• General

  • need advice on phone for highschool kids

I would like to use the sim from Hello mobile which I believe runs on Tmobile MVNO in NY region.
I am techy enough and do not prefer a subscription-based filter unless you the pros think is the way to go.
I had the kids on a smartphone with Kaspersky parental control app but they got too smart and kept going around it after crashing the filter app in android. as the highschool time is coming up they need an actual Flip phone for school.

I was wondering if the Kyocera DuraXe is recommended. I need it to have a good receiption and does the phone job well . and it would be awesome if it is waterproof and have good camera .
also was interested in the CAT s22 as that is also water proof but what filter would work well...

if there is a good thread on the comparison for these the link would be appreciated.
please post your recomendations.

lgexalter1 do I need Tag to install those or can I get them myself online? there is no way to buy it upfront right? it is a subscription monthly?

      lgexalter1 I have to see if the schools allow the CAT s22 since it is still full phone inside... if I need more basic phone is DuraXe the choice?

          the duraxv is very good phone its fast and and better texting than the extreme

          • FlippyLevel 6 - Platinum Elite Member

            • Post #8

            doctorman DurXE seems to be a bit hard to find unlocked. Have you found any yet that you are considering? Its an okay phone but I like the DuraXV (verizon version) much better.

                • FlippyLevel 6 - Platinum Elite Member

                  • Post #10
                  • Edited

                  doctorman No. Your only option would be either Dura XE E-4710 or DuraXV Extreme E-4810. which I always refer to as the "DuraXE and Dura XV Extreme" respectively.

                  What I was trying to say it that even though the DuraXV E-4610 and E-4710 have very similar hardware, the software on the XE is different enough that just because people like the XV, not necessarily will they like the XE. That doesn't mean its bad though. I didn't do enough long-term testing to know how it would be under daily use.

                      • TechgenLevel 6 - Platinum Elite Member

                      • Post #11

                      doctorman If you want to block all internet access the filters are one time fee, if you want filtered internet then there will be a monthly fee. If you're giving it to a high school kid I'd definitely say to only use secure filters from TAG / Gentech, or a pre-filtered phone like the Sunbeam f1 series or FIG

                          • ReifamLevel 4 - Platinum Member

                            • Post #12

                            lgexalter1 BTW I tried getting Gentech for a Cat S22 Flip and it didn't work. I called customer service and they connected me with one of their technicians. The technician tried solving my issue, but in the end, he couldn't get it working. Due to the fact that their filter monitors the screen and the screen resolution/size was too small. We even tried changing my resolution unofficially, but all our efforts were to no avail.

                                • ReifamLevel 4 - Platinum Member

                                  • Post #13

                                  Techgen If you get the MB Smart BLOCK ALL option from TAG, they will give it to you for free.

                                    Reifam dont forget the filter was built for android and the cats22 runs android go which interferes

                                      Flippy both 4710 and 4810 work with Tmobile despite being verizon branded?

                                      is the DuraXV Extreme E-4810 customizable by ADB

                                          so only touch option in flip format is Fig and CAT s22?

                                          • FlippyLevel 6 - Platinum Elite Member

                                            • Post #17

                                            doctorman ONLY the E4810 works woth T-mobile, despite being verizon branded.

                                            doctorman is the DuraXV Extreme E-4810 customizable by ADB

                                            Yes and its sort of a problem in certain hands because it doesn't need the exploit to install apps so anyone can install any .apk (browser, youtube, etc) with minimal effort. TAG my have options to fully kosher and prevent all app installation. Be vigilant. If my post helps you, please upvote it.

                                                  Flippy so E4810 , Cat s22 , F30 are on my list now
                                                  it is so weird to look for less options in the phone and pay more lol
                                                  Baruch hashem shelo Asani goy

                                                      • TechgenLevel 6 - Platinum Elite Member

                                                      • Post #19

                                                      doctorman I'll just add to your list the FIG flip (and maybe the flip 2 if it's out by then) besides the F30, and the Sunbeam F1 Orchid (there are other models available with less features) both with touch screens

                                                          Techgen thanks..

                                                          Im most tempted for S22 (130$) plus TAG MB smart and then FIG 2 (350$) but FIG 2 is very over priced... a dumb phone over 200$ !!
                                                          no internet means even apps that need internet can not work like Waze?

                                                          F21 is the same as F30?

                                                              • TechgenLevel 6 - Platinum Elite Member

                                                              • Post #22
                                                              • Edited

                                                              doctorman Yes, all options are pretty pricey for dumbphones, but that's what there is available nowadays. The Sunbeam is somewhere in middle at around $190.
                                                              Im pretty sure if you want some apps such as waze you can still get a one time fee filter, I don't know about MB Smart for free, you'll have to ask TAG what they have. (To be clear, this is for the s22, the FIG and Sunbeam phones are pre filtered and only come with limited apps, and cannot be added by the user)
                                                              The F21 and the F30 are the same phone, but the F30 was supposedly modified to have better bands for the US carriers. I would stay away from the F21, the reports im getting from people is that it has terrible service on T-Mobile. I think the F30 is better, but I don't know of anyone personally who has it.

                                                                  Techgen I can not locate F30 anywhere.. do you have a link? I see F21 and F22 on aliexpress or ebay

                                                                  disabling the S22, F30 via ADB should not be too hard
                                                                  disable app installation, uninstall all unwanted apps, browser, play store

                                                                  there is no phone on aliexpress alibab like fig or sunbeam.. flip with touch?

                                                                      lgexalter1 oh... thanks for that
                                                                      is there anyway at all for S22 then beside TAG?

                                                                      what about F22 or F30?