February 8, 2015

Frugal Phone Review : Nokia Lumia 520 GoPhone (AT&T)

I've bought 4 different phones over the past 12 months.    These have all been relatively cheap phones.  

My first review is the Nokia Lumia 520 GoPhone (AT&T)

I bought the Lumia 520 myself just before Christmas on a deal at Amazon for $19.99.  I ended up not using it because I can't get my work email to function on Windows phones.    If it weren't for that I'd probably using it now.   

My review is of limited use.   I played around with the phone for a few weeks just using it as a wifi connected mini-tablet rather than a phone.  So I've got experience using it as a smart device with wifi connection but I didn't enable the actual cell service on the phone because I determined I couldn't do work email on it so I didn't want to spend money to turn it on.

This is a great phone for the cost.  I'd recommend it very highly as a frugal phone. 

Right now Amazon has them for $29.99 and they are $29 at the Microsoft store 
You can also get 3.5% cash back (about $1) from Ebates* buying from the Microsoft store.

The phone is very reliable.  It works well and is responsive.   I have not seen any problems with the phone as far as functionality.      Its not the most powerful or feature rich phone on the market but for under 30 bucks its an incredible value.   The phone is a Windows phone so it isn't going to run the apps you can get for Android or Apple.   That could be a major problem for some users who want / need certain apps.  However Windows phones do have the major apps that most anyone would need.

PRO
Costs only $30
Solid and reliable

CON
Windows phone lacks all the apps of Android or Apple
No front camera
Doesn't seem like the sturdiest built phone.


This phone is a AT&T Gophone but you can use it with any provider that uses the AT&T network.   So you can use it with a cheaper provider like H2O wireless or PureTalk.    AT&T Gophone plans aren't that great of a bargain so I'd recommend finding another cheaper AT&T network provider.

Bottom Line :  Good smartphone for under $30 makes this a great buy.


*Standard Ebates blurb:To get the cash back you need to be signed up with Ebates.  Then simply go to Ebates to get the referral to the the store before you do your shopping.  I also get a referral bonus if you use my links to sign up with Ebates


--This article may contain referral links which pay this site a commission for purchases made at the sites.   Nobody paid me for this review and I bought the phone with my own money.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin