Not one to rest on its laurels, StraightTalk will be adding another Verizon-powered Android smartphone to its lineup in the coming weeks with the stealth confirmation that it will launch the LG Enlighten entry-level Android smartphone within the next few weeks. This will be the prepaid operator’s second Verizon-powered smartphone following the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim last month two weeks after the Verizon launch.
The Enlighten as launched on Verizon last year features Android Gingerbread, a 3.5 inch display and a sliding hardware QWERTY keyboard underpinned by an 800MHz Qualcomm Scorpion processor based off of the higher-end Snapdragon core with full support for Flash 10 despite Adobe abandoning further development for mobile devices.
With the Samsung Proclaim experiencing unexpected levels of popularity to the point that the phone is currently sold out online, StraightTalk may be looking to diversify its Android lineup and take full advantage of its newly revived agreement with Verizon Wireless, as its current $45 unlimited service rate greatly undercuts the carrier’s own $80 rate for smartphones on prepaid while offering a higher data allowance per month at 4GB with the same level of coverage, since Verizon restricts prepaid smartphones to its own native coverage footprint and 1GB of data per month.
With the LG Enlighten, StraightTalk may also be moving away from relying on Sprint for new devices and network support, as the provider previously signed an agreement with the carrier to provide Android smartphones, beginning with the rebranded Samsung Precedent, then expanding to the LG Optimus Q and Black, on account of Sprint being the only carrier at the time to allow smartphones unlimited data access without any restrictions at all levels, including wholesale access.
However, StraightTalk has since endured complaints of poor service with Sprint Android smartphones on account of that carrier’s overloaded network and smaller coverage area compared to Verizon, with many of the complaints centering on the desire for smartphones powered by Verizon despite releasing more Sprint-powered devices in recent months with the Huawei Ascend II and the planned future launch of the currently Virgin Mobile exclusive Alcatel One Touch Flex Android smartphone.
Now with the popularity of the Proclaim, StraightTalk may be looking to diversify its smartphone lineup with more Verizon models in its lineup in addition to current Sprint models in order to satisfy all of its current customers while working to draw in new customers to its increasingly popular service.
The Esteem is a great fit for Straight Talk. It’s like what the Triumph aimed to be for Virgin Mobile, but failed to do so because of execution issues between Huawei and Motorola.
This is shaping up to be an economical, ICS-ready device that can trumpet $45 unlimited everything prepaid… on Verizon! It’s about time.
[…] PhoneNews.com reports that Straight Talk will add another Verizon-powered Android handset to its lineup in a few weeks. As for the Enlighten itself, it’s the definition of an entry-level Android handset. It has a small 3.2-inch display at a mere 320×480 pixels. It does have a slide-out keyboard, though, which is preferable to some. Then again, it’s unfavorable to others, since it makes the phone more bulky. It will run Android 2.3, which is the bare minimum at this point. Again, we can expect the phone to drop sometime in the next few weeks. There is no word on pricing, but expect it to be considerably less than the $180 Samsung Galaxy Proclaim, Straight Talk’s other Verizon-powered Android. ; […]
Whatever! I actually really like Sprint and its prepaid brands, I get good coverage everywhere I need it (I stay L.A.), and besides I’m really excited about the new Straight Talk/NET10 HUAWEI MERCURY that’s coming out soon and i’m sure its gonna b powered by Sprints network!
Actually dude the HUAWEI MERCURY that TracFone’s gonna offer to Straight Talk and NET10 is undetermined whether its gonna use Verizon’s or Sprint’s network, I looked and the FCC files and it say: 850/1900 bands, which both carriers use, we just gonna have to see and wait
[…] carrier does still have economical unlimited data options. As we reported yesterday, Straight Talk will soon begin offering an LG Enlighten, its second Android smartphone, on a $45 […]
Fabian: The packaging for the StraightTalk Ascend II confirms that it runs on Sprint’s network as shown in this picture:
http://cdn.phonenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/stascendii.jpg
StraightTalk/TracFone use the following network codes to denote network support on phones:
CDMA-V = Verizon
CDMA-S = Sprint
GSM-A = AT&T
GSM-T = T-Mobile
[…] Source […]
@Humberto Saabedra, I know that the Huawei Ascend II uses Sprints, but TracFone’s also launching the Huawei Mercury (Cricket currently offers it!) soon.
TracFone has no variant of the Mercury listed in its activation database at the moment, so it’s doubtful what it has planned for release other than what’s already listed. The only other phone I’ve seen listed is the Samsung Fascinate previously released on Verizon and US Cellular.
I just had a chat with Straight talk. this is what I learned.
“Thank you for choosing to chat today. Unfortunately Stacy is busy assisting other customers. An available representative will be with you shortly.
My name is Heidi, how can I help you today?
Heidi: Hello. How can I assist you with your phone order today?
You: what network does the HUAWEI Ascend II use?
Heidi: I am happy to assist you. Can I have your name please?
You: mike
Heidi: Thank you, Mike.
Heidi: The Huawei Ascend II phone has Verizon coverage and it’s an android phone. It’s just for $99.99 plus taxes with free shipping.
You: also, when does the LG Enlighten become available?
Heidi: It will not be included for purchases.
You: wow it is a Verizon network phone and not Sprint?
You: the LG Enlighten is not going to be for sale?
Heidi: It;s compatible with Verizon coverage,
Heidi: I’ll assist you in placing the online phone order with free shipping. Do you have the phone page on your computer screen?
You: no, I am just trying to find the best phone that uses Verizon network. I can not get Sprint coverage. I also am interested in the Proclaim. Is that one available?
Heidi: The Samsung Galaxy Proclaim phone is out of stock. It will be in stock within 2 – 3 days. Please contact us after 2- 3 days to get this phone.
You: ok, thank you.
Heidi: You’re welcome. Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
You: So the LG enlighten is not for sale? And is it ever going to be?
Heidi: We may get it on the sale soon. There is no fixes time frame for it.
You: OK, thank you for your time. Have a great weekend
Heidi: Thank you!!”
That rep was obviously confused about the Ascend II, as the picture I linked in my previous comment clearly denotes Sprint coverage on the front cover of the package. As for the rest, the Proclaim is being restocked by region and word is it’ll be another two weeks before the phone is offered for sale online once again.
Thats kinda what I thought too. But it did get my hopes up for a minute. lol
Just had a chat with Jane at Straight Talk before I read this discussion. I asked her what Android phones run off Verizon and she said currently only the Huawei Ascend II does. So maybe they are both wrong, the package is wrong, or they come in more than one version. Has anyone purchased and used thiers to confirm it really is one or the other? (I cannot use Sprint within 5 miles of my home, but works fine in larger cities. I bought the LG Optimus Q and had to take it back because it was on Sprint ).
Update. Just had a chat with another ST person, and you are correct it does run off Sprint. The only one that runs off Verizon is the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim (out of stock currently). The only one that runs off AT&T is the ZTE Merit. Thanks.
Guys its very simple. In my zip code (13648) i only get verizon or AT&T so if you want to know if a certain phone is verizon ie. the proclaim then type in that zip code or any other zip that uses only your prefered carrier and see what phones are available. The Huwaii Ascend II IS Sprint because it is offered in a sprint zip code and not in verizon only zip codes. Straight Talk only shows you What phones get coverage in your zip code. For those of you that cannot figure out the procces here is a quick guide
1- open a Sprint or AT&T coverage map
2- open a Verizon coverage map
3- put the two side by side
4- find a town where there is red (Verizon) but not yellow (Sprint) or blue(AT&T) and find out what the zip code is
5- go to http://www.straighttalk.com and click shop
6- click phones
7- enter the verizon only zip code
8- click yes when it asks what town
9- look at the phones available. they are all verizon
10- some verizon phones may be out of stock and will not show up. this is a poor design by straighttalk as they should be listed but say sold out instead.
11- now pat yourself on the back for figuring that out. come on guys i am 14 and knew to do that.
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