Nokia Lumia 521 for $130; anyone have one?

[sequoia464]

Just saw this at Fry's - in stores only - for $120.00

http://www.frys.com/product/7721338?...okia+Lumia+521

 

[pcsavvy]

Here is another place that is selling the Lumia for $129.99 (Gamestop):

http://www.gamestop.com/elect/cell-phones/nokia-lumia-521-t-mobile/109902?loc=smartphones_row5_col1

 

[AstroManLuca]

Yeah, gamestop is where I ended up ordering. Only problem is you have to pay for shipping and all their old free shipping coupon codes have expired. But I selected the value shipping and UPS says it'll get here on Tuesday (ordered Thursday).

Walmart seems like a good option since you get free shipping and they have a 2 year replacement plan for $15, but it's perpetually out of stock and I just hate going to Walmart.

 

[sashusmom]

This has been one of the best budget options lately. I was thinking of getting one before to play around with, until I found out that it doesn't have front-facing camera.

If you're not tied to Google ecosystem (primarily, Google Voice) and/or wanted to try Windows Phone, this is a great basic smartphone with WP8.

I do have Google Voice but I'm not in love with it. I got it so I could avoid having to pay for a texting plan, but the app itself is pretty awful compared to real SMS apps, and it doesn't seem to work very well. Using it to forward calls is hit-or-miss. Thankfully, the number I've had for many years is NOT my GV number (they weren't able to port it in), so I can cut ties pretty easily and simply stop using the other one or just have everything forwarded to it.

I use Google Talk the most but there are multi-service IM clients for WP8 so it looks like I'm covered there. Also Gmail, but that's just an email client so no reason it wouldn't work.

I don't care about front facing cameras... my wife has an iPad and FaceTime is a million times better than anything I've ever used on Android. Zero setup, great quality, minimal lag. I will not miss the front facing camera on my Galaxy Nexus.

There is an app called MetroTalk free that is a great 3rd party GV app. Works great.

 

[sashusmom]

It has "super sensitive touch" like the other Lumias do

This has an adjustment to make it less sensitive also.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I got my Nokia 521 today. And good lord what a freaking PITA this has been so far to setup. I think the problem might be I'm trying to do something that works perfectly fine with Android that I'm starting to suspect WP8 doesn't allow.

And that leads me to the question. Can WP8 be used without a SIM card?

I started up the phone without a SIM (I have a T-Mobile SIM in my Nexus 4, but prefer to keep it there). During the initial setup I was kind of surprise that it did not give me the option to connect to WIFI like Android does. So I had to skip the Microsoft account logon.

After getting past the setup, I went to setting and enabled my WIFI. Then tried to add the Microsoft account and kept getting error FFFFFE07 (WTF Microsoft?). I rebooted the phone with the SIM in it this time and still kept getting the error. So I Googled it and was told to do a factory reset, which I did (leaving the SIM in it this time just in case).

I went through the initial setup again and this time I added the Microsoft account during the setup phase and it worked. So I have the phone setup and it seems good. I shut it down and take the SIM out. And power it back on.

I go to the App store and try to install YouTube. And I'm getting an error that Microsoft Account services is unavailable, try again later. ARGH. Seriously? Does this DAMN OS seriously not work at all without a SIM card in it? This so incredilby disappointing, because I don't want this as my main phone, but just something to play with and see how I like WP8. And so far I'm not liking it at all.

PS. The phone itself is actually pretty nice for $99. Really like the phone, shame it's not running Android or iOS.

 

[Crono]

I got my Nokia 521 today. And good lord what a freaking PITA this has been so far to setup. I think the problem might be I'm trying to do something that works perfectly fine with Android that I'm starting to suspect WP8 doesn't allow.

And that leads me to the question. Can WP8 be used without a SIM card?

I started up the phone without a SIM (I have a T-Mobile SIM in my Nexus 4, but prefer to keep it there). During the initial setup I was kind of surprise that it did not give me the option to connect to WIFI like Android does. So I had to skip the Microsoft account logon.

After getting past the setup, I went to setting and enabled my WIFI. Then tried to add the Microsoft account and kept getting error FFFFFE07 (WTF Microsoft?). I rebooted the phone with the SIM in it this time and still kept getting the error. So I Googled it and was told to do a factory reset, which I did (leaving the SIM in it this time just in case).

I went through the initial setup again and this time I added the Microsoft account during the setup phase and it worked. So I have the phone setup and it seems good. I shut it down and take the SIM out. And power it back on.

I go to the App store and try to install YouTube. And I'm getting an error that Microsoft Account services is unavailable, try again later. ARGH. Seriously? Does this DAMN OS seriously not work at all without a SIM card in it? This so incredilby disappointing, because I don't want this as my main phone, but just something to play with and see how I like WP8. And so far I'm not liking it at all.

PS. The phone itself is actually pretty nice for $99. Really like the phone, shame it's not running Android or iOS.

I got mine today as well (posted in the HSN thread), and just popped in the unactivated T-Mobile SIM that it shipped with and had zero issues with setup. You might need a SIM card in there. I don't know if that's the case with a fully unlocked phone.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I am scared to put in the SIM that it came with, afraid it might suck me into some plan and start billing me for who knows what.

 

[vailr]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When might this "Nokia Lumia 521 smartphone" become available as a Verizon compatible (522?, 528?) version?[/FONT]

 

[bearxor]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When might this "Nokia Lumia 521 smartphone" become available as a Verizon compatible (522?, 528?) version?[/FONT]

I wouldn't hold your breath.

There's a Lumia 822 on swappa.com right now for $155. I'd pull the trigger on it if you're looking for a cheap Lumia in Verizon.

 

[RobertT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When might this "Nokia Lumia 521 smartphone" become available as a Verizon compatible (522?, 528?) version?[/FONT]

I hear T-Mobile allows unlocking after 30 days. Isn't that the case?

 

[bearxor]

I hear T-Mobile allows unlocking after 30 days. Isn't that the case?

It would not be compatible with Verizon's network. On any frequency.

Although VZW is set to roll out LTE on AWS this year and, when they roll out VoLTE and the devices support it, then we may finally be at a point where you could buy a phone from TMobile, AT&T or Verizon and use it on any of those three carriers. It will be a glorious day. Sorry Sprint .

But, as of right now, it simply won't work on Verizon.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

It would not be compatible with Verizon's network. On any frequency.

Although VZW is set to roll out LTE on AWS this year and, when they roll out VoLTE and the devices support it, then we may finally be at a point where you could buy a phone from TMobile, AT&T or Verizon and use it on any of those three carriers. It will be a glorious day. Sorry Sprint .

But, as of right now, it simply won't work on Verizon.

who knows how long you need CDMA to fully get around Verizon's network. It's like buying an LTE only phone on T-Mobile and hoping its fully functional. I wouldn't trust any phones unless it had full 3g band coverage too.

 

[bearxor]

who knows how long you need CDMA to fully get around Verizon's network. It's like buying an LTE only phone on T-Mobile and hoping its fully functional. I wouldn't trust any phones unless it had full 3g band coverage too.

Right. The key there is 'when they roll out VoLTE'. But at that point, all the devices for those three carriers will have, at the very least, AWS LTE support.

That's probably still a good three years away though, for Verizon to build out its AWS LTE network and get VoLTE running as the primary method of talk. On top of that, I don't believe Verizon's AWS licenses cover the entire US, but still covers a lot of the major cities.

But, yes, that is still a big 'when'.

 

[vailr]

@bearxor: would not be planning to use any data plan on such a Verizon phone. PagePlus voice + text only, and only use the phone's WiFi function for any internet related needs. Currently have a Palm Pixi Plus Verizon phone at $10 every 4 months, or $30/year. However, would prefer something (such as a Verizon version of this Nokia 521 or else an equivalent Android device) with a larger screen, "true satellite GPS" and that can use an up to date web browser with better security.

 

[lopri]

I thought the reason why this phone was hyped quietly was because it had LTE. Having learned that it doesn't support LTE, I'm kind of lost as to why this phone is considered "hot."

 

[notposting]

I thought the reason why this phone was hyped quietly was because it had LTE. Having learned that it doesn't support LTE, I'm kind of lost as to why this phone is considered "hot."

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap

Oh, and runs well.

 

[bearxor]

@bearxor: would not be planning to use any data plan on such a Verizon phone. PagePlus voice + text only, and only use the phone's WiFi function for any internet related needs. Currently have a Palm Pixi Plus Verizon phone at $10 every 4 months, or $30/year. However, would prefer something (such as a Verizon version of this Nokia 521 or else an equivalent Android device) with a larger screen, "true satellite GPS" and that can use an up to date web browser with better security.

Yeah, but the L520/1 won't work on Verizon for anything, especially voice.

If you want to stick with PP, I think your choices on the Windows side are the Lumia 822 and the HTC 8X. The 8X runs in the $200 range though. So does the 822 normally, but that one for $155 is still on swappa last I looked.

If you want to go with Android and you're looking to spend under $150, I think the Galaxy Nexus and HTC Rezound are your best choices for under $150. They're both flashable to PP, it seems. I'm actually not too sure about the Windows Phone flashing to PP. A quick google search didn't really give me any satisfactory answers.

I thought the reason why this phone was hyped quietly was because it had LTE. Having learned that it doesn't support LTE, I'm kind of lost as to why this phone is considered "hot."

It's cheap and provides almost the full WP experience. I don't think you could find an Android phone for $100 brand new off contract that would really compare to the experience you'd get on the Lumia 520/1.

 

[Red Storm]

At $130 I'm tempted to get one as a backup phone. Hopefully they have it at T-Mobile for me to check out.

 

[vailr]

If you want to go with Android and you're looking to spend under $150, I think the Galaxy Nexus and HTC Rezound are your best choices for under $150. They're both flashable to PP, it seems. I'm actually not too sure about the Windows Phone flashing to PP. A quick google search didn't really give me any satisfactory answers.

There is no such "PP flashing" required. You simply purchase any full-priced Verizon branded phone (new or used, except for: Verizon pre-paid devices), then activate through PagePlus instead of directly through Verizon. PagePlus simply re-sells piecemeal the Verizon air time that they've bought in bulk.