Wanted: Simple Phone For Old People

[bainbrig]

We want new phones. Not iPhones, we have absolutely no interest in paying that sort of money, and no interest in playing games, listening to music, Googling while on the move, or anything else.

What we want is LARGE keys, DEAD simple menus, possibly EASY texting (a real keyboard?), and that's about it.

We've tried Alcatel phones, which are part of the way there, but their menus are almost impossible to follow, and the manual is a load of rubbish!

So any recommendations?

Thanks.

BillB

[albaqwerty]

Doro, large keys (not a qwerty keyboard tho - well, not on the phone Mr Alba has anyway)
Texting seems to be quite easy on it tho.
Nice clear ring-tone.

[Eleena]

Yes the Doro ...
https://www.doro.co.uk/mobile-devices/easy-phones.html

[thelewisgang]

Look up the Doro PhoneEasy 612 as it might suit your needs

[Buenchico]

The brand name that comes up time and time again when people ask this question (and gets recommended by technology magazines and websites, consumer journalists and others) is Doro. Their phones aren't always cheap but they're ideal for your purposes.

As it seems that you don't need a smart phone, I'll give you the link to their 'easy phones':
https://www.doro.co.uk/mobile-devices/easy-phones.html
(Go to 'Products', at the top of that page, if you want to take a look at their smart phones as well).

Their phones are sold SIM-free, so you can go with whichever phone service provider you fancy. (The cheapest for PAYG is probably ASDA, and they're one of the best for contract phones as well. They use the EE network, so you're effectively getting EE's service at about a third of EE's own prices)

[Buenchico]

^^^ I'm a slow typist, so there weren't any answers on this thread when I started prodding away at my keyboard. However I'm unsurprised to read what others have said ;-)

[albaqwerty]

I can't comment on cheapest PAYG - but I would recommend having a look at Virgin.
A £10 top up one month would/should/could give you unlimited landline and 120 minutes mobile to mobile for the following month.
Albeit you have to pay for the text messages from your top up.

[bainbrig]

Thanks to all for Doro. All the non-smart-phones in their range seem to have the usual key-tapping business if you want to text - we don't actually text, but realise that sometimes it might be handy, so wouldn't mind a phone with a proper qwerty keyboard.

Asking a lot, possibly. I'll go and have a look at Doro 'smart' phones now.

BillB

[Eleena]

Buen, your a star on here!

[woofgang]

I got my FIL a Doro simple one and he loves it https://www.doro.co.uk/mobile-devices/easy-phones.html

[Eleena]

*You're*

[whiskeryron]

https://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?fr=yset_st_sf_ab&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=552209&p=picture%20of%20old%20fashioned%20phone

[whiskeryron]

https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A9mSs3JliDZaGnQA.xRLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTByZmVxM3N0BGNvbG8DaXIyBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=old+fashioned+phone&fr=yset_st_sf_ab

[bainbrig]

Funnily enough, none of the product details about the Doro smartphone range show a picture of a keyboard!

Does anyone know if they do in fact have an ordinary (if small) qwerty layout?

BillB

[Buenchico]

My advice is to steer well clear of QWERTY keyboards.

I bought my current phone precisely because I wanted that feature and I've regretted it ever since. The keys are so small (as they have to be, of course, to fit into such a small space) that it's easy for me to press the key next to the one I want. Then I have to press it several times as it doesn't register unless I press really hard.

However when I do that I then get the letter repeated several times in the display. Holding down the Shift or Alt button, while pressing another key is really tricky as well. I really, really hate trying to compose texts on the ruddy thing!

[whiskeryron]

On the Doro phone you get virtual Querty keyboard which shows ready to use when you select Contacts or People.

[albaqwerty]

https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/mobile-phone/best-phone-for-elderly-easy-use-phones-2017-uk-3648030/

not sure if that will help.

I know you said you seldom text, consider that, please, versus any extra cost just for a qwerty keyboard which may be hidden on screen and not physically on the phone.

(oh, the joys of technology !!)

[whiskeryron]

My advice to Chris & everyone else who have this difficulty is to use a small wand ( obtainable at all phone market stalls & phone shops ) or on line at Amazon.

[bainbrig]

Thanks for all the answers, and thanks B.chico for the extra comments re. qwerty.

I have a feeling we're chasing after something that doesn't exist, so will probably give up. Our old Nokias (and the larger-keyed Alcatel) do us alright, so maybe we'll just leave the texting to you young folk.

BB

[Buenchico]

Ron:
I was referring to a physical keyboard, not a virtual one. I'm fine (with or without a stylus) using a virtual keyboard on a tablet or smart phone.

As I read it, Bainbrig is also asking about a physical QWERTY keyboard.

[bainbrig]

Yes, I'm happy with a qwerty keyboard! But big fingers would rule out really tiny keys. Not that I'm too sure of the difference between a physical and a virtual keybord; enlightenment please.

I won't reject the idea of a cheap smart-type-phone with a real keyboard plus a poking stick as it doesn't sound that difficult!

BillB