Smart phone for the elderly

[Diabalo]

My wifes uncle has been informed by o2 that they are stopping 3G by end of 2025 and that his phone needs replacing. He has an old Nokia at the moment and we have been tasked with finding a replacement that is easy to use.

Any recommendations for a smartphone that will do the job. He only needs it for texting photos and calls.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Any smartphone can have it's apps either removed or hidden. Did my mums Samsung, she just has messenger and Facebook.

 

[Widge]

My wifes uncle has been informed by o2 that they are stopping 3G by end of 2025 and that his phone needs replacing. He has an old Nokia at the moment and we have been tasked with finding a replacement that is easy to use.

Any recommendations for a smartphone that will do the job. He only needs it for texting photos and calls.

There are plenty of ordinary phones available without going to the hassle of a smartphone,

This for example.
[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doro-2800-unlocked-assistance-charging/dp/B0CJFRSHF3/?tag=mhf04-21

 

[Diabalo]

There are plenty of ordinary phones available without going to the hassle of a smartphone,

This for example.
[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doro-2800-unlocked-assistance-charging/dp/B0CJFRSHF3/?tag=mhf04-21

We looked at Doro phones as they cam up but as we had never heard of them was a bit wary

 

[pappajohn]

We looked at Doro phones as they cam up but as we had never heard of them was a bit wary

Doro has been around for donkeys years.
Easy to use with large keyboard.

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[Widge]

We looked at Doro phones as they cam up but as we had never heard of them was a bit wary

My MIL used one for years, and our neighbour is happy with hers.

Certainly in france the hearing aid shops promote them as the work with hearing aids.

 

[Brains]

We looked at Doro phones as they cam up but as we had never heard of them was a bit wary

We had two Doro phones for elderly members of the family.
They are fine.

We kept one of them, it lives in the MoHo (just near yours) and it's used as our foreign SIM phone

 

[bigwood]

I had a Doro phone for ages. I could make phone calls and send text messages and that was all I needed.
Our daughter gave me her old i phone but it’s only recently I started using it properly including using it for WiFi when we are away. I have to admit to slowly seeing the advantages and convenience of the i phone.
My sister in law in Australia had her phone updated when Queensland updated their internet six months ago. That was the last time we spoke to her. No matter what her family try she can’t use her latest phone.

 

[Jev88]

Motorola are good value for money.

You can remove every app they don't need or hide. And then introduce speed dial with pics of people they most call.

 

[David and Sally]

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[Coolcats]

My wifes uncle has been informed by o2 that they are stopping 3G by end of 2025 and that his phone needs replacing. He has an old Nokia at the moment and we have been tasked with finding a replacement that is easy to use.

Any recommendations for a smartphone that will do the job. He only needs it for texting photos and calls.

Nokia still make phones your wife’s uncle may appreciate a familiar interface with buttons and a camera they also make smart phones

 

[Gromett]

My wifes uncle has been informed by o2 that they are stopping 3G by end of 2025 and that his phone needs replacing. He has an old Nokia at the moment and we have been tasked with finding a replacement that is easy to use.

Any recommendations for a smartphone that will do the job. He only needs it for texting photos and calls.

What phone does he have currently? If it is a feature phone rather than a smart phone it may be worth just looking for a new feature phone?

Search Amazon for feature phone and loads will come up.

I was always a Nokia fan. This is an example only, not a recommendation.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-Feature-Display-Expandable-Headphone-Charcoal/dp/B0DGGXJQH7/?tag=mhf04-21

 

[LithiumConvert]

Before actually buying another phone, check what network(s) he has available.

You can not assume that because he currently has a 3G signal from o2 that he will get a good 4G signal from them.

And don't rule out 2G for the elderly. 2G will still be around long after 3G has gone (well into 2035). And 2G may be all the elderly want or can cope with (just phone & text maybe enough). No touch screen has many advantages. And 2G signal goes a lot further and through more walls than 4G.

 

[davejen]

Loved the link to Amazon, but does the toothbrush they refer to as a similar item take photos as well???
Cheers, Dave

 

[Diabalo]

Gromett Coolcats A familiar set up would seem the sensible choice, the last thing we want to do is put him off using a mobile phone.

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[Minxy]

Is his existing phone 2g compatible and are O2 still providing 2g? If so then he doesn't need to do anything so long as he doesn't need the internet.

 

[LithiumConvert]

are O2 still providing 2g?

Yes, but the OPs need to check the signal

 

[Brains]

I had a Doro phone for ages. I could make phone calls and send text messages and that was all I needed.
Our daughter gave me her old i phone but it’s only recently I started using it properly including using it for WiFi when we are away. I have to admit to slowly seeing the advantages and convenience of the i phone.
My sister in law in Australia had her phone updated when Queensland updated their internet six months ago. That was the last time we spoke to her. No matter what her family try she can’t use her latest phone.

Was that a mobile phone or a land line ?

We have the same issue in the UK, as they make all the old landlines digital, the old pulse phones no longer work.

Many of the older people can not use a new type of phone (which they probably dont have anyway) and cant make a call to anyone to say it no longer works.
(And then find the phone number that have had since the 1930's has been reallocated)

 

[Langtoftlad]

Doro is the brand leader in a niche market.

 

[Coolcats]

Is his existing phone 2g compatible and are O2 still providing 2g? If so then he doesn't need to do anything so long as he doesn't need the internet.

3G and 2G switch off

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[Coolcats]

Doro is the brand leader in a niche market.

Doesn't matter about brand leader, its about usability for someone and the easier it is for someone if they may struggle with a new device Nokia devices have a very familiar interface to their old phones

 

[LostInSpace]

3G and 2G switch off

3G switch off is fairly soon. (but, 3G is fairly useless anyway)

But 2G switch off is a long time away - even your link says they do not plan to offer their 2G services beyond 2033.

And there is a difference between not planning to offer it [to new customers] and actually switching it off.

2G phones for the elderly are still well worth buying.

 

[SMB]

There are plenty of ordinary phones available without going to the hassle of a smartphone,

This for example.
[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doro-2800-unlocked-assistance-charging/dp/B0CJFRSHF3/?tag=mhf04-21

I ordered a similar 4g phone in Spain from Amazon for a friend in Spain but which also has WhatsApp, it works well for her but I can't find it on Amazon UK :

https://www.amazon.es/dp/B07XVRPZM8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=36OX7QFGGOKL0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Em5L9BnAWJR0g-rT4doKr_X6akfe36SryyJaFdYzB8FhJLp71bd-qS87g4aY1KTQvIHdmhOQlzl5obc9_kz4Y0QytJ70E7NrK4a9BRKwzKfg7JG1fSpeiwXEh1DmSp74IPlf_Y77FpfwHWmbO45nEoj-UfO-4JF-oL1DWIt1liIihsRZS-ZKqQCjmx44FLQvi1FBiwU0WTEpwMcFC_ZTeQ.m8hh-0ogFQ54OtfUzx0tTPE19MQYvaPy8sx2AgEyv7g&dib_tag=se&keywords=doro+7030&qid=1738961947&sprefix=Doro+7030%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-3

 

[SMB]

There are plenty of ordinary phones available without going to the hassle of a smartphone,

This for example.
[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doro-2800-unlocked-assistance-charging/dp/B0CJFRSHF3/?tag=mhf04-21

I ordered a similar 4g phone from Amazon.es for a friend in Spain but which also has WhatsApp, it works well for her but I can't find it on Amazon UK :
Doro 7030

 

[LostInSpace]

We have the same issue in the UK, as they make all the old landlines digital, the old pulse phones no longer work.

The old landlines are basically being closed down totally. We will all be using VoIP inside of a year or so. Most of us are already.

And I think that does mean that loop disconnect rotary dial phones will no longer work
(without a clever bit of electronics - available from Amazon, etc)

But, then, when did even the elderly last use one?

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[LostInSpace]

An alderly friend of mine has recently purchased one of these to keep in the car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uleway-Elderly-Unlocked-Display-Talking-Blue/dp/B09TKJRLRM?tag=mhf04-21

2G - so it should work pretty much anywhere until the middle of the 2030s

He boasts that he now has a car-phone! on a £5.99 a month unlimited minutes & texts contract from Talkmobile.

 

[Coolcats]

3G switch off is fairly soon. (but, 3G is fairly useless anyway)

But 2G switch off is a long time away - even your link says they do not plan to offer their 2G services beyond 2033.

And there is a difference between not planning to offer it [to new customers] and actually switching it off.

2G phones for the elderly are still well worth buying.

I doubt any manufacturers are making 2G phones even a basic Nokia is 4G im not saying it won't drop back to 2 or 3G but its not worth any manufacturer making a new phone that is just 2G and you buy a contract which is 'free' voice and text

SIM Free Nokia 3210 Mobile Phone - Grunge Black

 

[LostInSpace]

I doubt any manufacturers are making 2G phones

I suggest you have a look around - there are quite a few. 2G is ample for telephone use (and texts)

 

[Coolcats]

I suggest you have a look around - there are quite a few. 2G is ample for telephone use (and texts)

What’s the point? A basic phone such as the Nokia will give a decent quality call. Why would you want seek out a 2G only handset?

 

[LostInSpace]

A third of the price of a Nokia. Longer battery Life. Dual Sim. Better overall coverage than 4G.

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