Virgin Mobile’s Latest Android Phone: Motorola Triumph (Update: MSRP)

Electronics, Geek Stuff, Technology, Virgin Mobile 2 Minutes

Just I had reported way back in February and as was obvious by the survey I had taken, Virgin Mobile definitely had a new smartphone in the works.

And as Engadget had reported on June 9, 2011, it will be the Motorola TRIUMPH, which was one of the names I had to choose from the list Virgin Mobile was considering:

Personally, I chose Theory because it sounded much cooler – at least I thought so.

Here’s the list of purported specs from the survey:

All of those specs match up to what is posted on the Motorola Theory’s…I mean, Motorola TRIUMPH’s Fact Sheet. And now comes word from my friend CHESSNOID – I get to call him by his real name since I’ve known him for years – that this new Android phone will be making its debut in less than a month on July 19, 2011.

This will be Virgin Mobile’s third entry into their line of Android phones which I can practically guarantee will make people wish they hadn’t signed a two-year contract with their current carrier for a phone that can do pretty much the same stuff this one can – at a fraction of the cost in terms of phone price and monthly service. In addition to all of that, the phone is a beauty:

moto triumph

As for me, well, while the phone definitely a looker and something new to behold, I am still enjoying my LG Optimus V and have no regrets about buying it. I only wish it had more internal memory to do the things I’d like it to do.

The TRIUMPH will be a perfect phone for those wanting to jump ship from their current contracted carrier but honestly, it offers only a few more upgrades over the Optimus that I can’t justify spending the money on it no matter how pretty and shiny it may be. The most obvious upgrades – HDMI output, larger screen, faster processor (1GHz vs. 600 MHz), and the front-facing camera – might be enough of an incentive for some current Virgin Mobile customers to upgrade but not quite enough for me, at least not at this point. About the only thing I could use from that list is the faster processor; the rest are just nifty but not entirely useful to me (although a larger screen would be nice but not essential). The only way I’d consider it at this point is if Virgin Mobile went ahead with their Free Phones for Life or the Virgin Mobile Phone Fund programs, which I wrote about here.

Speaking of price, no word of the phone’s MSRP has been mentioned but I’d wager that this one could be somewhere in the high- to mid-$300 range. My guess would be $349 but don’t quote me on that.

UPDATE: My buddy CHESSNOID now reports that the phone will have an MSRP of $299.

But hey, all of this is just me talking. Have anything to say about it? Go ahead and say it below and as I had mentioned before, you can now sign in with your Twitter or Facebook accounts to comment.

By the way, if my stats are any indication, the interest in Virgin Mobile continues rise as my traffic has been more steady and heavier than usual with all of my Virgin Mobile posts being the most popular. Maybe people are now starting to realize what an incredible value this prepaid service really is, without the “shame” of admitting that they are on a prepaid plan.

After all, with phones like these, there’s not a lot to be ashamed of.

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Published by Dave

Married with one son. Likes donuts and long walks on the beach. Got tired of being fat and lost 100 pounds. Prone to using '80s vernacular. Works as a proofreader. Was an extra in a few TV shows. Tries to be funny.

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23 thoughts on “Virgin Mobile’s Latest Android Phone: Motorola Triumph (Update: MSRP)”

    1. No problem, and I think you’re right about this phone being sold out. It’s a definite winner but out of my range for the time being.

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  2. I agree. Another reason why this will be sold out are the ebay scalpers that will try to make a quick buck by flipping it. I was amazed at how much people were willing to pay for the optimus v when stores couldn’t keep then in stock. Definitely easy money to be made.
    Btw, I originally thought this was the 4th android phone including the “restore”. When I checked out that phone online again, I can’t find it on VM site stating it uses the android o/s. But I still do see posts stating this low end phone was an android without the touch screen that Sprint transferred to their prepaid side.

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    1. They really should put a limit if they are anticipating a large response. Nobody but the scalpers win when they don’t.

      Interesting about the Restore, which is a horrible name for a phone, BTW 🙂

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    2. It always made me wish that I had found a secret cache of them that I could buy and sell – we all could have been rich 🙂

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  3. I agree with the name. Anyways, it isn’t a popular phone. As for the scalpers, that happens to every new thing where there is no limit on how many people can buy.

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  4. Thanks for this update. I’m waiting to get these Virgin Mobile Android phones. I suppose the downloadable android games can also be installed on these new models.

    (Edited to remove link to post that led to illegal downloading site – Dave)

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  5. What I find strange is that neither Virgin Mobile or Motorola have this phone on their websites. Best Buy has been preselling it for a couple of weeks at @ $299.00. I usually buy my phones at QVC or HSN shopping channels because you get alot more for your money. You can usually get them for 3 or 4 monthly payments. Most of the time you can get them cheaper than what they are selling in the stores and they come with a lot of extras like car chargers, skins, bluetooth and screen covers. It just depends on what their specials are. Oh and also you get a free months phone service. If you are unhappy with the phone for any reason, you just send it back. No questions asked. I have gotten several phones including the Virgin Mobile LG Optimus and have been very happy with them. I can hardly wait to get the Motorola Triumph. I am hoping it will be cheaper on QVC or HSN.

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    1. It does seem rather strange, doesn’t it? Well, at least we know Best Buy will have them.

      And thanks for the tip on buying on QVC or HSN 🙂

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  6. I bought the Motorola Triumph a few days before the official release and played around with it for about 3 days before returning it to BB. Problems: 1. The GPS receiver was so poor I couldn’t get any satellite reception unless I went completely out of my house, unlike the LG Optimus V which performed like a champ. I went back to BB and the clerk opened another one and we tried the GPS. Same thing: no good, although my Optimus V was showing me IN THE MALL! I had even placed the Triumph next to a window and left if searching for satellites all night long – NO GOOD!
    2: The automatic brightness has a long delay so if you go from inside a room to outdoors you can’t see anything for several seconds. Takes too long to respond.
    3. Screen has to be constantly wiped off, unlike the Optimus V.
    I was probably the first person to write a review on VM’s website and gave the phone a three rating and said I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend. They didn’t post it and have so far only posted positive reviews.

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    1. I’m glad to post your opinion here and thanks a TON for your input. It’s great to get an honest opinion of this new phone and a shame VM decided to look away. I’ve had nothing but good luck with the several LG phones I’ve owned with different providers and the Optimus V is no exception. Hope you still have yours so you can switch back

      I also gave up my GPS in favor of my phone and it is amazingly accurate.

      Thanks again for your review!

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    2. Update: VM finally posted my comment and it seems that other users are finding out the same thing: GPS sensitivity sucks. I think it’s a hardware issue and it won’t be easily resolved. I still have my V and had been hoping to upgrade to the Triumph but I guess I’ll have to wait.

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  7. Interesting review on the Triumph. For $299 plus tax (approximately $330) I would probably buy a google tablet or used iPad 1. I still love my lg optimus v android phone which you can get for about $120 or less out the door with free shipping. I really like the GPS navigator on my phone too.
    Cheers!

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    1. Yeah, it’s a nice phone but as I said in the post, it’s just not enough for me to justify the cost. And I agree with you about buying a tablet as an option. One would be great for when we go on trips with the kid and can work as an extra “computer” on the road in the hotel (provided I get Wi-Fi access :)).

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  9. dont get me wronbg virgin mobile plans are good . But to me thats like a trick because once you get there phone the service is horrible . The phones shut off . The internet doesnt work properly .youtube doesnt even work righ , so your not really getting your moneys worth . Yes they do give you another phone if you call in before your year is up . But those phones dont even work , so if your thinking about getting a virgin mobile phone save yourself the time and DONT

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    1. Some people don’t like Fords or Fusions — used, to be specific — because they have had horrible experiences with the car itself, the mechanics at the dealer, or the salesperson who sold it to them in the first place. If you asked them if they would ever recommend such a car, I’m sure they wouldn’t.

      I happen to drive a used Ford Fusion that has been a most excellent car, one so great that I have no intentions of getting rid of it for a long, long time. I saved myself a bundle of money by buying it used as well. Is it perfect? No, nor is it the flashiest nor is the fastest car but it does the trick and gets me where I want to go — just like my VM phone and service.

      With Virgin Mobile, just as with anything, your mileage may vary. Has it been perfect? No. Have I had to restart my phone or has it turned off? Yes (and whose hasn’t)? They can overheat and do it on their own. Does YouTube work properly? With the TubeMate app, it sure does. For what it’s worth, my wife and I had LG enV models with Verizon and hers wouldn’t connect a call to me if I were sitting next to her on the couch. Some people love Verizon and their phones but based on their prices, service and experience I mentioned, there’s no way I’d recommend them (and why I left them to begin with). As for Virgin Mobile, I’ve sold several people on them and they’ve been extremely happy. Too bad your experience wasn’t like ours.

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  11. I may upgrade to this triumph phone when I can buy it for $100. Looks like the price has already fallen down from $299 to the $240 range only after 2 months. At that rate, it should be $100 by next April. =)

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