Simple smart phone and tariff

Grumpysally

I'm thinking about getting my mum, who 80 and not very tec savvy, a simple smart phone just to use WhatsApp so we can keep intouch if either of us have to self isolate. Also she would be able to keep in touch with grandchildren who are abroad.

I was thinking about this from Tesco Mobile https://www.tescomobile.com/shop/pay-as-you-go/alcatel/1

Or the same one SIM free from Argos https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1952085

She has a very basic dumb phone which she uses for calls and texts so this would simply be to enable facetime. I would disbable as many pre installed aps as possible to avoid confusion and set the phone to G4.

I will be responsible for paying data charges. I envisage she will be recieving the calls rather than making them so I'm looking for a PAYG tariff at least to satrt with.

Can anyone recomend a suitable PAYG tarriff.

I use Plusnet mobile which doesn't do PAYG

Thanks 

stragglebod

Have a look at Ken's tech tips

https://kenstechtips.com/index.php/best-payg-sim-for-low-usage

And think about installing a cut down launcher - just google simple android elderly launcher

pmduk

Remember if you set the handset to 4G only, she will may out of contact should that network be out of service for any reason.

will-he-payitoff

Alcatel phones are dire, look at one of the chinese phones for about 70-80 quid

glennevis

That Alcatel you linked to doesn't support 4G according to Argos specs.

For future compatibility get one which supports 4G. 3G network masts are more likely to be repurposed as 4G in the future.

And heed pmduk's advice.

Grumpysally

Thanks all. I wasn't notified of any replies my settings must have changed with the changes to the site.
I've ordered the Tesco Alcatel. It says it's 4g. 
She already has a 'dumb' mobile for making calls. She would find a smart one too confusing to make phonecalls on. Heaven knows I do. Disappearing number pads etc. 
Hopefully I can get it set up and explain it to her before we are in total lockdown.