Basic phone for elderly relative with wifi calling.

Norman_Castle

Looking for a basic phone with a keypad rather than just a touch screen for an elderly relative who has a very poor mobile signal but useable internet. Is there a basic phone with wifi calling?

Carrot007

I have to place my phone in airplane mode and then turn wifi back on.

Would this person be up for that?

(othereise my phone picks the bad 4g that drops when I touch the phone!)

KxMx

Unfortunately smart phones with a keypad really don't exist.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6305710/simple-mobile-with-buttons-that-can-load-vaccine-passport-app

MalMonroe

Why specify 'elderly'? I'm elderly and use modern technology constantly. I also have a poor mobile signal because I live in the countryside. Having a poor mobile signal doesn't render anyone incapable of actually operating a mobile phone.

Someone could programme numbers into a phone for your relative. Then they'd only have to press a button in the 'contacts' section.

Your relative could always use Zoom or google chat if they are unable to use a mobile but even with a poor signal I'm able to use wifi calling and have a monthly contract with Tesco. They have some good deals, starting at £7.50 per month. Cheap as chips but really good. I wouldn't be without mine. 

Norman_Castle

MalMonroe said:

Why specify 'elderly'?

Because there are a group of phones designed for and sold as for elderly people.

emmajones1976

I agree though, "elderly" does not mean they cant embrace modern technology. My gran is in her mid 80s and does so. By the same token, someone aged 25 may have no interest in a modern phone.

The correct terminology should really be a "Luddite" phone.

Norman_Castle

emmajones1976 said:

The correct terminology should really be a "Luddite" phone.

Luddite is a derogatory term. I've had a smart phone for about a year but don't really use the smart features. I use a pc and tablet at home and don't want to spend even more time looking at a screen. There's plenty of new technology that people choose not to use.

giraffe69

MalMonroe said:

..... even with a poor signal I'm able to use wifi calling and have a monthly contract with Tesco. They have some good deals, starting at £7.50 per month. Cheap as chips but really good. I wouldn't be without mine. 

I thought I had learned something as I need wifi calling and have not considered Tesco because they don't do wifi calling (I believed). I've just checked and, at least, two sites continue to say this and the Tesco site is silent on all aspects of wifi calling. some clarification would be good. I'd be delighted to be wrong!

Cisco001

Samsung phone has a easy mode which might help...
https://www.howtogeek.com/736539/psa-samsung-galaxy-phones-have-easy-mode-for-better-accessibility/

Hallux

I was seeking the same.  After much searching the only one I could find was the Alcatel GO Flip 3, it was 4G VoLTE (which is good for clear calls but avails nothing when you have a poor, intermittent or non-existent signal) ... and had VoWiFi and wifi calling too.  

This phone appears to be US biased and not available generally in the UK.  Also I found comments criticising the wifi calling part of it's technology, so maybe the calls are not consistent and clear.  I have a very poor mobile signal where I live too.

https://us.alcatelmobile.com/alcatel-go-flip-3/

https://uk.pcmag.com/smartphones/122942/alcatel-go-flip-3

"Wi-Fi calling is the one real quality fail, but it often is; on a weak or cluttered 2.4GHz Wi-Fi signal, you're going to get dropouts."