Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
MRFIERO70
Enthusiast - Level 1

My mom is 70, not a single cell of tech saavy resides in her person.  She wants a phone and I want her to have one.  But, it doesn't need to have all of the bells and whistles, because she'll never use them!  It needs to have a locking screen so she doesn't accidentally dial someone while it's in her purse..

Any suggestions?

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Re: Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

Does it need to be a smartphone? A basic flip phone might easier and safer to use.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

Re: Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
DigitalRules
Specialist - Level 1

Yes agree 100% with Ann. A flip phone addresses all of your concerns. Will you be adding her onto your plan? If not the best bang for the buck with excellent coverage;

Up to 250 minutes--Consumer Cellular ~15.00 per month (AT&T MVNO)

Unlimited minutes---Total Wireless-------$25.00 per month-(Verizon MVNO)

Re: Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
MRFIERO70
Enthusiast - Level 1

Thanks. She doesn't want a flip phone, I tried that route. Yes, we will be adding her to our existing account.

Thanks again for the replies.

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Re: Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
DigitalRules
Specialist - Level 1

Then I would probably go with some type of iPhone as they excel in;

Ease of operation
Excellent earpiece volume & clarity-most smartphones fail miserably in this department

Excellent battery life-incredible stand-by battery life on iPhones

Re: Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
LENNYEDGE
Specialist - Level 2

I being almost a senior, would suggest any android with 5.5 screen or larger for ease of vision and DEXTERITY. also a samsung or htc because audio is the best. most of all/ not a high end one like s7; too difficult for seniors like me. she wants it to work, not spend weeks learning it. a V10 OR LG G4 LOOKS GOOD or  NOTE5 because screen is almost 6 inches. all depends if her fingers are ok to repetitive typing or using screens. contact me privately/ and i can suggest another carrier if you want wo contract. IM NOT A SELLER OR PROVIDER. JUST A MEMBER.

Re: Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

As much as I hate to say it. I have to agree an iPhone is probably best for someone with limited technology skills. If they are familiar with Windows 10 on a computer, I would even suggest the Lumia 735 since it recently got the Windows 10 update. The ease of operation and call quality on Lumia Icon (a older model than the Lumia 735) is better than a number of Android devices I have used. I certainly wouldn't suggest a Samsung or LG android phone since either UI is much more complicated and bloated then say a Nexus, Motorola or HTC android phone. For a larger screen on the Android side of devices, the Nexus 6p and maybe even the Nexus 6 would be ideal for screen real estate and cost.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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Re: Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
rallyguy32
Enthusiast - Level 2

Every smart phone has a lockable screen if you enable it.

I would suggest the cheapest phone you can find.  Delete or disable everything she doesn't need.  Increase the font and icon size.

Having used Android and iOS I would personally go Android.  If you have to explain over the phone how to change a setting, Apple is to complicated, Android is much simpler.

What you are asking is possible by literally every phone out there.  Find something on sale.

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Re: Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
Kbas11479
Enthusiast - Level 2

I bought my mom, who is also pushing 70 and the least tech savy person that I know, a Droid Mini. And she has actually managed to learn it very quickly with the help of a Verizon workshop. No matter what you get her I highly recommend one of the workshops.

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Re: Looking for an easy to use, safe smartphone for my mom
Kbas11479
Enthusiast - Level 2

Also a recommendation is go with an operating system you are familiar with, if your more familiar with Android then buy her an Android based phone so when she had a question you may be able to answer it

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