Nokia Lumia 521 $19 MetroPCS B&M YMMV

[RossMAN]

Ripped from $D

MetroPCS B&M has Nokia Lumia 521 4" Prepaid Windows 8 Smartphone for MetroPCS for $19

Specs

1GHz Dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4
512MB RAM
8GB Internal Memory
4" 800x400 IPS Screen w/ 5MP Rear Camera
1430mAh Battery
Microsoft Windows Phone 8 OS

Link: https://www.metropcs.com/cell-phones/phonedetails.Nokia_Lumia_521.610214633262.html

Review: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/26/nokia-lumia-520-review/

We own this and the Nokia Lumia 520 (AT&T version) and love them both. Our Nokia 521 was recently activated on an Ultra.me prepaid plan and works great. The Nokia 520 hasn't been activated, it's used a portable media player, remote control, security webcam and offline GPS navigation.

FAQ:

Is this awesome? Yes.
Should you buy this? Yes.
Should you ask your wife first? No, I will assume the blame.

 

[RossMAN]

Appears to be available online right now, go go go!

https://www.metropcs.com/cell-phones/phonedetails.Nokia_Lumia_521.610214633262.html

 

[drw97]

They don't ship to states where they don't have service so I'm SOL. bummer

 

[mikeford]

OOS online, but I see stores in my area, close are affiliates and 15 min company stores, but won't the B&M want an activation?

 

[marmasatt]

I own this phone for TMO (Netontherun). I think these unlock pretty easily. It is an amazing phone for this price. The GPS is awesome.

 

[nusyo]

I have it too, great phone but the OS simply sucks .... I am at the stage where I am forcing myself to use it, but I'll get something else soon .... heck i'm about to fix my iphone 3gs so I won't have to deal with Windows apps.

The phone is great though!

 

[RossMAN]

I own this phone for TMO (Netontherun). I think these unlock pretty easily. It is an amazing phone for this price. The GPS is awesome.

It sure is, we use our Nokia more than our Garmin which cost about 3x more.

 

[maxi007]

Dont buy pissed with wondows phones . moving to android







You're threadcrapping. It's not allowed.

read the rules:
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esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[mikeford]

At $20 as long as it doesn't constantly start fires its a deal for a phone.

 

[thebestMAX]

In for one!

After going to 2 MetroPCS stores I get home and they are again available on line !!! 2PM EST.

Get in quick.

Thanks, RossMAN

Hoping to get a new Straight Talk Sim (Present sim from them is the larger size, of course) and use it there. Any one do this yet?

Is it usable without a sim for WiFi or do you have to activate it?

 

[Elixer]

In for one!

After going to 2 MetroPCS stores I get home and they are again available on line !!! 2PM EST.

Get in quick.

Thanks, RossMAN

Hoping to get a new Straight Talk Sim (Present sim from them is the larger size, of course) and use it there. Any one do this yet?

Is it usable without a sim for WiFi or do you have to activate it?

AFAIK, you don't need a sim installed to be able to use WiFi or anything else, except to make calls.
They are hardware locked.
You can't unlock these unless you sign up 3 months first, so, that is $120 for cheapest plan.
They will only unlock if you have 3 continuous months of service.
https://www.metropcs.com/terms-conditions/phone-unlock-policy.html

I have no idea if there is another way to unlock this phone...

 

[thebestMAX]

Thanks, Elixer

"AFAIK, you don't need a sim installed to be able to use WiFi or anything else, except to make calls."

Good news, what I was hoping for.

"They are hardware locked.
You can't unlock these unless you sign up for 2-3 months first, so, that is around $80-$120. "

Bad news.

 

[PliotronX]

Honest question here, does having only half a gig of RAM impact WinOS as much as it does Android?

 

[Macgyversite]

IDC about lack of apps and front facing camera/flash capability let this be said so no one comes in and BASHES.

As far as the memory......Nope. I have yet to run into any problems with this phone yet cept for battery life. Win8 mobile is outstandingly FAST as it uses the memory differently. I have run this phone HEAVY. Surf Pandora pics GPS all in the same session. It has not flinched once. I have the 521 and my wife has the 635. Love em for basic FAST phonetextingsurfingmusicplayers. Cortana is great too.

Battery life is the only negative for me as streaming Pandora and other normal phone functions for 8 hours leaves me at around >40%. IDC as I have battery backup or charging capability at work. The screen kills the battery fast as its inexpensive and a hog.

The 635 on sale ($100) is a bargain. Way longer battery life, bigger screen, Quad core, more memory, etc.

These phones are so easy to run and are a bargain. As in anything. Some like. Some dont. Get it and be the judge. It is certainly cheaper and just as good/better as an IPOD touch.

Microsoft store has them for $50 shipped.

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...ia-Lumia-521-for-T-Mobile/productID.279982200

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...ia-635-for-T-Mobile-White/productID.304223100

Just drop sims in and go. You dont need to activate from your other phone.

They are also updating to 8.1 sometime soon. Cortana as well. This will be a killer deal. Add a 64gb memory card and rock on. Who cares about phone functions. Its a killer MP3/GPS Ipod touch.