I have had the MetroPCS Optimus M for about 4 months and absolutely love the phone. I get great reception in the Florida area where I live and about a month ago, I noticed my phone no longer says I have a 1x connection. It is now listed as 3G and my upload/download speeds are noticeably faster.
One downside to the Optimus M is its smallish 150MB internal memory. I had never considered that some apps *must* be stored on the phone itself. These days, I make certain any app I download can be stored on the memory card. If (after the download) I find that it can't, I uninstall it and look for a different app that can be put on the card.
Also, the 2GB memory card that came with the phone was a nice "starter", but I purchased a 16GB card which gives me more room.
As with any smartphone, it would be best if you have a Battery Saver app which helps manage your apps so you have less chance of a low battery before the end of the day. I personally use the free app: Battery Defender and have found it to be very helpful. (To avoid running out of battery before the end of the day, I also purchased a separate charger that I keep in my desk at work.)
My guess is that MetroPCS has a contractual agreement with various app makers, which is why I cannot remove the "bloatware" that comes with the phone. My only other option is to "root" my phone. When I asked my TechnoFriend if this was wise, the concerned look on his face told me all that I need to know: It is best if I do not root my phone. The chances are good that I would be successful. However, if I run into trouble, I could end up with a $100 paper weight, since rooting is often not reversible when serious troubles are encountered.
All in all, I would rate the phone as at least an 8 out of 10.
Well, if you have other questions, please feel free to ask. If I know the answer, I will be glad to share what I know or have observed.
bafenner
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