Phablets - Ordinary Sim?

[bainbrig]

Follow-up to my earlier questions about phones for the more doddery amongst us.

Various kind parties have pointed me towards Phablets as a possibility, being large, and having the built-in 90 degree rotating screen.

Bearing in mind that all we want phones for is PHONING, possibly texting, and that's about it (i.e. NO music, games, internet, etc. etc), what about SIM cards? We don't want roving wifi usage, just connecting to the mobile phone network.

In the past for our ancient Nokias all we've ever done is either moves our SIM from one clapped out phone to a newer model, or occasionally bought a new SIM for a penny or so, put it in, and then pay as we go.

So, the question is, do these Phablets just operate in the same way, or are we going to be forced to get involved in contracts etc.? Can we just take the SIM out of our old Nokias and stick them in the Phablet?

Ta.

BillB

[hc4361]

You'll be paying for functions you won't use, which seems a real waste of money to me.
However, this is a cheap smartphone with a 5.5" screen that should be more than suitable for your needs. It will take any sim card including PAYG but your old Nokia may not be the right size.

[bainbrig]

Thanks hc. I'm (politically correct description coming ...) visually disabled, so I really need a big screen just for the basic functions.

Anyway, you seemed to have been about to supply a link, but (ho ho) I can't see it!

BB

[hc4361]

Oooops a daisy

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

I am aware of this brand and for a cheapie it's got a good repuation

[hc4361]

You should be able to control a smartphone with your voice - for making calls and sending texts, once it is set up with your contacts etc.
Hopefully you have a relative or friend that can do this for you.

[hc4361]

Would this simple, no nonsense, large key non-smart phone suit you?
http://shop.rnib.org.uk/accessible-technology/telephones-and-mobiles/easy-to-see-mobile-phones/easy-to-see-mobile-phone.html

[bainbrig]

Bit more background.

Because we’re old etc we have never texted. We’re coming round to the idea that texting might be handy, but can’t be doing with all that tapping you need to do on a phone without any sort of keyboard. Hence the Phablet.

Also, when you’re disabled you have a need to do things as NORMALLY as you can. Talking into a device to activate texting, say, in the middle of a crowded waiting room, would not be normal. Hence again the preference for a horizontal keyboard to type a text.

So that cheapo from Amazon looks very close, particularly if I can stick my old SIM into it.

BB

[hc4361]

Plablets and mobile phones have the same type of keyboards. Rotating the screen to horizontal on a larger screen may help and you will definitely find a stylus (a little stick with a softish end) to be a big help with pressing the right keys.
As the first phone I linked to is sold by Amazon you can buy with confidence knowing that you can return it for a full refund if you really can't get on with it.
Be aware that you will probably have to charge the phone every day, even if you don't use it much.

Good luck :)

[hc4361]

I forgot to mention that you do not have to use the default keyboard. There are plenty of 'big key' apps to choose from that give you the biggest and clearest keyboard possible on your phone, and alter contract, colours etc to suit your personal preferences.

[bainbrig]

Thanks for all the help, hc - particularly the daily charging business! On the old Nokias we probably only have to charge them every 2 or 3 weeks, and then only if we've had them on for long periods. Are all Phablets weak in the battery department?

BB

[hc4361]

Yes, the big, bright screen is a real battery drain

[bainbrig]

That's fair enough. We are used to charging our iPads daily, so I suppose it's similar.

Ta.

BB

[bainbrig]

Just a small point: the Amazon recommended one, though handy and cheap, doesn't have the necessary gyroscope for using the screen landscape, which is one of the things we need for various reasons...

[hc4361]

Gyroscopes in smartphones are usually used for gaming, to tilt the action in the game. The accelerometer makes a phone rotate between landscape and portrait.
It should still automatically rotate depending on the way you hold it.