Best Buy Black Friday: Virgin Mobile LG Optimus Elite Prepaid Android Phone (White) $49.99

Unless this is some kind of special one-off model for Black Friday or something like that (I would guess not since the regular listing on the website right now has the same information [bestbuy.com]), this phone being listed as a PayLo model is most likely a mistake. There are no Android phones that can be used as PayLo phones.

Is it still possible to get this on the $25 plan??
I have the HTC One V, while it's a step down. I could be saving money in the long run. Plus I can sell my current phone off on Craigslist.

I have the same question - If you are already on the $25/month plan and get a new VM smart phone does VM automatically change your plan to the current $35/month plan?

For $40 this would make a great mp3 player and wifi device. Don't even need to activate it.

Quote from DAKn2 : I have the same question - If you are already on the $25/month plan and get a new VM smart phone does VM automatically change your plan to the current $35/month plan?

From accounts that I've read, no. At the same time, I doubt we'll get a definitive answer on that. If someone has one, though, I'd love to hear about it...

I have a V that I wouldn't mind upgrading, so I'm curious about this deal.

http://virginmobileusa.custhelp.c...VFBIMmw%3D

[Long time reader, first time poster]

Quote from bluefakeplastic : From accounts that I've read, no. At the same time, I doubt we'll get a definitive answer on that. If someone has one, though, I'd love to hear about it... I have a V that I wouldn't mind upgrading, so I'm curious about this deal.

I've had both the elite and the optimus T (same as V but for Tmobile) and i found:

Elite: decent speaker phone, faster processor, larger internal memory, but cannot push apps to the external SD card without a lot of extra workarounds, cannot be used as a wifi hotspot, and has shorter battery life

Optimus T(V): horrible speaker phone, slower processor, small internal memory that is always running out but you can push most apps to the SD card, free wifi hotspot and decent battery life

Overall I consider the elite a step sideways from the V rather than a step up. While it improves in some areas it got worse in others. The biggest question would be which do you want more, a workable speaker phone or free wifi hotspot.

If you do go with the elite, definitely root it. It is easy, does not take long and lets you use a battery app that helps a lot with battery life

Appreciate the insight. If I drag myself out on BF, I might just grab that Kyocera for $29.99. I'm really just looking for a back-up or something to fu*k with at home on wi-fi.

Sorry about a newbie/dumb question....can I buy this phone, put AT&T sim and use on AT&T plan without resulting in any data charges from AT&T?

Quote from sp37 : Sorry about a newbie/dumb question....can I buy this phone, put AT&T sim and use on AT&T plan without resulting in any data charges from AT&T?

No. This is a CDMA phone. It does not even have a SIM slot.

Quote from ToniH3945 : http://virginmobileusa.custhelp.c...VFBIMmw%3D [Long time reader, first time poster]

Just to clarify for those who don't click through, no you cannot put a new phone on the old $25 plan:

Quote : What are the new device upgrade rules? Starting May 27, 2012, if you are using the $25, $40, or $60 Beyond Talk Plans and you upgrade to a Beyond Talk Smartphone launched after May 1, 2012 (including the HTC EVO™ V 4G), you will need to switch to the current $35, $45, or $55 Beyond Talk Monthly Plan. When you switch plans, you will need to pay for your new plan and you will lose any minutes, messages, and money in your balance. This will also change your monthly payment date. So if you are considering upgrading to a new smartphone, we recommend that you wait until right before your next monthly payment date to activate. *The following smartphones launched before May 1, 2012 and are therefore not subject to the new device upgrade rules at this time: VentureTM, LG ® OptimusTM Slider, HTC ® Wildfire STM, Motorola TriumphTM, LG ® Optimus VTM, Blackberry ® CurveTM 8530.

Quote from JuryDuty : Just to clarify for those who don't click through, no you cannot put a new phone on the old $25 plan:

Not entirely true. I have this phone on the $25 plan

can this ugrade to a higher andriod OS? like ice cream sandwich or jelly bean
also will this be an online buy too?