Samsung a157V (AT&T Go Phone) No Annual Contract

After a few weeks of use, I am ready to declare my unequivocal love for this phone, despite the fact that my fiancé calls me an old man, a hipster, and/or simply "Ron Swanson" as a result. These terms may or may not be accurate, but if you are considering downgrading from a smartphone, this is as close to an old land-line as you can get without using something with a rotary dial.I have had AT&T since it was still Cingular Wireless in 2004. During the last ten years, I more or less followed the evolution of cell phones every time I was eligible for upgrades. My first smartphone was an iPhone 3GS, followed by an awful Android-based HTC that loved overheating and crashing, and then a Windows-based Nokia Lumia 920.Over time, I have noticed that my call quality and reception have worsened with each ostensibly newer and better smartphone. In the case of my Nokia Lumia 920, which I've had for around a year, this meant that at least one out of three people whom I called or who called me simply could not hear me. Like other smartphones, the Lumia has an "ambient noise-cancelling sensor." In the Lumia's case, this sensor does not interface correctly with the phone's firmware, whereby most of the time it simply cancels ALL noise coming into the phone, including my voice. This problem reached its apex a few weeks ago when a committee called to interview me for a job across the state, and they could not hear me, in spite of my full LTE bars. Hence, I almost immediately decided to research non-smartphones (dumbphones?), which ultimately led me to purchasing the Samsung A157V.Based on my experience with smartphones, it seems that cell phone technology per se--not the endless multifunctionality of smartphones, but the simple ability to make and receive phone calls (and basic text messages) almost anywhere with a device that is small yet optimally ergonomic--was perfected around 2004. Thus, the cramming of more and more features on to smartphones, then endless marketing blitzes to compel you to acquire these newer, faster, better tiny computers that may or may not actually work as, you know, a phone.The A157V, which is very similar to a Samsung that I owned around ten years ago, is a throwback to the last time that cell phones were just cell phones. Like a lot of reviewers, I appreciate the phone's build quality, insane 10-day standby time, and its overall simple functionality. Best of all, whereas I was previously unable to make or receive calls inside my office building with my previous phone, now people whom I call from pretty much anywhere around town compare my phone's sound to a landline. Finally, my Lumia takes several hours to charge when its charge is less than 20% and it is plugged into an electrical outlet. By contrast, the A157V takes around one hour to charge from one battery-bar (i.e., 20%) to full.I still can't believe this phone costs less than $15 (thanks to Prime, I ordered it on a Friday afternoon and received it Saturday), and that that price includes however many GoPhone minutes come with it.With respect to the criticisms others have offered, I can't address those given by people who attempt to use this as an unlocked phone, a global phone, etc. Nor can I speak to those who have purchased minutes for emergencies or whatever only to have them expire. I'm not reviewing AT&T's wireless service (which is VERY hit or miss when it comes to both coverage and customer service), just the A157V's functionality as a cell phone. Hence, the major criticisms that I will address include (1) the misguided notion that an existing AT&T SIM card is not compatible with the A157V, and (2) the idea that texting is difficult and/or more time consuming than on a smartphone.1. At first glance, it seemed that there was no way that the tiny SIM card (roughly the size of a microSD card) that came out of my Lumia would occupy the over 1-inch input under the battery for the A157V's SIM card. If, like me, you are retrofitting a smartphone SIM card from 2013 into this quasi-2004 phone, the first thing you need to do is to compare your existing SIM card with the one that comes with the phone. Examine the sides of the SIM cards with the brass contacts--not the smooth plastic sides--and you'll find that the actual electronic portions of the SIM cards are identical. What you have to do, then, is to figure out how to insert your smaller SIM card in such a way that the contacts align correctly inside the A157V's much larger input. For me, this entailed some trial and error (try to align SIM card, insert battery, turn phone on, and then see if you have reception other than "emergency use," repeat), but once you get it right there is no need to worry about it further, as the SIM input is spring-loaded and holds the SIM card snugly. Another option, of course, is to take this phone and your old one to an AT&T store to let them figure out the SIM card situation for you, but that whole process sounds awful to me, particularly since AT&T doesn't even sell the A157V directly, and I'm not entirely certain that the employees would be able to comprehend a cell phone that has tangible buttons.2. Admittedly, I miss the conversation format that smartphones maintain for text messages, but otherwise I prefer texting with this phone. The key, however, is activating the T9 Predictive Text mode, which allows you to spell out words without having to scroll through numbers/letters one at a time, and to add words (and emoticons) to the T9 dictionary when necessary. Note that if you can't spell words correctly, T9 will probably not work for you that well. To activate T9:a. Flip your A157V open.b. Hit the left side of the navigation button to open a text message.c. Select options.d. Press 1 for "Text Mode."e. Press 1 for "T9 Predictive Text."I'm not going to delve any further into how to use T9, as I'm sure Google and the interwebs can help you out there.I suspect that as more and more people acquire tablets, at least some of them will consider ditching their smartphones (okay, probably not Apple acolytes), given their redundancy. In my case, I still love my Lumia--with its giant, pocket-defying size, it has become a mini-Windows 8 tablet with an awesome camera--but I needed a phone that actually functions as a phone.For under $15, the A157V is as good as it gets. I might buy a few more just to have back-ups down the road when AT&T inevitably stops producing unpretentious phones built solely to function for the purposes of actually talking to other people. The up-shot of stocking up on these is that the phone's packaging is well-nigh impenetrable, and perhaps apocalypse-proof.

I was looking for a very simple phone after being frustrated with other non-smart phone devices that would suddenly die on me for no reason. Usually, I can blame myself for an issue, but certain phones (cough.... Samsung A187 AT&T Phone) stopped working for no reason!I would have given this phone 5 stars for sure, if weren't for the fact that it has started to act up these last few months (starting around September). It seems to turn off uncexpectedly, but might just be a battery issue, not sure. Otherwise, it works great! I only use it to text and calls. Kinda do wish it had a QWERTY keyboard, but you really can't beat the price! Also, I LOVED the text message chyme it has (it reminds me of another phone I used to have.... but I broke that one, my fault). People always say it sounds dramatic and scary, so it's a great motivator to respond to that message right away!

If all you want is a portable phone, without gizmos, for emergencies, to cut the phone bill at home or to stay away from high tech touch screens, then I highly recommend this model for you.This was actually for my mother since she's always hated the idea of having a cell phone but didn't like paying $50 for phone service. So she broke down, decided to go with Consumer Cellular since it was very cheap and wanted a phone, nothing more. Thankfully, this thing is specifically that, a compact telephone. It does have the ability to text and surf the web but uses 10 year old tech and with the small 2 inch screen, seems to make it more trouble than it is worth. The battery life is fantastic, lasting a week easily by just not using it, every three or four days if you have a regular 20-30 minutes of talking every day. It is small, fits easily in pockets and pretty easy to use if you follow the directions or know someone who can help you set things up, like your speed dial or entering people into the phone book. It is an AT&T phone, but you can use the pay as you go service or use a SIM from other AT&T phones, as well as Consumer Cellular does offer a free SIM if you sign up with them.

OK phone. But, activation is bizarrely complex, activation required codes hidden on box and in documentation, plus the AT&T support web site pathetic. He web site is especially disappointing when used to activate supporting features such as loading gmail contact into the phone – it doesn’t work. Moreover, one GoPhone account does not mean one set of IDs and passwords. Different AT&T web sites require different ID/password combinations. I thought AT&T was high tech. Trying to set up my new GoPhone has been a exercise in frustration and wasted time. If you want a simple, basic phone – look at other carries first.

Only thing I didn't like is it doesn't take photos. Like it is small, just open and talk. It would be prefect if i could add 10 mp camera to this phone. no internet. Also it would be good to have auto answering for in coming calls. Cells today are going to the bigger end so they can do internet. Now I do text off and on. Maybe easier to type a text.PSBuy the way I have a Motox and have the internet off, had to install a app to stop apps. And do have auto answer app. The motox is to big for me.thanks