What smartphone for...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] What smartphone for 82 year old?

18 Posts
13 Users
0 Reactions
105 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

My mum's ditching her £20 vodafone push button phone (screen too small/buttons too small) and wants to enter the world of smartphones. Having not owned anything other than an iPhone myself, I cant give her much advice. So...any good, basic smartphones out there suitable for a nana?


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 12:32 pm
Posts: 57
Free Member
 

I'd say Android or Winfone rather than Apple - I think they are easier to understand. If she's buying new, suggest the usual MotoG or a Tesco Winfone offer. A bigger screeen might make larger print posssible, hence easier to read & use. I know of 80+ year olds who use tablets most days, again moe seem to get on with Android than Apple


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 1:36 pm
Posts: 15907
Free Member
 

I'd say avoid Android as it's the one you have to do most with.

Microsoft is the easiest IMO. Think it's 530 is cheap and does everything you could want


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 1:50 pm
Posts: 20561
Free Member
 

I think they are easier to understand.

Really don't agree with thatt - the closed eco-system on Apple products makes it very easy to just switch it on and use it / download apps etc and the Accessibility settings will be a massive help to anyone with declining vision etc....

https://www.apple.com/uk/accessibility/ios/


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 1:53 pm
 iolo
Posts: 194
Free Member
 

If you have iPhone get her one. A second hand 5 should be cheap enough.
You can iMessage her, FaceTime without video so can call her for next to nothing wherever you are in the world.
My mum has one and is of similar age. She likes it so much she bought an iPad so she can play sudoku.


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 1:54 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

On the apple/android debate. The idea that Apple interfaces are intuitive is nonsense, but they are consistent, so your apple experience will help here if you have time to do some tuition. Android can be more configurable, if you have the time to learn android and set stuff up for her. Don't know windows phone o/s, but am told it is v easy to use. If you are going to have to be the help desk, then may be best to stick with what you know.


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 2:00 pm
Posts: 12072
Full Member
 

If you have iPhone get her one.

I'd go with this, too - not because it's any better, but because any problem will be yours to sort out, and while Android or Winphone aren't that difficult to use [b]you[/b] will find it easier to help her.


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 2:00 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

FunkyDunc - Member
I'd say avoid Android as it's the one you have to do most with.
like what?


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 2:03 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Trying to keep cost down which is why I had ruled out Iphone in my head...Second hand ones still fetch quite a bit.


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 2:19 pm
Posts: 12072
Full Member
 

Just get a cheap Android phone with the biggest screen you can. Then customise it with the most used icons on the home screen. You could install something like Smart Launcher to make the home screen even more simple to use, too.


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 2:27 pm
 br
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

[i]Trying to keep cost down which is why I had ruled out Iphone in my head...Second hand ones still fetch quite a bit. [/i]

Give her yours and treat yourself?


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 2:33 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Give her yours and treat yourself?

Nice Idea...but only just got mine 😀 . Kids get our old ones - could take one of theirs of them i suppose... that'd go down well 😕


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 2:42 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

My Dad is 80 and uses a Samsung of some sort with Android. He's OK with the phone side (making calls) but it took him a bit of time to get used to texting. The only accessory he's got for it is a stylus to stab the screen with.

He's also got an Android tablet which he's fine with and a Windows laptop. He tried some Apple stuff (my sisters iPhone and iPad) and the learning curve was the same as Android. I did go through the phone and tablet with him and cleared all the stuff he wasn't going to use off the main screens. I also put shortcuts to people he phones regularly on the home screen, can you do this with an iPhone yet?


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 2:56 pm
Posts: 20561
Free Member
 

I also put shortcuts to people he phones regularly on the home screen, can you do this with an iPhone yet?

You double click the home button and all your recently called contacts appear at the top of the screen (and you can scroll left/right to see more).


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 3:08 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for replies.... Stylus would be a good idea for texting I think (long fingernails!)


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 3:43 pm
Posts: 12072
Full Member
 

Thanks for replies.... Stylus would be a good idea for texting I think (long fingernails!)

Don't forget on Android you can easily change the keyboard, there are some available with larger keys (although this will obviously eat up screen space).

There's one here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mah.big.keyboard&hl=en

Edit: not tried this one in particular, though I have tried out different keyboards.


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 3:47 pm
Posts: 3579
Full Member
 

My 83 year old father copes very well with his Moto-G. has no problem with Android at all.

I certainly don't understand the 'avoid Android because you have to do too much with it' comments here. 😕


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 3:52 pm
Posts: 4579
Full Member
 

Sony Xperia E3 was cheap recently at Tesco and has a "basic" mode which gives a single home screen with big icons.


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 10:23 pm
Posts: 25815
Full Member
 

my dad's 91 - he's got my old phone. Seems fine with it:

[url= https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5335/18655597060_5c295c1e90_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5335/18655597060_5c295c1e90_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/uqwP4b ]Screenshot_2015-06-15-23-39-42[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/23823661@N05/ ]scaredypants[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 15/06/2015 10:55 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!