OT - Questions on 5G and Obsolescence - OT

Botch

A year or two ago I got a letter from Tracfone, stating that support for 2G networks was going away and that I'd have to replace my flip-phone.  I had purchased it in 2007, so I certainly got my money's worth out of it, and got a modest LG smartphone for $60 (all my data/minutes transferred over).  It works fine.
 
Got another letter from them yesterday.  It warned my new phone isn't compatible with 5G nor something called "Voice Over LTE (VoLTE)" and that I needed to buy a new phone and "you must take action today".  It provided a website to order a new phone, my-tf.co/voltephones , not the normal www.tracfone.com .  I clicked on it, and it did redirect me to another website, shop.tracfone.com/blablabla, which still isn't quite the standard format.  
 
I didn't think 5G was even "turned on" yet, but I highly doubt that 4G will be turned off this quickly.  I plan on continuing to use my current phone until it does quit working, but was curious if anyone here knows more about this; I feel that this "voltephone" entity is trying to scare me into upgrading before I need to.  Thoughts?  

Gulfcoastguy

My I phone 8 is over two years old. I plan to drive it until about this time next year when the next I phone is supposed to be 5G compatible. It may or may not mean anything but I am skipping this years which is not. About 3 years is about as long as you can reasonably plan on using a smart phone before needing to replace it.

GrateEggspectations

I don’t care to discuss phones at this time. I’m still too tender after decimating my two year old but unblemished iPhone X earlier this week when I set a dumbbell onto it at the gym. I’m still so mad at myself....

Lit

We build ATT towers and 3G is still active on most towers. We are installing 5G but it’s still a very small part of the bandwidth. Most towers are up to 5-7 sets of radios and at most one set is running 5G the rest are 4G. 

buzd504

As I understand it, the current iteration of 5G isn't "real" 5G anyway.  (much like the initial 4G wasn't LTE).  I think there is plenty of time.

GATraveller

I would have been hesitant to click the link. 

HeavyG

I'm also with Tracfone and haven't received any sort of notification that I have to upgrade my phone RIGHT NOW.

I'd be wary of that link.

My phone is a Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro and I have no idea (nor do I care) if it is 5G compatible (which I doubt it is) as It meets my limited mobile phone needs just fine as is.

DoubleEgger

Call your provider directly.

U_tarded

GrateEggspectations said:

I don’t care to discuss phones at this time. I’m still too tender after decimating my two year old but unblemished iPhone X earlier this week when I set a dumbbell onto it at the gym. I’m still so mad at myself....

Same here mine got ran through washing machine a few weeks back, yes I like the new phone but the old one was in mint condition.  Was🤦‍♂️

Botch

GrateEggspectations said:

I don’t care to discuss phones at this time. I’m still too tender after decimating my two year old but unblemished iPhone X earlier this week when I set a dumbbell onto it at the gym. I’m still so mad at myself....

Ouch!  
 
Thanks for the info, guys.  I had my "Duh!" moment and went directly to Tracfone's website, and "Shop" took me to the same link provided in the letter, so it's legit.  That I have to buy a new phone right now is Not legit, apparently.  

Thanks again.  

DoubleEgger

GrateEggspectations said:

I don’t care to discuss phones at this time. I’m still too tender after decimating my two year old but unblemished iPhone X earlier this week when I set a dumbbell onto it at the gym. I’m still so mad at myself....

That’s what you get for trying to be physically fit 

lousubcap

I'm amazed at the repetitive number of 12 ounce curls I can execute on a daily basis.  

Thatgrimguy

They have some very limited spaces with full 5g. Some football stadiums and convention centers

alaskanassasin

DoubleEgger said:

GrateEggspectations said:

I don’t care to discuss phones at this time. I’m still too tender after decimating my two year old but unblemished iPhone X earlier this week when I set a dumbbell onto it at the gym. I’m still so mad at myself....

That’s what you get for trying to be physically fit 

Wife washed hers. 

Gulfcoastguy

what is with everyone washing their phones? It reminds me of a certain boss who wanted a new work laptop. He told someone “Hold this “ and then he let go of it when the guys hand was still a foot away.

YukonRon

Like @Botch definition of a "squat" ....reaching down to pick up a doughnut, that had fallen to the floor.

Brother🏋️‍♂️