Simple to use mobile phone?

[GillwithG]

We would like to buy another mobile phone for our mother who is in her 80's. (and a bit of a technophobe!)

We need something VERY simple, maybe also with a voice tag.

I think I remember seeing one once with just 3 buttons which would be ideal.

We would be so grateful for any advice and past experiences. Thank you.

[wideboy]

This month's Which magazine (just in) looks at two simple phones:- Vodaphone Simply which they say "foregoes features to offer big keys and simple menus. We like the idea but there are better basic phones available". They then recommend (?) the Nokia 6030 GSM Basic as a 'Best On Test' at �54 from Tesco Mobile.

Happy hunting!

[tomd]

The Nokia 1100 is the most simple-to-use phone I've ever seen to use, and it also is nicely durable and has a good battery life. My mum has one of these for similar reasons.

They are cheap handsets, either on their own or with sim cards - only �24 new from Amazon. (Virgin Pay as you Go, but there are others available).

[Morgus]

My Dad would dearly love a really simple SIMPLE mobile phone.

Just one with huge buttons to dial numbers, a 'Dial' and 'End Call' button, a button called Phonebook and an On/Off button and large digits on a mono screen.

He's not stupid but at 72 wants a mobile phone that doesn't mean learning menu sequences etc. He has never used a computer, nor wants to or needs to. Plus he has fingers like sausages.

Both these phones still seem too techie and fiddly. Is there really nothing mega basic?

[Quizmonster]

Click here and scroll down to the material about the Kyocera Tu-Ka. It was made specifically for old folks in Japan who were terrified by the complexities of most mobile phones. I presume there is an 'English' version of it by now...ie without the Japanese pictographs.

[Cetti]

Just found this on the Orange site. http://shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/handset/siemens_a62/details

Siemens A62 mobile with large buttons and just a very basic menu. All for �19.99. I can personally vouch for this brand as I have one and my very untechy husband also has one. Bear in mind that the extremely large buttons are mainly on the land phones for the sight impaired (my mum had one) and not practical for a mobile because of the size. This one does look very good.

[twiglet4frog]

64 yo mother in law uses the nokia 3410 that is a few years old and was still available a few months ago for about �20.

It still has menus etc but it has an easy phonebook that can be accessed easily if it is set up for them with pre entered numbers and names and it is simple to dial a phone number and hang up. All the other options of txt messages etc are there but u dont have to go through the menus for these just to access the phonebook or dial a number.

[Quizmonster]

Dear Cetti, I had a look at your suggested Siemens which they - and you - claim to have 'large' buttons. Compared with the Kyocera's, the buttons are minute...in fact, they don't look very different from the buttons on a 'normal' mobile to me. The Kyocera buttons fill the phone's surface, as there is no screen.
Don't misunderstand me...I'm not decrying the Siemens, but it doesn't on surface appearance seem that handy for an old person. Cheers, ma'am.

[Cetti]

Ah dearest QM I don't think we will need to have a mobiles-at-dawn fight to see whose buttons are the largest unless you insist.

I wasn't able to load your link yesterday so was unable to view your awesome buttons. Naturally I concede defeat.

[Quizmonster]

Sorry about the failed link, Cetti. It is at - now I'm trying for it not to appear as a link again, of course! - http colon slash slash followed by www dot as usual, then slashphone.com slash 88 slash 1209 dot html
It would clearly be silly for us to get into a "Mine's bigger than yours" type of argument! But I have to say mine are truly enormous...check 'em out.

[Quizmonster]

In the answer above "slashphone" is actually a word and not a representation of "/ phone".

[Cetti]

Yes I have indeed and very handsome they are too. (I am trying very very hard not to fall off my chair at the thought of you and I in Poole Park brandishing our mobiles to the death!!)

[GillwithG]

Well I have found the following and hope it will be of help to everyone in our position.

It's called Silverphone and at �139.99 is about double what we were hoping to pay for a PAYG, but it has 3 prestored numbers and looks easy to use. I wish I hadn't just bouight her a new washing machine now!

www.silverphone.co.uk

good luck all, and thank you for your answers!

[Cetti]

Glad you found the right one Gill and it's not expensive for peace of mind, especially with the medicine alarm.

[Quizmonster]

Dear Cetti, I don't even own a mobile phone, as I consider them to be an abomination upon the face of the earth! They were vaguely acceptable when people in pubs, say, had the decency to take them outside when someone called them. Sadly, such basic manners have now disappeared, but I still think only doctors, lifeboatmen and such should be allowed to own them. Have you ever heard anyone...ever...say anything even remotely interesting during these half-conversations we are now forced to eavesdrop on?