Talk and Text Kosher Phones, No Internet

Talk and Text Kosher Phones

Calls and SMS on a keypad, with the internet left out entirely.

Talk and text is where most adults land. You can coordinate a pickup, confirm an appointment and answer a message from work, and that is the end of the list: no browser, no app store, no social media. Lakewood Kosher Cell configures this level on flip phones and non-touch handsets from $99 with a carrier plan up to $239, and every phone ships already set. If texting is one step too many, see talk only. If you need Waze or email as well, see phones with apps.

What You Get With Talk and Text

· Calling and voicemail: Full two-way calling on 4G LTE, and voicemail.

· SMS in both directions: Send and receive standard text messages.

· Hebrew keyboard: Available on the TCL Flip T408DL and the Bliss, with T9 or full keypad entry.

· Camera and music on most models: Included where the model has them, and removable on request.

· Still no internet: No browser, no app store, no social media, no messaging apps such as WhatsApp or iMessage.

Talk and Text Compared to Talk Only

The practical difference is one thing: whether messages arrive. On a talk only phone a text sent to the number simply never lands. On talk and text it does.

That single change is what makes talk and text the working adult's level. Schools, camps, contractors and offices increasingly coordinate by text, and a talk only phone quietly drops out of those conversations. What talk and text does not do is open any of the doors people are actually worried about, because there is still no browser and no way to install anything.

Models That Ship Talk and Text

· Bliss, $139, or $99 with a carrier plan: Sleek non-touch design, 2000 mAh, 1 GB and 8 GB, no camera, multi-language with a Hebrew keyboard, under Vaad Hakehilos.

· TCL Flip Kosher T408DL, $129: $129 with talk and text selected. 1850 mAh, unlocked worldwide, Hebrew keyboard, Bluetooth.

· Fig Core Talk and Text, $239: Non-touch Gorilla Glass with tactile buttons only, 20 MP camera, 2 inch outer screen, MTK6765 chip, fully unlocked, plus Android Auto for navigation in the car.

· LG Classic Kosher, $200: Brand new, 1470 mAh, 8 GB, external caller ID, Verizon towers via Selectel, Page Plus or TracFone.

· Fusion, $159, or $99 with a carrier plan: Adds Waze to talk and text on a large touchscreen, with a reinforced body and an SD slot.

· Kyocera DuraXV, $189 to $220: Rugged refurbished flips configured to talk and text, with prediction or T9 entry.

· Kyocera Cadence S2720, $300: The sleeker flip in the family, refurbished and configured to talk and text.

Texting on a Keypad

If you have not typed on a keypad in a decade, this is the honest part. T9 predictive entry is slower than a smartphone keyboard for the first week and then it stops mattering, because the messages you send on a phone like this are short by nature.

A few models soften the transition. The Fig Core uses a full tactile keypad with a large outer screen for previews. The Fusion gives you a touchscreen keyboard. The Kyocera Extreme+ uses T9 while the Extreme uses prediction texting. If typing speed is a real concern, tell us and we will point you at the right one rather than letting you find out later.

Setting the Level Before Shipping

1. Choose the handset and tell us talk and text.

2. Tell us whether you want the camera enabled or removed.

3. Pick a plan: Selectel Verizon $15, AT&T H2O $20, or T-Mobile Ultra $20 a month.

4. Give us the number to port and the account details from your current carrier.

5. We configure, activate, send a test message to confirm SMS is live, then ship or hand it over.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between talk and text and talk only?

Talk only handles calls and nothing else, and texts sent to the number never arrive. Talk and text adds two-way SMS. Neither level includes a browser, apps or an internet connection.

Can I use WhatsApp or iMessage on a talk and text phone?

No. These handsets run standard SMS only. There is no app store and no way to install a messaging app, which is the point of the category.

Do talk and text kosher phones have a camera?

Most do, and most can be supplied without one. The Bliss has no camera at all. Tell us your preference at the order and we set it before shipping.

Can I send texts in Hebrew?

Yes on several models. The TCL Flip T408DL and the Bliss both include a Hebrew keyboard, and the Bliss supports multiple languages.

Is talk and text acceptable for a school student?

Often not. Lakewood-area schools generally expect talk only for students. Talk and text is the common adult and working-teen level. Check the handbook before buying for a child.

Which carriers can I use?

Selectel Verizon at $15 a month, AT&T H2O at $20, or T-Mobile Ultra at $20. Selectel runs on Verizon's network and is our most popular choice. See all kosher phone plans.

Can I add Waze without giving up the restrictions?

Yes, by moving up one level. The Fusion includes Waze at talk and text pricing, and several models support Android Auto so navigation runs on the car screen. See phones with apps.

What happens if the phone breaks?

Bring it to our Lakewood store. We repair the phones we sell and stock batteries and cases for them. A general repair shop can undo a kosher configuration without meaning to.

Closing CTA

Ready to set up a talk and text line? Call 848-226-1102, visit 209 2nd St in Lakewood, or use our contact form.