Does Tracfone Have 5G? Tracfone 5G Coverage Map And Phones

Tracfone 5G Coverage Map and 5G Smartphone List

Tracfone recently started advertising 5G network coverage access nationwide at no additional cost or fees. They are piggybacking off of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile's 5G networks, in the same way they use these networks for 4G LTE coverage.

Nationwide 5G coverage is still a few years away but in certain major city locations, like New York City, there is some 5G network coverage available. And all of the major networks are working to expand coverage as fast as possible. 

5G speeds are also slowly increasing, with most of the major networks now recording speeds about double or triple that of 4G LTE speeds. But this depends significantly on your proximity to 5G towers. 5G speeds will likely be much faster in years to come, but for now they are only modestly faster.

Learn some of the History about 5G, and what it means, in our post.

How to Get 5G Coverage with Tracfone

To get 5G network coverage on Tracfone you simple need a 5G capable device and be located in an area with 5G coverage.

There's no additional fees, SIM cards or anything else. And we are a little surprised at how quickly Tracfone has offered 5G to customers.

Tracfone 5G Coverage Maps

Tracfone uses Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile networks, so we can take a look at their coverage maps to see what the 5G coverage looks like:

Verizon 5G Coverage Map

AT&T 5G Coverage Map

T-Mobile Coverage Map

You can also check on the Tracfone website for coverage here.

These 5G coverage maps are rather generous in the area they cover, and all of the major networks are trying hard to be the one with the 'largest' 5G network. But even if you're phone says '5G' doesn't necessarily mean you're getting faster speeds. Do a quick speed test in areas like your house or work to determine if 4G LTE might still be faster. For more on 4G vs 5G speeds, check out this post on Tom's Guide. 

Tracfone 5G Smartphone List

These are the current 5G compatible devices from Tracfone. We expect more to be released in the near future.

• Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
• Moto G Stylus 5G (Coming soon)
• Samsung Galaxy A42 5G (Coming soon)

Additionally, almost any unlocked 5G device can also be used with Tracfone BYOP to get 5G speeds.

Best Unlocked 5G Phones for Tracfone

Here are some great unlocked smartphones to use with Tracfone BYOP. The prices range on these phones quite significantly. Unless you really want to get 5G access, we would not suggest buying a new phone at this time as many new 5G smartphones will be released in the next year or so, giving us more options to choose from.

• Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
• Pixel 4a 5G
• iPhone 12
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

We will continue to update as more phones become available and as things change. With Verizon likely acquiring Tracfone we would expect that to mean AT&T and T-Mobile coverage options may go away

See Tracfone's 5G FAQ's list if you have additional questions, or join us on Facebook, or leave a comment below!

Shop all the latest smartphones, including the Galaxy A32 5G, in our List of New Tracfone Smartphones. 

For the best deals, see our Deals, Discounts and Sales post, and to get free airtime, see our Promo Code List!

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Tracfone Latest Phones 2021 - List of New Tracfone Smartphones

New Tracfone Smartphones - List of New Phones from Tracfone in 2021

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer, a blog about prepaid cell phones from Tracfone!

New Phones for Tracfone in 2021

Tracfone releases a lot of new phones every year, and it can be hard to keep track of what is new, and what has already been around for a while.

When shopping for a new phone, we all want to know which phones were recently released, as these usually have the best features.

This list contains the latest phones released by Tracfone and we will continue to update as new phones are released each month as we get into 2021.

We will include brief descriptions of each new phone, and links to additional information. You can also visit our Cell Phone Reviews page for our latest reviews of new phones..

Starting in April 2017, Tracfone is no longer including Triple Minutes for Life with new phones. Learn more about this, and how it might affect you, in our recent post about the Changes to Triple Minutes for Life.

New Phones Coming in 2021

Several new high end phones may be coming to Tracfone including the iPhone 12, Samsung A42 5G, and more. We will be adding any information as soon as it is confirmed! See our recent post on 5G Coverage Maps and Compatible Phones.

Here are some of the possibilities we might see this year:

• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Mini
• iPhone 12
• Moto G Stylus 5G
• BLU View 3
• Samsung Galaxy A02s
• Samsung Galaxy A42 5G

We don't always know when some of these phones will be released, but will share as soon as they are. Now let's look at the phones Tracfone has recently released.

Tracfone Latest Phones for 2021

Below are the latest phones released by Tracfone to use on their prepaid network. This list has the newest phones first, followed by older devices.

Samsung Galaxy A32 (S326DL)

One of the most affordable 5G capable devices (and one of the only available from Tracfone at this time), the Galaxy A32 has a 6.5" touchscreen, 4GB RAM, 64 GB internal memory and a 5 lens camera system. While 5G service coverage is still limited, for those who want to get the fastest speeds on Tracfone the Galaxy A32 is one of the only options. It is currently available on the Tracfone website for $299.

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

Samsung Galaxy A12 (S127DL)

The Galaxy A12 has a large, 6.5" screen, 32 GB internal storage, 3 GB RAM and an octa-core processor. It is newly available on the Tracfone website for $149.

Alcatel TCL A3X (A600DL)

The A3X has a big, 6" display, triple rear cameras and runs Android 11. It packs a lot of great features in for the price, but the brand isn't known for the best reliability. Shop the TCL A3X on HSN.

Moto G Play (XT2093DL)

With a 6.5" touchscreen, 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage, the updated Moto G Play has great features at a low price. It also comes with a dual rear camera and octa-core processor. Find it on the Tracfone website for $119

Moto G Stylus (XT2115DL)
Think big with the Moto G Stylus that features a 6.8" FHD+ screen, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB internal storage and a 48 MP rear camera. The phone comes with a built in stylus and also features Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 678 processor and 4,000 mAh battery. For those that want a large screen and plenty of storage space, the Moto G Stylus is a great option and reasonably priced at $199 on the Tracfone website.

iPhone 11

Featuring a 6.1" HD screen, 64 GB internal storage and dual rear camera setup, the iPhone 11 offers a lot of updated features in the familiar Apple package. It also comes with iOS 13, which is upgradable to 14. Currently available on the Tracfone website for $429.

iPhone XR

The iPhone XR has a 6.1" screen and comes with 64 GB storage, and a 12 MP rear camera sensor. The XR is available on the Tracfone website for $350.

Samsung A21 (S215DL)

The Galaxy A21 is newly updated with a 6.5" screen, 32 GB internal storage, 3 GB RAM and Android 10. It also features a 4,000 mAh battery and a quad rear camera setup. This device is newly available in 2021 and comes as the replacement to the Galaxy A20. Find the Samsung Galaxy A21 on HSN.

Samsung Galaxy A11 (S115DL)
A mid-level smartphone from Samsung with a large, 6.4" touchscreen, the A11 also features a 13MP camera, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB internal storage and Android 10. Read our Review of the Samsung Galaxy A11 to learn more about what it offers. It became available on HSN and the Tracfone website at the end of 2020.

LG K31 Rebel (LG L355DL)
Following the popular Rebel line, the new K31 Rebel from LG comes with a 5.7" touchscreen, 32 GB internal storage, Octa-core processor and Android 10. It is a great budget option that still has a number of updated features. LG has released a trio of devices recently with varying screen sizes and price points - the LG Reflect, LG Premier Pro Plus, and now the LG K31 Rebel. View the Rebel on HSN or Amazon and take a look at our Full Review of the LG K31 Rebel.

Motorola Moto E (XT2052DL)
The Moto E, newly available for late 2020, has a 6.2" screen, Android 10, 32 GB storage and Octa-core processor. It replaces the previous model, the Moto E6, and is a budget friendly phone that still packs some great features. View the Moto E on Amazon.

Apple iPhone SE (2020)
An updated iPhone SE that features the internal specs of an iPhone 11 Pro. The SE features a 4.7" screen, 12MP camera and 64 GB internal storage. It is a great option for anyone who enjoys the Apple iOS but prefers the smaller form factor. Find the iPhone SE (2020) on the Tracfone website.

Samsung Galaxy A50
While the unlocked A50 has been available for a few months now, Tracfone has newly released the Galaxy A50 for the fall 2020 and it features a 6.4" screen, triple rear cameras, 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage. It packs a lot of great features and performance in and is available for $269 on the Tracfone website. Review coming soon.

LG Reflect (L555DL)

With a large, 6.5" screen, octa-core processor, 3 GB RAM and 32 GB Storage, the LG Reflect packs some great features. It also comes with triple rear cameras and runs Android 9 Pie. Review coming soon, take a look at the Reflect on HSN for $149.

Moto G Power (XT2041DL)

The next generation in the Moto G line, the Moto G Power was released for Tracfone in the Fall of 2020 and really brings the power with a 6.4" touchscreen, octa-core processor, 64 GB internal storage and 4 GB RAM. It also features triple rear cameras and runs Android 10. Visit our Moto G Power Review for all the details and where to buy. The Moto G Power is one of our top picks for 2020.

LG Stylo 5 (L722DL)
The long awaited next generation in the popular Stylo lineup, the LG Stylo 5 comes with a 6.2" full HD touchscreen, Octa-core processor, 32 GB internal storage and Android 9 Pie. We also see an excellent 13 MP rear camera along with a built in stylus. It does only come with 2 GB RAM, which is on the low end for most new phones, and the price tag starts at $199. The LG Stylo 5 is available on HSN.

TCL (Alcatel) A2 (A507DL)

The A2 is a budget smartphone from TCL with a handful of nice specs including a 5.5" touchscreen, Android 10, 2 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage. It became available on Tracfone in mid 2020 with a retail price of $60. Get all the details and where to buy in our TCL A2 Review.

LG Premier Pro Plus (L455DL)
Just released on Tracfone in July 2020, the Premier Pro Plus has a 6.1" HD screen, 32 GB storage, 2 GB RAM, dual rear cameras and runs Android 9. It also comes with a Bluetooth 5 and a sleek, all metal design. Find out all the details and where to buy in our LG Premier Pro Plus Review.

Samsung Galaxy A20 (S205DL)
Newly available in mid 2020, the Galaxy A20 has a number of similar features to the Galaxy A10e already available from Tracfone, but also brings a large, 6.4" screen, 4,000 mAh battery, 3 GB RAM and dual rear cameras. For Samsung fans, it will be a good option to upgrade to and you can learn more about the Samsung Galaxy A20 in the Review.

Samsung Galaxy A01 (S111DL)
A budget friendly option from Samsung, the A01 has a 5.7" screen, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB internal storage and a 13 MP camera. The most interesting feature is that the A01 comes with Android 10, the latest OS, and is priced under $100. Learn more about the Galaxy A01 in our Review.

LG Classic Flip (L125DL)
A new flip phone option is now available for those looking for the simplicity and durability of these classic devices. The LG Classic Flip is a basic phone but comes with 4G LTE service on CDMA networks. It also has MMS/SMS and T9 text input. See all the Features and Specs on the LG Classic Flip to learn more.

Moto G7 Optimo MAXX (XT1955DL)
The Optimo MAXX has a large, 6.2" touchscreen, 32 GB storage, 3 GB RAM, Android 9 Pie and Octa-core processor. It also features a huge, 5,000 mAh battery for all-day, and even multi-day, performance on a single charge. First available for Tracfone in April 2020, it shares a number of features with the G7 Optimo (listed below) but brings the larger screen, more RAM and bigger battery at about the same price. Get all the details, including where to buy, in our Moto G7 Optimo MAXX review.

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
Featuring a 4.7" retina display, 12 MP camera with 4k recording, 64 GB internal storage and wireless charging, the iPhone 8 is a powerful and durable device built by Apple. First released in late 2017, it is now newly available from Tracfone in early 2020. It can be used with either GSM or CDMA service and runs Apple's iOS. Currently available on the Tracfone website.

Moto G7 Optimo (XT1952DL)
Released March 2020, the G7 Optimo has a 5.7" HD touchscreen, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, 13 MP camera, Android 9 Pie and much more. It is one of the better budget smartphones available from Tracfone at this time and you can get all the details in our Moto G7 Optimo Review. The Moto G7 Optimo MAXX was also just released, and it shares many of the same features while also giving a larger screen and bigger battery.

Moto E6 (XT2005DL)
The little brother to the G7, this Android 9.0 powered smartphone has a 5.5" HD screen, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage, 13 MP camera and more. The Moto E6 was released in March 2020 and can be found on several retail sites including HSN and the Tracfone website. Look for our review soon.

BLU View 1 (B100DL)
With a large, 5.5" screen, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage and a quad-core processor, the BLU View 1 is a very affordable smartphone at just $49. It also runs Android 9.0 Pie and has a 5 MP rear camera, 2 MP front. Most of the features on this phone are not overly impressive compared to other devices, but for light users who like a large screen, the price might be right. View the BLU View 1 full review to learn more.

LG Solo LTE
The Solo from LG has a large, 5.7" HD touchscreen, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB Storage, Octa-core processor and runs Android 8.1 Oreo. Released in late 2019, it shares several similarities in terms of specs to the older, LG Rebel 4, and you can see full details in our LG Solo LTE Review.

LG Journey
Released in late 2019, the Journey comes with some nice updated features including Android 9.0 Pie and Bluetooth 5. It also has a 5.45" screen, quad-core processor, 16 GB storage and 2 GB RAM. Get the full details on this phone and where to buy in our LG Journey Review page.

Samsung Galaxy J2 (S260DL)
The Galaxy J2 has a 5" touchscreen, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage, Android 8.1 Oreo and a quad-core processor. It is  a fairly basic smartphone available at a reasonable price (last check $79 with airtime bundle on HSN). It appears there may be two versions, one for CDMA and the other GSM. We will confirm this as soon as we can.

Samsung Galaxy A10e (S102DL)
The latest in budget smartphones from Samsung and released in the fall of 2019, the A10e replaces the Galaxy J7 Crown with a larger, 5.83" touchscreen, 32 GB internal storage and runs Android 9.0 Pie. The additional storage space compared to most of Tracfone's other devices, plus the large, beautiful display, will certainly make the A10e a popular options. The Galaxy A10e runs on CDMA networks with Tracfone. See all the details in our Samsung Galaxy A10e review.

Alcatel TCL A1X (A503DL)
Released in the fall 2019, the A1X has a 5.5" touchscreen, Quad-core processor, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage and runs Android 8.1 Oreo. It is not the most impressive phone based on the specs, but a large screen at a reasonable price (last check, $79 with airtime bundle via HSN). Look for more details in our review, coming soon. The Alcatel AiX runs on CDMA networks with Tracfone.

DORO (D7050TL)
The DORO is another recent flip phone release that uses 4G LTE but is not a smartphone. It has a 2.8" internal screen plus an additional 1.4" external screen. This flip phone runs on its own proprietary software and includes a 2 MP rear camera. It has a removable battery and is capable of up to 16 days on standby. Overall the DORO is best suited as a backup or emergency phone for most users. Learn more on the Tracfone Website.

Alcatel MyFlip A405DL
The MyFlip is, as the name suggest, a basic flip phone released by Tracfone for use on CDMA networks. It has 4G connectivity and basic features one would expect on a flip phone such as a 2 MP camera and a 2.8" screen. The phone will last about 18 days on standby, and is probably best suited for those looking for a backup phone. The Alcatel MyFlip is on the Tracfone website for $20.

Alcatel TCL LX A502DL
This Alcatel brand device features a 5.43" touchscreen with 18:9 ratio and 480x960 resolution along with 1.1Ghz processor and 16 GB Storage/2 GB RAM. It is relatively inexpensive for the features, at just $49 retail and often available for less, but this Android 8.1 smartphone doesn't pack a lot of performance and might be best suited to low to moderate users. Find the Alcatel TCL LX A502DL from several retailers including Amazon, Tracfone and HSN.

Motorola Moto G6
The latest budget smartphone from Motorola is now available directly through Tracfone. The Moto G6 features a 5.7" Full HD touchscreen, Octa-core processor with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal memory. It also has dual rear cameras and runs Android 8.0. Unlocked versions of the Moto G6 have been available for use with Tracfone BYOP since the phone was released but now the Tracfone version is available.

The Moto G6 is a very attractive phone at a reasonable price and visit our Moto G6 Review for full specs and features.

Samsung Galaxy J3 Orbit
Tracfone continues to update their cell phone lineup with the Galaxy J3 Orbit which has a 5" touchscreen, runs Android 8.0 Oreo and has 16 GB storage and 2 GB RAM. It runs on CDMA networks (Verizon).

On paper the J3 Orbit looks a little overpriced compared to other options, and you can see the full details and specs in our Review of the J3 Orbit.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Crown
The latest phone in the Galaxy J7 lineup, the Crown features a 5.5" HD touchscreen, Android 8.0 Oreo and 13 MP camera. It also comes with an octa-core processor, 16 GB internal storage and 2 GB RAM.

It has a variety of improvements over the previous version, but also has a slightly higher price. Learn more and find out where to buy in our Samsung Galaxy J7 Crown Review.

LG Rebel 4 (L212VL/L211BL)
The latest version of the LG Rebel comes with a 5" screen, 1.4 Ghz quad-core processor, 8 MP rear camera, and most notably, Android 8.1 Oreo. It also features a removable battery and 2 GB RAM with 16 GB Storage.

The Rebel 4 brings modest upgrades compared to the previous version (Rebel 3) and is expected to have two versions, one for GSM and another for CDMA networks.

Learn more in our full Review of the LG Rebel 4

Moto E5 (XT1920DL)
The Moto E5 has a 5.7" screen with 18:9 screen ratio, 4000 mAh battery and runs Android 8.1 Oreo. The unlocked version was only just released in May, 2018, and now Tracfone is offering a slightly modified version as well.

The Moto E line is known for good battery life and dependable performance at a very budget friendly price.

See our full review of the Moto E5 to learn more!

LG Stylo 4 (L713DL)
Featuring the largest screen of any Tracfone device, the LG Stylo 4 has a 6.2" FHD touchscreen, 13 MP camera, octa-core processor, 16 GB storage and 2 GB RAM. It also comes with Android 8.1 Oreo which has access to over a million apps on Google Play.

It is currently available for CDMA networks.

Learn more and see where to buy, with our Full Review of the LG Stylo 4 from Tracfone

iPhone 7/ iPhone 6S Plus
The iPhone 7 and iPhone 6S Plus are both available on the Tracfone website and offer high-end features at a hefty price. The iPhone 7 comes with a 4.7" screen, iOS 10, 32 GB storage and a 12 MP camera. The iPhone 6S Plus features a larger, 5.5" touchscreen, iOS 9, 32 GB Storage and 12 MP camera. Apple smartphones are well known for their impressive camera performance, and these two iPhones are no exception, with the capability of capturing excellent photos and video.

The iPhone 7 is available form Tracfone for $599 now $324
the iPhone 6S Plus is available form Tracfone for $399 now $174


LG Premier Pro (L413DL)
Stepping in right between the Rebel 3 and Fiesta 2, the LG Premier Pro has a 5.3" screen, Android 7.1, 16 GB internal storage, 2 GB RAM and a quad core processor. It shares a number of similarities with other recent phones from LG but offers a middle ground in screen size.

Learn more in our Review of the LG Premier Pro

LG Stylo 3 (L84VL)
With a lot of similar specs to the LG Rebel 3 and Fiesta 2, the Stylo 3 does stand out with a large, 5.7" touchscreen. This phone also has 16 GB storage, 2 GB RAM, a 13 MP camera, and runs Android 7.0.

Learn more in our Review of the LG Stylo 3

LG Rebel 3 (L158VL/157BL)
The LG Rebel 3 brings several updates to the popular Rebel lineup and is also one of the first new phones from Tracfone in 2018. With a 5" touchscreen, Android 7.0.1, 16 GB storage and 2 GB RAM, it offers great specs for the price - which is currently $59 on HSN with an airtime bundle.

Tracfone now offers both a GSM and CDMA version of this phone. The GSM version is only available from the Tracfone Website at this time and we include a link in our review.  Learn more about the LG Rebel 3 in our Review.

We will continue to add new phones as they are released.

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If you're new to Tracfone, Start Here with our beginners guide. Also take a look at our Guide to Activating or Transferring a Tracfone Smartphone for tips and a step by step list.

Join our Facebook page where we post the latest news, deals and other information. Plus, if you have specific questions you can send us a message.

Learn how to Make your Airtime Last Longer and also check out our recent post on How Data works with Tracfone.

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What is Tracfone Rewards? Get Free Points and Airtime!

 How to Get Free Points for Airtime with Tracfone Rewards Program

Tracfone slowly released their new rewards program in 2020 for customers to earn free service days and airtime for purchases. They were somewhat quiet about it, first allowing customers to sign up and start earning points, but it took several months before the points could redeemed for free airtime.

The rewards program is now fully launched, and we're going to go over all the details including how to  start earning reward points and get free airtime and service days.

What is the Tracfone Rewards Program?

Tracfone Rewards is an optional program that Tracfone customers can sign up for to start earning points for various activities including joining Tracfone, purchasing airtime, completing various actions, and referring friends.

The reward points can then be redeemed for airtime and other rewards.

Is Tracfone Rewards a Scam?

No, it is not a scam, but they do offer a number of 'free rewards' that are just free trials or discounts for a limited time, but will charge you full price if you don't cancel them once the trial period has ended. 

Unless you were already planning to sign up for some of these products and offerings, or are good at keeping track of when to cancel, it is probably best to avoid them.

How to Earn Reward Points

Reward points are earned through a wide variety of actions including purchasing airtime, completing various tasks and activities, and much more.

Here is a list of some of the activities and rewards for them:

• Purchase Tracfone Airtime - 1 point per dollar spent
• Posting to your Social Media - 50 points
• Answer Poll - 50 points
• Start Auto-Refill - 250 points
• Refer a Friend - 5,000

Some of the earning activities are limited to 1 or 2 per month, such as sharing to your social media.

How to Sign Up and Start with 5,000 Points

Visit the Tracfone website and select 'Join Rewards' at the top of the website or follow this link

Enter your phone information, as the rewards are connected to your phone number

Once submitted, on the next page, click at the top right menu, 'Dashboard' and there should be a space to enter a referral code.

Earn 5,000 reward points and help us earn points too by entering code TNIN-BC48 

Redeem your Rewards for Airtime!

For redeeming your points, 100 points equals $1. So you can use 1000 points to get a 1 GB data card ($10) or save up and get any other airtime cards.

Rewards points can also be used to get discounts on new smartphones, or even for global calling cards.

Note: In our testing, we were unable to redeem points for a $5 text only card, getting an error message that the credit card had been declined. Let us know if you experience something similar when trying to redeem your rewards.

Promo codes cannot be used when redeeming rewards points. It is possible that the rewards program is intended to replace the promo codes in the future. Leave your thoughts in the comments below or join us over on Facebook!

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

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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The Future of Tracfone in 2021

New Phones, Predictions and Changes for Tracfone in 2021

2020 has been quite a year, and now that it is over, we're covering some of the big things that happened, and also looking at what 2021 may bring for Tracfone.

We will take a look at some exciting new phones coming this year, the possible sale of Tracfone to Verizon, and a look back at the most popular phones from last year.

For those curious about our previous predictions, look back at our post for 2020.

Note - TracfoneReviewer is not affiliated with Tracfone Wireless in any way, we make our predictions based on trends and our own experiences.

Let's start with a look back at some of the things that happened in 2020 for Tracfone.

Looking back at Tracfone in 2020

There were several big things that happened in 2020 for Tracfone and their users, and one was the release of several great budget smartphones. Many customers had been asking and asking for better phones and Tracfone finally released some great options including the Moto G7 Optimo MAXX, Moto G Power, Samsung Galaxy A20 and Samsung Galaxy A10e. The Moto G Power comes with 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage, Android 10 and much more, all for under $200. See all the new devices in our Latest List of Tracfone Smartphones.

The Verizon 3G network closure was another big thing that happened at the end of 2020, with phones needing to be 4G capable and have HD voice to continue to work on Verizon networks. While the 3G network may not have actually been turned off yet, it will be phased out over the coming months. 

But the biggest news of 2020 was the announcement from Verizon of plans to buy Tracfone for just under $7 billion. The deal is supposed to be worked out by mid to late 2021. We'll go into more details of how this will affect current customers a little further down.

Most Popular Phones in 2020

Based on our metrics, these were the most popular smartphones released by Tracfone in 2020.

1. Moto G7 Optimo MAXX
2. Samsung Galaxy A10e
3. Moto G7 Optimo

These three phones were released early on in 2020 and maintained significant popularity, especially the Moto G7 Optimo MAXX which has some great performance and specs at under $100. If the Moto G Power had been released earlier in 2020, we're sure it would have jumped onto this list as well.

What to Expect from Tracfone in 2021

Verizon Acquisition of Tracfone
The biggest change and unknown going into 2021 is obviously Verizon's plans to buy Tracfone. While this does have long term implications, for 2021, we don't expect any significant changes to occur as far as service, network coverage or airtime.

Verizon has said they plan to keep Tracfone's current employees, and likely they won't change much initially. But it is very likely they will eventually work to move all customers onto their network (and not on AT&T). If we see Tracfone limiting new activations to Verizon's network only, that will be a good sign of the start of that change.

Like most other major networks, it is expected that Verizon will keep Tracfone's brand separate from their own, to maintain a low-cost, prepaid option but not take away from Verizon's premium level, post-paid brand. Thus we may see only minor changes to Tracfone's pricing, or none at all.

The bottom line for Verizon's acquisition is that there is still a lot of unknowns, and as information becomes available, we'll continue to share it here.

New Phones Coming to Tracfone in 2021

• Moto G Play
• Moto G Stylus
• Samsung Galaxy A21
• Samsung Galaxy A51
• Apple iPhone 11 and 12
• Alcatel MyFlip 2

The two Motorola phones are similar to the already launched Moto G Power, but with variations. We are excited for the next generation of the Samsung Galaxy A20 and A50, as they were fairly popular phones with a good balance of performance and price. 

When Will Tracfone get 5G?
The big buzzword in 2020 for networks and phone manufactures was '5G' so when will Tracfone get 5G and do you need a compatible phone? Well, not for a while and no, not yet. 5G, which just means 5th Generation, is still years away from being nationally available and even then we don't know if prepaid customers on Tracfone will get access or not. At this time, most 4G LTE connections are actually faster than 5G on AT&T or Verizon and that may be the case for the near future.

If Verizon does complete the acquisition of Tracfone, it is possible we may see 5G network coverage extended to prepaid customers on Tracfone in the next few years.

Any Changes to Tracfone Airtime or Service?
We don't expect to see any significant changes to Tracfone's current airtime offering. They rolled out unlimited plans a little while back, and have since made very little changes to any airtime cards. We expect they will continue offering regular and smartphone only cards.

Promo codes were rather unreliable in 2020, with a number of issues being reported including customers not getting bonus airtime or discounts when the Tracfone website had already accepted the promo code. We hope that Tracfone has straightened out these issues, and you can visit our Tracfone Promo Code page to find a code to use the next time you are adding airtime.

What we Want in 2021 from Tracfone
The two main things we want to see Tracfone do are improve their customer service and fix the issues with promo codes. 

We say it every year, but it still should be said, Tracfone needs to improve their customer service. We have had good experiences using the online chat feature on the website to sort out various problems, but calling customer service is still a big headache for many, and customers often run into various issues dealing with customer service. 

As for the promo code issue, we have had success recently using codes but some readers have also still reported problems. If you have an issue, be sure to contact Tracfone and make sure they fix it.

Finally, we hope that, as the Verizon acquisition deal moves closer. Tracfone will keep their customers informed about any potential changes. 

That concludes our look at what to expect from Tracfone in 2021. We hope this helps give you an idea of what is ahead, and be sure to leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions! 

Join us on Facebook to keep up with all the latest posts, news and other info.

Don't miss out on the latest Deals and Discounts on Tracfone smartphones.

Also check out our Beginners Guide to Tracfone if you're new or just want to understand some of the basics of how it all works.

Thanks for visiting and Happy New Year!

No Bonus Minutes from a Promo Code?! Here's What To Do

What to do When You Don't Get Your Bonus Minutes from a Tracfone Promo Code

Have you ever entered a Tracfone Promo Code, while adding airtime, only to not get any bonus minutes added to your balance?

It can be frustrating to not get the extra bonus minutes, as they do make a big difference for many people.

Recently, this error of not giving out bonus minutes seems to be occurring a lot on the Tracfone website. If this is something that has happened to you, or you like getting your bonus airtime, then this guide will help show you what to do to get your extra Tracfone minutes.

How To Get Your Promo Code Bonus Minutes Added

Not long ago this situation happened to me. I added a $5 text only card for 1000 texts and used a promo code for our Tracfone Promo Code List for an extra 1000 bonus texts.

In the checkout screen the promo code was applied, and I purchased the airtime.

But when I checked my balance, only the 1000 texts from the $5 airtime card had been added. There was no sign of the additional 1000 bonus texts. 

Now, be aware that there is a delay sometimes on the Tracfone account page for showing airtime you have just purchased, but there are other ways to also check your airtime, and sometimes they show the updated airtime balance faster. Take a look at our Guide to Checking Your Airtime Balance to learn some different option for keeping track of your minutes.

I double checked my airtime balance and still no bonus minutes. If this happens to you, here is what to do.

On the Tracfone Contact Page there are three option for contacting Tracfone - online chat, over the phone, or by mail. The best option in my experience is to start an online chat. Click the red box 'online chat' to get started. If you don't see the red chat box, try waiting a minute to see if it loads, or refresh the page. The hours that chat is available are from 8AM - 11:45PM (EST) 7 days a week.

Explain your issue as succinctly as possible, that you made a transaction and did not receive the bonus airtime. Have the promo code ready. and also your transaction ID, just in case they may want to check it.

In my situation, after about 10 minutes, the customer service agent was able to verify my purchase, and add the bonus airtime manually. 

Be sure to be clear about the problem, and have some patience as they work out the issue. I was a little surprised they were able to fix the problem so quickly, and I hope this is a sign of improving customer service from Tracfone.

Let us know how it goes for you! Leave a comment below with your thoughts, experiences or questions. Also head over to our Facebook page to join our growing community and to send us a message directly for technical questions or problems.

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

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!

Verizon to Buy Tracfone - What You Need to Know

What You Need to Know About Verizon Buying Tracfone Wireless

Verizon Buying Tracfone - What you need to know

Verizon announced in a statement that it had entered into an agreement to buy Tracfone Wireless from parent company América Móvil SAB for just under $7 Billion in cash and stock.

The statement, released on their website on Sept. 14th, 2020, indicates that the deal could close sometime in the second half of 2021. 

For current Tracfone customers, this could lead to some big changes and we will be sharing all the details we have about this acquisition including what might change, and what it means for current customers.

What Tracfone Customers Need to Know

First of all, this deal isn't set to be completed until sometime later in 2021, so for the near future, nothing is changing.

For many Tracfone customers, not much will change, as 13 million of Tracfone's 21 million total subscribers, already use the Verizon network. It is likely Verizon will continue to offer the same services and prices for prepaid customers going forward. In fact, Verizon just recently announced a new $30 unlimited plan for Verizon prepaid customers.

However, for the 7 million Tracfone customers not currently on Verizon's network, they may be faced with some changes. 

Verizon plans to make use of its existing 4G LTE network as well as its emerging 5G network to accommodate and provide service to the new subscribers.

Obviously there are a number of questions Tracfone customers might have, including, whether Verizon will honor existing service days/airtime, whether prices will change, and if ATT and T-Mobile users will be able to keep their service the same. We don't have answers for these questions yet, but will share as more information becomes available.

It is very likely that Verizon will do as much as they can to keep current Tracfone customers, and even entice new customers from other brands. The post-paid cell phone service market is fairly stagnant, with few customers changing their service provider. But for prepaid, the market is more fluid, with many consumers willing to jump to another service for a better deal. Verizon is looking to boost their own prepaid efforts, and also gain subscribers through purchasing Tracfone.

What Brands Are Affected by Verizon Buying Tracfone?

The Tracfone brand also includes a number of other brands under them that will also be affected by the acquisition:

• Tracfone Wireless
• Net 10 Wireless
• Total Wireless
• Walmart Family Mobile
• Straight Talk
• Simple Mobile

With such a broad variety of brands under Tracfone, it is possible Verizon may move to consolidate some of them. 

Verizon is sure to announce more details and plans as the deal progresses, and we will update with any news or changes.

Leave a comment below with your thoughts and questions, or join us on Facebook to keep up with the latest updates.

For the best deals and sales on Tracfone devices, head over to our Deals and Discounts category which features periodically updated blog posts that share the lowest prices on Tracfone devices and minutes.

And be sure to visit our Latest List of Tracfone Smartphones to see what's newly available!

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Tracfone Triple Minutes for Life- What you Need to Know (Updated)

Facts about Tracfone's Triple Minutes for Life Changes

Updated June 2020

Facts about the Phase Out of Triple Minutes for Life from Tracfone

In 2017, Tracfone started to phase out the Triple Minutes for Life (TMFL) program that gave smartphones (both Tracfone branded and unlocked) and many feature phones triple or double the minutes when adding regular airtime cards.

There are lots of questions about whether phones will keep Triple Minutes for Life, if new phones will have it, and if Tracfone is really removing a very popular feature from their phones.

We have gathered information about the changes and contacted Tracfone directly, and want to  provide the facts for everyone concerned about this.

Let's start with the simple facts:

Tracfone Triple Minutes for Life Changes

1. Only Regular Airtime Cards are affected by this change, Smartphone Only Cards or Unlimited Cards are not affected, as they never offered double or tripling.
2. Customers with phones or SIM kits that already have Triple Minutes for Life will keep them indefinitely
3. New phones or SIM kits from Tracfone do not com with Triple Minutes for Life
4. Regular airtime cards can still be added to non-TMFL smartphones, but only the face value will be given. (a 60 minute card will give 60 talk, 60 texts, and 60 MB data.)
5. For a short time, Tracfone offered TMFL with any phone upgrade starting Dec 5th, 2017. This promotion appears to have ended.

First off, none of the Smartphone only cards would triple anyway, so these cards are completely unaffected, and if these are the cards you usually get, you are unaffected. In general, the smartphone cards are a better deal (especially for texts and data), and you can take a look at our Tracfone Airtime Comparison to learn more about which cards are the best deal for different situations.

But many Tracfone customers still use the regular airtime cards, especially the 60 minute card and 1 Year/400 Minute card. Plus, there are some great bonus codes for these cards which make them an even better deal.

The important information here is that no phone that already has triple minutes will lose that feature. But newer phones released by Tracfone will likely not include triple minutes.

This is a big change that Tracfone is making, and may make some long time customers confused, so why would they do this? Here is the response from the FAQ section on their website:

Why Tracfone is Making the Change to Triple Minutes for Life:

"As technology continues to improve, we found that more people were using smartphones and smartphone plans. People are especially using more data. So, we wanted to accommodate you by providing higher data plans with greater value." - Tracfone FAQ

While that may not make a whole lot of sense as to why they need to get rid of TMFL, it is true that the regular airtime cards are not a very good deal for data or texts.

Tracfone also cited 'technical compatibility' as another reason for the end of triple minutes, but that isn't very likely either.

Whatever the reason, Triple Minutes for Life will no longer come with new phones, but all existing triple minute phones will continue to keep it.

What if my phone has been deactivated or the account is past due? Will I be able to keep my triple minute benefit?

Yes. By reactivating your triple minute phone and getting your account in good standing, you will be able to keep your triple minute benefit so long as you stay with your current triple minute phone.

Tracfone Smartphones that don't have Triple Minutes

Phones manufactured before April 1, 2017 will still have the triple minute benefit. New phones that are currently rolling out will not have the triple minute benefit. And all future phones that are introduced will not have the triple minute benefit.

Tracfone has phased out their Triple Minutes for Life policy and all new phones do not include it anymore. This is a surprising change for us, and many Tracfone customers.

Share your thoughts or questions about these changes below, and if you have additional information or corrections please also let us know.

Continue the discussion on our Facebook page where we post the latest news and info with our growing community.

Catch up on some of our recent posts including 10 Tips for Improving your Cell Signal and How WiFi calling Works.

We also updated our list of the Best Android Apps which includes a variety of the most popular and most helpful apps to have on your smartphone.

Don't forget to visit our Cell Phone Reviews page if you're shopping for a new phone, or the BYOP page to learn about bringing an unlocked phone to Tracfone.

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How to Unlock your Tracfone Cell Phone

Step by Step Guide to Unlocking a Tracfone Device

How to Unlock your Tracfone Cell Phone

It is now possible to unlock some Tracfone devices, mostly smartphones, so that you can use them with other carriers in the US or around the world. TracfoneReviewer shares the requirements and a step by step guide below! (Updated May 2020)

Owning an unlocked phone means that if you travel to another country that offers service for unlocked phones, you can buy a SIM card and service, and you will have cell phone use in that country. When you leave, you can switch your old SIM card back in to resume service with Tracfone.

Tracfone is well known for not allowing their phones to be unlocked, but because of FCC rules, and a ruling against Tracfone, they are required to unlock phones from after a certain date, offer a credit towards an exchange, or offer a partial cash refund for older devices.

We've got all the information you need about unlocking your Tracfone device. We will start with the requirements, including who can unlock their phone, and then give a step by step guide.

Let's get started.

Requirements for Unlocking a Tracfone Device

There are a number of requirements that you must meet in order to get your phone unlocked. Here are the requirements:

(You can also check if your phone is eligible by entering your phone number or serial number at the bottom of this page)

• Customers must request handset unlocking.
• Customers must have had their locked device activated on Tracfone service for no fewer than 12 months, redeemed air time cards in no fewer than 12 months, and not have had their telephone number recycled or ported.
• Customers must request this interim unlocking solution while their service is active or within 60 days after their active service days expire. This 60-day grace period applies even if the customer's telephone number was recycled or ported.
• Customers must currently own a Tracfone branded handset model launched on Tracfone's service after February 11, 2014 or activated with Tracfone's service after February 11, 2015.
• Customers must possess a handset that is in working condition.
• Customers must possess a handset that is not reported stolen, lost, or associated with fraudulent activity.
• If a customer requesting handset unlocking is deployed military personnel, upon provision of deployment papers, Tracfone will honor that customer's unlocking request by sending a refund for the Trade-in Value of the used, locked phone returned by the customer without regard for the 12 months of service activation and air card redemption eligibility requirements. However, all other eligibility criteria apply to Tracfone's customers who are deployed military personnel. 
• Customers are eligible for this program only once every twelve months.
• (Source - www.tfwunlockpolicy.com/)

There are a lot of requirements, but the key points are that you need to have your phone active for 12 months with Tracfone, it needs to be a newer phone from after Feb 11, 2014, and you can only unlock a phone once every 12 months. While we haven't confirmed this yet, it is likely that only GSM smartphones are able to be unlocked. Let us know your experiences in the comments.

If you're phone is eligible for unlocking, you can continue with our guide to unlocking it.

How to Unlock a Tracfone Cell Phone in 3 Steps

Here is our step by step guide to unlocking your Tracfone cell phone. Be aware that not all Tracfone devices can be unlocked, many of their older phones are not eligible.

Steps for Unlocking a Tracfone

Step 1. Go to www.tfwunlockpolicy.com and enter your phone number at the bottom of the page. You can also call 1-888-442-5102 during normal business hours.

Step 2. If your phone is eligible, you will be able to continue the process to receive an unlock code for your phone. If your phone is not eligible to be unlocked, you may still qualify for a credit towards a new phone, or a cash refund

We tested a Motorola EX 431G Tracfone prepaid phone. It met the requirements to be unlocked, but because it is an old phone, it can't be unlocked. So Tracfone offered a $5 cash refund. To get the cash refund, you have to send the phone to Tracfone, and you lose any remaining airtime on the device.

We also tested an LG Ultimate 2, which is an Android smartphone. This phone also could not be unlocked, and Tracfone offered a $15 cash refund.

Step 3, Once you get the unlock code from Tracfone, you can purchase a SIM card from another carrier, power off your phone, switch the SIM cards, and turn it back on. You should get a notification that your phone is locked, but there should be a place for you to enter your unlock code. After the code is entered your phone will be able to use the new SIM card. You can always switch SIM cards whenever you like, just remember to turn your phone off and back on.

And that is all it takes to unlock a Tracfone prepaid device. It is a fairly easy process, if your phone is eligible.

Going through the process of unlocking a Tracfone device doesn't seem worthwhile in most cases with the huge number of unlocked devices available on the market at very low prices. Amazon, eBay and many other online retailers have plenty of unlocked phones, and if you buy older models, or refurbished phones, you can often get a great deal.

Check out our list of the Best Unlocked Phones for Tracfone to get some ideas about the great options already available.

If you have an unlocked phone, you can activate it with Tracfone BYOP. Then, if you travel to another country and need to use cell phone service, simply power off the phone, switch the SIM cards, and you are ready to use your phone in the new country. Switch the SIM cards back when you return to the US.

We hope this information has been helpful. Leave a comment below with any questions or thoughts, and also share your experiences.

We are also on Facebook, with a large community who help answer questions, share news and much more.

See our last post about the Best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales including several recent smartphones with airtime bundles.

Thanks for visiting!

Tracfone LG Classic Flip Phone (L125DL) 4G LTE

Tracfone LG Classic Flip (L125DL) Features and Specs

Tracfone releases a new LG flip phone with 4G LTE capability.

The LG Classic Flip has 8 GB internal storage, 1 GB RAM, 2 MP camera, 2.8" color display and runs AOSP 8.1 with T9 text input.

While most Tracfone users now use a smartphone, some still prefer the older flip phone option for the simplicity, longer battery life, and compact size.

With the closing of 3G CDMA networks at the end of 2020, older flip phones, won't work with Tracfone service. Tracfone also has not offered any good flip phones in recent years, with the only options from companies like ZTE and Alcatel.

Now the LG Classic Flip, released in May 2020, is available with 4G LTE service coverage and we will cover all the details, features and specs on this flip phone below.

LG Classic Flip L125DL Features and Specs

• Operating System: Android Open Source Project (AOSP)  8.1 with T9 text input
• Network Coverage: 4G LTE (Verizon)
• GPS
• Bluetooth
• MP3 Player
• FM Radio
• MMS/SMS
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Email/Internet
• Handsfree speaker
• Alarm Clock

LG Classic Flip Specs
Size: 4.25'' x 2.17'' x 0.7'' inches (4.48 oz)
Camera: 2 MP fixed focus Camera
Screen: 2.8'' QVGA Main Display (240 x 320) + 0.9'' Mono Sub Display (32 x 128)
Memory: 1 GB
Storage: 8 GB (about 4.3 GB usable)
Battery: 1470 mAh battery (removable)

The LG L125DL is a return to the classic flip phone (as the name suggests) and as such, it has rather basic specs including just a 2 MP fixed focus camera and only about 4 GB usable internal storage.

But most consumers who buy this phone won't be concerned with the camera or storage, but rather the simplicity of the device and durability.

Using Android Open Source Project (AOSP) 8.1 allows for some great functionality including T9 text input for faster typing and texting on the dial pad.

The phone is also capable of using 4G LTE and VoLTE service making it compatible with Tracfone after the 3G network closure at the end of 2020.

LG is well known as a cell phone manufacture, and although they now focus on smartphones, they are known for a number of popular slip phones including the LG 440G from several years ago.

The LG L125DL looks to be a remake of that classic phone, but with plenty of improvements and modernization.

Tracfone has offered other flip phones from Alcatel and ZTE, but none of them had the same quality or durability as older flip phones. Now with this new LG Classic Flip we think it will be a great option for consumers who want to get back to a simple cell phone.

Where to Buy the LG Classic Flip L 125DL

The LG L125DL is now available directly from Tracfone on their website.

View the LG Classic Flip L125DL for $39

BONUS - Get $15 off the purchase of this phone with code 99138 (for a limited time)

Learn more about the L125DL with the User Manual or the Device Tutorials.

Let us know your thoughts on this new flip phone from LG in the comments below!

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

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

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!

Thanks for visiting!

What is 5G and Will Tracfone get 5G?

What 5G Means and When Is It Coming to Tracfone

Welcome to TracfoneReviewer - with news, reviews and Tracfone promo codes!

What is 5G and When Will Tracfone Get 5G?

5G is starting to show up everywhere. From major cell phone network service providers advertising it, to smartphone manufacturers releasing phones with it, to a variety of rumors and conspiracy theories about it. But few people actually understand what 5G means.

We are sharing the facts about 5G, and also some history of mobile phone technology, as well as whether you need to upgrade your phone soon or not.

Let's get started.

What is 5G?

The simple answer is:

5G = 5th Generation

5G is the next generation of wireless technology becoming available. It brings faster speeds, and a number of technological improvements over previous generations. In the same way that 4G slowly replaced 3G and brought a number of advancements, now we see that potential with 5G.

The easiest way to understand 5G and how it may improve our mobile network, is to look at a brief history of previous generations of mobile technology, starting with 1G.

The History of 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G Mobile Technology

One of the First Cell Phones

It all started in Japan in 1979 when the first generation of mobile technology was launched by NTT in Tokyo. The US approved 1G operations in 1983 and the mobile phone was launched in America with the Motorola DynaTAC one of the first devices that saw widespread use despite the high price tag and limited ability.

2G emerged in 1991 in Finland and allowed for significantly clearer calls. But the 2nd generation technology brought so much more in the form of text and picture messaging which users, particularly the younger generation, adopted at an incredibly rapid pace. This truly started the mobile phone revolution, and it continued to grow rapidly worldwide.

Then came 3G in 2001. It was launched initially in Japan and offered standardized 'data packets' which made it possible for users to access data from anywhere in the world because of the standardization. In 2007 the iPhone was launched, and a year later, the iPhone 3G, which made use of many of the capabilities for 3G networks including video streaming, video conferencing, GPS and more.

iPhone 3G

4th Generation was first deployed in Sweden in 2009 as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Standard and then to the world as it brought faster speeds, and especially high-quality streaming capability. It wasn't until closer to 2013 that America started seeing the potential as apps like Uber utilized the capabilities of 4G LTE. Today 4G LTE is still somewhat limited worldwide, but in the US and other developed nations, speeds continue to increase as telecommunication companies keep upgrading.

Now we see 5G starting to emerge in 2020 and it offers three main benefits: faster speeds, lower latency and the ability to connect more devices at one time.

5G utilizes low, medium and high frequency radio bands with different benefits for each. Currently, there is little coverage anywhere in the US for 5G (despite all the main service providers claiming otherwise) and it will likely take several years before it becomes widely available.

5G is still in early development and even as it is added across America, 4G LTE will continue to be the primary technology for the next several years at least. Only in the last two or three years have we seen implementation of widespread access to 4G LTE in America, and it is likely to take 5G several years to be implemented, and even then, 4G LTE will still be used extensively.

Each generation of mobile technology has taken about 10 years to develop, so we can probably expect to see 6G sometime in 2030.

Is 5G Safe?

Yes, 5G is safe.

There has been some concern, and a lot of misinformation, about 5G recently. But it is clearly misplaced.

As we saw from the history of mobile technology above, 5G is simply the next generation. And while it innovates in some areas, it largely uses the same basic technology of radio waves that we have been using for years and years.

For more in-depth information, take a look at this article by PhoneScoop.

When Will Tracfone Get 5G and Do You Need a 5G Phone?

*Update*

Tracfone now offers 5G network coverage at no additional cost! Coverage is still limited, but you can see our post on 5G Coverage Maps and Compatible Phones to learn more!

Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have moved quickly to start building out their 5G networks across the US with limited coverage available in many major cities. Tracfone is able to use their 5G networks in the same way they use their 4G LTE networks, and provide Tracfone subscribers with 5G service. You will need to be in one of these 5G areas to get service, and have a 5G compatible device.

It will still likely take several years before 5G coverage is accessible for most American's, and for 5G speeds to reach their intended download and upload rates.

We hope this information helps explain what 5G means, and leave a comment below with any thoughts or questions.

Or visit our Facebook page and leave a comment and send us a message there!

Don't miss out on the latest Deals and Discounts on Tracfone smartphones.

Also check out our Beginners Guide to Tracfone if you're new or just want to understand some of the basics of how it all works.

And finally see our Tracfone Promo Code list with many different codes to get free minutes when adding airtime!

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The Future of Tracfone in 2020

New Phones, Predictions, and Changes for Tracfone in 2020

TracfoneReviewer shares the latest news, reviews and Tracfone promo codes!

The Future of Tracfone in 2020

With 2019 gone and the decade coming to a close, there is sure to be plenty of changes, new phones, and more for 2020. Each year we look at what the future might hold for Tracfone with our predictions.

We will share some possible new phones coming soon, network closing news, and a look back at the most popular phones from last year.

For those curious about our previous predictions, look back at our post for 2019.

Note - TracfoneReviewer is not affiliated with Tracfone Wireless in any way, we make our predictions based on trends and our own experiences.

Let's begin with a quick review of what happened in 2019.

Looking Back at 2019 

The year of 2019 was relatively quiet when it came to the release of new phones. We saw a handful of new devices but many were low-end budget phones that are not very popular.  Some of the new phones include the Samsung Galaxy A10e, LG Journey, and LG Solo. Visit our List of the Latest Phones to see everything new.

One surprise was the launch of Tracfone's unlimited smartphone plans which offers $20, $25 and $30 monthly plans with unlimited talk and text, and a certain amount of data.

The biggest thing to happen in 2019 was the 3G CDMA network closure that was supposed to take place at the end of 2019. However, because Verizon delayed their 3G network closure, Tracfone has also delayed theirs until December 2020.

If you want to learn more and see a list of compatible phones, view the the full Tracfone 3G Network Closure post here.

Popular Tracfones from 2019

Based on our own data, these are the most popular phones in 2019 for Tracfone users. What is most surprising to us is that all of these phones were actually released in 2018.

• Samsung Galaxy J7 Crown
• Moto G6
• LG Rebel 4

Each of these devices offers great value with the Moto G6 featuring 32 GB internal storage. But they are also starting to be a little outdated.

What to Expect from Tracfone in 2020

New Phones from Tracfone
There are a variety of new phones likely to come to Tracfone in 2020, here are some of the possibilities.

• LG Stylo 5 (LGL722DL)
• Samsung Galaxy A20
• Samsung Galaxy A50
• Moto E6
• Moto G7 Power/Play
• iPhone 8
• iPhone X
• iPhone 11

Some of these phones are already available on Tracfone's other brands like Total Wireless and Straight Talk.

The phones released by Tracfone in 2019 were mostly underwhelming and not really worth upgrading to so we are expecting they will release some new phones early in 2020, such as a newer Samsung or Moto device with 32 GB storage.

What to Expect from Airtime
With the addition of monthly unlimited plans, Tracfone appears to be trying hard to promote these cards over anything else they offer. They also quietly removed the $20 smartphone card, which was one of the best deals for data and texts.

We don't expect to see any major changes to airtime in 2020, but Tracfone may work towards phasing out the regular airtime cards and focusing on smartphone cards.

What to Expect from Tracfone Promo Codes
Tracfone has continued to provide promotional codes for both regular airtime cards and smartphone only cards with some of the codes for add-on cards offering great bonuses. However, Tracfone did make some subtle changes, making it so the majority of their codes can only be used when buying airtime rather than just adding it to your phone.

Of course we continue to share and update codes on our Tracfone Promo Code page.

What to Expect from Network Closings
Verizon's 3G CDMA network is scheduled to close at the end of 2020 which means Tracfone will also have to get costumers to migrate to new compatible phones by the end of the year. Any phone currently for sale on the Tracfone website is compatible with VoLTE, so if you need to upgrade, take a look there to start.

AT&T also has plans to shut down their 3G network, but this isn't scheduled for another couple years.
'
Follow all the information on this in our 3G Network Closure post.

What we Want from Tracfone in 2020

Unfortunately, as we look back at the year, the things we hoped for in 2019 are still things we hope for today, specifically better customer service and more phones with better specs like 32 GB storage.

A few years back it seemed like Tracfone was working towards improving customer service but in the last year or two, based on reports from our readers and our own experience, it doesn't seem like much as improved. It can still be very frustrating and confusing when trying to sort out issues with Tracfone and we hope that they will work harder in 2020 at making customer service one of their strong points rather than such a problem.

Along with that point we also are eager for Tracfone to move more quickly in releasing smartphones on their network that have at least 32 GB storage and the amicability to keep up with the needs of an average consumer.

That's it for our predictions of the future of Tracfone in 2020. We hope you find this useful and interesting. Remember that these are just our predictions and always subject to change.

Got something you want Tracfone to do or change in 2020? Let us know in the comments below! And if you have any thoughts or questions form this post be sure to share that as well.

Join us on Facebook to keep up with all the latest posts, news and other info.

Don't miss out on the latest Deals and Discounts on Tracfone smartphones.

Also check out our Beginners Guide to Tracfone if you're new or just want to understand some of the basics of how it all works.

Thanks for visiting and Happy New Year!

Tracfone Closing 3G CDMA Network- (Now Extended to end of 2020)

List of VoLTE Compatible Phones - Network Closure End of 2020

The latest news and information from TracfoneReviewer.

Tracfone Closing CDMA Cell Network 2020

Starting a early in 2019, some Tracfone users received messages from Tracfone that their CDMA devices won't work with Tracfone by the end of 2019. For a CDMA phone to work it must have VoLTE enabled in order to make calls.

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.

UPDATE: Verizon has decided to push back the closure until the end of 2020, thus allowing Tracfone users to also have a little more time before they will need to upgrade phones. We will continue to update with more information soon.

Tracfone has also confirmed that they are pushing back the date until the end of 2020 when users will need to have VoLTE compatible devices to send and receive calls. Users may still have 3G service going into 2021, but likely in the coming months that will start to disappear.

Why is Tracfone Shutting Down 3G and 2G CDMA 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 networks, and Verizon is shutting down their 2G and 3G networks which will affect any Tracfone CDMA devices using these networks.

Verizon has been planning this closure for several years and planning accordingly by including VoLTE with the phones they sell. But Tracfone doesn't seem to have planned it out so well, with only some of their more recent phone offerings including VolTE so some users will have to get a new phone to maintain service coverage.


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

What is VoLTE 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.

In the past (and with many of Tracfone's CDMA phones), smartphones would use the LTE networks for data, while 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 Verizon closing 2G and 3G networks, only VoLTE capable phones will be able to make calls.

Some may be asking why Verizon needs 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 possibly 5G in the future.

Do I Need to Upgrade my Tracfone CDMA Smartphone?
If you received a message from Tracfone that your phone is not compatible after 2019, then you will likely need to buy a new phone.

Check out the Latest Tracfone Smartphones available.

However, 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.

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.

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.

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

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