Ideal tablet for video calls only

emylou

My Nan is in her 90's and has had a mobile phone since Covid for video calls. She now lives in a care home so doesn't need data and we think it's time to move from a smartphone to a tablet so she has a bigger screen, she only uses the phone for WhatsApp calls with family. I've seen some SIM only deals, eg £5/month with 5GB data (for the odd time she goes on a trip with the Home) but I have no idea where to start with a suitable tablet? It definitely needs a sturdy case as it might get knocked off her bedside table and ideally needs to have a stand so she can have it tilted to face her as she won't be able to hold it during a call. I looked at "kids" tablets which come with cases but I'm unsure if I need 5G in order to make/receive calls? (I basically have no idea TBH)

Any recommendations gratefully welcomed! Thanks in advance!

Vitor

Maybe a Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 LTE with 8.7" screen or the S9 with 10" screen and a rugged case . Samsung offers an 'Easy Mode' to simplify the screen or there's several replacement 'launchers' on the App Store designed for families to setup for older relatives to redice chances of them getting into a pickle. Any £5/month SIM deal should be sufficient for use outside of WiFi and 4G is fine.

Doshwaster

Does it need to be new? If it's only for calls then maybe a refurbished tablet either Android or iPad depending on what she is more used to

flaneurs_lobster

If the tablet is only going to be used in the home where there's Wi-fi then there's no need to be considering spending an extra ~£50 on having 4G/5G connectivity (or the extra cost of a mobile data SIM).

Dozens of cheap tablets on Amazon, but you might look at a Samsung A9+ for about £150 for something of decent quality. Add a decent rugged case, again there are many on Amazon.

Good advice from @Vitor about Easy Mode, Samsung can make it really hard to get into their tablets (which is what many people want).

ScratchyCat

Consider the weight for an older person.  I have a 10 inch samsung tablet in a leather case. A friend got an 8 inch lenovo recently, admittedly no case but it was so much lighter. A lot less bulky  But an 8 inch screen might be too small for video calls.

Id check the mobile to see how many minutes are being used on calls each month. Also check mb useage via wifi or data each month. Then see if it falls within the something like 1p mobiles tariff of £10 top up every 2 months, £60 a year. If data or calls arent used it rolls over.  They do one for £48 a year, unlimited calls but it only allows for 500mb of data each months which probably wont be enough if doing video calls.

Alderbank

You say your nan doesn't use data because she just wants the tablet for WhatsApp video calls?

Be aware that WhatsApp only uses data for calls - it doesn't use the phone network at all.

As others have said, the home's wifi she currently uses will be equally fine for a tablet, no need for the extra cost of a tablet with LTE or extra sim cards.

Something like the Tryone Gooseneck tablet holder should work well for her. It's intended for bed use and is very versatile. Is this how she would use it?

 About £15 from Amazon. Just check for size if the chosen tablet is bigger than 10.5"

Emmia

If she uses the gooseneck, she may need someone to put the tablet in the holder as the holding mechanism can be quite strong/stiff.

I have one for a phone clipped onto my desk, so that I can use it for video calls, and the stick is tricky to bend - (once you've got it in one position, it's tricky to adjust to another) and the clip holding the phone is quite stiff - would she want it almost permanently mounted on her bed or table, or would she want to be able to move it to different places in her room?

I'd have thought a tablet case with a kickstand or integrated support would be better? Like this Spigen case (I recommend Spigen cases for phones/tablets)

https://amzn.eu/d/cFqIz3f