Best MetroPCS Android phones (December 2016)

MetroPCS tends to be ignored, but we have listed it as one of the carriers with the best unlimited data plans, as well as the best prepaid plans. There are plenty of smart reasons to stick with this T-Mobile-owned carrier, but choosing the right phone might be a more complicated task.

Looking for the best MetroPCS Android phones around? No need to keep looking around, for we have curated a list with our very favorite handsets available from the carrier. Let's jump right in!

Editor's note – This post was originally published in July. Since then, there have been no new additions worthy of the list, though the pricing was updated in December to reflect  recent price drops on several models.

See also:

Best prepaid plans

3 days ago

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Samsung Galaxy S7

Samsung did a killer job with their 2015 flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. Design-wise, many would say those two phones were close to perfect. The company forwent a plastic design and instead included glass front and back panels with an aluminum frame. They weren't without their flaws, though. The S6 and S6 Edge didn't offer expandable storage or removable batteries — two features Samsung has been known to include in all its smartphones for years.

Now the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have made their way to the masses, and they fix many of the problems the S6 line introduced last year. While they don't offer removable batteries, Samsung included expandable storage on both handsets in case the 32 GB of on-board storage isn't enough. Samsung mostly stuck to the same design this time around, though they did shrink down the camera bumps on the back and made the devices a little thicker to make room for larger batteries.

In terms of specs, the Samsung Galaxy S7 is a top-of-the-line smartphone. It comes with a Quad HD Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4 GB of RAM, great 12 MP rear-facing camera and runs the latest version of Android. Samsung kept the S7 at a smaller 5.1 inches.

Seriously, this is an incredible smartphone. It is a little pricey at $649, but all in all, we think the high asking price is worth it.

Videos

Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge - Touchwiz...

Samsung Galaxy S7 Camera Feature...

Samsung Galaxy S7 Review

Samsung Galaxy S7 Unboxing & First...

Specs

• 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 577 ppi
• Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
• 4 GB of RAM
• 32 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200 GB
• 12 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
• Non-removable 3000 mAh battery
• Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
• 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm, 152 g

Read more

• Samsung Galaxy S7 review
• Samsung Galaxy S7 unboxing and first 48 hours
• Samsung Galaxy S7 camera: feature focus
• Best Galaxy S7 cases

Buy now from MetroPCS

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Samsung Galaxy S6

While the Samsung Galaxy S6 might not be the latest and greatest from Samsung in 2016, it's still a great handset that will provide a flagship level experience at a discount thanks to the arrival of its successor, the Galaxy S7. The Galaxy S6 brought with it a major overhaul to design and build quality – something that was definitely needed for the Samsung Galaxy S6 to better compete with the arguably more premium high-end smartphones on offer from the competition. A metal and glass unibody design allowed for the more elegant look and feel that is expected from a Samsung flagship, and worthy of the high price tag that the device commands, even if the changed build did result in previously staple features like expandable storage and replaceable batteries going by the wayside.

Despite the lack of microSD and removable battery, the Galaxy S6 is certainly not lacking in extras, with it retaining hardware features like a heart rate monitor and a fingerprint scanner, as well as a camera package that allows for one of the best smartphone camera experiences available even a year later. While replaceable batteries may no longer be available, Samsung also attempted to alleviate any battery life concerns you may have with the inclusion of fast charging and wireless charging capabilities.

The current price for the Samsung Galaxy S6 is $349.

Videos

LG G4 vs Samsung Galaxy S6 / S6...

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge Camera...

Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Apple iPhone...

Samsung Galaxy S6 Review!

Specs

• 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 577 ppi
• Samsung Exynos 7420 processor
• 3 GB of RAM
• 32/64/128 GB storage options, no microSD card expansion
• 16 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
• Non-removable 2550 mAh battery
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, 138 g

Read more

• Samsung Galaxy S6 review
• Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S6 Edge
• 6 problems with the Samsung Galaxy S6 and how to fix them
• Best Samsung Galaxy S6 accessories

Buy now from MetroPCS

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Samsung Galaxy J7

The Galaxy J7 packs a 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 615 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of on-board storage, a 13 megapixel rear camera, and a 5 megapixel front-facing camera (complete with LED flash). It ships a removable 3000 mAh battery and Android 6.0 Marshmallow already pre-installed. 

It should be noted, however, that this is not the Galaxy J7 2016 model that have been mentioned in recent months, but the original 2015 model. Pricing is set at $180.

Specs

• 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 720 x 1280 resolution, 267 ppi
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor
• 2 GB of RAM
• 16 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128 GB
• 13 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
• Removable 3000 mAh battery
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• 152.2 x 78.7 x 7.5 mm, 171 g

Read more

• Samsung Galaxy J5 and J7 are now official, front-facing flashes in tow

Buy now from MetroPCS

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LG K10

LG makes some great looking high-end smartphones, but aesthetics don't always translate well to lower-end smartphones. This is why LG created the L series smartphones, and now they want to bring the same striking designs, reasonable specs and low prices to the new LG K series.

The LG K10 offers a sleek design, even if made out of plastic. It does come with Android 6.0 Marshmallow  and a fair set of specs, as well as those back buttons that are now standard in LG devices. All for only $80!

Specs

• 5.3-inch IPS display with 720 x 1280 resolution
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor
• 1.5 GB of RAM
• 16 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32 GB
• 13 MP rear camera, 8 MP front camera
• Removable 2,300 mAh battery
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• 146 x 74.8 x 8.8 mm, 142 g

Read more

• Hands on with the fashion focused LG K10 and K7

Buy now from MetroPCS

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How do like our list? Let us know your opinions in the comments!

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Department of Transportation proposes new rules for phone calls during flights

New York Daily News

On Thursday, The Department of Transportation proposed a few new rules that would allow airlines to decide whether they will let passengers make voice calls during flights using the aircraft's onboard Wi-Fi system.

However, the rules state that airlines and ticket agents would have to let the passengers know in advance that making voice calls during the flight is allowed and that, therefore, mid-air distractions can be expected.

Consumers deserve to have clear and accurate information about whether an airline permits voice calls before they purchase a ticket and board the aircraft. Today's proposal will ensure that air travelers are not unwillingly exposed to voice calls, as many of them are troubled over the idea of passengers talking on cell phones in flight. — Anthony Foxx, U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

As of now, the final decision regarding the implementation of the above-mentioned rules has not been made. The Department of Transportation will first take the feedback it gets from airlines as well as passengers on this topic into consideration, which might take some time.

See also:

Google Flights will inform you when you can buy the cheapest ticket

October 17, 2016

So, if you have a strong opinion regarding the topic and want your voice to be heard, head over to the official website of the Department of Transportation by clicking the button below to post your comment.

Post your comment

Also feel free to express your opinion in the comments section below. We would love to hear what you think about the proposed rules.

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(Update: download now) Unlocked HTC One M9 Nougat update is out

Update, December 9: The Nougat RUU file has been uploaded for the HTC One M9, so if you haven't already received the update OTA you can now install it manually with HTC Sync Manager. You can grab the 1.9 GB download file here and Sync Manager here.

Original post, December 5: Yet another older smartphone is getting ready for its Android 7.0 Nougat update. HTC has confirmed that the Nougat over-the-air update for the unlocked version of the HTC One M9 will begin rolling out later tonight.

See also:

HTC 10 vs HTC One M9

May 27, 2016

The reveal came from HTC's Twitter feed, which added that the carrier varients for the One M9 would get the same Nougat sometime in early 2017. The same update was also released for the unlocked HTC 10 a couple of weeks ago. The company has also confirmed that Nougat will also be released for the One A9 at some point, but there is no specfic date.

The upgrade to Nougat for older phones is moving along at a slow pace. The latest Android distribution numbers which came out today show that Nougat is only installed on only 0.4 percent of all Android devices so far. Other over-the-air updates have been released in recent days for the LG G5, the Moto Z and Moto Z Force, the Sony Xperia X Performance and a few others. Samsung is in the middle of beta testing its Nougat updates for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge phones.

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Xiaomi starts rolling out Marshmallow update for Redmi Note 3 in India

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 started selling in India in March this year with a starting price of Rs 9,999. It's currently the company's best-selling smartphone in India and features a 5.5-inch Full HD display, the Snapdragon 650 processor, 2/3 GB of RAM, and a primary 16 MP camera.

The device was originally released with Android Lollipop and Xiaomi's MIUI 7 on top. And although the company has updated the smartphone's user interface to MIUI 8, the Android version stayed the same.

See also:

It's official: Xiaomi won't launch a flat screen version of the Mi Note 2

3 days ago

In hopes of keeping its customers happy, Xiaomi has recently started rolling out the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the Redmi Note 3. The update, which comes in at a hefty 1.3 GB is a nightly build, however, Xiaomi claims that it's Beta Stable. It's currently only available to a random selection of users, but we expect that the final build will be available to Redmi Note 3 owners across the country soon.

This is quite a big update and should bring a few interesting and useful features to the device. If you get your hands on it, do let us know what you think of it by posting a comment down below.

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South Korean President impeached, Samsung accused of bribery

In case you weren't aware, a dramatic soap opera has been playing out in recent months at the highest levels of South Korean politics. Involving corruption, bribery, shamans, show horses, secret societies and all manner of other peculiarity, the situation has finally resulted in the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye amidst allegations that seven Korean conglomerates including Samsung are guilty of bribery.

See also:

Samsung Experience: the interface formerly known as TouchWiz

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The corporations are accused of accepting "government favors in relation to duty-free licenses" following bribes paid either to the President or her controversial "advisor" Choi Soon-sil. Choi has been accused of manipulating and controlling the President for years and has long been suspected of using her close relationship with the President for personal gain. If you need a primer, read this.

The impeachment motion said that "considering the wide range of the president's authority, a total of 36 billion won ($30.9 million) given by Samsung, SK and Lotte is viewed as bribery, as they have direct interest in succession, special pardons and duty-free business rights". Prosecutors are expected to re-summon the leaders of the businesses accused of bribery, with potentially dire consequences.

"The possible prosecution of business heads by the special prosecutor will be critical to the companies. If group chiefs are prosecuted for bribery, they may face challenges in holding on to financial affiliates by losing their eligibility as a major shareholder," professor Chun Sung-in of Hongik University told The Korea Herald.

The possible prosecution of business heads by the special prosecutor will be critical to the companies involved.

Samsung's heir-apparent Lee Kun-hee, recently appointed to the board of directors, faced a grueling parliamentary examination in front of Korea's National Assembly on Tuesday, facing 80 percent of the questions directed at the assembled business leaders.

It was a pitiful public appearance for the reclusive man expected to assume control over Samsung's sprawling empire upon the passing of his father Lee Kun-hee. Although no new facts were uncovered during the hearing, the President's impeachment will undoubtedly reveal new angles for prosecutors to pry into.

It goes without saying that the last thing Samsung needs right now is a political scandal at the highest levels of its executive branch. At this stage it is impossible for forecast how it might affect the company as a whole. But this story is so far-ranging that Samsung's role in it is just a small part of the broader impact it will have on South Korea as a nation.

Prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn is now the acting president of South Korea until the Constitutional Court gives a final ruling on the President's impeachment and new leadership can be put in place. In the interim, analysts fear the effects of the political instability on investors, foreign companies and trade. The Korean economy is expected to be thrown into a "vortex of uncertainty" following the impeachment.

What do you expect to come out of this story?

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AT&T to refund more than $88 million to customers for unauthorized charges

Shutterstock

Back in 2014, the FTC cracked down on AT&T for placing unauthorized third-party charges on its customers' phone bills, a practice known as "mobile cramming". On average, the company charged its users $9.99 per month for ringtones and text message subscriptions containing love tips, horoscopes and fun facts, without their consent. AT&T kept 35 percent of the money, while the rest went to Tatto and Acquinity, the two other companies involved.

AT&T already settled the case in 2014 and will now start issuing refunds totalling over $88 million, which represents the most money ever returned to consumers in a mobile cramming case. The refunds will be issued within the next 75 days to more than 2.5 million current and 300,000 former AT&T customers. According to the FTC, the average refund amount is $31.

See also:

Best AT&T Android phones (November 2016)

3 weeks ago

AT&T received a high volume of complaints related to mobile cramming prior to the FTC and other federal and state agencies stepping in on consumers' behalf. I am pleased that consumers are now being refunded their money and that AT&T has changed its mobile billing practices. — Edith Ramirez, FTC Chairwoman.

The 2.5 million current AT&T users will receive a credit on their bill within the next 75 days, while the 300,000 former customers will get a check in the mail, which has to be cashed within 60 days.

Are you happy to see that the FTC has stepped in on consumers' behalf and made sure that they get refunded? Let us know down below.

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