During the second half of last year, we were very happy to add our first smartphone to our product catalog, the Motorola Bravo. Since offering it, we’ve heard positive comments from many of our Bravo users.
We also heard from others, those who were interested in a smartphone but were also price-sensitive, especially when investing in a new piece of technology. So we listened, shopped around, did our research, and, I’m pleased to say, found a smartphone that I think is the perfect entry-level smartphone. That’s because it does just about everything more expensive models do and still costs only $90!
I’m talking about the LG Thrive, a sleek and attractive smartphone with a colorful display and a loud ringtone.
If you’re interested in the benefits of a smartphone but aren’t the type of person who is joined at the hip to your cell phone, then the Thrive could be a perfect fit for you. Even though it’s designed for the casual user and weighs just a little over three ounces, the Thrive is packed with features, including everything from GPS to Bluetooth to a touch screen display.
The Thrive uses the Android 2.2 operating system, runs 3G high-speed data and voice, and is powered by a fast 600 megahertz processor. You get the usual time-saving features, as well as fun things to do. In short, you get a lot of bang for under a hundred bucks.
Personally, I think it’s a smart thing to do: spend as little as possible for a smartphone, try it out and see if it fits your lifestyle. I think you’ll discover the Thrive is all the smartphone you need and then some.
Truth be told, you usually have to pay a lot upfront or get locked into a long-term contract to get an Android smartphone.
But not anymore. With Consumer Cellular, you get an affordable smartphone that fits your needs and the freedom to change your cell phone plan, without penalty, whenever your usage requires it. Pretty smart, don’t you think?
The Thrive is a great little phone, based on the proven Optimus line from LG. It does all I ask of a smartphone, and does it well. The only thing I am not sure of is why they list it as a “entry level” smartphone. It has all the features, and a powerful Android engine. Great phone, and with the Consumer Cellular data plan costs, it becomes the most affordable Android phone I have found yet.
I have been using the LG Thrive for about a month now and I absolutely love it. It is so easy to use and comes with many applications like the local weather, face book, games and maps just to name a few. In fact, I had to increase my web data plan because it is so much fun to use. ;p Anyway, I doubt if I will ever use a non-android phone again. I do have one more thing to add– I ended up buying a cover and screen protector for it from Amazon and perhaps, Consumer Cellular could offer a couple of these accessories as well? Lastly, I am a huge fan of Consumer Cellular and I would like to say thanks for being such a wonderful company to do business with– you're the tops !!! 🙂
I am looking to get a smart phone, but am disappointed to see that none of those available through Consumer Cellular are hearing aid compatible. Any chance you will be offering one soon?
Thanks for the comment, Billie. We're constantly adding to our cell phone lineup however, I don't have any specific news to report regarding future smartphones. Thanks for asking.
Billie
I wear hearing aids, I lost a lot of the high frequency range because I flew helicopters in the Army long before noise suppression was placed in our helmet. Contact your audiologist and ask him/her about a telecoil. This helps you in hearing in places like a church, movie, watching TV and also eliminates the squeal you get from a telephone.
Thanks, Louis! I'll do that!
Hello,
your service looks very attractive to me, but I would like to see you offering a smarter smartphone than the Motorola Bravo, which is the best that you currently offer. The camera resolution, and screen resolution are quite dated compared to what is currently being offered elsewhere on the market. It also does does not have a front facing camera. You have offered the Bravo for roughly a year already. You stated in one of your earlier replies that you are constantly adding to your cell phone lineup. Well how about a bit more frequently than once per year? The Bravo, although reasonably priced, still represents a large investment, and I am do not want to spend a lot of money on a phone with outdated features. Please offer a better smartphone. I am anxious to switch over to our service. Thanks for your attention.
Thank you for your feedback, Emory. Your suggestions are very good ones.
I am a relatively happy Bravo user, but ready to move on especially in light of needing to add a third phone to our plan. I need a smart phone with front facing camera. Before I invest in one and ask for a SIM card, any new product offerings on the horizon? Thanks!
Hello Kate. Thanks for the question. I don't have any news to report about new smartphones however, I can tell you that we don't have a phone with a front facing camera, and I don't anticipate that we'll have one soon. Thank you.
We have a Thrive. Why are you not offering it anymore? Should I be concerned? I thought I saw somewhere that you are offering another smartphone besides Bravo. I hope you will offer the new Microsoft software phones when they become available.
Hello John. Thanks for your post. There's no reason to be concerned. In fact, the LG Thrive was so popular that we're now sold out! Stay tuned to our blog as we'll be sure to announce when we have a new smartphone available. Thank you.
Hello,
I am happy to see that you have finally added another phone to your lineup (Huawei U8800). Although I was disappointed to see that it does not have a front-facing camera, I still went ahead and ordered two of them. We have had them for about a week now, and we are generally pleased with the phones. I would like to see an upgrade in the Android operating system. The phone came with Froyo (Android 2.2.2)loaded, which is over two years old. There have been 4 major updates to Android since then, and there are some apps that I would like to use that require at least an update to the next major revision, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). I figured that was something that Huawei would address, but they told me that the upgrade is up to you. So when can we see an operating system upgrade, and to which version of Android will the upgrade be?
The phone is quite nice, so I hope that improvement will be quickly forthcoming.
Hi Emory. Thank you for the input. I don't have any specific news to report about future phones and their operating systems however, we'll be sure to post any updates here in our blog. Thank you.
I am sad to see the Motorola Bravo gone and also the iphone3g, I just bought the Bravo and wanted to comment on great I think it is even if it is a little older smart phone I just love it..to thanks Consumer Cellular and thanks for your great service and plans! yay 🙂
does any of your plans consist of gps
Hi Foster, thanks for your post. If you have a smartphone that is connected to WiFi or has a data plan active on the account, you can use GPS apps on it.