Android Phone for Elderly That Does Not Suck - Budget $450

kaleidoscope on 23/06/2022 - 09:44
Last edited 23/06/2022 - 14:09 by 1 other user

G'day.

In the market for a budget (<$450) Android phone that keeps on working for an elderly person. Thought of asking the fellow OzB users what their tried and tested go to models. Requirements in summary

  • Vanilla android experience and access all play-store and google services
  • Basic hardware that just keeps on working is more than enough + a finger print unlock (person wears masks most of the time, so face unlock will be a hassle)
  • Doesn't cost more than the phone's value to do when something like screen or battery needs replacing. (this person has used past phones with utmost care, this is just in case something happens)
  • Using mostly the messaging apps, web browser and YouTube / Playstore video, music and VLC apps.

How about these models? (I have no idea how they perform over time)

Nokia G21
Moto G50
Moto G51
Nokia G50
Nokia X20

I'd have gone with iPhone SE, but the budget is limited to $450 max for everything (for phone + screen guard + case + charger if it's not included in the box)

Thanks,

Mobile Mobile Phone Android

Comments

  • mbck on 23/06/2022 - 09:51
    +1

    Can't you just use the search function? Go to the mobile section and see what deals there are.

    Also plenty of reviews (including long term reviews) on Google.

    Edit: if you also want user reviews, plenty on reddit

    • kaleidoscope on 23/06/2022 - 10:31

      I find internet reviews are helpful when you know what you want to buy and want to narrow down between few choices. If you have no idea what to look for and the number of choices are plenty, it's just taking too much time and too many other conflicting opinions. So I turn to get some advice or tips from folks that are already using or used it such as in person or a forum.

  • scrimshaw on 23/06/2022 - 09:56
    +3

    The Nokia's and Motorola's are seldom the best value devices, but if you take advantage of the $50 ZIP cashback from JB Hi-FI the Moto G51 is most likely the best pick out of the ones you listed. The cashback brings it down to $269.

    The downside with the G51 is the short software support. According to GSM arena it'll only get 2 years of software updates, with Android 12 being the last version being rolled out.

    If this bothers you then I'd suggest the Samsung Galaxy A23, $295.62 with PLUSFY22 coupon. This is a 2022 release and comes with Android 12 out of the box, and will get 3 years of major OS updates.

    You can also check the polls to see what is suggested.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/700811

    • kaleidoscope on 23/06/2022 - 10:20

      Thanks, thats a lot of useful info. A23 seems alright, but how much have they modified the base android on these phones?

      • scrimshaw on 23/06/2022 - 10:23
        +1

        The UI is simple enough for anyone to use (my parents use Samsung) but it is a very Samsung eco system. You can expect many apps that are preinstalled to have samsung branding (Samsung Calendar, Samsung Pay, Bixby, Samsung Internet Browser, Samsung Keyboard, SmartThings, Samsung Note, Samsung Galaxy appstore).

        However, you do not need to use any of them. At most all they're doing is take up space in the app drawer.

        • kaleidoscope on 23/06/2022 - 11:03

          Thats good to hear, thanks

      • Headless on 23/06/2022 - 11:53

        A23 is the clear choice - you can increase the sizing of the font which helps them greatly

  • djones145 on 23/06/2022 - 10:18

    question is go you need all these when going out?
    better solution for elderly is a cheap flip phone (with large buttons) when they are going out (no butt calls! and buttons for calling and flip to answer)

    and something like a tablet for web and video and youtube (if they do this at home)

    • kaleidoscope on 23/06/2022 - 10:25

      They've got a tablet already. Wanting to replace the nokia phone been using for few years and it's slowed down alot (it I think has very small system storage so might be a factor too). But nevertheless it doesnt receive any system updates anymore.

      • AndyC1 on 23/06/2022 - 11:29

        If you want to speed it up then factory reset it and set it up again. Costs nothing, but time.

  • Spam Service on 23/06/2022 - 10:30
    +1

    I'd have gone with iPhone SE, but the budget is limited to $450 max for everything (for phone + screen guard + case + charger if it's not included in the box)

    Could try this deal for a refurb phone. I've bought from them 3 times and have been happy each time. I got the 128gb version + case + screen protector for $350 all up. Phone really was in excellent condition, battery sitting at 93% health.

  • JimmyF on 23/06/2022 - 10:50
    +3

    How about these models?

    None of them honestly. Go a Samsung Axx range, like A32. Its $450, big battery, big screen etc. ok cameras etc. Can get cases etc for easily.

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/samsung-galaxy-a32-128gb-…

    You can turn all the bloat and crap off, you can lock the home screen layout so they can't move the icons around by mistake. You can even enable an easy mode on them too. Bigger icons, less crap etc. Great for the oldies. https://www.howtogeek.com/736539/psa-samsung-galaxy-phones-h…

    Plus their 'friends' will either have an iphone or a samsung device, as these seem to be the most common two brands. So the other samsung users can help them out.

  • Uncle Roger on 23/06/2022 - 11:20

    Google Pixel 3a/4a

    • kaleidoscope on 23/06/2022 - 11:24

      Was my first idea, but they are not sold anymore (may be grey imports or 2nd hand which i prefer not to recommend) and even 5a from last year is not sold due to chip shortages.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 23/06/2022 - 11:47
    +1

    My Dad is 86 and uses my old Samsung S9+.

  • CheapGit on 24/06/2022 - 14:58

    JB has the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion for $249 end of next week.

    Not sure how it compare with the other phones mentioned, just thought I'd put it in there due to the upcoming price drop.

    • kaleidoscope on 24/06/2022 - 16:24

      nice. Do you have the source?

      • CheapGit on 24/06/2022 - 19:59

        I've seen the print screen for the catalogue, sorry unable to share at the moment.

      • CheapGit on 24/06/2022 - 20:14

        Tried to PM you.

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