new 'unbranded' smartphone or 2nd hand iPhone 6

longwalks1

I'm after a smartphone for my elderly mother to use, whos never had a phone (she is 76) but was interested in texting Christmas day (we sort of encouraged her to show an interest) to give her a bit of contact with the outside world.  Ideally dont want to spend too much in case it doesnt get used much.

What would be better, a new unbranded/unheard of phone from the likes of Amazon, or a 2nd hand iphone 6?  (budget of about £70 ideally)

Will only be needed to send texts, and possibly use whatsapp

Barny1979

iphone 6 will support WhatsApp, but maybe not too much longer: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/whatsapp-stop-working-phones-january-19507259

elsien

Has she got broadband - I’m guessing not. If you’re not sure about WhatsApp could she not start off with an non smart phone? Or has anyone got an old smart phone you can borrow to see if she likes WhatsApp? 

Having said that 82 year old parent is now never off it, video calling family and friends most days. 

Grumpy_chap

DORO phones are excellent for the elderly.

By "unbranded" smart phone, do you really mean unbranded?  If you can stretch slightly above £70 budget, you can get Motorola or Nokia or Alcatel smartphones.

At a personal level I would avoid a used phone, especially if for an elderly and non-tech-savvy relative as if the phone has any faults or battery issues, you will be forever needing to sort it out for them.

But, for the situation of elderly and "my first mobile", DORO are unbeatable.

ballyblack

any second hand phone at this money there is every chance battery will be duff!

plenty of Motorolas new around £100
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-Android-Smartphone-Polished-Granite-Gunmetal/dp/B07WL62W6D/ref=sr_1_2?crid=F1FODAG7O8SU&dchild=1&keywords=moto+e6+plus&qid=1609258122&sprefix=moto+e6,aps,192&sr=8-2

PHK

Grumpy_chap said:

DORO phones are excellent for the elderly.

By "unbranded" smart phone, do you really mean unbranded?  If you can stretch slightly above £70 budget, you can get Motorola or Nokia or Alcatel smartphones.

At a personal level I would avoid a used phone, especially if for an elderly and non-tech-savvy relative as if the phone has any faults or battery issues, you will be forever needing to sort it out for them.

But, for the situation of elderly and "my first mobile", DORO are unbeatable.

I disagree with this. The UI is often confusing, they are overpriced and the quality is just not there. 

My experience is that each older person is different. eg some need a touchscreen because they can’t press buttons. Some need large letters and so a large screen. Others aren’t dextrous enough to use a touchscreen but can use buttons. 

longwalks1

Hi all
Many thanks for your advice, ended up getting her a cheap smartphone from amazon, it was £60 but has a big screen and she seems to of picked up texting already (aside from predictive text haha)
Not a bad phone, it was a Blackview A60  - pretty impressed with it for the price