(Part 2) Top products from r/tmobile

that was probably the most popular phone + plan of /r/android in 2012 (fond memories).

definitely doable, but why not go for a Moto G instead? better gpu, better battery life, much better screen, same mp camera.

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Moto-2nd-generation-Unlocked/dp/B00MWI4HW0/ref=dp_ob_title_def

Most budget low end devices use a Micro SIM, and not a Nano SIM, so the first thing I recommend would be to pick up a Nano to MicroSIM Adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WDV0GGC/

As far as phones go, I like this Blu R1 HD for $59 (note you do have to be an amazon prime member or its $99):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2E0J5M/


If you're looking to step up, thj Moto G4 Play is a great phone, and will get more T-Mobile LTE Bands:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KBH547A/

Hope this helped!

Yeah, you should be getting more than that on most hardware especially on 5g bands.
You won't ever get what the line is capable of, overhead and all that jazz.

I'm on spectrum 1gig over coax. The up is severely limited, I get max like 50mb on a good day but my pixel 3 xl on 5g just cleared 370mbs down via fast.com.

https://i.imgur.com/FyrGz4p.png

I've been using this router https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0167HG1V6/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_nwQjDb2M89SGX
for almost 2 years, best router I have ever had.

The M7 had a bunch of problems, true. Honestly unless your dad is planning on playing a lot of games and needs a 1080p screen, please consider the new Moto G 2014 edition. You won't have LTE data, but you get front-facing speakers and microSD memory card for under $200 with a proper warranty. There is also an LTE-enabled model from last year for $200, but doe not have front facing speakers. The model from last year is actually smaller (4.5" screen), which he might prefer.

Moto G 2014 review: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/03/moto-g-review-2014/

Moto G 2014 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Moto-2nd-generation-Unlocked/dp/B00MWI4HW0/

(Make sure to pick the US version if purchasing).

Moto G 2013 LTE on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Moto-Universal-Unlocked-Black/dp/B00K0NRZSW/

It supports band 12 700 MHz, but it is not enabled at the moment.

It uses nano SIMs if you need to switch between nano and micro SIM devices these work great. http://www.amazon.com/MediaDevil-Simdevil-adapter-Micro-Standard/dp/B00G26XWDI/

Amazon has the Unlocked US Version A50 on pre-order for $349. It is released the 20th. If you pre-order you get a free Galaxy Fit with it. https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Unlocked-Smartphone-SM-A505UZKNXAA-Compatible/dp/B07XHDZ527/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=galaxy%2Ba50&qid=1568835753&rnid=2941120011&s=mobile&sr=1-6&th=1

You can keep a nano sim registered on your line and then use an adapter (nano->micro) so it will fit in the other phone. This way you'd have one number but would have to move the sim card every time you want to switch phones.
The adaptors are like this.

Pretty sure it will be this: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Select-Micro-Memory-256GB/dp/B01G7L03OS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469754996&sr=8-1&keywords=256gb+micro+sd+card

I don't think the Samsung UFS card is out yet, so most likely this one.

It is a high end router, it is not the sacrificial altar of wireless orgasms but really good for the price. I actually just bit the bullet and bought mine from T-Mo and flashed Merlin on it.

The Moto E is a fantastic choice.
I'd recommend a Nexus 6 though.

Band 12, Wifi Calling, Direct Updates, Dirt Cheap ($299).
https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Unlocked-Cellphone-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00R1984DS/ref=sr_1_4?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1466609256&sr=1-4&keywords=Nexus+6

Another good option is the GoGroove FlexSMART X2. It has the advantage of doubling as a hands free bluetooth adapter, but it's a bit over 2x the cost of the adapter /u/nk1 posted.

Where exactly did you purchase these phones? For example, if you buy a T-Mobile branded phone from Wal-Mart, those phones are locked to Wal-Mart's Family Mobile network, which although runs off T-Mobile's network, is their own company. Their phones are SIM locked and will not accept a T-Mobile SIM card. You used to be able to do this, but about 2 years ago, they started locking the phones.

Secondly, the Nokia E5 is a dogshit phone for the network these days. No VoLTE and no band 12 leaves a lot to be desired, and 2G is going to be eventually sunset.

Third, does your mom use data or all, or just calling and texting? If so, there's an even cheaper plan for just $20 a month where it's just talk and text. If she's just using a flip phone (and like you said, just wants to make a phone call), then you can have an even cheaper plan than that.

Do yourself a favor and avoid the call centers on the other side of the earth, go to the store, ask if you can change the rate plan to the talk and text, and just buy your mom an Alcatel Go Flip. That or just buy the ZTE Cymbal off of Amazon as it has VoLTE an all the bands T-Mobile uses as well.

I couldn't find anything that takes a sim to hook a phone to but you could use the current phone with bluetooth to connect it to a normal phone.

You could get a Cordless Phone System with bluetooth or get something like this Bluetooth Gateway. Just leave the phone plugged in by the base station / gateway.

With a USB to USBC adapter, any USB keyboard will work on a phone. Bluetooth ones probably work too! I'm typing this right now on my Pixel 3a using a desktop USB keyboard.

I bet something like this would work.

Isn't my phone number stored on the sim card? So I would want to use the same sim card right?


Would this be useful? https://www.amazon.com/Aerb-Micro-Adapter-Sander-Needle/dp/B00WDV0GGC/ref=sr_1_3?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1484006806&sr=8-3&keywords=sim+adapter&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011

Yeah I figured. Turned out I found something to try - fingers crossed. https://www.amazon.com/ZTE-Altair-QWERTY-Keyboard-Phone/dp/B00B4HO91O

Funny thing about that: When hurricane Sandy hit, I tuned in to the local FM radio station (which I usually don't listen to because it's a lot old guys waxing ignorant about politics, and repetitive music).

The first thing I heard when I switched on the radio? "Well, if you're tuning in to us to find out what's going on... we don't know either. Our internet is down, our cable TV is down, and our phones are down. And that's all of the ways we get our information."

So, it was pretty useless.

Also, a cheap battery powered AM/FM radio or even a crank-powered model, is going to be a lot more efficient and reliable in an emergency than a smartphone sucking down battery searching for a cell signal, that also happens to have an FM receiver in it.

Same price?

T-Mobile
Amazon
UE

and an adapter!

HEY IT'S STILL AVAILABLE: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R1984DS/ref=twister_B00TW47DSW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Here is the mobile version of your link

Here is the mobile version of your link

http://www.amazon.com/LG-Optimus-Logic-White-Net10/dp/B009YL1IOS/ref=sr_1_8?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1411090714&sr=1-8&keywords=NET10

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Centura-Android-Prepaid/dp/B00C442VNO/ref=sr_1_9?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1411090714&sr=1-9&keywords=NET10

CHEAPEST
http://www.amazon.com/LG-Optimus-No-Contract-Touchscreen-Prepaid/dp/B006EXT5TO/ref=sr_1_12?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1411090714&sr=1-12&keywords=NET10

Here:

ZTE Cymbal Z-320 Unlocked 4G LTE Phone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4FAY4J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_eLr9AbGFPDXCH

Alcatel GO FLIP 4044 2.8" GSM Unlocked 4GB Blue 4G LTE 2.0MP Wi-Fi Calling (Certified Refurbished) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGXLKCL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pPr9Ab6KCX9V3

Looks to not have LTE but should connect on 2G until 2020 for calls:
Pantech Breeze 4 (4G LTE) - GSM Unlocked https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OR1SIJS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rNr9AbTF9CPRF

Another option, not able to use it on T-Mobile but works on a Verizon MVNO:
Jitterbug Flip Easy-to-Use Cell Phone for Seniors - Red by GreatCall https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DRV2BBY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QWr9AbA5Z1444

There are all kinds of options if your willing to look at a different service provider.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S8-Unlocked-64GB/dp/B06Y14T5YW

Doesn't matter to me since its removable, I always buy ZeroLemon batteries.

Its all glass it just feels weird.
https://www.amazon.com/S7-Replacement-Adhesive-Preinstalled-Galaxy/dp/B01DW95VDG

I get what you are saying. I'm in a 2ish bar area and have stuck with my Airport extreme with no issues, granted I have a single story house so that makes range no much of an issue.

My brother-in-law lives in a cottage about 100 feet away from a main house where the router is located. He bought this router and has no issues with wifi connection. He is not using wifi calling, but has two laptops and two phones connected whenever he is home.

Xtreme Technologies Xlink BT Bluetooth Gateway - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00135XU7Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aEyOAbF3MVDGP

This connects a analog phone to a cell phone over Bluetooth. I got one to test with an old alarm. Didn't work for the alarm (my guess is the delay in sending tones) but otherwise worked as advertised.

How much was your insurance? I'm going to assume $10/mo. That's $240 in insurance plus $99, so $340 to get a replacement unit.

Looks like you can get a "renewed" S8 on Amazon for $260 right now, two day Prime shipping. https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Unlocked-Smartphone-Carriers/dp/B0786PRKBP/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_107_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=C2T9X2E767BP1ZDC47QW or $377 new https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y14T5YW/ref=dp_cr_wdg_tit_nw_mr This is a little over two years since the phone was new, just like your example.

Then you could have sold your broken one for at least a little on eBay or wherever. Pretend that's at least $37. I would guess more but just for the sake of it.

You would have come out ahead if you didn't have insurance, even if you got a new one as a replacement instead of a refurb.

And if you hadn't dropped and broken the phone at all, you would have come out way more ahead. GF and I have only had one phone actually drop and break in our many years of heavy smartphone use, and that was a Moto X with no case back in 2014. With quality cases, phones don't break from dropping unless you do something insane or have really really bad luck.

So, the only time you'd come out behind, hand-waving some numbers, would probably be if you didn't use a case and broke it due to negligence (ie not something covered under warranty) within the first year or so while replacement value was still high.