Need a Cheap "Old Fella" Phone. Opinions on Best Currently Available (12/04/18) ?

Geekomatic on 12/04/2018 - 11:39

I've been checking around on behalf of an older gentleman who is concerned about his switch to NBN/FTTN tomorrow. He's afraid of the power going off & his phone cutting off too— so I said I'd find a cheap phone for emergency use.

I can find dial-pad types, but nothing that isn't tiny number pads. Also, is 8GB of storage enough to even hold the OS any more?

He'll only ever use the phone as a phone— nothing more. I'm putting him on the $20 Boost plan so he can ring mobiles free (Internode will charge him .29 min!).

A plus would be good volume for him to hear the other person.

Thanks everyone.

Mobile Telstra

Comments

  • mooney on 12/04/2018 - 11:50
    +1

    Nokia 3310 would be my choice. Dont bother with any kind of cheap smartphone if its only to be used as a phone.

    https://www.nokia.com/en_au/phones/nokia-3310-3g

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 12/04/2018 - 13:21

      I don't know how "old" the fella is but I would never get a smart phone for someone that has early signs of dementia. Smart phones really are becoming discriminatory against older people. It was bad enough watching the poor old folks struggle with the screen turning off while on a call (with not hanging up becoming an even more common occurrence), but now that nearly all smartphones have replaced physical buttons with tactile buttons the user friendliness has become a nightmare.

      I'm apparently considered "tech-savvy" but even I'm uncertain what to do every time I get a new Android phone.

  • Detective Pikachu on 12/04/2018 - 11:51

    Choice has a list.

  • websterp on 12/04/2018 - 11:55

    Auspost shops sell Aspera phones for the elderly.

  • sane on 12/04/2018 - 12:23
    -1

    I'd go for a cheap android smartphone. I'd also put the google phone app on it, since it blocks spam callers.

    Some phones have the loop built in to work with hearing aids (Moto G always used to, I'm sure there are more) If you can find the phone at https://www.phonearena.com it will tell you if there is hearing aid compatibility.

    • Malarkey on 12/04/2018 - 13:31

      And then install one of the many elderly launchers available!

  • Xyzzy on 12/04/2018 - 13:53

    These Olitech Easymate phones are designed for older people. Big buttons. Loud volume. SOS emergency button.

    https://www.olitech.com.au/easy-mate

  • Geekomatic on 12/04/2018 - 14:34

    Lots of great replies— thank you!

    I like the larger easy-mate, but need it now.

    I was considering the Boost Zume 5 at Cole's for $29. I was thinking I could set it up fairly simply and the keys would be large enough for an old guys fingers.

    Woolies has the Telstra Lite (which should work with Boost), but the keys are tiny.

    The Nokia in the Cole's is Optus-locked…that would be great if it wasn't!

    Why can't they just make a cheap, large-button mobile for pensioners? $169 is too dear.

    Keeping my eyes out today.

    Thanks again everyone. xx

  • scrimshaw on 12/04/2018 - 15:16

    Saw an elderly guy in hospital today with a ZTE Flip 2 phone

    https://www.mobileciti.com.au/zte-flip-2-t21-mobile-phone-bl…

    122 with free shipping. It's probably cheaper on ebay with coupons

    Looks like a good phone for people who like the flip form factor and it also supports LTE networks.

  • Geekomatic on 12/04/2018 - 22:23

    Bought Boost Zume 5 at Coles.

    Will report back.

    OMG- I so hope I can get this fella to access this phone. I feel so sorry for everyone, but especially the older gens. What we have now is as murky as the Mississippi River!!! It's a whole lot of hoo-hah to get that coin from your pocket.

    It is.

  • shaybisc on 13/04/2018 - 07:39

    I got my father a 3G desk phone. It's big- it's a desk phone that works off a simcard- the world's biggest mobile phone.

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3G-GSM-850-900-1800-1900-210…

    • Geekomatic on 13/04/2018 - 11:33

      Now, that's an interesting concept! Is the battery replaceable?

      I wish it had 4G, as well….makes me wonder how long before 3G is gone in favour of the next best thing?

      But $78 is worth me mentioning it to him- thanks!

  • Geekomatic on 13/04/2018 - 21:31

    I thought I'd pop back to update.

    Step one: "Someone" came out today to do the switch from ADSL to NBN. Either it was NBN or Internode.

    No one told this very old & not-well couple that they would have to reconfigure their ADSL modem settings! Imagine that?

    Not only was it needing to be set for VDSL vs. DSL, but none of the VoIP settings were in it either.

    When I arrived today, the old guy was in a panic because as soon as the "people" did what they did & left, he had no internet.

    WTF is WRONG with ISP's? FFS! I have no idea why they can't get things right. I see this all of the time….

    I set all of the above up & it's working.

    Step 2: not so good. I bought the Zume from Cole's & plugged it in when I got to their place to charge.

    Once I determined the kitchen phone line was good to go on the modem (they wanted the modem/phone in the kitchen as it's central & has answering machine), I left to grab a wifi dongle so the couple's desktop in the other room could connect via wifi. By the time I returned, at least one hour had passed.

    The Zume wouldn't power-up. Ugh. So, I have it with me tonight to see if it's a dud & have to replace it tomorrow & return.

    Ain't tech work fun?

    :P

    • alvian on 14/04/2018 - 03:04

      Switching from ADSL to nbn would be an nbn tech. RSPs are not allowed to touch the wiring. Internode should have given your old man prior instructions on how to reconfigure the router, or supply him with a preconfigured unit.

      nbnco specifically instructs their techs not to touch consumers' routers, or anything else beyond the network boundary. It doesn't want the responsibility of supporting and repairing consumers' wiring and equipment.

      This is the same situation with Telstra and a regular telephone line. Telstra techs are told not to work across the network boundary. I had my outside line replaced due to corrosion but the tech accidentally pulled an internal line out of its socket. You should hear his curses because it suddenly became Telstra's and his job of repairing my internal telephone wires. Usually Telstra washes its hands and tells you to find your own sparkie, or charges you $300 per hour for such repair work.

      • Geekomatic on 14/04/2018 - 03:13

        At issue— I had spoken to the ISP, twice, to verifying the switchover date & the plan they'd be getting.

        At no point did they alert me that a new modem wasn't being provided, that the old modem was staying, AND that it would need to be reconfigured.

        That, is incompetency on their part. They made sure to cover how they'd be getting their money, though.

        90 year old, sight & hearing impaired people, should not be expected to do this. That's just ridiculous.

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