Low cost smartphone options?

[MichaelB]

I help out a neighbor. She's mid-80's, lives alone (her DH is in a memory care unit) and isn't technically proficient. She recently got a flip type cell phone, but struggles with the functionality, because the user interface is not intuitive.

It's possible a smart phone might be a better idea for her, because the interface is simpler and more straightforward. My knowledge of smartphones is limited to Apple, which is more than she needs or wants to pay.

Is there a lower cost (less than $200) phone that folks here recommend? Her network is Consumer Cellular.

 

[flintnational]

Michael, the DW and I have had good luck with the Motorola Moto G series. Currently we have the G5 Plus, about $225 on Amazon. You can probably find it for less or the 4 series, $160 . The Moto G is routinely rated as one of the best budget android phones. But, I would have thought she might do better with a flip phone with buttons.

Edit to add: It looks like Consumer Cellular offers the G5 Plus for $200

 

[easysurfer]

Their should be several lower cost phones to choose from is she goes with android.

I'm on Consumer Cellular too and start from the cheaper smart phones first. Outgrew the cheapest so now on the next.

https://www.consumercellular.com/Products?android

 

[MichaelB]

But, I would have thought she might do better with a flip phone with buttons.

Her problem with the buttons is the same key may have more than one function, depending on what function screen is active. Even getting into the function screens is a challenge for her. So, basic things, like speakerphone and voicemail, are a challenge.

The smartphone interface is much simpler from that perspective.

 

[explanade]

There are also phones for the elderly with huge buttons.

My mother is in her 80s and she's using iPhone, strictly for phone.

We put in apps. but she never uses them.

She likes to swipe to delete calls and voice mails though.

Main benefit is we can use GPS to track where the phone is.

 

[MichaelB]

The iPhone is a great option, just too expensive.

 

[Conundrum]

I can’t find it on AARP anymore but there was a ad for a very simple phone that’s functions mirrored a house landline phone. Really stripped down to the most basic features

 

[braumeister]

I can’t find it on AARP anymore but there was a ad for a very simple phone that’s functions mirrored a house landline phone. Really stripped down to the most basic features

That would be the Jitterbug.

Designed specifically for tech-averse older folks.

 

[MichaelB]

Good tips, thanks. The Jitterbug also has a smartphone. Something to look into. The Moto E4 looks like a good option. $125 from Consumer Cell - this is her price range.

 

[explanade]

The iPhone is a great option, just too expensive.

Maybe an older model, say iPhone 6S?

Otherwise, Jitterbug may be better but are you limited in which service you can use them on?

Also would be useful to have GPS to track them.

 

[cathy63]

My MIL, who turned 90 a few months ago, has this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Jitterbug-Smart-Smartphone-Seniors-GreatCall/dp/B01DRV2AV0

To be honest, she can barely use it. She can answer a call, and in an emergency, she can make a call to a contact that's preloaded into the phone. She cannot retrieve and play a voice message and she will never use any of the other features, although she's not tech phobic and uses a computer for some things. She just has no interest in using a phone for anything other making or receiving a phone call.

 

[wolf]

Had same problem with my elder Mother. Simple flip phone. She could not hit the keys.

And had trouble turning the phone on/off. I think it is just an age thing. If you never

had a cellular phone when younger. Or used a laptop. It is much more difficult to learn

later in life. Sorry no solution. In our case, Mother just uses the land line telephone.

 

[aja8888]

My MIL, who turned 90 a few months ago, has this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Jitterbug-Smart-Smartphone-Seniors-GreatCall/dp/B01DRV2AV0

To be honest, she can barely use it. She can answer a call, and in an emergency, she can make a call to a contact that's preloaded into the phone. She cannot retrieve and play a voice message and she will never use any of the other features, although she's not tech phobic and uses a computer for some things. She just has no interest in using a phone for anything other making or receiving a phone call.

Best to read the Amazon negative reviews on this phone. There are tons of them.

 

[explanade]

Hmm, Brain games.

I've loaded some puzzles but she prefers Sudoku or some other simple games.

 

[homestead]

My wife has an old iPhone 4 that she loves and won't part with. Does phone, email and text just fine and is small and easy to use and you can pick a used one now pretty cheap.

 

[OldShooter]

Craigslist is your friend. Plenty of early adopters out there selling very capable phones for half price or less. We have Nexus 5x phones which I think are now going in the $100-150 range. One was an LNIB factory refurb still sealed.

 

[pb4uski]

Good tips, thanks. The Jitterbug also has a smartphone. Something to look into. The Moto E4 looks like a good option. $125 from Consumer Cell - this is her price range.

DW and I each have Moto G4s and like them.

 

[REWahoo]

I also have a Moto G4 and have been really happy with it.

 

[Newventurer]

I realize you are asking about cell phones, however if the need ever arises we got this phone for my mom, who struggles with dementia, and the ability to add pictures of the family on this phone helped her for a little while anyway. All she had to do was touch the picture of who she wanted and the buttons are set up with speed dials. Although it can get to be a nuisance as well if they use it every time they have a question.

https://www.mindcarestore.com/memor...MIo7uD6PCG3AIVhMhkCh25EQ41EAQYBiABEgJHK_D_BwE

 

[Junior]

I don't know if you have the option in US, but there are some good inexpensive Chinese brands. I have to warn that it can get risky some times.

The one I am trying right now is Xiaomi. I know quite a few people that are using it as well and seem satisfied by what they have gotten at a low price. There are different options ones with the MIUI (which is a customized Android), but also some with Android One. The important thing in this case is to check that both the phone is global version and the plug is US version.

As a side note, I think that most Android phones have an accessibility option that can be turned on to simplify the menus.

 

[MichaelB]

Do the Motos (E4 and G5) have a low technology threshold. That is, can even a luddite find it simple and straightforward to use the phone and voicemail? I'd also turn off cell data and operate just as a phone, just to avoid data accidents.

 

[ERD50]

Do the Motos (E4 and G5) have a low technology threshold. That is, can even a luddite find it simple and straightforward to use the phone and voicemail? I'd also turn off cell data and operate just as a phone, just to avoid data accidents.

I think you need to go into a store and try one. You would have a better idea what would and would not work for your neighbor.

I don't think my Mom could have handled a smart phone at all. And I remember when I went from flip to smart phone, even though I was used to touch screens on tablets, I missed the first 2 phone calls I got.

The phone starts ringing, I got an icon of a phone - so I tap it to select it. No dice. Is my phone broken?

Ohhhhh, you have to swipe it from left to right to answer? How the heck was I supposed to know that? No hinting. Terrible UI.

-ERD50

 

[explanade]

Do the Motos (E4 and G5) have a low technology threshold. That is, can even a luddite find it simple and straightforward to use the phone and voicemail? I'd also turn off cell data and operate just as a phone, just to avoid data accidents.

I haven't tried those phones.

But lower end phones have slower processors so the UI is probably less responsive, with stutters and lags in response to gestures.

Also Android phones are more prone to security issues.

 

[REWahoo]

Do the Motos (E4 and G5) have a low technology threshold.

No, not really. They are fully functional android phones with almost all the bells and whistles you will find on other androids. To a Luddite would likely not find my G4 any less confusing than an iphone or more sophisticated android phone.

 

[Surewhitey]

Disclosure: I am an Android guy for many years and "know" them to a degree.

Having said this, I have a Huawei Mate (6" screen) and it is as powerful as any on the market on speed and user friendliness, as any Android. It is unlocked and worked perfectly on AT&T networks. I don't think it will work on Verizon or that type (I forget the name) of network.

The gubmint will tell you they're not safe as they're made by a Chinese company and some garbage about them spying on us with this brand of phone, but what phone isn't made in China and what gubmint doesn't spy on us anyhoo? I digress...

My experience is as follows: I plugged in my chip and that was it...all good. $249 on Amazon and came with a gel case to boot. Awesome phone 6 months later. I bought one for my wife too from Ebay on their 20% off day some time ago and got it for appx. $190...

https://www.amazon.com/Huawei-Mate-...D=41U%2BFucf26L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch