Just got this thing as a replacement for the 2nd LG34C I had to send back due to the startup screen being stuck in a boot loop.
The screen seems a bit more washed out as far as color than the 34C, other than that it doesn't look much different.
I read some reviews on it and it seems to have the same kind of problems, so at some point I may end up replacing it the same way. At least every time you get a replacement it does give you a new full year warranty. Only thing is it takes a few hrs to reset and re-add all your apps and email accounts.
So far it runs. But its a real pain to re set these things up all over again.
I was looking at this Treasure, but will hold up and see how this Lucky works out over my 34C, and just to see what the next 3 months bring for black friday sales :)
I'm sorry I upgraded to the Rebel from the Ultimate 2. I hate the fact that the Rebel does not have a blinking light to let you know you have a voice mail or text or missed call. I sometimes don't hear the phone ring and don't realize there is a message for me unless I wake the phone up to check. I do use your reviews and thank you, just wish you would have noticed the flashing light was missing.
August 10, 2016 at 4:00 PM
Anonymous said...
I am having issues getting my lg rebel to connect to a mobil network..cannot access internet without wifi. Feel like there is a setting i am missing, any advice?!
August 11, 2016 at 5:28 PM
Anonymous said...
I could not agree more. I wish I had not switched to this phone.
August 14, 2016 at 9:14 AM
Anonymous said...
I had that same issue, if you are not in range of wi-fi, you must turn the wi-fi off to use your data.
without too much history, it took about three hours to make the LG they sent going from 2g to 3g. Here is my new gripe with them. I had to change my email address: done this morning, I thought, did not happen. All my contacts, all my phone contacts, not there, all my photos, not there. I feel like I'm talking to POTUS and not getting an answer. Can you steer me in the right direction, please. Thank You.
August 21, 2016 at 2:32 PM
Anonymous said...
For some reason, the speaker stopped working. I have checked the settings and googled the solution to no avail. UGH, can you help figure this out please ? Thank you 8)
August 22, 2016 at 2:39 AM
Anonymous said...
In my opinion, The LG Rebel LTE matted with tracfone/AT&T is a match made in hell.. We can't maintain a strong cell signal, the wife only works when we're in the house.. and the apps drain the battery externally too fast.. Thus I've had to remove or disable apps like crazy. On the bright spot.. Opera Max has help me save my data even though I've not use any data since the purchase of the phone 4 months ago.. why?.. because we can't maintain a strong signal in order to actually use the data!
It may be possible to turn on a notification light. Try following these instructions:
The device comes with LED notification lights and to use this feature the user must be enabled on the device. To use the LED Lights on your device, open the Settings, tap on Brightness & display in the device section and click on Indicator light. You will find options like Calls, Messages, Notification, Charge and Low battery. Tap on the options for which you want to get an LED notification on your device.
September 13, 2016 at 8:59 PM
Anonymous said...
Can't read articles when using the browser it freezes up for seconds. Aggravating. It catches up and jumps all over. Its basic make what it does have work
September 20, 2016 at 12:54 PM
Anonymous said...
My last phone was the LG Fuel, but wanted a quad-core so upgraded to the Rebel a month ago. So far it works great. I find it funny that the 4.5" inch screen is considered a "con". For my taste, I don't want anything bigger than this.
October 7, 2016 at 7:46 AM
Anonymous said...
Brought phone today Net 10 can't get the calling part working. Data works but can't make a call. Gotta wait 4 days for new phone. Be careful.
October 26, 2016 at 8:45 PM
Anonymous said...
PV, I have an LG Rebel L44VL CDMA-V as of this moment. I don't see your exact steps on my phone. Hope this is not confusion. Can you help me further? Thank you kindly,
October 27, 2016 at 1:18 AM
Anonymous said...
decided to "upgrade" to the The LG Rebel from the Ultimate 2. what a pile of junk this phone has been. The accuracy of the keyboard is poor, processor locks up, sound is distorted if turned on speaker, and there is no LED notification of messages. It seems like a phone that can barely support itself. Camera is mediocre, at best.
November 3, 2016 at 12:33 AM
Anonymous said...
Can anyone confirm that the L44VL Rebel has a plastic(!!!) screen rather than a glass screen? I have seen this mentioned as a fact in a couple of reviews.
Off topic, but just noticed Tracfone has added the Samsung Galaxy On5 to its lineup of smartphones. Will you be reviewing it anytime soon? I always read your reviews for information on Tracfone phones and find them very informative.
!st - love this site - would have preferred the Ultimate 2 BUT for the $ - just ordered The Rebel w/ 1200 min/text/Data yr of service off eBay for ONLY $49 - a $30 drop from a few days ago - am Exchanging it for the lucky - Also Ordered thru eBay BUT w only 600 min so a Better deal in the long run & Thru TracFone -Too bad they didn't lest it/both on their site - Happy with the service so far as my Alcetal Big Easy Plus w/ 600 min is up mid month - for just the cost of a renewal card I almost get a Better Free Phone PLUS Service http://www.ebay.com/itm/282399277161?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Ive had my Tracfone Rebel for a week and i cant get my data to work and the stock sms messaging app just disappeared. Tracfone nor safelink dont know whats wrong with it. Can anyone help me???
I have been using Tracfones for many years with pleasure. Always had the triple bonus on refills. Daughter thought I needed to upgrade so she bought the LG Rebel LTE for me. Setup was a pain. Also, Smartphones no longer receive double or triple plans as of 4/01/2017. Older non smartphones can still get the bonus plans. Tracfone started offering a lot of smartphones knowing they would change these plan costs. If you don't need WIFI, pictures,and other bells and whistles, keep your basic phones.
August 7, 2017 at 2:13 PM
Anonymous said...
i would like to know does any android smart phone allow you to receive constant beeps when you r getting a message ? i just got a rebel 3 lte and was told it would do this but does not ! i am at android 7.0 nougat
July 25, 2018 at 2:25 PM
Review of the LG Rebel L44 VL from Tracfone
Welcome to TracfoneReviewer, a blog about Tracfone Wireless cell phones. If you're new, take a look around, as we share lots of tips, news and reviews relating to Tracfone. Below is our review of the LG Rebel, a newly available phone to Tracfone prepaid customers.
[Image]
Tracfone LG Rebel L44VL Review
Tracfone's LG Rebel is a versatile but basic smartphone recently released on the Tracfone website and through many other retailers. It comes with a 4.5" screen, quad-core processor, and 8 GB internal memory, among other features.
Let's get back to the Rebel, and look at our quick facts for this Android smartphone:
Tracfone LG Rebel Quick Facts
The Good:
-Android 5.1
-Reasonable price - $79 most places
-Quad-Core Processor
Not So Good:
-Only 8GB Internal Storage (about 3-4GB usable)
-Smaller Screen - 4.5"
-Retailing for $100 on Tracfone website - which is similar price to the slightly better LG Treasure
The Rebel is very similar to the LG Treasure, in fact, the non-Tracfone versions are called the LG K4 (Rebel) and LG K7 (Treasure). The Treasure is the step up from the Rebel, and has a few improvements, which we will go into more detail about a little later. Tracfone has also recently released the LG Premier, which is in the same lineup as the Treasure and Rebel, with with slight improvements over both (such as a larger, 5.3" touchscreen).
LG is one of the worlds top ten mobile phone makers, along with a large number of other manufacturing operations, such as TV's, appliances and much more. They are a South Korean company that operates globally and has phones ranging from budget to high-end and everything in-between.
The LG Rebel is a newer phone, released in early 2016, with Android 5.1 and aiming to be a budget friendly smartphone.
Let's see the full list of features that come with this phone.
LG Rebel Features and Specs
Below are the features, followed by the technical specifications for the Rebel
Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
4G LTE Capable using CDMA Networks (Verizon)
5 MP Rear Camera (with LED flash and Autofocus), 2 MP Front
WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1
Alarm Clock
MP3 Player
Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play
GPS
Voicemail, Voice dialing, Caler ID
Handsfree Speaker
Two Homscreens
LG Rebel Specs:
Size: 5.20" x 2.62" x 0.36"
4.5" Touchscreen at 480x854 resolution (218 DPI)
1.1 Ghz Quad-Core Processor
1 GB RAM
8 GB Internal Memory (about 3-4 GB usable), MicroSD Card Slot (up to 32GB)
Battery: 1940 mAh with 9 Hours Talk Time, 11 Days Standby
The LG Rebel (L44VL) is the CDMA version of the phone, and will use Verizon's 4G LTE network through Tracfone. There is also the GSM version, known as the L43AL, which will use AT&T towers and have the same features and specifications. What might be confusing for some is that Walmart is already selling both versions, but calling them both the Rebel. We expect Tracfone has a different name for the L43AL version, but do not know what it will be yet. Just be aware which version you need, and if you want the GSM version, Walmart already has that available for purchase.
Now for our review of the LG Rebel, where we share our pro's and con's for this device.
Tracfone LG Rebel Review and User Manual
What we Like
As with our review of the LG Treasure, there is a lot to like about the LG Rebel as it is a low-cost smartphone with very reasonable features and performance. We also like that it is widely available, with both CDMA and GSM versions.
The Rebel has a Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 1.1 GHz Quad-Core processor which is very responsive and quick. It also has a 5 MP rear camera which includes LED flash and autofocus plus HD video recording. The front camera is 2 MP and good for video chatting and selfies, although the quality isn't quite as good as the LG Treasure.
[Image]
LG Rebel Review - Front, Side and Back
This smartphone comes with Android 5.1.1 which is a newer version of the OS, but not the newest. With Tracfone smartphones, you aren't able to update the operating system for various reasons, so it is good to periodically upgrade your phone to one with a newer OS to avoid vulnerabilities older operating systems may have. So if you're using an older smartphone with Android 4.1 or 4.3, you might consider upgrading to the Rebel just for the newer OS, although you will probably also see a nice performance increase as well.
We like the overall appearance and performance of the Rebel. LG is well known for making dependable smartphones, and the Rebel is no exception. Be aware that this phone is a budget smartphone, so it probably won't keep up with the demands of someone who uses their phone often, but for low to moderate users, this is a good option.
Before conclude, we do want to give some drawbacks about this phone we think consumers should know before buying.
What we Don't Like
First on our list of dislikes is the low RAM and internal memory. This is something almost all of Tracfone's more budget friendly devices are plagued with, and we hope that better options will be available soon. For most users, 1 GB RAM is fine, but if you run multiple apps at once, you may see some lag or slow down. And with only 8 GB internal memory (about 3-4 GB usable) you will have to be mindful about what you put on the phone. The Rebel does have a Micro SD slot, so you can add up to 32 GB external space to the phone.
The screen size on the Rebel is 4.5", which is the same as the LG Ultimate 2, but a little on the small side for average smartphones these days. Some prefer a smaller screen, but if you have trouble typing on the virtual QWERTY keyboard, or want more space for reading or viewing pictures/video, consider going with a phone that has a larger screen. The LG Stylo has a 5.7" screen, which makes typing on the virtual keyboard much easier.
Finally, the cost of the LG Rebel on the Tracfone website is a little high, especially when you compare it to the LG Treasure available from HSN. The Treasure comes with a bundle of airtime worth $100, and retails for $129 (we have seen it at $99). The Rebel is $99 on the Tracfone website, although other retailers have it for less.
If you think you may want a screen larger than 4.5", then you should consider the Treasure or other devices, but if you like the 4.5" screen, the Rebel is a good phone.
Get even more details about the LG Rebel by taking a look at the User Manual or the Interactive Tutorial.
Should You Upgrade to the LG Rebel?
Many of our readers have already been asking if the Rebel is a good phone to upgrade to from older Tracfone smartphone devices. The answer depends on how much you use your phone, and your personal preferences.
For those who have older devices like the LG Ultimate 2, LG Optimus Fuel, or even the LG Optimus Dynamic 2, the Rebel might make a good phone to upgrade to as it will run faster and more smoothly, and also use the newer, Android 5.1.1 OS.
Those who like to use their phone often, or want a larger screen, consider some of the other phone options available from Tracfone, or even look into Tracfone BYOP.
Where to Buy the Tracfone LG Rebel
The LG Rebel is already available form a number of retailers. It generally goes for $79, although the Tracfone website has it for $99.
LG Rebel (CDMA) from Target
LG Rebel (CDMA) from BestBuy
LG Rebel (CDMA) from Walmart
LG Rebel (GSM) from Walmart
The Rebel is also available on QVC.com bundled with airtime, which can be a great value.
We expect it to be available in most of these retail stores as well. Let us know if you find any better deals on it.
There are plenty of options for Rebel Cases and Covers on Amazon. If you're looking for a case, remember that the LG Rebel is the same as the LG K4, so you can search for that as well.
Overall, the Rebel is a good but basic smartphone that will be best for low-moderate users. It may also be good for first time smartphone buyers.
We hope you found this review useful in learning about the LG Rebel form Tracfone. Leave a comment below with your thoughts, questions or any corrections.
Here are some additional helpful resources we have created for Tracfone Android users:
How to Check your Airtime on Tracfone Android Phones
How Minutes Work on Tracfone Smartphones
How to Buy Only Texts for your Smartphone
Are Data Cards a Good Deal from Tracfone?
Analysis of the New Smartphone Only Airtime Cards from Tracfone (UPDATED)
Also check us out on Facebook, where we have an active community of Tracfone users and share news, tips and answer questions!
Thanks for visiting!
posted by TracfoneReviewer Team at 5:44 PM on Jul 29, 2016
24 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formI would like to upgrade to the CDMA LG Treasure instead of this phone. Is it available anywhere?
July 31, 2016 at 9:38 AM
In the previous comment I forgot to say thanks again for such a valuable and informative site!
July 31, 2016 at 6:53 PM
kinda on topic..... :)
Just got this thing as a replacement for the 2nd LG34C I had to send back due to the startup screen being stuck in a boot loop.
The screen seems a bit more washed out as far as color than the 34C, other than that it doesn't look much different.
I read some reviews on it and it seems to have the same kind of problems, so at some point I may end up replacing it the same way.
At least every time you get a replacement it does give you a new full year warranty. Only thing is it takes a few hrs to reset and re-add all your apps and email accounts.
So far it runs. But its a real pain to re set these things up all over again.
I was looking at this Treasure, but will hold up and see how this Lucky works out over my 34C, and just to see what the next 3 months bring for black friday sales :)
August 6, 2016 at 1:21 PM
I'm sorry I upgraded to the Rebel from the Ultimate 2. I hate the fact that the Rebel does not have a blinking light to let you know you have a voice mail or text or missed call. I sometimes don't hear the phone ring and don't realize there is a message for me unless I wake the phone up to check.
I do use your reviews and thank you, just wish you would have noticed the flashing light was missing.
August 10, 2016 at 4:00 PM
I am having issues getting my lg rebel to connect to a mobil network..cannot access internet without wifi. Feel like there is a setting i am missing, any advice?!
August 11, 2016 at 5:28 PM
I could not agree more. I wish I had not switched to this phone.
August 14, 2016 at 9:14 AM
I had that same issue, if you are not in range of wi-fi, you must turn the wi-fi off to use your data.
August 19, 2016 at 11:31 AM
without too much history, it took about three hours to make the LG they sent going from 2g to 3g. Here is my new gripe with them. I had to change my email address: done this morning, I thought, did not happen. All my contacts, all my phone contacts, not there, all my photos, not there. I feel like I'm talking to POTUS and not getting an answer. Can you steer me in the right direction, please. Thank You.
August 21, 2016 at 2:32 PM
For some reason, the speaker stopped working. I have checked the settings and googled the solution to no avail. UGH, can you help figure this out please ? Thank you 8)
August 22, 2016 at 2:39 AM
In my opinion, The LG Rebel LTE matted with tracfone/AT&T is a match made in hell.. We can't maintain a strong cell signal, the wife only works when we're in the house.. and the apps drain the battery externally too fast.. Thus I've had to remove or disable apps like crazy. On the bright spot.. Opera Max has help me save my data even though I've not use any data since the purchase of the phone 4 months ago.. why?.. because we can't maintain a strong signal in order to actually use the data!
T0ASTERvan
September 7, 2016 at 6:38 PM
It may be possible to turn on a notification light. Try following these instructions:
The device comes with LED notification lights and to use this feature the user must be enabled on the device. To use the LED Lights on your device, open the Settings, tap on Brightness & display in the device section and click on Indicator light. You will find options like Calls, Messages, Notification, Charge and Low battery. Tap on the options for which you want to get an LED notification on your device.
September 13, 2016 at 8:59 PM
Can't read articles when using the browser it freezes up for seconds. Aggravating. It catches up and jumps all over. Its basic make what it does have work
September 20, 2016 at 12:54 PM
My last phone was the LG Fuel, but wanted a quad-core so upgraded to the Rebel a month ago. So far it works great. I find it funny that the 4.5" inch screen is considered a "con". For my taste, I don't want anything bigger than this.
October 7, 2016 at 7:46 AM
Brought phone today Net 10 can't get the calling part working. Data works but can't make a call. Gotta wait 4 days for new phone. Be careful.
October 26, 2016 at 8:45 PM
PV, I have an LG Rebel L44VL CDMA-V as of this moment. I don't see your exact steps on my phone. Hope this is not confusion. Can you help me further? Thank you kindly,
October 27, 2016 at 1:18 AM
decided to "upgrade" to the The LG Rebel from the Ultimate 2. what a pile of junk this phone has been. The accuracy of the keyboard is poor, processor locks up, sound is distorted if turned on speaker, and there is no LED notification of messages. It seems like a phone that can barely support itself. Camera is mediocre, at best.
November 3, 2016 at 12:33 AM
Can anyone confirm that the L44VL Rebel has a plastic(!!!) screen rather than a glass screen? I have seen this mentioned as a fact in a couple of reviews.
November 3, 2016 at 10:27 AM
Rebel available now with $30/120 minute card for $34.99...comes out to 5 bucks for a pretty decent phone.
December 18, 2016 at 3:04 PM
I would like to know too if this phone has plastic screen. I would be more careful with it. I would think plastic sucks compared to glass.
December 30, 2016 at 5:15 PM
Off topic, but just noticed Tracfone has added the Samsung Galaxy On5 to its lineup of smartphones. Will you be reviewing it anytime soon? I always read your reviews for information on Tracfone phones and find them very informative.
January 14, 2017 at 1:49 PM
!st - love this site - would have preferred the Ultimate 2 BUT for the $ - just ordered The Rebel w/ 1200 min/text/Data yr of service off eBay for ONLY $49 - a $30 drop from a few days ago - am Exchanging it for the lucky - Also Ordered thru eBay BUT w only 600 min so a Better deal in the long run & Thru TracFone -Too bad they didn't lest it/both on their site - Happy with the service so far as my Alcetal Big Easy Plus w/ 600 min is up mid month - for just the cost of a renewal card I almost get a Better Free Phone PLUS Service
http://www.ebay.com/itm/282399277161?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
April 4, 2017 at 11:38 PM
Ive had my Tracfone Rebel for a week and i cant get my data to work and the stock sms messaging app just disappeared. Tracfone nor safelink dont know whats wrong with it. Can anyone help me???
April 18, 2017 at 1:00 PM
I have been using Tracfones for many years with pleasure. Always had the triple bonus on refills. Daughter thought I needed to upgrade so she bought the LG Rebel LTE for me. Setup was a pain. Also, Smartphones no longer receive double or triple plans as of 4/01/2017. Older non smartphones can still get the bonus plans. Tracfone started offering a lot of smartphones knowing they would change these plan costs. If you don't need WIFI, pictures,and other bells and whistles, keep your basic phones.
August 7, 2017 at 2:13 PM
i would like to know does any android smart phone allow you to receive constant beeps when you r getting a message ? i just got a rebel 3 lte and was told it would do this but does not ! i am at android 7.0 nougat
July 25, 2018 at 2:25 PM