Post updates by email:


I dreaded searching for a new cell phone because I really liked my previous one (which I had for almost three years), yet the non-replaceable battery was starting to go, and the phone in general was starting to act glitchy. I didn't pay a lot for the phone, so I consider myself blessed that it lasted three years. But do you know how you get used to a phone after having it for so long? Your phone becomes like an old friend, so when you have to get a new one, you're hoping it will be just as loyal and true as the old one.

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely REFUSE to spend a small fortune for a cell phone. Frustrating as it is, I would rather cope with getting a new one every couple of years than spending anywhere from, $500.00 to almost $1,000.00 for a phone. To me that is completely ludicrous. Even people who buy iPhones complain that for the money they spend, it's not worth it because iPhones are made to last only a few years so that you're made to purchase a new one. It's like buying a new car, the second you drive it out of the showroom, it immediately depreciates because something better is being made to replace it.

Call me cheap, but I won't spend over $100.00 for a cell phone.

My previous phone was $60.00. My new one was only $88.00 (tax included)

I decided on a ZTE Blade Spark because for being an inexpensive phone, it received a lot of positive online reviews. I also decided that I wanted a larger screen than my previous one because I had trouble with the smaller keyboard and trying to text. My other phone was only 4.5". This new one is 5.5", which makes it soooo much easier to text. I can use both hands, where as with my other phone I could only use one finger while pecking at the keys. I would take me FOREVER to send a text.

Another thing I love about this phone is how slim it is and how comfortable and secure it feels in my hands.

Here, take a look...


A nice feature on this phone is that I can unlock it using a fingerprint reader. I also love how fast the processor is - I can literally fly around the Internet with just a quick touch of the screen, with no delays.

This phone also comes with a Dolby app, which allows me to adjust my music so that it sounds perfect!


But the greatest feature on this phone is the camera. OMG...it's faaaaabulous! My other cell phone camera was good, but not great. What blows me away about this phone is that I can use the camera on manual mode to adjust the settings. How awesome is that?

For the past several days, I've been using the camera to take some photographs to show you the quality of the images.

Ready...set...go....








*I used one of the filters included on this phone for the above photograph


Yes...I'm VERY happy with my new phone. And I have a feeling this is going to be another loyal and true friendship! 💗

Have a super week, y'all!
X

26 comments:

  1. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comTuesday, April 03, 2018

    Glad to hear this is the start of a lovely friendship! I love love the cell phone photos you took with it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ron, I was surprised to learn that some phones only last a short time. My last was with me for umpteen years and would still be around if I hadn't smashed it on the floor. Anyway, I hope you and your new acquisition live long and happy lives together... just don't drop it on a hard floor. Have to say those pictures are brilliant (thought that was a biscuit on the floor in the third pic) so you obviously made a good choice. I always think prospective buyers should be able to test phone cameras before they make purchase....lol.

    Hope you and the new phone have some happy times together. Just DON'T DROP IT!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, Ron! I'm so impressed that you were able to find a cheap one AND one with a good camera! Mine was $150 and the camera is not that good. Your photo of the Rennes sign is gorgeous. Enjoy the week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey there Candice!

    Isn't it frazzling to get a new cell phone? Wow...4 years! That's great!

    "I got another Samsung Galaxy because I've always had good luck with the brand."

    My brother also uses a Samsung Galaxy phone. He LOVES them! In fact, he just recently upgraded to a new one last month.

    "I have a friend who buys a new iPhone every year because he insists on having newest model."

    OMG...I work with someone who does the same thing! He upgrades practically every year because he's got to have the newest iPhone. And when he told me how much his last upgrade was, my mouth dropped open. He's paying it off in monthly installments.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a grrrrrrrreat week!

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMG...I research A LOT of phones before I purchased this one because I wanted it all - I wanted it to be a good phone, but inexpensive. I'm so happy with my decision to get this one because so far, it's been GREAT! I just ordered a cell phone cover for it on Amazon, which I should be getting soon.

    Thanks :) That photo of Rennes I took down in Old City a few days ago when I went for my daily walk. It's a woman's clothing boutique that has some really nice merchandise.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have an AWESOME week!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you, Fiona! I was not expecting the camera to be THIS good, being that it was a lower end cell phone. Honestly, it's so impressive! And I love that it offers a manual mode.

    Yup...I'm loving this new friend :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantabulous week!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  7. Helloooooo there Valerie!

    " My last was with me for umpteen years and would still be around if I hadn't smashed it on the floor. "

    That's AWESOME! Yes, they used to make cell phone to last many years ago, however, I've heard (and read) that they are purposely making them now so that they don't last as long so that you have to purchase an upgrade. And not only with Androids, but iPhones as well.

    "(thought that was a biscuit on the floor in the third pic) "

    HA! OMG...you're right, it does resemble a large biscuit!!!

    I am soooooo happy with the camera quality on this new phone. I had seen on certain You Tube video reviews that this phone had a good camera, but didn't think it would be THAT good.

    "I always think prospective buyers should be able to test phone cameras before they make purchase....lol."

    It's funny you mentioned that because before I purchased this phone, I went into an At&T Store and actually tested not only the camera, but also the way a phone call would sound and what it looked like to surf the Internet on Chrome.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a lovely week!

    X

    P.S. I just recently ordered a cell phone case from Amazon to protect it in case I DO drop it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow Ron, what a great looking phone! I love how the texture looks quilted, like a Chanel handbag - LOL!

    "It's like buying a new car, the second you drive it out of the showroom, it immediately depreciates because something better is being made to replace it." You're so right, it's just like buying a car because they're constantly updating them. I used to be an iPhone user but got tired of the cost. It took me awhile to get used to an Android but found that once I did, I liked it a lot. I find that more and more apps are coming out that are both compatible with both an iPhone AND Android.

    Fantastic photos! That building in the second photo is gorgeous! Is that an office building or apartments?

    Enjoy your new phone, Ron! X

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's a sharp camera! It's amazing how good built-in cellphone cameras are nowadays. We were up in Tacoma over the weekend and I did not bring my camera, which I regretted when we got to the park and I saw how scenic it was. Fortunately, the pics I took on my phone turned out great. What a relief!

    I also dread replacing cellphones, too. Just because it's so much hassle to get everything set up just right again. Probably in another year it'll be time to upgrade to a new one, though.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ron, your post is so timely because I just went though the same thing. I had my previous phone for about 4 years, but for the past 6 months it was acting up. I got another Samsung Galaxy because I've always had good luck with the brand. I know what you mean about getting used to a new phone because they become so comfortable, like an old friend. I think spending a small fortune on a cell phone is ludicrous as well. I have a friend who buys a new iPhone every year because he insists on having newest model.

    Your pictures are amazing! I can see why you love the phone.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That really is a great camera on that phone! and a fantastic price.

    I admit, I have an iphone. In part because it syncs with my laptop and ipad. But I don't buy each model as it comes out. Ours our over two years now and working fine so we'll keep them as long as we can. And one reason for that, is we were able to take them to xfinity and get cell phone (unlimited talk and text, a little data) for just $12 a month each without having to buy new phones. That's hard to beat. When these die, I'm not sure what we'll do. Maybe buy older model iphones.

    ReplyDelete
  12. "It's amazing how good built-in cellphone cameras are nowadays."

    It sure is, Mark! I follow several photography feeds on Instagram in which the author using ONLY a cell phone and the pictures are AMAZING!

    "Fortunately, the pics I took on my phone turned out great. What a relief!"

    That same thing has happened to me, when I only had my cell phone because my camera was at home. And btw, I've seen several of the pictures you took on your Instagram feed and they were faaaaaaabulous!

    "I also dread replacing cellphones, too. Just because it's so much hassle to get everything set up just right again."

    Yes, that's what I was dreading as well. The salesman who I purchased my new phone was so nice because he set it up for me; made sure I didn't lose any contacts or photographs from my other phone; and helped me with certain things I was confused about. He was AWESOME!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!

    X to you and Tara

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hola Denise!

    " I love how the texture looks quilted, like a Chanel handbag - LOL!"

    HAHHAHAHAHA! OMG, that is hilarious! Yes...it DOES look like the classic Chanel quilted handbag! And I should have noticed that myself because I worked for Chanel for SIX years!

    "It took me awhile to get used to an Android but found that once I did, I liked it a lot."

    I started off with an Android, so that part was easy. And it's ironic you mentioned the apps because when I first got my droid, it was such a hassle to get certain apps because they were made for Apple phones only. But they've gotten so much better over the years. Most apps can be found in the Google Store.

    "hat building in the second photo is gorgeous! Is that an office building or apartments?"

    Isn't that building stunning? It's a condominium that's right off Washington Square Park. It's fairly new. It was formally an office building. I love the brick exterior and large windows. I'm sure the condo's are VERY expensive $$$$

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a most excellent week!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  14. I was SO impressed with the quality of the camera, considering the lower price point. I am sooooooo happy!

    "I admit, I have an iphone. In part because it syncs with my laptop and ipad."

    Yes, and so many people I know who have Apple products say they do that for the same reason - because the can be synced together.

    "And one reason for that, is we were able to take them to xfinity and get cell phone (unlimited talk and text, a little data) for just $12 a month each without having to buy new phones. That's hard to beat."

    OMG...that is faaaaaabulous! Yes, you can't beat that at all! What a great deal!

    Most of the people I work with have iPhone's. Some of them have the newest update, while a few others choose to stay with the older models because they seem to go on indefinitely.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  15. Helloooooooooooo there Val!

    It's sooooo great to see ya, girl! :)

    " i remember when you didn't have a phone and now you're on your second one. you make me so proud."

    HA! I know, can you believe how much I've change when it comes to having a cell phone?!? I still don't use it as much as most people do because I still use my landline phone for calls. But I do love using it to text, check emails, and post on Instagram. I also enjoy using it for listening to music while taking my walks. I too use it mostly on wifi because my current plane doesn't have a TON of data.

    Isn't the picture quality on this phone amazing?! I was so impressed!

    "i do have an iphone, but i'm not into upgrading just because. the phone actually has to die and show me a white flag to be replaced. then i don't even get the latest one but a used one. you are right, just too darn expensive for a phone."

    That's how I feel about my Android. I only got a new one because it was seriously starting to die.

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Miss you. Love you, too! When Spring finally gets here, let's plan a trip into NYC for the day. I can't believe I'll finally be moving there in Sept!!!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ron, you're such a savvy shopper!! Yes, I agree that most cell phones cost WAY too much and last far too short a time. Sounds and looks like you got a real bargain!

    I'm very impressed at your new phone's camera. Wow, those are very clear photos! I especially love the daffodils, probably because mine aren't blooming yet. And who can blame them, with the cold, nasty weather we've been having?!?

    Happy Hump Day, my friend, and enjoy the rest of your week! xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey there Debbie!

    Isn't it INCREDIBLE how much some cell phone's cost?! My brother spent over $600.00 for his last phone. I'm much too practical because I don't see the logic in buying something that much, that doesn't have a longer life than 3 years. Besides, the technology of cell phones changes each minute, so the software needs to be updated constantly. Plus, if I should drop my phone and break it, I don't feel bad having spent only $88.00. Yes, I'm SUCH a bargain shopper :)

    Isn't the camera impressive? I was so happy to see the quality of the photographs and the ability to use the camera on manual mode.

    " I especially love the daffodils, probably because mine aren't blooming yet. And who can blame them, with the cold, nasty weather we've been having?!?"

    I know, same here. The past two days have been lovely - sunny and springlike. However, today the temps dropped into the 40's and there is a possibility of snow tomorrow.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Happy Hump Day to you too!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  18. sup, ron. i remember when you didn't have a phone and now you're on your second one. you make me so proud. i don't care what kind of phone you have as long as i can contact you, it could be a tin can and a string. it works? i'm good. hahahhahaha. the photos are absolutely beautiful. i do have an iphone, but i'm not into upgrading just because. the phone actually has to die and show me a white flag to be replaced. then i don't even get the latest one but a used one. you are right, just too darn expensive for a phone. i use it more for the apps and texting. rarely make phone calls and nor do i use the data i have, mostly always on wifi, which means i go no where. miss you. love you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ron, my very first smart phone was from the ZTE brand and I loved it. That phone lasted four years. The only reason I changed brands was because my oldest daughter convinced my husband and I to switch to iPhone's. We got the phones on a special deal, but honestly, I didn't see any big difference or found them to be special.

    Your camera is incredible! The quality of these pictures is outstanding. They look like ones you've shared using your Canon camera. LOVE that last shot of our City Hall. Beautiful building, isn't it?

    Have a great day, Ron!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey there Elaine!

    Several people I know have ZTE phones and love them as well. I'm really impressed with the overall quality of the phone, especially the camera. It's fantastic! I just received the phone case cover I ordered through Amazon yesterday, which makes the phone look even better! I only paid $5.00 for the case and it looks so sharp.

    Yes, the architecture of City Hall is mind-blowing. I don't live far from it, so I'm either walking through it or around it to get to various places.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Hope you're having a super Sunday!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hiya Matt!

    Yes, cell phone cameras have come SUCH a long way! I remember my first Nokia flip phone that didn't even have a camera. My last smart phone had a decent camera, but nothing great.

    I know many people who also have all their various Mac products connected - iphone, ipad, desktop, etc., which I'm sure makes it easier to use all the same brand.

    Thanks, I love the architecture of City Hall, it's stunning.

    Have a super week, buddy. And thanks so much for stopping by!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ron, cell phone cameras have come a long way, haven't they? Great photographs, dude! My girlfriend and I own iPhone's because she's a Mac user. She's a graphic artist, so she has all of her Apple products connected. You're right, iPhone's are expensive and not sure I'd invest in one if my girlfriend wasn't such a fan.

    Love that final photograph. Awesome shot!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nice photos, Ron. And what a super phone! You got a great device without having to do into debt. I love it! Use it in good health!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks, Rob! I am LOVING this new phone; especially the camera quality. I also love how fast it recharges after the battery loses most of it's power.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Just how exactly am I sooooo far behind on my blogosphere routine?! Oh, never mind.....life keeps getting in the way. Anyway, I recently replace my phone as well. And, I have you beat....I went from a completely outdated Galaxy S4 to a Galaxy S7! I'm with you on how stupid expensive phones are now. But if you think about it, they're all little computers at our fingertips. And all the carriers want to do is lease them to us. No thank you. Leasing is only profitable for one...and that's the company. So, I bought a phone outright and took it to Sprint to transfer all my data and pics. I hope you and your new phone have a long and happy life together! Nice snaps...now you're ready for the photo blogging challenge I've been trying to get you to do! :-) Hope you're April has been good to you. I'm off to reading your other posts.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hey there Lisa!

    Oh, no worries, my friend. I totally understand about life getting in the way because I too have not had as much time to blog. I've been working a lot, but also doing a lot of planning of my move to NYC in September.

    "And all the carriers want to do is lease them to us. No thank you. Leasing is only profitable for one...and that's the company. So, I bought a phone outright and took it to Sprint to transfer all my data and pics."

    Bravo! Way to go! I too don't believe in leasing a phone. I have always just bought my phones outright because it's so much cheaper. I actually have a prepaid phone (and plan) with At&t and I LOVE it! I pay the exact same fee every single month which includes calls, texting and data.

    Btw, Samsung Galaxy's are GREAT (and dependable) phones! I know so many people who have them and LOVE them!

    Hope your April has been good to you as well!

    Can you believe it's almost MAY?!?!

    X

    ReplyDelete

I moderate all comments before publishing. Thank you for stopping by.