What Is The Ideal Mobile Phone for Seniors That Cannot Read English + Have Minimal Ability with Technology?

LProzor09 on 14/05/2019 - 08:45
Last edited 14/05/2019 - 08:47

Hi,

I would like to request some recommendations for a mobile phone for my grandmother, as she is keen to be able to make and receive phone calls with relatives. I would also feel more at ease knowing she is contactable when she is out and about.

The trickier parts are that she has minimal English speaking/reading skills and has even less ability with technology.

I would imagine a phone that has multiple languages on it would be ideal, and minimal + large buttons.

Any recommendations for a mobile phone that would be suitable for the above is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Mobile

Comments

  • djones145 on 14/05/2019 - 08:57
    +2

    while flip phones are quite expensive (check kmart, big w etc) are about 100 bucks, could find cheaper online
    they usually have large buttons and the advantage of handing up when u flip it close
    also no pocket phone calls

    that's what I find the most with my parents
    they never hang up
    or call me in their pockets!

    https://www.google.com/search?q=flip+phones&sourceid=ie7&rls…

    few here

    • Prozor09 on 14/05/2019 - 09:00

      Thanks a lot for that! I'll look into flip phones and try find one with multiple languages.

      • Hithere on 14/05/2019 - 12:06
        +1

        Just be aware OP that many of the cheaper phones on the market are 3G only.

        Telcos are already phasing out 3G so looking for a phone that also has 4G capability is a must.

        • Lastchancetosee on 15/05/2019 - 09:00
          +1

          This. We tried everywhere to get a compatible flip phone for my father who was legally blind, without success. It was the touch screen that gave him the most trouble.

    • dimitryp on 15/05/2019 - 09:19

      I also got both granma (89) and grandad (94) flip phones. Added challenge for me is that grandad is nearly blind. I got Telstra T20 flip phones (unfortunately they're not longer being sold) which are very simple, have big buttons, but best of all they have 2 "quick call" buttons which you can call a pre-saved number with just 1 press. v useful. Annoyingly the newer version of this phone doesnt have the quick call buttons.

  • 87percent on 14/05/2019 - 08:58

    iphone is the easiest phone to use, probably a plus if she can't read well but you can always have magnification on a non plus model

  • Kangal on 14/05/2019 - 08:58
    +1

    iPhone 8 Plus?
    Xiaomi Mi Max?

    Use a protective case, she can store it in her handbag.

    • Prozor09 on 14/05/2019 - 09:00

      Thanks for the tips! Yes, definitely worthwhile to get a protective case.

    • Illian on 14/05/2019 - 15:04
      -2

      "iphone is the easiest phone to use"

      Haha, you should try thinking for yourself sometime, rather than regurgitating corporate spiel, you might like it!

  • Sergeant Salami on 14/05/2019 - 09:05
    +5

    I'd go iPhone. You can change the language from the settings and set the icon size to be large. If she gets stuck, there's one button to bring her back home.

  • dcep on 14/05/2019 - 09:26
    +1

    nokia 8110 + sunglasses

  • pjetson on 14/05/2019 - 09:29
    +8

    I find that older people (my mum is 90) tend to have trouble with touch screens - they can accidentally tap multiple times instead of once, or accidentally drag while they are tapping, and then get to a screen they weren't expecting, then panic and don't know what to do.

    Yesterday I got my mum an Opel flip phone. https://www.opelmobile.com.au/our-phones/smart-flip-phone/

    It was $129 from an Australia Post shop. JB HiFi also list it, but you have to buy it online from them - the stores don't carry it. Most of the available flip phones seem to be 3G not 4G. Vodafone has one that's 3G, and Telstra has a 4G flip phone. Both are locked. The Opel isn't locked, and seems to have all 4G bands.

    I didn't realise that as well as being a flip phone with a real keypad, the Opel also has a touch screen. Mum seemed to have a bit of trouble with it, but we'll see how she goes.

    • Prozor09 on 14/05/2019 - 09:35

      Really appreciate the first hand experience. I'll check out Opel!

    • BobD on 15/05/2019 - 09:11
      +1

      This sounds like an ideal phone for my wife. Can you let me know what the battery life is like.

  • Quantumcat on 14/05/2019 - 09:34
    +5

    I think flip phone with big keys is best too (easy to answer phone calls - open the phone, easy to hang up - close the phone). Especially if there is room inside the lid to tape on a piece of paper with important phone numbers so she doesn't have to try and work out how to find the contacts section in the phone. But still add contacts so that when you ring her it comes up with your name etc

    • Prozor09 on 14/05/2019 - 09:36
      +1

      Looks like the consensus is flip phones. Thanks for your feedback.

  • brad1-8tsi on 14/05/2019 - 10:31
    +1

    Based on having parents / inlaws in their 80s and knowing quite a few oldies, few of them have been able to handle a smart phone. They seem to be more at ease with something that has less options (it makes calls and texts and takes photos) and is more "traditional". They like big buttons and big print and a loud speaker / ringer because they are all a bit deaf or affected by background noise.
    https://www.choice.com.au/electronics-and-technology/phones/…

    https://www.lifewire.com/best-cell-phones-for-senior-citizen…

    https://ilcaustralia.org.au/search_category_paths/666

    https://www.techradar.com/au/news/the-10-best-phones-for-sen…

  • websterp on 14/05/2019 - 11:44
    +2

    I agree with the previous posters about flip phones. I was in the same situation a year or two ago and I got a flip phone with a big number keypad(even comes with a SOS button) and a large single or two line display. These are made specially made for senior citizens and sometimes it is even mentioned on the phone packaging.

    Have a look at the Australia Post Phones section and you'd find quite a few matching your requirement here

    Few Examples:
    https://shop.auspost.com.au/product/konka-u6-3g-big-button-p…

    https://shop.auspost.com.au/product/aspera-f28-3g-flip-phone…

    https://shop.auspost.com.au/product/opel-mobile-3g-flip-phon…

    https://shop.auspost.com.au/product/opel-mobile-3g-big-butto…

    https://shop.auspost.com.au/product/opel-mobile-3g-flip-phon…

    • dimitryp on 15/05/2019 - 09:22
      +1

      Ooh, the Aspera Flip phone has quick-dial buttons!

  • [Deactivated] on 14/05/2019 - 14:22
    -4

    iPhone is the the most intuitive phone I have used.
    If it's for non tech savvy parents, don't bother with the latest version. Just get an iPhone that is a few generations old.

    • websterp on 15/05/2019 - 10:50
      -1

      And this is your solution for the OP who is after a phone for a non-English speaking old lady which will only be used to make phone calls? Nice!

  • ozbjunkie on 15/05/2019 - 08:07
    +1

    Particularly if it's for their safety, use the speed dial feature on many phones with physical buttons.

    Set your number to be called whenever any speedial number is called.

    Ie "1" calls you, "2" calls you etc.

    I did this for my grandfather when he was getting old.

    Basically told him to press any number and the green call button. It didn't really work, but it was the best I could come up with.

    • dimitryp on 15/05/2019 - 09:23
      +2

      try phones with a "quick dial" button, as per above comment, the Aspera flip phone has them. They allow to call a pre-configured number with just 1 press (vs 2 presses as you were describing)

  • HeWhoKnows on 15/05/2019 - 09:32
    +1

    Without doubt
    One of those button phones with the large push buttons and the emergency dial button on the back

  • Uknowem on 17/05/2019 - 16:11
    -1

    3G is not being shut down anytime soon. None of the Telcos have suggested an end to 3G anytime soon. Telstra gave 2.5 years notice of their intention to shut down 2G…Vodafone shut 2G down two years after Telstra. All the Telcos are still selling 3G phones and wouldn't be if they were going to shut it down anytime soon. my guess would be in about 3 to 4 year time.

    If you haven't guessed by now I work in the industry.

    BTW the best seniors phone on the market is quite rightly the opel smart flip which is 4G. Their big button phone is also good too…extremely popular. For really senior people you have dementia or have had mobility issues try the kisa phone.

    Enjoy your day everyone!

    • BobD on 19/05/2019 - 11:54
      +1

      I bought an Opel Smart Flip for my wife. It's about as much phone complexity as she can handle. It works OK but, by its own estimate, it has a seriously short battery life. While I was setting it up and it had a full charge it said its battery life was about 7 hours. Making calls would reduce that. IIRC the battery is undersized at 2000mAH.

      • Uknowem on 20/05/2019 - 12:18

        Sounds to me you may have a faulty battery or some app is running in the background. I bought the opel smart flip for my mum and she gets 3 days on standby. 2000mAh battery is huge for such a small screen - i think 2.8inch. I have a samsung S9 and it only has a 3000mAh battery but a 5 inch screen. Like most android phones I have to charge it every 8 hours or so.

  • Hithere on 18/05/2019 - 10:11
    +1

    Telstra turned off 3G connectivity on its 2100MHz spectrum on March 25. Users will need 850MHz on their phone to access 3G

    Vodafone is currently phasing out 3G connectivity on its 2100MHz spectrum. Users will need 900MHz on their phone to access 3G

    OPTUS currently isn't phasing out 3G connectivity, but it's just a matter of time before they do.

    • Uknowem on 20/05/2019 - 12:13

      Yes correct but this is not them phasing 3G out. They are making room as there is no need for either Telstra nor Vodafone to have this extra frequency. If a phone is unlocked in Australia it is generally tri-band meaning that it can be used on the 850/900/2100 frequencies. No telcos have announced they are phasing out 3G anytime soon.

  • abacus on 29/05/2019 - 14:34

    Maybe check out kisa.com.au
    Can only store up to 10 numbers but incredibly simple to use

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