Following the quiet cancellation of the GSM LG Optimus 2X, Straight Talk has quietly launched the LG Optimus Black for $329.99 on the StraightTalk online portal. The phone is the reference version of the Optimus Black as it was originally announced last year during trade shows, while the phone has been confirmed to run on Sprint’s network as it carries the LG L85C model code, which is reserved for CDMA phones on Tracfone.
The CDMA LG Optimus Black was previously launched on Sprint and Boost Mobile last year as the LG Marquee and the StraightTalk version is identical, with a 4.0 inch NOVA touch display at 800×480 resolution, 1GHz processor, front facing camera, Android Gingerbread, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accelerometer, GPS/A-GPS support, 5.0 megapixel camera with LED flash, autofocus and 720p video capture. The user manual for the phone also makes explicit mention of software updates, which may suggest that the phone will be able to receive updates to its operating system, which is a rarity for phones sold on virtual operators.
While the phone may be StraightTalk’s own variant of the Sprint and Boost Mobile LG Marquee, the pricing for the phone reflects StraightTalk’s lower subsidy rate compared to the aforementioned companies, as the Boost Mobile version is sold for $279.99 outright, while StraightTalk is selling the phone for $329.99 online with the requirement to purchase a $45 Unlimited airtime card, pushing the total to $374.99 before taxes and fees, making the total cost for the phone over $400 after all is said and done.
With StraightTalk refusing to comment on the status of the LG Optimus 2X, it may have decided to release the Optimus Black as a compromise in order to appease those customers that were waiting patiently for the 2X. Will those that want the 2X buy the Optimus Black, or will they continue to wait in vain for a phone that is marginally better and will invariably be much more expensive?
I would buy this phone if it didn’t run on the Sprint Network. I don’t get any service bars. That is why I am waiting for the LG Optimus 2X. It is supposed to run on T-Mobile. I call or email Straight Talk everyday and they assure me that they are still releasing the Optimus 2X soon. We will see?
Helen: I hesitate take the word of StraightTalk’s customer service reps to heart. They know very little about the company’s current activity and are only trained to handle customer issues with service. At this point they’re being instructed to keep telling customers that the phone is still coming, despite all evidence pointing to the contrary.
Marketing being suddenly pulled after months of promotion and the sudden launch of the secondary model in the Optimus Black after no official announcement or pre-order campaign tends to make one wary of any ‘confirmation’ from customer service that the Optimus 2X is still being released. At this point, I’d have more faith in ST releasing the Nokia E72 they had listed in their internal database.
The cancellation may have more to do with T-Mobile not seeing eye to eye with Tracfone on network lease fees and other related costs to supporting the Optimus 2X, but such issues do pop up from time to time and do cause sudden cancellations with no explanation.
It’s very possible that neither side can even legally make a statement at this point for fear of confidential information regarding both Tracfone’s and T-Mobile’s specific arrangements leaking out.
I went ahead and bought the LG Optimus 2x Unlocked for 339 and will use the BYOD program, wish me luck for i do not know how to configure a unlocked phone yet and i sure hope it isn’t hard. Wish me luck and if anyone knows where i can find out how to configure this phone, please provide a link. Thanks.
Most of us ST customers seeking an Android phone would be MUCH better off just buying an AT&T or T-Mobile Android from ebay or craigslist and using the BYOP SIMs that they sell. Same Straight Talk service, and your choice of phone, usually at a cheaper price than this. Just bought an AT&T Samsung Infuse from ebay with an Otterbox case & extra battery for $275.. thats cheaper than this phone’s stand alone price.
I got a better phone, with better network coverage, for a cheaper price.
I stupidly ordered the Optimus Black thinking it was the 2x. I realized it was 3g And even though I just ordered it it took about 2 hours to cancel or refund. I’m not really sure what will happen. But they said if it gets delevered I should refuse it. Nobody at Straight Talk seemed to know anything about the 2x. Either playing dumb or are really ignorant of their company products. Of course bless their heart I can barely understand their english. Yeah I currently have a AT&T samnsung flight (which sucks) and am using the straight talk sim. But I can’t program it. No way that I know to reenter the APN data to get the internet or send pics. Really sucks.
Thanks Humberto I am sure you are right. I now have a Samsung T528G from Straight Talk which runs on the AT&T Network and I get excellent service (all five bars). I get no service bars with Sprint. I would like a really good phone from AT&T but I am afraid to buy a used phone from Craigs List. Where can I get a new HTC Insire and not have to pay $400 or $500?
I have been waiting for the ST 2x for months now, latest email says it’s “still pending” but, after reading this I’m not sure I believe them, but those who have reserved a 2x have not been sent info on the alternative “black” or “Q” either. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ll stay away from the “black” due to it being a Sprint network phone. However, ST did say you can return the “black” within 30 days if you don’t like it. I really want the 2x though. So before I spend that kind of $$$$ on ebay, I’d like to know how everything has worked out for those (Helen?) who bought unlocked phones and got a ST sim.
Thanks
oops, that was “Angie” who bought the 2x on ebay, Duh!!! sorry.
I would most definately order the LG Optimus Black, but I see no use in ordering any type of smart phone from Straight Talk becasue they all run under Sprint’s tower and Sprint’s signal isn’t avaliable barely anywhere in the south. I reccomend that either AT&T or Verizon Wireless agree to adopt a smart phone within the Straight Talk service. I promise you that’ would bring many more buyers to the shelves and online.
Would I be able to use an unlocked LG Optimus Black on the Straight Talk network?
You probably can with an AT&T or T-Mobile compatible Straight Talk GSM SIM card. You would not be able to use it with Straight Talk Sprint or Verizon service.
The key is to check which 3G bands your Optimus Black supports. If it supports WCDMA 850/1900, use an AT&T-compatible Straight Talk SIM. If it supports WCDMA 1700/2100, use a T-Mobile-compatible Straight Talk SIM.
You can order these SIMs from Straight Talk’s web site. Keep in mind though that many international, unlocked phones may not support either 3G band, and you might get stuck at 2G speeds as a result, so be sure to match up the above before buying the phone.
I purchase the straighttalk optimus black after I entered my zip code to find out from one service rep that it is android powered by sprint.. I called again and a different rep said that it is powered by verizon wireless.. I am soo aggravated I can’t seem to get a straight answer from straighttalk!! I have emailed them and go figure no reply.. I have tried now twice toget it activated.. however I have no bars.. I have 3 bars with my old straighttalk phone..
My fiance bought straight talk optimus black for my Chrstmas. I loved the phone and all the features but when I started going places found I had no signal and it was always searching for signal I am so disgusted that for this amount of money I can’t use it on the road. Does anyone know if I can switch carrier from sprint to Verizon?