Amazon Unlocks Fire Phone & Slashes Price

[booklover6]

I ordered this case.

[issybird]

OK, I'm an idiot, but if I moved the SIM card from my ATT go-phone to the Fire phone, would that be all it took? The Fire phone would function as my dumb phone, my account would transfer?

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by issybird

OK, I'm an idiot, but if I moved the SIM card from my ATT go-phone to the Fire phone, would that be all it took? The Fire phone would function as my dumb phone, my account would transfer?

Yes, that is exactly what I am going to do. The only issue is if your card is the wrong size. You can cut it to fit. Or you can take it to an AT&T store and make them do the work.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by booklover6

But I don't use the phone for much more than texting and some calls LOL. Maybe I would do more if it was a decent Android phone.

Think of the Fire Phone as a Fire HDX 4.7, but with a GPS and much better cameras.

[Indio777]

Hmmmm ..... thinking about this. Definitely a case of something I didn't think/know I needed until I found out about the "sale."

Some other info I found:

Per Amazon: "All GSM Networks including AT&T, T-Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, MetroPCS, Brightspot, Simple Mobile, Mobal, Net10, Straight Talk, h20 Wireless, and OneSimCard." So I could use this as a backup pay as you go phone, I guess. And a smaller portable tablet, etc.

I read in a review that the "base" OS was Android 4.2.2 Jellybean. Not exactly the most current version of Android, although there have been updates to the OS since the phone came out.

Someone on Amazon claimed that he was able to access GooglePlay by changing a setting. Although even if true I wonder if there might be problems with some apps working properly.

I checked the XDA forum for this phone. Not much activity compared to the ones for other phones. People claim that it IS rootable if one can revert to an earlier version of the OS and does some other things. But since the bootloader remains locked no custom ROMs.

I get the impression that it is rather doubtful that anyone is going to put in the time/effort figuring out how to unlock the bootloader for this particular phone.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Indio777

I read in a review that the "base" OS was Android 4.2.2 Jellybean. Not exactly the most current version of Android, although there have been updates to the OS since the phone came out.

And so was OS 3 for the 2013 models of the Fire HDX 8.9, Fire HDX 7, and Fire HD 7. Yet they were all upgraded to OS 4 (forked KitKat).

So why hasn't the Fire Phone been upgraded?

[issybird]

Originally Posted by booklover6

Yes, that is exactly what I am going to do. The only issue is if your card is the wrong size. You can cut it to fit. Or you can take it to an AT&T store and make them do the work.

Thank you. I really, really don't need a new doohickey, but golly gee I'm tempted. I'm trying to sit on my hands until the urge passes, but I may cave. If I hadn't bought a Fire 6 it would be easy to justify, but the Fire 6 was supposed to be my portable media device. This, otoh, would mean I didn't have to carry a phone, too.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I was thinking about getting this one. It's the same case I got for my Fire HD 6.

• Poetic Revolution -- $10

The most recent reviews claim that this case does not work properly for the newest Fire phones. Something about the screen not turning on during a call.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

The most recent reviews claim that this case does not work properly for the newest Fire phones. Something about the screen not turning on during a call.

I saw that, but those were the first 4 reviews. Since then, 13 reviews gave it 5 stars. Maybe Poetic resolved that issue, because there weren't any further complaints.

[Indio777]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

And so was OS 3 for the 2013 models of the Fire HDX 8.9, Fire HDX 7, and Fire HD 7. Yet they were all upgraded to OS 4 (forked KitKat).

So why hasn't the Fire Phone been upgraded?

Amazon's OS has been updated several times, but don't know if most current version is based on a later version of Android.

By the way, anyone (such as myself) who was considering purchasing this and trying to root it might want to reconsider, at least temporarily. If the phone is running Fire OS 3.6.8 downgrading is causing problems, according to some people at XDA. Basically they now have phones that don't work and at this point there is no way to go back to Fire OS 3.6.8. No 3.6.8. image is available yet. Someone downgraded to a much earlier version and said phone worked, but can't register it with Amazon.

[obs20]

I just ordered one. The price with the square trade plan was still cheaper than a "free upgrade" from AT&T. Best of all I don't have to stay with AT&T.

[Barbara1955]

Originally Posted by booklover6

What is the opinion (i.e. wild guess) of the smart folks here at MR, as to how long this price ($199 unlocked with free year of Prime) will last? Will I still be able to get in on it if I wait until March? Lay out those tarot cards and polish those crystal balls.

I am only waiting til Wed when my SSD is here to order! & Praying 1 they still have them 2 the price dosent change!
Last yr I ordered my K3-3G as soon as I put my order in the Deal Vanished!! Guessing it was the last one left I was sweating bullets!
NOPE IF I was you Id order ASAP! But Please wait for me 1st

[Barbara1955]

Originally Posted by issybird

Thank you. I really, really don't need a new doohickey, but golly gee I'm tempted. I'm trying to sit on my hands until the urge passes, but I may cave. If I hadn't bought a Fire 6 it would be easy to justify, but the Fire 6 was supposed to be my portable media device. This, otoh, would mean I didn't have to carry a phone, too.

Not having to carry a Cell & either my 7" Fire or K3 is Excatly why I want it! Plus a Year of Free Prime Movies TV & Music Well that's a Huge plus! & cant beat Amazon CS on Returning it IF it gets broke. I purchased a T-Mobile One Touch 30 days ago at Best Buy Last week it started turning its self Off & On Best Buy said Sorry it only had 14 day return! GGGRRR

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by Katie1

IF I was you Id order ASAP! But Please wait for me 1st

Too late, it will be here Weds. I decided not to chance it.

[Barbara1955]

UGH! Well hope they still have 1 for me
LOL Happy Holidays!