The phone for the elderly is more of a need than a whim. Unfortunately, the reality is that keeping in touch with dear elderly relatives in our busy time is a really big problem, and just giving them your old gadget is not the best idea. Why? What is a grandmother's phone? Which phone should an elderly person buy?
Why you need a special gadget
Some people think it's a smart idea to give your old phone to an elderly person. But, unfortunately, this is not the case and there are 4 reasons for this:
- Functional. Often in our old devices there are too many functions that are unnecessary for an elderly person, the purpose of which we sometimes do not know ourselves.
- Gadget quality. In the past, phones with a small screen or small buttons were popular. Older people do not have such outstanding vision to easily master such devices. Yes, and a new phone is bought due to the fact that the old one no longer works so well.
- Sound. Often olderpeople have hearing impairments, and the gadgets they are given no longer have such a powerful speaker.
- Aesthetics. Of course, getting a phone is nice. But much more joy will bring the thought that it is new. And do not think that the elderly care little, because their age is just a number in the passport.
Based on these aspects, the so-called grandmother phones appeared in the world. What is this?
Caring for the Elderly
Grandmaphone is a special phone for the elderly. It has a fairly large screen and buttons. Moreover, such gadgets are usually designed for making calls, sending messages and a limited number of functions (calendar, clock, calculator, etc.).
Handling these phones is very easy. They have no extra features and are intuitive. But how to choose the right model?
Tips for choosing a phone
Before settling on any particular model of a phone for the elderly, you need to know what criteria it must meet.
- Functionality. This concept means not only making calls, but also sending messages, viewing the time and date. Many seniors would like to have a flashlight nearby and perhaps a source of music.
- Ergonomic. The phone should fit comfortably in your hand. It should not slip out or be too small/huge.
- Large keyboard. It is not so easy for older people to hit small buttons, so the latter should be massive, with clearly drawn characters.
- Quality display. It is better that the screen is not only large, but also with high-quality color reproduction. Some people prefer to buy black and white gadgets, as they have higher contrast.
- Sufficiently loud sound. This applies not only to the main speaker, thanks to which a person will hear a call. The speaker should also be loud enough to be able to hear what is being said on the other side of the device.
- Battery. It is important to choose a model that would have to be charged as infrequently as possible, so that in a critical situation with an elderly person there is always a connection.
- SOS button. The presence of this button is often the main difference from other devices. It will come in handy if a person feels unwell. In order to dial a loved one, just press the big button on your phone.
- Simple menu. A mobile phone for the elderly doesn't have to be complicated. It is just a means of communication and nothing more.
Of course, some of today's older people are well versed on the Internet and can master the work with a smartphone. But such units. The vast majority of people do not like technology, and if it takes a long time to get used to a donated phone, most likely no one will use it.
Below is the rating of phones for the elderly. All options are selected taking into account the above basic requirements.
Vertex C301
A simple phone with a monochrome display that has gained popularity with fonts that look greatoptimized for the needs of the visually impaired.
The battery here is pretty good - 900 mAh. This amount should be enough for at least two weeks of battery life.
The main drawback is the speaker. Although it is capable of producing high volume, at maximum it starts to emit background noise, which is unpleasant for the ear.
Prestigio Wize E1
Large in size, but small in weight and battery capacity. It cannot be called a full-fledged granny phone, but it is often found in various tops due to its low price.
This is the kind of phone that got its place thanks to its color screen and nice design. Why is he so harshly condemned? Judge for yourself:
- Battery capacity 600 mAh.
- The SOS button is rather small.
- The device is charging with an inconvenient microUSB.
But the device has a flashlight, a slot for a memory card and two SIM cards. There is also a radio that works without headphones. So in general, the phone is not so bad, but there are devices that are much more powerful and modern.
KENEKSI T3
This is one of the cheapest options. This phone combines simplicity, low price and acceptable quality. The device looks rather rough, so it is more suitable for men.
The case is made of thick plastic. Contrasting buttons are separated and feel soft under the fingers.
The phone has a camera, radio and player. The 1000 mAh battery will last for several weeks.
Sigma mobile Comfort 50 Light
Sigma is a proven brand thatspecializes in the production of strong and protected devices. And although this model is afraid of water and dust, it has its own unique design and features.
The phone looks really futuristic. Its body is not symmetrical, but this does not prevent it from lying comfortably in the hand. Bright details make the phone stylish and unique.
The buttons on the phone are separated and quite large. Letters and numbers are clear and easy to read.
On the contrast screen you can always clearly see the time and the name of the caller. A bright diode at the top of the screen will not let you miss a call if the device is muted.
At the top of the device is an interesting flashlight switch with a bizarre curved shape, which gives quite powerful illumination. The flashlight works even when the device is turned off.
There is a SOS button on the back. It is large enough to turn on the dialing of five pre-set numbers, as well as the siren, you just need to hold it down. Such a decision will protect against accidents.
The battery capacity of this handsome man is 1100 mAh. And the charger is a glass or base into which the phone is easily inserted.
The only drawback is not the most powerful earpiece.
Just5 line of phones
These phones are produced by a Russian-Latvian brand, taking into account the needs of the elderly. They produce narrowly focused gadgets at nice prices. This brand has at least four models worth checking out.
Just5 CP09 is a 75g baby withlarge letters and a small contrast screen. The discreet design has nothing superfluous - a simple rectangular monoblock with a bright orange backlight. The phone is designed exclusively for text work, as the 1.44-inch screen barely fits a few lines.
This big button phone for the elderly also has a flashlight and a radio. And on the back of the phone there is a large SOS button, which not only allows you to make a call to a pre-set number, but also makes a sound like a siren.
Speaking of buttons, they are really huge. Speaking in terms of numbers, 15 x 15 mm! Moreover, the numbers are applied large enough and in a contrasting color, which will allow the user to never make a mistake with the key.
There is another interesting feature of the buttons. In the bottom row are two keys with silhouettes. When you click on one of them, a call is made to a pre-set number. You can enter the number of your spouse or one of the children there.
The battery of this baby, with a capacity of 1000 mAh, will last for 140 hours of standby time. The phone charges quickly enough.
Improved version
Just5 The CP10 is another feature phone for the elderly. It is heavier than its predecessor and has a larger screen at 1.77 inches.
The device is not so angular. The lines are smoother, and the SOS button is designed as a switch to avoid accidental presses.
This is a big button phone for the elderly with a battery,which is enough for 250 hours in standby mode. It, like the previous model, has a radio and a flashlight.
Unlike Just5 CP09, Just5 CP10 has more color options. There are also classic black and white. But brighter options are more popular - pink, blue, green, orange, blue and the so-called bestinspace - multi-colored. The last one is a cell phone for the elderly with large colored buttons in each row.
Just5 CP11
This is the third version of a good feature phone for the elderly released by Just5. He is even more modified, which does not make him worse.
The size of the phone can be changed. How? By pulling out the screen. When folded, you can see the date and time, as well as the name of the caller. When the screen is pulled out, you can easily navigate through the phone book or menu.
This solution also interestingly beats the inconvenience of a small device in relation to the head. Since the speaker is above the screen, when the screen is pulled out, the sound source is at the very ear, and the microphone is at the mouth.
On the back of a cell phone for the elderly, in addition to the SOS button, there are two sliders. One of them turns on the radio and the other turns on the flashlight.
The buttons are 14mm x 11mm and are comfortable to press. As in the previous model, there are two keys to call the most important numbers. The ridges between the keys make them much easier to use.
Charger is what radically distinguishes Just5 CP11 from itspredecessors. It is made in the form of a glass in which you need to insert the phone. You do not need to press anything, as well as aim at the grooves. The glass itself is simple and easy to connect to the network with a cable. This solution avoided damage to the charging sockets.
What's more, this phone with buttons for the elderly has a built-in thermometer. Many people like it very much.
Just5 Brick
This unusual gadget was designed in tandem with Art. Lebedev Studio. It is slightly smaller than the CP11 and less functional. Brick got into the rating of phones for the elderly with a loud sound due to an interesting design and a separately portable antenna for the radio.
The display in the device is monochrome. What's funny, the phone has a "Racing" game, made in color.
All keys and switches are neat, comfortable and tactile. Everything has meaning.
The battery capacity in the gadget is 1000 mAh. The bright charger box is hard to lose.
The phone is quite loud. The design is bright. Great gift option.
In general, Just5 Brick looks like a small toy. It doesn't seem to be a real phone. Everything is so elegant and cute. Even the unlock button on the back looks like a sticker, not a real key.
However, the phone does not have an SOS button. Some argue that this makes the Just5 Brick not a device for the elderly.
Voxtel RX500
This is a pretty interesting cell phone option for the elderly. He hasoriginal design, albeit somewhat outdated. Such a conclusion can be drawn based on the fact that the device is inexpressive, which cannot be said about the above models.
The phone is really huge - 129.5 x 52.7 x 18 mm. And this is with a weight of only 100 grams. But this cannot be considered a frank disadvantage. There is a distance between the keys, and the phone itself fits perfectly in the hand.
By the way, speaking of keys, there are three buttons marked "M". There is a special insert at the back so that these same numbers are available not only in electronic media, but also on paper. By pressing these special buttons, you can immediately call your closest people.
Unlock the keyboard, as in many phones for the elderly, you can use the slider on the side. It's a little slow at first, but develops over time.
Some complain that the gadget has a small battery capacity. This is especially aggravated by the incorrect operation of the charge indicator.
Fly Ezzy
Another brand that has taken care of the needs of the elderly is Fly. What's funny is that it's almost identical to Just5 CP10, but more loyal price.
Its design is more streamlined and slightly smaller in size. The SOS button on the back does not look flashy, unlike previous models, but in contrast.
Lock, flashlight and radio are turned on using the sliders. The SOS button is not a button at all, but a switch. By the way, if you use it, not only the siren will turn on, but also four pre-written subscribers will receive a message about the activation of this key. The dial keys are easy to read with or without backlighting.
This is a loud enough phone for the elderly to fit two SIM cards. True, as in any other model, one radio module does not allow you to use both cards at the same time.
ONEXT Care-Phone line
This Hong Kong-based firm has quickly entered the global market thanks to constantly evolving technology. They didn't just make phones for people with special needs. They even have a flip phone for the elderly in their lineup. Three interesting models have been included in the rating of the best, which will not leave you indifferent.
Start with ONEXT Care-Phone 2. This phone has large buttons and orange backlight. But they love this model for two aspects:
- Charger-glass. The phone can be charged both from the cable and through the base.
- Panic button. By pressing it, a call is made to five numbers at once, as soon as at least one of them answers, the siren stops, and the person on the other side of the phone hears everything that happens within a radius of 10 meters.
It is curious that ONEXT Care-Phone 2 is bought not only by the elderly, but also by children, because the phone does not have the ability to go online and download something superfluous or inappropriate.
Battery capacity in the device is 900 mAh. This is enough for 300 hours of standby time.
ONEXT Care-Phone 4
This is a more modern model. Such a light and simple mobile phone for the elderly with durablebody pleases the eye. Large buttons have voice guidance when pressed, which will be a nice addition for those who have low vision.
The top of the phone has a separate eyelet for the cord. Since the elderly often forget what and where they have, they often hang keys or glasses around their necks. Now this feature has appeared for the phone.
There is a SOS switch next to the eyelet. Five numbers can be entered in case of an emergency. In turn, the phone will ring them three times and if none of the contacts answer, the phone will send a short message to everyone.
Onext Care-Phone 6
This is the same clamshell that was mentioned above. In the hand, the gadget lies comfortably both open and folded. On the top cover there is a large SOS button, the diameter of which is as much as 16 mm.
This is the only model of the above with a fairly large screen - 2.4 inches. Its only drawback is poor work in the sun. Due to the fact that the screen is made in the TN technique, the image simply sinks into darkness when exposed to direct sunlight.
The phone has a camera. Let it be only 0.1 megapixels, but the manufacturer saw fit to add it. You can not only take pictures, but also shoot videos.
Battery capacity 1000 mAh. This volume is enough for 220 hours of battery life.
The radio and player can work even with the lid closed. The flashlight can even be turned on when the phone is turned off.
The only pity is that the phone does not have bluetooth. And one more minus - the small volume of the phone book -only 100 numbers.
Alcatel One Touch 2004C
Although a simple phone for the elderly, but stylish and modern. It combines everything - a large and high-quality screen, large buttons and their sound, a good camera, an SOS slider and media in the form of a player and radio.
All this is hidden by an elegant case made of fairly high-quality plastic. In tandem with a 1000 mAh battery and a nice price, this phone may well claim to be the best. But there are also several competitors who are strong in some ways, but clearly lose in some ways.
Astro B200 RX
Let this phone be a little smaller, but it has three undeniable advantages:
- Waterproof IP67. Even if the phone falls into a bucket of water, nothing will happen to it.
- Basic charger.
- 1300 mAh battery that lasts for at least two weeks of battery life.
The phone comes in very bright colors. This color approach will never lose the gadget.
The Astro B200 RX has a camera, but it's way behind the Alcatel One Touch 2004C. Nothing bad to say about the sound of the phone.
And, of course, a separate eyelet for the strap deserves special attention.
Philips Xenium X2301
If we talk about the shortcomings right away, then this model has the smallest buttons of all that were mentioned earlier. Even the SOS button. The screen is also notcall outstanding. But why is this device on the list of the best phones for the elderly? Because of its battery.
This relatively small device has a battery capacity of 1530 mAh. This is as much as 850 hours of standby time. No device adapted to the needs of the elderly has such a result.
Moreover, this phone is suitable for more "advanced" older users. It contains:
- Camera at 0.3 megapixels.
- Bluetooth.
- Slot for two SIM cards.
- Slot for microSD.
- Radio.
Of course, some other grannyphones also have a slot for a memory card. But only the Philips Xenium X2301 combines this with a relatively low price.
To sum it up, it's impossible to say that any of the phones is the best. In order to determine what is right for you, analyze the needs of the elderly person for whom this device is being purchased.
