Straight Talk adds two smartphones to the lineup

In our Straight Talk user reviews I’ve noticed two common complaints. First is customer service. Second is the lack of smartphones. Straight Talk addressed the second yesterday, announcing the Nokia 6790 and the E71 as part of its handset lineup. These both run on GSM networks. The 6790, a/k/a the Surge on AT&T, features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 2.4 inch screen at 320×240 pixels, a 2 megapixel camera, and microSD expansion up to 8GB. The E71 is a candybar device with a QWERTY keyboard. It has basically the same screen as the 6790, though it is 0.04 inches smaller. The camera is a bit better, at 3.15 megapixels. Both devices will cost $244.99, and both require Straight Talk’s $45 unlimited plan. You can get one of these smartphones at Walmart or at Straight Talk’s website.]]>

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20 Comments

  1. Sean on October 25, 2010 at 3:48 am

    Just bought the Nokia E71 on Friday and this phone is the BEST I have ever had. Its a full featured Smart Phone. It has all the features Straight Talk says it has and MORE. Like running on At&t’s 3.5G network. Thats right, 3.5G. So when you are not using the Wifi, you will be running at 3.5G speeds on At&t’s network. Its super fast. I cant list all the GREAT features in this comment so just go to YouTube and type Nokia E71. Watch all the reviews on this phone, and see all the great features it has. If you decide to buy this phone, you will NOT be disappointed. Trust me. The phone itself is $200 and you have to have the $45 a month plan. It came out to $251 total after tax. Best $251 I have ever payed for a phone and service. Seriously.



  2. Leighanne on November 1, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    I am confused, I thought Verizon added GSM networks to their service…so do these two smartphones run off att or verizon towers? I lovvve verizon service, I dont get att service, and I love the e71…help!!



  3. shawn on November 19, 2010 at 5:31 pm

    had this phone (the nokia e71) for 2 weeks now. seriously, i never was a nokia fan, but this phone makes blackberries look like junk. this phone is faster than my pc, runs on wifi, 2g and 3.5g. it plays mp4 video ( and it records in mp4)the gps is faster and better than my standalone gps unit.
    i also got one for my wife, and she ported her number over. at first we thought it wasn’t going to work, but the next day straight talk customer service called us at home and made sure her phone number ported and didn’t hang up until they had tested calls, texts, web and everything. They are improving service in my book.
    also ,i drive 25 miles to work, and there about 4 spots where other services dropped calls constantly. this phone barely made static in those spots.
    i am completely satisfied with this phone and it’s features, the service, and customer service. oh, and the $45 bucks a month is awesome compared to $50-$60 for only talk and text.
    blessings to all.
    shawn



  4. DANIEL on December 18, 2010 at 11:06 am

    I HAVE FOUND OUT WITH HOURS ON A PHONE TO GET THIS PHONE TO WORK. THAT THIS PHONE USES AT&T NETWORK WHICH SUCKS IN MOST AREAS NO SIGNAL & DROPPED CALLS. IF YOU HAVE A VERIZON PHONE & WANT TO USE THERE TOWERS. YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE A STRAIGHT TALK PHONE WITH A LETTER C AT THE END OF THE MODEL# LIKE 355C OR 810C EXAMPLES. I BOUGHT BOOSTERS 1900MHZ TO 800 THEY DO NOT MEET THE NEEDS FOOR AT&T BUT WORK GREAT WITH C MODELS. 2 BARS WITHOUT 5 BARS WITH 6790 1 TO NO BARS.
    6790 WORKS GRAT IF YOU LIVE IN TOWN 3.5G PRETTY FAST & WITH GPS



  5. Rob on January 25, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    Got the Nokia E71 and it is a great phone. The straight plan and service has been very good around my area. No dropped calls yet. I have the straight talk 45 dollar a month unlimited everything plan which is the best plan for me.



  6. MszLady on February 4, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    I BOUGHT A SURGE 6790 SMART PHONE AND IT SUCKS ON THE AT&T NETWORK. I DIDNT SEE IT ON THE BOX WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND NOW I WISH I NEVER BOUGHT THE PHONE NOW. I PAYED OVER $200 FOR THIS PHONE AND NOW I FEEL LIKE I PAYED MY MONEY FOR NOTHING B/C MY CALLS DROP I GET BAD SIGNAL IT JUST DISAPPOINT ME B/C IT DOESNT WORK HOW I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO WORK. SO CUSTOMERS BE AWARE!!!!OF WHAT YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY ON



  7. PureFruit on March 1, 2011 at 5:33 am

    I have the Nokia E71 and absolutely love it. I am one of those people that always gets lost and the voice-guide navigation is tops. Since I have Straight Talk unlimited offer I do not have to worry about extra costs as $45 is all I get charged with NO hidden costs.



  8. Keith on April 3, 2011 at 3:43 am

    Will straight talk ever offer a smart phone that works off the verizon network? At&t coverage is not very good in my area.



  9. John on April 12, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    Just to answer some people’s thoughts. When you go to buy a Straight talk phone look at the package. If it has GSM on bottom its AT&T service and if it doesn’t it has Verizon service. Hope this helps someone



  10. Alicen Holmes() on May 6, 2011 at 11:10 pm

    was not sure if I wanted to go with straight talk or not (hate at&t) but after reading the reviews on the E71 I’ve decided to take the plunge. thanks for the feed bak.



  11. Helen Lanski on May 18, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    Dec. of 10′ I bought a nokia surge. The phone was alright for about a month and and half. and the alright was that it wasnt to impressed. very awkward to hold and dial, so forget about doing anything one handed with this phone. but that isnt what matters. what they have left out is the is a problem with this phone that is on going and they have no idea how to repair. for no reason i couldnt send text messages. i could receive them but not send them. i could send mms format/ or send text as a multi media. which really sucks cause not everyone has mms capabilities. or if they do not everyone has an unlimited data plan. texting is a huge part of my phone usage. also using this phone as my business phone, i dont have the option to send off for repairs. straight talk make u wait to receive a pre paid envelope frm them , so uyou can package up your phone, and once the receive it and processing the phone to make sure you havent damaged it, they return mail you with a refurbished phone. i paid top dollar for this phone . brand new. they know that this problem exsist but they continue to sell them without disclosing this to the buyers.it is very upsetting. money dont grow on trees, and time is priceless. love nokia but this glich is a pretty big one



  12. Gayle on May 26, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    I have the NOKIA 6790 and it totally SUCKS! I paid $200 for a phone that will not send texts to any iphones (always says failed delivery), but it will send to other phones (but is SLOW). My other Straight Talk phone, the one that was $100 bucks was the BEST! I never lost a call, had service when others didn’t, and sent speedy texts!! I have regretted the upgrade! Recently I ordered a new (cheaper) phone just so I can communicate with people again….
    Also, with the Nokia 6790, it is so awkward! There is no way to dial a number with out using both hands and going through a 3 step process (opening, switching from letters to #’s, then dialing, and sometimes having to switch to #’s for every # you dial!!, then hitting the send button on the outside of the phone)…
    WHAT A MESS! HATE! HATE! HATE!!!



  13. DMan on May 31, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    do they offer a version of the e71 that runs on verizons towers/network? after having had an iphone on at&t that would always drop calls, i’ll never risk riding their network again. Does anyone know? Thanks



  14. barb hardin on August 2, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    the people here that have to have a phone that runs on verizon tower.. are getting screwed… we want smart phones too but everything runs off at&t and we cant use them here..



  15. melvin gover on August 5, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    how long til we can use a smart phone.using verizon,to tether for my laptop??



  16. doug on August 10, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    Here’s what I was told by a supervisor at Straight Talk.
    The 3 Smartphones have a SIM?? card in them. They all run on AT&T. It it does not have this card it is either Verizon or T-Mobile. He said that the phones starting with 890126 are T-mobile and the phones starting with 890141 are Verizon.
    No wonder the LG phone I have know is so good. It runs on Verizon.
    LOVE me some Straight Talk!!



  17. ChaoticDriver on October 23, 2011 at 8:24 pm

    ive had the e71 since feb ’11 and have had great service im an otr truck driver and yeah i get dropped calls but every prepaid phone ive had drops calls do you really think you are going to get contract worthy service on prepaid? e71 is a great phone period



  18. roshondria on December 19, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    well how much is that phone cause i want me a cheap touch screen



  19. ma on January 24, 2012 at 7:46 am

    I live in South Dakota. Does anyone know when or if there is a possible way to use a Smart Phone from Straight Talk here? They tell me no, but I am wondering if there is a way to do so.



  20. Gwen on February 14, 2012 at 5:47 am

    I also have the E71 got it in 1/2012. Its a great phone but Stright Talk has the worsk coustmer service ever. Trying to talk with them is a headach From the Day I got it they would mess things up deactivated my phone / no minute card / had to send me a sims card twice I was without service for 3 weeks befor I got to enjoy it because of their blunder then it started get hot as i used it now I have to get a replacement I was told as a one time cursity they would sen me a replacement ( its still under warrenty) and I snd the Phone back; well I get the empty box call and GUESS WHAT I HAVE TO BE WITHOUT SERVICE AGAIN FOR 2 WEEKS THEY WILL NOT SHIP THE NEW PHONE UNTIL THEY GET THE DEFECTED ONE FIRST. All other carriers will send the phone out and have a return box for the other. THAT SUCKS