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"Nice looking, terrible battery life" on by BklynGirl2
Pros: Looks nice, allows multiple phone book entries per person
Cons: Battery life is terrible; very poor selection of ringtones and wallpaper
Summary: I had to return the first Marbl I ordered because it wouldn't hold a charge (on standby) for more than 24 hours. Virgin sent a replacement and at first the battery kept its charge for a few days on standby, then just a few days ago, after having the phone for a month it stopped holding a charge. Now the charge won't even last an 8-hour work day on standby. Unfortunately, I threw the original packaging away and now I am not sure I can return it.
Also, this phone comes with a very limited # of ringtones (4 or 5) and they are pretty bad. Same problem with the wallpaper and the screensaver. Still I wouldn't complain if not for the battery problems. Apparently, other users have experienced this problem as well, so I suspect it is a design defect.Updated
I think I have discovered why the battery has been draining so quickly. It only seems to happen when I am somewhere where I can't get a signal for long periods of time. Unfortunately, for me that is my office. Apparently, the phone is draining the battery by constantly searching for a signal throughout the whole 8 hours I am in the office. By the end of the day, the battery is drained. This must be, as I thought, a design defect of some sort. No other phone I have had has had this problem (even though none could get a signal in my office).
I picked up on the problem because I noticed that on weekends, the battery hasn't been draining and when I have opened the phone at work I almost always see this "searching for signal" message.
This is frustrating because the only solution may be to try to remember to turn the phone off and on as I enter and leave my office respectively. Not something I am likely to remember or worth the inconvenience even if I could. -
"Good phone for the price" on by porcelainmask
Pros: Good speaker sound, price
Cons: Limited options and is a little on the slow side
Summary: I bought this phone based on the price to use as a back up phone.
The sound while making a call is great. Compared to my other cell phone (Samsung A840) I can't tell any difference in quality. The external speaker plays ringtones pretty sharply as long as you keep the volume at a mid to lower level. Any higher and it gets a little distorted.
The only real draw back I found about the Marbl is, that while texting there is a half second or so delay while pressing in the letters. This can be a little frustrating but easily managed. It also seems like the top might break easily if it sustained any real force to it, but I have not had to worry about this yet.
I have read that some people that bought this phone have been having battery problems, but such is not so with me. I've left the thing on for two days and it's still going. The only thing I could say about this is, maybe it's like owning a Ford. If this should happen to you just exchange the phone for another and remember to be responsible about it and charge the battery.
The phone is 20-30 dollars, so it's not going to have a mp3 player, camera and make coffee for you in the morning, but to make calls and maybe do some texting, it's well worth the price in my experience. -
""Marbl" is "unusabl"" on by jcarwash
Pros: Easy to purchase
Cons: Battery does not hold a charge
Summary: I purchased this phone and without ever making a phone call, it was clear the battery would not hold a charge. I activated the phone on a Friday and by Monday I knew it was useless. The phone lost its charge just on standby, no call ever made.
Looking for advice from Virgin Mobile on how to optimize the battery, I was told that searching for a signal will contribute to the battery drain, so to shut off the phone when no signal is available. So, then what's the point of a wireless phone if you're constantly checking whether you have a signal or not, and turning the phone on and off?
Do not buy this phone. It's a great idea to spend less money on a prepaid plan, but this cheap phone is a piece of junk. -
"Worth Every Cent & More" on by TinysChardonney8
Pros: Small, Dependable, Affordable
Cons: No external display/ battery life
Summary: This is my 1st cell phone. I love it. I can afford and manage the minutes. I Keep it off to save battery life. But there when I need it.Great online info and deals for free minutes. Fast response emails for any questions. Moving towards the Cyclops for external large display now that I know I am satisfied with Virgin Mobile and phone preformance. Take a chance. Nothing to loose!
Updated
In reading more comments. I have to say going online to Virgin Mobile is easy. I got 2 wallpapers that are fun and affordable. I also got 2 ringtones that are favorite songs. They store in the phone to change whenever. I think it offers alot when you use the online. I was dissapointed too at 1st thinking it was limited, but found all the things online! Free minutes too! Its a great basic phone! -
"ok phone, terrible battery life!" on by fattyrc
Pros: the actual phone is not bad for the price
Cons: I get less than 24 hrs battery life on standby
Summary: I bought two of these (one for me, one for the wife). Both are being returned today! The phone itself is pretty good for the price, but neither one that I bought will hold a charge! It says 9 days on standby, but I can't even get 1 full day on standby. If you purchase one SAVE YOUR RECEIPT!
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