that the Ultimate 2 is a  CDMA phone that uses Verizon towers while the Treasure is a GSM phone that uses AT&T service. So be sure to check your coverage before switching.

The differences between the LG Sunset and Treasure are a little less noticeable, but still exist. The LG Treasure has a newer processor but slower speed (1.1 Ghz vs 1.2 Ghz) a larger screen (5" vs 4.5") slightly newer Android OS (5.1.1 vs 5.0.1) and better front camera (5 MP vs 1.3 MP). They both have a quad core processor, 8 GB internal Memory and 4G LTE service using AT&T cell towers.

The LG Treasure is an upgrade over the LG Sunset, but we might only suggest you upgrade if you are also in need of the airtime that comes in the bundle. Otherwise, you might want to want and see what other phones Tracfone releases in the coming months.

Overview and Where to Buy the LG Treasure

The LG Treasure brings great features including a 5" touchscreen and Android 5.1.1 at a very reasonable price making it a great upgrade from older Tracfone smartphones.

It doesn't have the performance to match some of Tracfone's other recent releases, like the Samsung Galaxy S6, but it also is significantly cheaper.

You can find the LG Treasure bundled with a 1 Year/400 Minute airtime card (and other items) on HSN where it is currently on sale for $99.

You can also view Tracfone's Tutorial to learn more about how to use this device.

There is also a CDMA version of this phone which we expect to be released sometime in the near future.

We hope you found this review useful, and if you have any questions or thoughts you can share them in a comment below.

Here are some additional helpful resources we have created for Tracfone Android users:
How to Check your Airtime on Tracfone Android Phones
How Minutes Work on Tracfone Smartphones
How to Buy Only Texts for your Smartphone
Are Data Cards a Good Deal from Tracfone?
Analysis of the New Smartphone Only Airtime Cards from Tracfone

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