$10 cell phone: No 3G, no GPS, not even a screen
Fri May 30, 2008 10:40AM EDT
See Comments (91)
So, you really want a cell phone that just makes calls? Check out this unlocked, $10 GSM handset that dumps the fancy 3G data access, contact books, and Web browsers—heck, even the display is gone.
Available now in U.S. retail and convenience stores, the candy-bar style Hop1800 comes with...well, a 12-key numeric keypad, Talk and End keys, a speaker grille, a microphone, and a SIM card slot (you'll need a working SIM card—AT&T, T-Mobile, or pre-paid will do—to make calls).
Here's how it works: You pick the thing up, you dial, you talk. Oh, and you can listen, too—and don't forget to press the End key when you're done chatting. Since the Hop1800 lacks a display, you'll have to dig deep and remember how you used that old landline phone in your kitchen (the one without caller ID).
Looking for a simple phone that isn't quite as simple as the Hop1800? Check out Gina's recent post about Pantech Breeze, an easy-to-use "boomer" phone (and yes, it has a display) on AT&T.
Related:
Hop1800 press release [Hop-on.com]
Comments on $10 cell phone: No 3G, no GPS, not even a screen
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2 Posted by guitarmunkey05 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:14PM EDT Report Abuse
If this was coupled with an unlimited talking plan for $10/month, i would honestly consider it. It just seems that every cell phone plan has a bunch of things, like 200 texts, and some internet usage, and picture messaging built in already with the plans. Cutting out the screen so you can't text is pretty bogus. I'll just stick to a $10 used phone from ebay.
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3 Posted by jeyoder@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse
I agree with maximus -I use pay-as-you-go: no texting, no internet, no pictures, no contract. I pay $20 every 60 days. BUT! I do need the phone book and caller ID -- I no longer remember ANY phone numbers on the cell or at home - everyone is listed in the phone book or speed dial...
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4 Posted by melwhitewater@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:15PM EDT Report Abuse
I think the least a phone should have is a contact...so, a screen would be essential. This is a good phone for someone who "never" uses a cell phone, in order to make and recieve emergency calls or if they only talk with very few people
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5 Posted by r-fuchs@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:25PM EDT Report Abuse
This doesn't make a whole lot of sense. For $3.00 more, you can get a pre-paid phone, like I did, and still have some text capability. Even an obsolete being like myself, I don't really want to have to remember phone numbers.
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6 Posted by einargrondal@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse
Well, I beg to differ. I have a private company and dumped two services before giving up cellphones completely. It seemed to me I was only contributing to other peoples salary by having all those bells and whistles, internet and text messages etc. I really wonder what kind of empty lives people are living that they need all that junk to be content?
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7 Posted by s.veseling1@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:59PM EDT Report Abuse
Love it! Why have an address book? Stats show that our generation suffers lack of memory because our items do the thinking for us. For instance, we can't even remember our own phone numbers! I never use the address book, stay sharp!!!! Plus, texting causes us to break away from real and personal communication. Let me hear your voice!
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8 Posted by s.t.vasterling@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:59PM EDT Report Abuse
Finally a phone that can function as the status symbol they've been made out to be without costing the first born. I'm not a phone fan of any kind, I prefer face to face dealings, but this one may just take me into the 21st century.
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9 Posted by snarkysnarky@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:30PM EDT Report Abuse
I think it's great and about time someone came out with one. So you keep a sheet of paper in your wallet with a few numbers on it. Big deal. For people who just want to make a phone call and not microwave their coffee while talking to you on the phone, this is the cats meow.
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10 Posted by jandre1234@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse
this is a good phone for older aldults. they don't have to learn to program the phone.this means the phone has less keys. this can make it easy to use.
1 Posted by maximus1178 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse
I'm all about no contracts and pay as you go (scam artist cell phone providers with their rip-off rates & hidden contract fees, not to mention thier under-handed "insurance" plan) but it is nice to have a phone that at least has caller-ID and a phone book. No one's wants to carry a hand writtin phone list of contacts, etc in thier wallet - you want that data simply stored in the phone!!