Looking for phone for grandma - a couple of questions

earthmother

My 83 year old grandma has decided she needs a mobile phone for emergencies (we've had a couple of emergencies with her over the past months and I think she's not as confident as she was).

I usually just buy the cheapest phone I can find when I'm replacing mine, so I don't look into things the same way I need to for her, so could do with some help.

It's unlikely to get much use, so tariffs aren't really an issue, but we do need an easy to use handset and a network with reliable coverage - on PAYG obviously.

Any recommendations, either on the network or handset fronts?

ssgtsnelly

I would recommend the Sony Ericsson Z750i, its the 4th one down the pino one.

Flip so once its closed and in her bafg or pocket theres no chance of a misdial, ringtones are nice and loud on SE phones. and the buttons, screen and font are all very nice and big.

Battery life on SE phones is also more often than not very good compared to some of the other manufacturers,

http://threestore.three.co.uk/sonyericsson.aspx

I would almost say its worth a trip to your local 3 Store just to have a look at it. Its a nice reliable handset and even has a camera for those Grandkid pics.
Finally the reason I say this is because 3 Stores have live handsets so you can take your Granny along and they will let her have a play before you make your choices.

£60 including £10 credit on PAYG which yes its possible to find phones cheaper but with the screen and button size its a good way to go.

Also with 3 its only 12p per minute to make a call to any other mobile or landline number and any credit that is put on will last at least 6 months without anyuse before 3 start to ask for a bit of use so she dosent have to worry if it dosent get used a lot.

hope this helps

allthatmularky

This might help - there's been a few threads on here for mobiles for elderly or disabled - most phones are quite complex to use and if they need larger buttons /clearer screen etc
http://www.silverphone.co.uk/shop/Big-Button-Mobile-Phones/c2/index.html

I know you can buy the Binatone at Maplins
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=227305&C=AffilWin89477&T=41513_

Its unlocked - so use say Asda at 8p a minute or maybe Lycamobile where calls for 15 mins between Lyca SIMS are free and 10p for first 30 minutes.

Dickieburd

You want to find the network that will work at her house the best and you can do this by checking the networks websites coverage checker with her postcode.
Do you get a good signal when you go to her house? If so then whatever network you are on could be ideal.
The networks tend to have good and bad areas, ie one network may get a great signal but another may get nothing. Even with coverage maps there could still be something blocking the signal to her house. The best way to check is to get a phone with an activated sim card into her house to check the signal for any particular network.
After all what good is a mobile phone without a signal?

earthmother

Thank you all

Whilst the phones on the links look good, I think they are a bit out of budget - but I'll keep looking in case one turns up on offer somewhere.

Thinking about it, I don't think I've used my phone there for a while - I'll try it when I go next week. I know mum's T-mobile works ok though, so that's one on the list.

PotatoPotato

I would suggest a nokia.
Nokia's known for the basic easy user interface and great battery.

Prob a flip like ssgtsnelly has suggested, i know majority of the carphone warehouse pay as you go phones are unlocked. But you will have to buy £10 air time on top of that.

Nokia 2670 for £30 + £10 top up = £40 for virgin network, varies with the rest. (this SHOULD be unlocked) so better off getting the cheaper network.

I remember reading somewhere that if you dont use your phone for x amount of days (180 days i think) the sim card will become inactive and therefore you will lose all your credit stored.

[Deleted User]

As a phone salesman myself, I'd recommend the Samsung C300. Once it's on, dial the number, press green, and you're talking. To hang up, just close it. Done.

Costs about £10-15 from almost anywhere.

earthmother

Thanks - I will admit I like the C300 - had one before and probably will get one again when my current handset dies (in the very near future I think - it's held on longer than it should have already).

Not sure whether the slide would work for or against her, but I could always use it and find another for her if it's no good. Anyone know if the £5 one is still around - Phones4U instore if I recall correctly.

Logana_2

There is a company called Matobmobile.co.uk who specialise in 'big button' phones or 'easy to use' phones. They also do phones that are hearing aid compatible etc. I bought a couple of mobiles for my parents from them, and they are chuffed to bits with the ease of use and stripped out fuctions of the handsets.