Migo vs. Firefly - Choosing the Right Cell Phone for Your Kid
DiscussWireless recently explored the practicality of equipping
your kids with cell phones, this particular article will review
and compare the two leading kids cell phones: the Firefly and
the Migo from LG (the TicTalk will not be discussed). Designed
to equip consumers with the latest reviews this article will
provide unbiased analysis about the pros and cons regarding
these two cell phones. Let's get started....
The Firefly has been out for a while, mid-2005 exposed the
Firefly plans and towards Q3 of 2005 the Firefly was coming onto
US markets namely on the Cingular network. The GSM enabled
handset appealed to the kid audience through parents by offering
basic features on a simple phone. The added 'security' appealed
to parents hence the rush for other manufacturers to produce a
similar device. Lo and behold, LG was next inline offering their
version called the Migo. The LG VX 1000 Migo is a CDMA enabled
handset and operates on the Verizon network.
This article doesn't look at the practicality of the devices,
but compares the two against each other; which device should you
buy if you had the choice. Since both operate on different
networks this means if you're already with a carrier your choice
may be restricted. As stated, the Firefly operates on the GSM
network (T-Mobile, Cingular, Rogers), and the Migo operates on
the CDMA network (Verizon, Sprint, Telus? or Bell?). The thing
with GSM phones is you could potentially purchase it 'unlocked'
and activate it on any GSM network provider of your choice. You
cannot do the same with CDMA. If you're purchasing for the first
time and will choose between the two networks (Cingular and
Verizon in the States) then the rest of this review will help
your decision making.
Weighing in at a paltry 56 grams, designed to accommodate
smaller hands, the Blue and Pink Firefly measures 1.75 x 3.46 x
.79, weighs 2.12 ounces, offers up to 2.5 hours of talk time,
and up to 100 hours of standby; a bare bones 850/1900 MHz GSM
cell phone that permits parents to limit outgoing calls to
certain numbers and also sports 'mom' and 'dad' buttons for
quick dialling.
Conversely, the green Migo measures 1.77 x 3.42 x 1.07 weighs
2.4 ounces, offers 4 hours of talk time, but unfortunately no
prepaid options are available with this phone. Network: CDMA;
High-Speed Data: 1xRTT; remember, neither phones have Bluetooth,
cameras, or any additional features common on regular phones.
The phone also shows 5 buttons for quick dialling and emergency
dialling.
Pro: Firefly. With the Firefly you can limit who calls your
child based on a pre-programmed list. The Migo does not offer
this security feature so essentially junior can give the number
to friends and get them to call. The Migo only permits 5
programmable outgoing call numbers while the Firefly list
enables 20.
Pro: Migo. The Migo works with hearing aids. Also, the second
antenna is for eventual GPS support, where that goes we won't
know, but it is an additional feature on the Migo.
Con: Both phones are designed to give the bare phone essentials.
However, they are candybar styles, which means the Firefly
antenna is located within the phone unit and does not protrude
out. This means cellular frequencies are closer to the brain.
The question now revolves around how early is too early for
exposing kids to cellular frequencies on a regular basis? On one
hand you don't want to risk your child's health, on the other
hand scientific research is still inconclusive when it comes to
cell phone 'radiation'. The juror is still out on this one, be
your own judge regarding the health impacts. The Migo's SAR
rating is 0.915 w/kg when held up to the head, below the legal
limit of 1.6 w/kg and also below the Firefly's level of 1.322
w/kg. The Migo antennas are outside of the phone as well.
Conclusion: Both phones offer pretty much the same features and
are built in the same way. If you're on a network already and
just want to add a kid phone then it's Firefly for GSM and Migo
for CDMA. Simple. If you're getting a phone on a new network
then it seems the Firefly wins by an edge. This article does not
investigate the durability of the phones because they are both
so new (the Migo especially), nor does it look at the sound
quality. Both phones are near equal in this respect, however,
the Firefly seems to be built stronger and the Migo appears to
have marginally better sound in preliminary tests. Remember, a
teen will not enjoy these phones for their basic nature, but
your young child may benefit from the added security. Firefly
seems to offer more in this security detail. So for now, points
to Firefly, barely.