Today only, Best Buy is offering the Samsung Restore, a Virgin Mobile 3G feature phone, for $19.99.
It is important to note that this phone is only compatible with Virgin Mobile’s Beyond Talk plans. Virgin offers the same device in another SKU, the Samsung M575, which is programmed to be compatible with Virgin Mobile’s payLo pay-as-you-go plans.
The Beyond Talk variant is branded as the Samsung Restore, instead of by its generic model number, and each has its own serial number range. While confusing to consumers, it enables Best Buy to sell the Beyond Talk variant of the device for less than the payLo variant, hence why the device is able to be on-sale today for under $20.
Deal of The Day pricing from Best Buy is only valid at the link below, and typically is not available in retail stores. Retail stores typically do not price match Best Buy Deal of The Day prices, as they are considered a special sale/promotional price.
While the Samsung Restore is not a smartphone, it is a good option for Beyond Talk customers on Virgin Mobile, that are interested in having a backup device around. Many devices such as from HTC can take a week (at least) to be mailed in and replaced. As such, having a backup device can be essential. This is the cheapest Beyond Talk-specific phone we’ve ever seen, though you can activate cheaper payLo devices on Beyond Talk plans.
The phone comes with a one year warranty, and standard shipping is free on this Deal of The Day item.
I’ve been using the 8530 on VM for a week traveling through the SE. Network coverage is identical to the phone I have thru Sprint. Paying $50 a month (exactly $50/month) and for 1200 minutes talk and unlimited data/text. Data loads are faster than my former Verizon Tour. Very satisfied with Virgin Mobile. Lots of talk about poor customer service. I have done everything through their web page so far and it’s worked great. I can make payments, change my plan and check my exact usage there.