Please Recommend $300 Android Phone for Elderly Relative

Samsungnote10 on 14/11/2017 - 12:12

Please give a us few recommendations,
budget $300 outright
android
They tried a Xiaomi redmi note 4 but 2 problems in a few months, they dont want to deal with a overseas non local model

they liked the xperia ,

Ideally, one that works well, 5.5" screen would be the best

I used to have a note4 which was brilliant but thats getting old,

what about a S5 or s6?

I assume the cheaper samsungs eg j1 based on a friends expeirence, slows down and begins to get buggy quickly

they will use it for msgs, calls and photos and facebook etc

Mobile

Comments

  • ausmechkeyboards on 14/11/2017 - 12:24

    Don't go for an old phone or a Chinese phone, even Xiaomi. They're more trouble than they're worth.

    Get your relative a Motorola G5 or something, although it's only 5 inches. Ignore the screen size and focus on how easy the phone would be to wield. You can always adjust the screen scale to make it bigger.

    • Diji1 on 14/11/2017 - 12:42
      +4

      Don't go for an old phone or a Chinese phone, even Xiaomi. They're more trouble than they're worth.

      What trouble is that? I've had zero troubles with Xiaomi. The fingerprint sensor works a great deal better than Sony phones, they're better devices at a third of the cost. And MIUI is nothing if not easy to use.

      • ausmechkeyboards on 14/11/2017 - 12:46
        +3

        I'm not sure why you're focusing on a fingerprint reader for an elderly person or why you think MIUI would be a better experience than stock Android.

        • Diji1 on 14/11/2017 - 12:53
          +3

          I'm not focusing on the fingerprint sensor for elderly people I'm focusing on it because works much better than Sony though I'm not sure why you think old people could not use it. It's about as easy as using the power button (remember, it works on Xiaomi devices unlike Sony)

          I think MIUI is a much better experience than stock Android and it's easier to use.

        • ausmechkeyboards on 14/11/2017 - 13:22

          @Diji1:

          If we're going to talk about the power button, then we can also bring up Xiaomi's use of ABS on the power button housing leading to the ever-common softening (and stiffening) of the button across all of their phones. This even extended to their premium line (my most premium Xiaomi is the Mi Note 2 also suffered from this).

          MIUI isn't really easier to use, especially for old people. Think of 'peaking' notifications requiring two fingers rather than one, for example.

          EDIT: also, I'm not downvoting you and I'm not sure who it is or why. It's almost as if we can't discuss anything without getting shitty.

        • Axelstrife on 14/11/2017 - 14:23
          +1

          letting you know Xiaomi does sell a phone running stock android it's called Xiaomi Mi A1 have a look.

        • ausmechkeyboards on 14/11/2017 - 14:26
          -1

          @Axelstrife:

          Band 28?

  • LaScrooge on 14/11/2017 - 12:25
    +3

    Motorola G5 plus, or Nokia 6 would be options (6 might push the budget a bit too far).

    My father went for the Nokia 6 (despite the slower processor) and loves it due to the screen size and the fact it has capacitive buttons at the bottom of the screen.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/11/2017 - 12:35
    +1

    Only 5" screen, however I'd still recommend the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016). I use one of these and its an excellent allrounder. Could easily score one for less than $300 and have enough left over for a decent case with an image of teapot on it or a trowel or whatever the elderly like….kol perhaps??? I don't know.

  • Kangal on 14/11/2017 - 12:44

    As large screen as possible…

  • [Deactivated] on 14/11/2017 - 13:04

    they liked the xperia

    Xperia XA Ultra, 6" display, no frills android. Good camera and big display is great for fakebook.

    XA1 is probably out of budget but new old stock XA is on the money.

    • dcep on 14/11/2017 - 13:44

      battery ?

      • [Deactivated] on 14/11/2017 - 13:51
        +1

        Yes. It has a battery too.

  • scrimshaw on 14/11/2017 - 13:10

    Don't get your parents too hooked on a certain Android skin. My mother used a Samsung for about 4-5 years (S2, S3, then S5) but I was able to replicate the "Samsung" feel by installing a 3rd party launcher and customizing the shortcuts and adding quick toggles to the home screen.

    She now uses a Motorola G4 Plus, which runs Stock android but with some motorola enhancements (double chop gesture to turn on flashlight) and Nova Launcher, and navigates with ease. No need to get locked into using a certain brand.

    Nova Launcher is great for making the user experience across devices consistent, so I always install it on the phones I setup for my parents.
    Some people just dislike change and learning new stuff, so just have to simplify the experience for them.

  • tassieeagle on 14/11/2017 - 13:34
    +1

    Moto G5 Plus

  • dcep on 14/11/2017 - 13:44

    windows phone 10

  • Axelstrife on 14/11/2017 - 14:22

    Xiaomi Mi A1

    it's under $300
    has a 5.5" screen
    Runs Android one "stock android"
    so updates will be fast

    • CLoSeR on 14/11/2017 - 15:08

      How often do they release updates? Monthly like Lenovo/Motorola?

    • virhlpool on 06/01/2018 - 00:54

      Why are fast updates so important? What if they are delayed a bit?

  • [Deactivated] on 14/11/2017 - 14:54

    As mentioned above, the Moto g series would be a good choice

  • CLoSeR on 14/11/2017 - 15:07

    Moto G5 Plus, I recently purchased a Alcatel Pop4 for a relative and it's not bad but a little underpowered.

    Still, it's fast enough for the user.

    If my budget allowed it the Moto G5 Plus would be a much better option.

  • myusername on 14/11/2017 - 15:21

    nokia 3310 chances are they've probably had an original one in the past

  • Samsungnote10 on 14/11/2017 - 15:44

    thanks everyone,
    I personally had a xiami and loved it, but I had repeated problems so the amount of money spent on buying new ones, I could have bought a samsung or apple, so im done with xiamo,

    I bought 4 for my friends and theirs are all going strong so i must have been unlcuky

    elderly relative isnt fixated on a skin ,but android sounds good

    they dont use fignerprint reader or anything, but they do like a good camera,
    I temporarily had a $250 Samsung which was good at the start but start slowing down very quickyl depsite not being used very much

    • virhlpool on 04/01/2018 - 00:40

      but I had repeated problems so the amount of money spent on buying new ones, I could have bought a samsung or apple, so im done with xiamo,

      What kind of problems did you face on Xiaomi? Were they specific to one phone or multiple Xiaomi phones?

  • PVA on 14/11/2017 - 17:17

    My wife has a Sony Xperia C4. It's a bit old now but still takes great photos. Has a 5.5 inch screen and was just under $300.
    Have a look a mobileciti and see what they have. They are all Aussie models, manufacturer warranty.

  • Samsungnote10 on 15/11/2017 - 12:04

    thanks everyone so far,

    it seems the moto seems quite a popular model,

    not really band loyal as long as its a good reliable phone,
    I do like samsung phones, but its not for me, so im a tad biased

  • Aniseed Steed on 15/11/2017 - 12:18

    My 74-year-old mother has been using a Redmi phone for the past 3 years and she loves it.

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