I should preface this review by informing you this is my first phone without a physical keyboard--I have always had flip, slider, candy bar, or Blackberry-like telephones with a T9 or Qwerty keyboard on it.  Needless to say, using a virtual keyboard takes some getting used to and I do text a lot but also needed a larger screen to view webpages and wanted to give Virgin Mobile a try after some disappointment with larger, more traditional providers.

The Good: Virgin Pricing/Business

Virgin does a great job of being a low-cost mobile carrier that appeals to a wide variety of consumers and utilizes a major network of cell towers (Sprint) that follows large cities and the US Interstate system.  Plans for this phone are $35 up to a modest $55/month for everything.  Data is unlimited but speed throttling starts at 2.5 GB/plan month (change occured in March 2012).  Set-up, number porting, and support is easily done through Virgin's telephone service or website.  (Unfortuantely the website does not have chat support, but holds are short or non-existant on their support line.)

The Good: Camera/Screen

This is by far the best camera I have purchased inside a phone.  The rear-facing 5MP camera (I have yet to use the flash or front-facing 3MP camera) takes incredibly clear photos and uploads them quickly to Facebook when attached to a 3G or greater data connection.  Daylight photos are astounding and it has some type of image stabilization that is the best I've seen in a small lens camera like this.  The screen is very clear and I can even read some webpages when they are displayed in a desktop-computer type view.  Controls are all on-screen, not sure if the side button can be programmed to act as shutter.  Pinch/Expand is quick to respond as well.

The Good: Processor and Audio

I've used this phone at my office and in my car to stream Pandora digital music and it handles the app and reproduces audio beautifully through it's headphone jack to an aux audio cord for my car stereo or through earbuds.  The speakerphone is average and not a good music player but serves its purpose adequately for calls.

The Good: Durability

I've had this phone for a month and while I haven't put it through rigerous paces, it can withstand a short drop (hand to counter) and has a slightly rubberized case for shock-resistance and ease of grip.  The surface is Corning Gorilla Glass so it is unlikely it will crack or scratch.  The four ports (micro HDMI Out, Micro USB charge/data, and 3.5 mm headphone jack) are uncovered and reasonably simple to keep clean.

The Good: Apps

This phone will support almost any app on the Android Market/Google Play, I have yet to come accross one that refuses to install due to incompatibility and Verizon doesn't load on too many that are unnecessary.

The Bad: Apps

Facebook's App (Ver 1.8.4 for Android) really hates this phone.  I've used that version successfully on older phones and it doesn't have critical failures like it does on the Motorola Triumph.  No damage to the phone or other applications, but it will close instantly when trying to load Facebook for no visible reason.

The Bad: Coverage/WiFi compatibility

I live in a metropolitain area and believed there would be good coverage; unfortunately I am in a brick building and the network Virgin uses is Sprint-only (not their affiliates), so only a few area towers are accessible but this device overcomes that dilemma by using my WiFi network.  Unfortunately I can't find a good VOIP application and unlike my old Motorola, this one does not have it installed or I can't locate the mode.  The result is I can get quick internet inside my apartment using my WiFi network but when a call is coming, I need to lean out the window--with the weak cellular connection the phone keeps detaching/re-joining my wireless network which is frustrating for sending text messages or using data.

The Bad: Something every phone should have

Every manufacturer who puts a "flash"/high intensity LED on the back of their phone should keep a "flashlight" app/button to give you 15 seconds- a minute of light while dimming the display to make it easy to find things in the dark.  I know it drains battery fast--everyone does, but we want this feature!!!

The Ugly: As with all smartphones, battery technology hasn't kept up with power-hungry processors and displays and like all phones, this one will not maintain power on standby for a full 24 hours without recharging.  Motorola should know we'd gladly carry around a phone 2mm thicker with an extra 2 ounces of weight if it could hold a charge longer than a day!

Bottom line: This phone is a good start for Virgin Mobile to carry an Android phone and the price point is appropriate but there are a few improvements needed in this model as well as the Virgin network before it can satisfy customers used to the coverage and handsets offered by traditional cellular carriers.
I should preface this review by informing you this is my first phone without a physical keyboard--I have always had flip, slider, candy bar, or Blackberry-like telephones with a T9 or Qwerty keyboard on it. Needless to say, using a virtual keyboard takes some getting used to and I do text a lot but also needed a larger screen to view webpages and wanted to give Virgin Mobile a try after some disappointment with larger, more traditional providers. The Good: Virgin Pricing/Business

Virgin does a great job of being a low-cost mobile carrier that appeals to a wide variety of consumers and utilizes a major network of cell towers (Sprint) that follows large cities and the US Interstate system. Plans for this phone are $35 up to a modest $55/month for everything. Data is unlimited but speed throttling starts at 2. 5 GB/plan month (change occured in March 2012). Set-up, number porting, and support is easily done through Virgin's telephone service or website. (Unfortuantely the website does not have chat support, but holds are short or non-existant on their support line. )

The Good: Camera/Screen

This is by far the best camera I have purchased inside a phone. The rear-facing 5MP camera (I have yet to use the flash or front-facing 3MP camera) takes incredibly clear photos and uploads them quickly to Facebook when attached to a 3G or greater data connection. Daylight photos are astounding and it has some type of image stabilization that is the best I've seen in a small lens camera like this. The screen is very clear and I can even read some webpages when they are displayed in a desktop-computer type view. Controls are all on-screen, not sure if the side button can be programmed to act as shutter. Pinch/Expand is quick to respond as well. The Good: Processor and Audio

I've used this phone at my office and in my car to stream Pandora digital music and it handles the app and reproduces audio beautifully through it's headphone jack to an aux audio cord for my car stereo or through earbuds. The speakerphone is average and not a good music player but serves its purpose adequately for calls. The Good: Durability

I've had this phone for a month and while I haven't put it through rigerous paces, it can withstand a short drop (hand to counter) and has a slightly rubberized case for shock-resistance and ease of grip. The surface is Corning Gorilla Glass so it is unlikely it will crack or scratch. The four ports (micro HDMI Out, Micro USB charge/data, and 3. 5 mm headphone jack) are uncovered and reasonably simple to keep clean. The Good: Apps

This phone will support almost any app on the Android Market/Google Play, I have yet to come accross one that refuses to install due to incompatibility and Verizon doesn't load on too many that are unnecessary. The Bad: Apps

Facebook's App (Ver 1. 8.4 for Android) really hates this phone. I've used that version successfully on older phones and it doesn't have critical failures like it does on the Motorola Triumph. No damage to the phone or other applications, but it will close instantly when trying to load Facebook for no visible reason. The Bad: Coverage/WiFi compatibility

I live in a metropolitain area and believed there would be good coverage; unfortunately I am in a brick building and the network Virgin uses is Sprint-only (not their affiliates), so only a few area towers are accessible but this device overcomes that dilemma by using my WiFi network. Unfortunately I can't find a good VOIP application and unlike my old Motorola, this one does not have it installed or I can't locate the mode. The result is I can get quick internet inside my apartment using my WiFi network but when a call is coming, I need to lean out the window--with the weak cellular connection the phone keeps detaching/re-joining my wireless network which is frustrating for sending text messages or using data. The Bad: Something every phone should have

Every manufacturer who puts a "flash"/high intensity LED on the back of their phone should keep a "flashlight" app/button to give you 15 seconds- a minute of light while dimming the display to make it easy to find things in the dark. I know it drains battery fast--everyone does, but we want this feature!!! The Ugly: As with all smartphones, battery technology hasn't kept up with power-hungry processors and displays and like all phones, this one will not maintain power on standby for a full 24 hours without recharging. Motorola should know we'd gladly carry around a phone 2mm thicker with an extra 2 ounces of weight if it could hold a charge longer than a day! Bottom line: This phone is a good start for Virgin Mobile to carry an Android phone and the price point is appropriate but there are a few improvements needed in this model as well as the Virgin network before it can satisfy customers used to the coverage and handsets offered by traditional cellular carriers.