Virgin Mobile Wildcard Review

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The Virgin Mobile Wildcard is a very nice new dual screen phone from Kyocera which features a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth capability, a full qwerty keyboard for text messaging, mobile IM, email and web. Of course, to do all these things you'll have to get the right plan. You can also download games, wallpapers etc. The only thing it appears to lack is an MP3 music player.

Update: Discontinued

Features

Let's look at some of these features.

Bluetooth Capability

If you want or need to use this phone with a Bluetooth headset, you can. So you can talk on the phone while fiddling with the buttons and controls of the handset just like you could in the old days when the buttons where on the body of the phone and you held the earpiece!

So you can talk on the phone while fiddling with the buttons and controls of the handset just like you could in the old days when the buttons where on the body of the phone and you held the earpiece!

But seriously, it's a good feature.

Dual LCD Screens

The Wildcard has dual screens, a smaller external screen when using as a normal phone, and a larger internal screen for using when textings,IM'ing etc. The external screen measures 128 x 128 and the internal screen is 128 x 160.

This is a necessary convenience due to the way it's made, but it's a shame really that the design require you to waste the use of one of the screens. For example, when surfing, if you had that extra little bit of extra screen real estate that screen would have measured 128 x 288 which would have provided a much nicer experience on the Wildcard.

Perhaps the large screen which could have been partially hidden as in those "Slider" style phones and the keyboard could have flipped out of the way.

Still, the dual screens are handy.

QWERTY Keyboard

The QWERTY keyboard is really the main physical feature of the phone. Text messages cost less under Virgin Mobile plans than most other prepaid provides. The keyboard itself does look fairly sturdy and looks to be able to withstand the force of those tapping fingers. You can add freely add captions or comments to you picture messages which does add to the fun quite a bit.

1.3 Megapixel Camera

The Wildcard has a 1.3 megapixel camera which is good for quality shots for emailing and displaying on someone's laptop. You can probably make a not too bad wallet size or even 3 x 5 print.

Other Accessories

Virgin Mobile Wildcard Skins

There are two official versions so far of the Wildcard. The black one pictured above and the

Virgin Festival Special Edition

Shown here. They were available until July 31st this year (2008). Along with the neat look, you also got a credit for 50 eMusic downloads, which is incredibly ironic since you can't even play those songs on your Wildcard.

There are many other snap-on Wildcard covers but that's not quite the same thing.

Staying Connected

Because you can stay connected a few different ways using your Virgin Mobile Wildcard, it may be useful to list them all in one place here.

Calling

Duh.

Text Messaging and Picture Messaging

Duh, as well.

Text Messaging

You can send SMS Text messages for a few cents and

Picture Messages

For a few cents more.

Web

Virgin Mobile's web plans are pretty good and they don't restrict you to just their chosen websites. You can also check your web-based email or you can . . .

Directly receive Mobile Email

Receive AOLMail,AIMMail and YahooMail directly on your Virgin Mobile Wildcard.

Business Email

And since these sites allow you to receive other email, such as your business email through POP mail, that means you should be able to receive most kinds of email.

IM

You can do instant messaging by way of AIM or Yahoo Messenger. And finally, if that's not enough, you can . . .

Spend your time on Facebook!

Yes! You can spend even more of your time on Facebook with the Virgin Mobile Wildcard (you may need an unlimited plan) just like you do at home.

What's not to like?

Not much. As long as you don't need a mp3 music player, either because you don't need another one or don't need one period, this Virgin Mobile Wildcard is a great prepaid cell phone at a not outrageous price.

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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I Like the Virgin Mobile Wildcard Not rated yet
I am new to the non contract phone. I was looking for a cell phone that takes no contract I am tired of that. Well I ran across virgin mobile wildcard ...

Vigorous Texting is Super Easy on the Wildcard Not rated yet
I really like the Virgin Mobile Wildcard. It has a lot of features that I am pleased with. I love texting, and texting is made super simple with the QWERTY ...

Great Wildcard phone and pay-as-you-go service plan! Not rated yet
I got the Wildcard the day after Thanksgiving from Target for more than 50% off its current selling price.

That said, I love this phone. I wanted something ...

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