Brad Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 As always, we have several dedicated threads for the hotter items each Black Friday. Please try to keep all discussion related to these items in their official threads. Other threads posted will likely be merged into this main thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123abc Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Looking for a smartphone for my elderly mom. Nothing fancy, easy to use. What is the best deal out there Will BF ads have phones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanyon71 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Looking for a smartphone for my elderly mom. Nothing fancy, easy to use. What is the best deal out there Will BF ads have phonesEasy to use is sometimes a matter of personal ability. Many people find the iPhone easy to use, others find Android easy to use. I personally think it's all what you get used to using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmck Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Cost is another factor to consider too and how much do you think she will use it. Pre pay phones or a contract? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bree9311 Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I think a iPhone SE would be great for her. It's small but packed with features. Plus now that the 7 is out, it will be inexpensive. But whatever device you do get, make sure to sit down and help her with it and write whatever passwords she creates down. I work in tech support and have heard so many elderly people just lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcwalker Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 (edited) Looking for a smartphone for my elderly mom. Nothing fancy, easy to use. What is the best deal out there Will BF ads have phones Look at the cell phones and plans offered by Consumer Cellular, the only cell phone company affiliated with AARP. In addition to common models, they offer some distinctly easy to use cell phone models specifically designed for older people and they have the lowest cost plans available for light users (starting at $9.50 per month plus 24 cents per minute or $14.25 per month with 250 minutes). I believe all of Consumer Cellular's plans are "prepaid plans." I have done some careful analysis of cell phone plan costs, and I recommend buying a phone and using prepaid plans no matter what company you use. It is ALWAYS cheaper in the long run than the contract plans. "Free" phones in a plan are both never actually free, and you pay more for them over time than if you bought them up front. Edited October 2, 2016 by mcwalker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcster Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 It is ALWAYS cheaper in the long run than the contract plans. "Free" phones in a plan are both never actually free, and you pay more for them over time than if you bought them up front. I'll only go with a pre-paid plan from here on out... We were with T-Mobile for a short while (their coverage was awful). But to add insult to injury, their database of users was hacked so our credit report was compromised. Hello cc-monitoring service. Thanks for nothing, T-mo! We're with Cricket Wireless now, which is the pre-paid arm of AT&T. Love the coverage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laddhorn Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 My mom uses android, but I am an android person. Just get your mom a smartphone similar to what you use. After all, you will be the one helping her! If you are concerned about price and ease of use, consider the Samsung Galaxy S5. (it will be cheap as it is 2 years old, yet still works well). Samsung devices have a setting called "Easy Mode" that makes it look similar to an iPhone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliteABombAZ Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 I currently work in Tech Support for one of the national wireless carriers (don't want to say which). I will absolutely say this... No matter which platform they start using (iOS or Android).... please... please... PLEASE... educate them on the importance of knowing the associated account and password for their phone. (Like their Google Account and password or Apple ID and password). You have no idea how many elderly people call and need to get into something on their phone... and they don't know their Apple ID and/or password. (Same with Google Account).... and they think that I (a rep from the wireless carrier) am supposed to know that information or that I have their password. People constantly lose access to backups of their contacts, photos....etc because they don't know this info.... or sometimes... lately with the creation of activation lock features.... they cannot reset and re-activate a phone because they don't have the info and don't have the means to retrieve it. BOTTOM LINE:If you gift a smartphone (or any other connected device), educate them about these things! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkrbel Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Hoping for free or close to free upgrades for at&t. all lines are eligible for upgrade but don't feel like paying through the teeth for it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msyves Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 I'm looking to score a Galaxy 7 for under $2. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megara211 Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Are there usually any deals on unlocked phones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcster Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Are there usually any deals on unlocked phones?Amazon runs a "Deal of the Day" every so often on unlocked phones... ASUS, Sony, etc. Just keep checking their page: https://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megara211 Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Thx marcster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyndim98 Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Thoughts on any BF deals for an iphone 6s plus? Hoping for the right deal, don't want to get my kids the 7's since they don't take care of things. But need to stay with Verizon because of location issues. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanyon71 Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Thoughts on any BF deals for an iphone 6s plus? Hoping for the right deal, don't want to get my kids the 7's since they don't take care of things. But need to stay with Verizon because of location issues.I would say you're likely to see some deals, though places like Sam's Club and other tend to have deals on the newer phones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megara211 Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 Any deals on s7 edge? I know the ads aren't out yet but do you think there'll deals on them. Or would I be better off with Samsung's current deal of buy the s7 or s7 edge and get the vr free? Mind you I'm currently on a no contract prepaid from straight talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimito1 Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 We are waiting until BF to upgrade DH phone. He has been anxiously waiting to get the IPhone 7. Hoping to get a big gift card to spend on gifts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bribri25 Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 Any deals on s7 edge? I know the ads aren't out yet but do you think there'll deals on them. Or would I be better off with Samsung's current deal of buy the s7 or s7 edge and get the vr free? Mind you I'm currently on a no contract prepaid from straight talk. I would imagine you'll see something, but it's hard to say for sure. I think the s6 was about in the same situation last BF. Plus, there's undoubtedly going to be some deal on the iPhone 7, it'd be almost impossible not to have anything for the Galaxy. IMO, the VR isn't all that great, anyway. In theory it's cool but you'll get a few weeks use out of it before the novelty wears off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megara211 Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Thx bribri25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanyon71 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 I think Samsung is probably going to push pretty hard after the hurt that the Note 7 has put on them from a PR standpoint. I think you will see some good deals out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bribri25 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 I'm curious how much the Pixel compares to the Galaxy; and how much the hardware was done elsewhere, but just stamps Google's name on it. I know they do a few things differently on the OS and call it "pure Android", but in reality how different is it? I've been a Galaxy s3(when is was still in roman numerals S III)/s4/s5/s6 user for 4+ years and really have come to love them. It would probably take something special for me to change at this point; a "Google" stamp rather than "Samsung" isn't going to cut it. Maybe we'll see what the s8 vs. Pixel2 (both theoretical models in their respective series') brings. Not in the market for a smartphone this BF, but always curious on the ever-expanding technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamat2011 Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Hoping for free or close to free upgrades for at&t. all lines are eligible for upgrade but don't feel like paying through the teeth for itMe to..we've been waiting to see what they are going to give, but now the phone my daughter wanted, we can't get at least its not online. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
len_mullen Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 We are AT&T customers with three iPhone 5S phones. We are not on any kind of new-every-two plan and our phones work fine. One of my kids wants to replace his 5S with an SE. I have used this phone and it is much better than the 5S, but I wonder if I should be waiting on an SE version of the iPhone 7. My kid says no because of the lack of a phone jack. I am thinking of getting the SE and putting the SE on a new number for me. AT&T says that I will only have to pay for the phones and $15/month to add a line. SO... What do you guys think of the SE? Should I wait for an iPhone 7 SE? Should I expect a deal from AT&T over the holidays? Should I be looking somewhere else for a deal? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
premiumchip Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 I read the Verizon ad released already and it looks like they are doing $10 per month on the edge plan for Galaxy S7 and the New Moto Z. Both of these phones are on my lists. However, lower in the add it has pricing much higher than that. The way I read it, it looks like the $10 per month price is Thursday only and then higher on Friday. Is that how you guys understood the ad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigermom1 Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Anyone have any luck with refurbished ipods? My girls have our old phones but they are showing their age now and I really don't want to spend $200+ on a new ipod. Would my best bet be brick and mortar store or Amazon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanyon71 Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Anyone have any luck with refurbished ipods? My girls have our old phones but they are showing their age now and I really don't want to spend $200+ on a new ipod. Would my best bet be brick and mortar store or Amazon?If you're getting it from Apple itself on their online store then it's pretty much as good as new and usually comes with a good warranty. Now from others I'm not 100% sure as it would depend on the skills of the person doing the refurbishment. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBWilliams Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 For the Target and Sam's Ad that offers Iphones and Samsung phone for $0 down, waived activation and $250 gift cards....what does $0 down mean? Do pay for the phone now? I'm eligible for upgrade of my Samsung galaxy S5, but the latest Samsung explodes now......lol. I'm considering an Iphone 7 plus....any thoughts and/or recommendations on Iphones or other good smartphones.....Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyreejames Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 For the Target and Sam's Ad that offers Iphones and Samsung phone for $0 down, waived activation and $250 gift cards....what does $0 down mean? Do pay for the phone now? I'm eligible for upgrade of my Samsung galaxy S5, but the latest Samsung explodes now......lol. I'm considering an Iphone 7 plus....any thoughts and/or recommendations on Iphones or other good smartphones.....Thanks!It means that you're signing up for an installment plan through your phone company. For instance, At&T's is called the Next plan. The price you pay per month is based on the length of time you want to pay before you're eligible to upgrade; every year, every other year, etc. Of course, you have the option of paying the phone off as well too. Your only out of pocket that day should be the taxes on the full price of the phone. I'm going for the iPhone 7plus and since I've paid my 6 off, I will be keeping it as a back-up phone for the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msomnipotent Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 They also do a credit check when you do the payment plan, and the rebates I have seen so far require you to stay on the plan for 24 months. I was all excited about Verizon's B1G1, and then I saw they require the payment plan. I'm planning on moving in a few months and don't want the hit on my credit, so I just bought the Moto G4 for $199 today. I don't need the latest and greatest, and anything is a step up from my glitchy S4. I'm hoping I didn't jump the gun, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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