Phone for Old Person under $100

mr626 on 17/05/2015 - 17:39

(I release that this has been asked a couple of times already, but the responses from the last time are nearly a year old so hoping to get some up-to-date suggestions).

What phone would you recommend for an older person whose vision isn't as good as it used to be? Budget is under $100 (not much I know). He only wants the basics- calls/sms, but likes the phone to have a flashlight feature.

The person I am buying for currently uses iiNet (Optus network I think?) but is thinking about changing to Aldi Mobile.

Here's two options I've found:

Alcatel One Touch 20.01 - Unlocked
http://www.thegoodguys.com.au/alcatel-one-touch-2001---unloc…

This one ticks all the boxes, but it is 2G only. Going to be a problem if the person I'm buying for does switch to Aldi mobile (since they use Telstra, and Telstra are closing their 2G network at the end of next year).

Nokia Lumia 530 Unlocked
http://www.thegoodguys.com.au/nokia-lumia-530-unlocked-a0002…

I think the Nokia will be a much more 'future proof' phone for him, but my worry is that he'll have a hard time using it (has never had a smartphone or touch-screen phone before). I figure I can probably make it more user-friendly for him by adjusting font DPI, locking it down a bit etc.

What are your suggestions?

Thanks

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

    • mr626 on 17/05/2015 - 18:15

      Thanks, but would need to pay unlock fee if he decides to go Aldi.

      I was under the impression that a Windows phone would be more user friendly than a typical Android phone?

  • iridiumstem on 17/05/2015 - 17:54

    Windows Phone is fairly easy to use. At least it's not harder than getting used to an Android. There is option to increase font, etc etc, on it.
    You do need to get an app for flashlight on lumia, but that's simple to do as well (I don't think you can assign hard buttons for them though).

    • mr626 on 17/05/2015 - 18:16

      Cool, good to know. I'm still slightly worried about the transition from physical buttons to touchscreen for him though, big change.

  • Davo1111 on 17/05/2015 - 17:56

    Really can't get any easier than an old candybar

    • mr626 on 17/05/2015 - 18:18

      Unfortunately in this case I don't think something like that is an option:

      -Not sure how he would go using something like that- only has vision in one eye and I'm not sure that it's perfect either.
      -That one is 2G only, so if he ends up on Aldi or anything else on the Telstra network, phone will be useless buy end of next year.

  • TalkFar on 17/05/2015 - 18:24

    530 is an non option if you want torchlight, it lacks LED flashlight.

    Better off getting some older Nokia candy bar phones that offers LED light and Whatsapp compatibility.

    • mr626 on 17/05/2015 - 18:26

      Thanks, I missed that it doesn't have LED flash.

      Not sure that he wants to use Whatsapp.

      As mentioned, vision is an issue so after something that either has big buttons (like the Alcatel) or can have the font DPI / user interface enlarged.

      If vision wasn't an issue, a basic candy bar phone would be fine.

      • scrimshaw on 17/05/2015 - 19:53

        You can enlarge the text easily on modern android phones. The text of the UI will look bigger, however it may not affect web content (that is, if you open a browser window, the text will still be rendered as according to the HTML script).

        You can also use BIG Launcher to replace the stock homescreens of any android device. Samsung devices are also known to have a 'Easy Mode' launcher which simplifies the interface for users new to Android.

        My uncle is a oldie who a) doesn't read english and b) is far-sighted and cannot read without reading glasses and c) isn't exactly tech savvy

        He has been using Android for 3-4 years now — his first device being a Huawei Sonic, and then Acer Liquid Metal, a THL W8 and he's now currently using a 5.5" uHappy Android phone). So far he finds that a bigger screen helps and the more recent versions of Android allows for much bigger UI text, as well as DPI manipulation if the phone is rooted.

      • TalkFar on 17/05/2015 - 20:28

        Most modern candy bar phones have accessibility options which enlarges text so much more than a smartphone typically would. I won't be too worry about that.

        I guess the main problem is the price you are asking is a tad too low to make a good smartphone recommendation. I have a Lumia 530 and I would not recommend it. The problem is the screen is not good enough under sunlight and pretty slow (Snapdragon 200).

        I thought the 640 is a pretty good deal.
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/193611

        Ticks
        Big screen
        Bright screen (saw that in person not long ago in an Optus store)
        LED light

        I guess the only down side is teaching him to use a Windows Phone / any smartphones in general, as well as supporting any issue he might have with the phone.

        On Windows Phone, I can recommend you take advantage of the kids corner to lock it down to prevent unintentionally changes.
        http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/how-to/wp8/people/set-up-k…

        Just checked, it is now renamed to App Corner, you can even go in the app corner and customise the layout then lock it… Not chance to get that wrong :D.

  • swiggity swag on 17/05/2015 - 23:50

    https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/prepaid-mobiles/tel…
    That will do everything you want and is simple to use.

  • retiredfeline on 18/05/2015 - 00:15

    Old person under $100? But they'll cost more in running costs later. :)

    But seriously I was going to suggest the Nokia 208 candy bar phone. Unfortunately no flashlight.

  • mr626 on 20/05/2015 - 11:52

    Hello again,

    I spoke again with the old guy, and he was thinking about buying a 4" Oynx Windows smartphone from Aldi. $120 and didn't really look that good to me.
    I mentioned that if he was considering that, the Lumia 530 was a very similar phone but cheaper (but no flashlight). Sounds like this is probably what he'll be getting.

    I'm off the hook for teaching him how to use it at least- he has another friend for that :-)
    Also glad that he isn't getting a 2G-only phone: surprised that they even sell phones that are only 2G these days

    Thanks for the suggestions all

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join