The best mobile phones for older people
Mobile phones can be a very useful line of communication for older people and their children, both as a way of staying in touch day to day and as a reassuring emergency tool for the most vulnerable.
But getting your parents to agree to use a mobile can be a difficult hurdle to overcome, especially if they’ve never owned one and may think them too complex to work or too expensive to run. They might also find it difficult to use a standard mobile due to a disability. But this doesn’t have to be the case.
Easy to use mobiles for older people
While any mention of mobile phones in the news usually involves a cutting edge Apple or Android smartphone, there is a wide choice of handset, which are much cheaper and easier to use. As well as inexpensive budget models designed to be simple, many companies have recognised the need to provide mobile devices with features that make them more accessible to older generations.
What to look for in a mobile phone for older people
The type of features you might want include:
- Larger buttons
- Speaking numbers when dialled
- Extra loud speakers
- Hearing aid compatibility
- Good battery life
- Built-in panic button
- Touchscreen or not
Here are five of the best mobile phones for older people
Doro PhoneEasy 612
Doro is focused on the accessible mobile market with a range of affordable handsets aimed directly at the elderly and disabled. The 612 is available for well under £100, has big buttons with larger print, hearing aid compatibility and an extra loud speaker. It also offers some more modern extras like a 2-megapixel camera, includes a charging dock and has the ability to remotely program the phone book.
Nokia 105
This inexpensive, no-nonsense handset is available for around £20 and geared toward making calls and sending texts with the minimum of fuss. It is both water and dust proof, so durability isn’t a concern, the battery is good for a month on standby, its user interface is uncomplicated and there are some potentially useful extras like a torch and FM radio. There’s no internet access, but that can be a good thing if you’re just after a simple mobile phone.
Binatone Speakeasy 210
This is a very simplistic (and cheap!) mobile, ideal for anyone who just wants basic call and text functions in an accessible package. For anyone with sight problems, the buttons and display are large, clear and easy to read, while those who hard of hearing will appreciate the extra loud ring and hearing aid compatibility. It also reads out the numbers as they’re entered, has a docking station for charging and includes a panic button that calls three pre-programmed contacts until there’s an answer.
Age UK OwnFone
Age UK developed this affordable and deliberately basic mobile handset, which only places and receives calls and can only be used to ring one of 12 pre-set numbers using the call plans offered by Age UK. This is obviously much more limited than other mobiles, but it’s also very easy to use, making it particularly helpful as an emergency contact device for anyone who doesn’t want to bother with a full blown mobile phone.
Samsung S6500 Galaxy Mini 2
This isn’t a phone aimed specifically at a particular group of users, but if your older relative does want more than just basic functionality this is a proper touchscreen smartphone in an inexpensive and compact package. Battery life is reasonable and it offers full access to the Google Play app store, where you’ll find many accessibility tools that can make it easier to use for anyone with impaired sight and hearing.
Matt Powell, editor for the broadband and mobile broadband comparison website BroadbandGenie.co.uk, offers some advice on the best phones currently available for older people
