Recommend a mobile for an elderly person

Matt-Page · 25 Jun 2014 at 11:02

Hi,

My Grandad currently has an old Nokia mobile. Whilst it works and does what he wants, he is adamant that he must have a new one :rolleyes:

Ultimately this is going to be painful for me, but I want it to be as painless for him to get to grips with as possible. He has never used a computer/tablet/etc so I'm stating no touchscreens, etc.

I did do a bit of a search on Google and have found the following models:

Emporia RL1 - My prefered phone but seems to of been discontinued at Vodafone, although I could buy it elsewhere and get a PAYGO sim elsewhere.
ALCATEL 20.00 - Looks a bit too small to use

Has anyone been through the same? If so which phone would you recommend?

He literally just needs to be able to make phone calls and do text messages.

Thanks.

tamzzy · 25 Jun 2014 at 11:07

a new £10 nokia?

Matt-Page · 25 Jun 2014 at 11:11

tamzzy said:
a new £10 nokia?

I know the ones you mean, but the screen and buttons are just too small. Any others?

millsy888 · 25 Jun 2014 at 13:02

Check out Doro phones.

http://www.doro.co.uk/About-Doro/News-and-articles/More-than-big-buttons/

Or android phone of choice and this launcher.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=name.kunes.android.launcher.activity&hl=en

Meatball · 26 Jun 2014 at 20:03

My 76 year old nan has an iPhone 5S and she finds it very easy to use. Only one big button to master that always gets her back to the 'screen with all the apps'

.

Em3bbs · 26 Jun 2014 at 22:34

I'd definitely recommend a Doro.

iMacMart · 26 Jun 2014 at 22:36

Em3bbs said:
I'd definitely recommend a Doro.

My mum and mother-in-law have flip versions with big buttons and text, colour screen, great battery life

mightymouse · 26 Jun 2014 at 23:49

Goto car phone warehouse. I'm sure they have something like a tenner nokia

lsg1r · 27 Jun 2014 at 00:42

Don't do the alcatel, tried them for a phone for my dad.. ended up sending 2 back for the same issue (backlit keys only half worked).

Ended up with a cheap nokia 100... although I have heard good things about doro

dabotsonline · 28 Jun 2014 at 11:00

Does he need the ability to send texts? Does he even need a screen - could he make do with quick dials or the attached piece of card that can be used as a small address book?

If so, check out the SIM-free SpareOne Plus. This ought to be bought from an amazingly famous online reseller as in the UK it is only the non-Plus, which is the predecessor, that can be bought directly from SpareOne.