"Senior" smartphone $200 budget

scrimshaw on 06/03/2013 - 20:49
Last edited 06/03/2013 - 21:20 by 1 other user

I'm considering on upgrading my uncle's old Acer Liquid MT to something a little more modern and with a larger screen size. He complains the 3.6" screen is too small since he's near-sighted.

He uses Lycamobile with no 3G connectivity.

I'm looking at the following options:

Kogan Agora phone (5 inch, $150 + shipping in April, apparently wonky build quality and a lot of factory defects)

Alcatel OT-995 (4.3 inch, $169, single core processor, ICS 4.0

Huawei G300+ $110, 4 inch screen, 850mhz 3G support, single core CPU, Gingerbread (somewhat unstable Jelly Bean ROM from Voda)

And that's about all I found in terms of low priced but big screened phones.

Which of these would you guys recommend?

Also I know jack-all about prepaid phone plans. The intended user is someone who rarely makes phone calls and needs a long expiry SIM. Naturally I thought Lycamobile would be best for him but the SIM only does Telstra 2G with no data plan. What would be a good replacement prepaid SIM that allows for 3G and long expiry?

Mobile

Comments

  • PVA on 06/03/2013 - 21:04

    I see that Aldi has a smart phone with a 4.5 inch screen and its $199. Looks like the Samsung S2 style.
    And with Aldi you can try it for a month if he doesn't like it return it for your money back.
    It looks pretty good, especially at the price.
    http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_25805.htm

    Also Aldi prepaid has a $10 and $30 card that has a one year expiry, not 30 days like others. (and uses Telstras network)
    https://www.aldimobile.com.au/

    Sound like both of these may be perfect.

    • scrimshaw on 06/03/2013 - 21:21
      +1

      I thought about the Bauhn, but the availability of the phone is an issue. It seems to be flying off the shelves quicker than I anticipated.

      Not really keen on the "generic-ness" of the phone either. Would rather get Alcatel and sacrifice the dual core specification. The old man doesn't play games asides — maybe a few Angry birds ocassionally but that's it. Web browsing performance not a big issue either since he's not on 3G.

      Currently I'm leaning towards the Huawei since it's super cheap — but it also happens to be the smallest of the bunch. Decisions, decisions.

      • PVA on 06/03/2013 - 21:30

        I am not sure if I would want the Bauhn but 60day trial it's worth a try I think. And it isn't for you so your uncle may think it's great.
        Looks like it is the base Android 4.1 OS.

  • PVA on 06/03/2013 - 21:07

    Also, maybe this should have been under the Mobiles area and not Gaming?? :)

  • zelda707 on 06/03/2013 - 21:30

    i would choose the huawei or Alcatel but only because the kogan phone is just a re branded unknown chinese phone.

  • oztonyau on 07/03/2013 - 12:13

    Doro phones are designed for ease of use by Seniors. The 615 model is sold in Australia by Optus and Vodaphone http://www.vodafone.com.au/doc/vodafone-doro_260612.pdf

    • scrimshaw on 07/03/2013 - 12:23

      That phone might be more suited for the technologically challenged, but my uncle prefers Android. He's not THAT old or senile.

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