Recommended Smart phone for parents

Irish Gunner · 13-01-2019 12:55pm #1

Okay parents looking for new phone. One for Internet, what's app, Instagram etc just the basics.

I have one plus but not sure if that's overkill for them. Don't want to spend crazy money but a phone that's not locked to network and not massive in size. Mother using an Samsung s3.

Any suggestions?

OldMrBrennan83 · 13-01-2019 12:56pm

A Samsung might be the way to go as they have the Easy mode (I think it's called). Not sure what other manufacturers do it.

Something like a J8 would be spot on for the above.

_

CelticRambler · 13-01-2019 1:33pm

What's "crazy money" for you? I can't believe how much ye pay in Ireland for phones that are locked to a network. Here in France (not a million miles away!

) phones are usually sold unlocked by default, and entry-level phones usually for less than 70-80€.

I've a handful of friends who are "getting on a bit" who've come to me for recommendations and training, and are all flying now with their bog standard 4G dual sim phones (Archos, Wiko, etc.)

Irish Gunner · 13-01-2019 1:35pm

I suppose looking at max €200 ish as think anything more would be a waste for what they use it for

bluelamp · 13-01-2019 1:43pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

I suppose looking at max €200 ish as think anything more would be a waste for what they use it for

Does it need to be simple to use?

I got my mother her first smart phone, a Samsung. It was just a headache trying to teach her how to use it. I assumed it was just because she hadn't a smart phone before.

Long story short she dropped it, and my sister gave her an old iPhone to replace it. She took to the iPhone like a duck to water. For some reason she found it a lot easier to figure out.

Still not an iPhone fan myself, but that did prove to me that they are a lot simpler to use, and more intuitive.

CelticRambler · 13-01-2019 1:49pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

I suppose looking at max €200 ish as think anything more would be a waste for what they use it for

:eek:

My "star pupil" - 72 years old - uses a 50€ phone (in Europe and the US), for WhatsApp, photos, e-mail, internet, Google Maps, YouTube, various travel services (SNCF, Flixbus, BlaBlaCar) ... oh, and as a phone occasionally. :pac:

I'd struggle to justify spending the extra 150€ - unless you put it towards a trip to France to pick up a couple of cheap unlocked phones!

13-01-2019 2:00pm

mi a2 lite the cheaper 3gb ram 32gb version

stock android is simpler to work with with less bloatware apps and extra "features" that are in many cases useless. very long battery life. solid build and included silicone protection case in the box. very nice clear screen. compact phone by todays standards.

142 euro at the moment

https://www.eglobalcentral.eu/xiaomi-mi-a2-lite-3gb-32gb-dual-sim-black.html

allow 10 days delivery normally

CelticRambler · 13-01-2019 2:22pm

glasso wrote: »

mi a2 lite the cheaper 3gb ram 32gb version

stock android is simpler to work with with less bloatware apps and extra "features" that are in many cases useless. very long battery life. solid build and included silicone protection case in the box. very nice clear screen. compact phone by todays standards.

142 euro at the moment

Sounds great for a power user, but OP might want to read the thread about eGlobal first (not that I've had any probs with the orders I've placed with them)

For hesitant new users, I'd still prefer to spend less, e.g. Asus Zenfone Lite L1 for 89€ (free delivery to Ireland with ColisExpat for a first order)

13-01-2019 2:43pm

CelticRambler wrote: »

Sounds great for a power user, but OP might want to read the thread about eGlobal first (not that I've had any probs with the orders I've placed with them)

For hesitant new users, I'd still prefer to spend less, e.g. Asus Zenfone Lite L1 for 89€ (free delivery to Ireland with ColisExpat for a first order)

I've never had probs with them. some have but most don't and the problems will take the form of a delay.

honorbuy has the phone with a higher postage cost if it's needed in a few days (price in us dollars)
https://www.honorbuy.com/1492-xiaomi-mi-a2-lite-official-global-version-4gb-ram-64gb-smartphone-black.html?search_query=a2+lite+64gb&results=229

that phone is perfect for average users. will also last longer as a usable phone due to android security updates and battery (higher capacity battery will still have more capacity than lower ones as they degrade over years). it's a better investment.

op says new phone, not new user.

The high horse brigade · 13-01-2019 3:35pm

The Xiaomi mi a2 is certified to run Android one, so will give a nice clean snappy experience and get updates for longer direct from Google.

Android One https://g.co/kgs/84Z1uB

13-01-2019 3:40pm

The high horse brigade wrote: »

The Xiaomi mi a2 is certified to run Android one, so will give a nice clean snappy experience and get updates for longer direct from Google.

Android One https://g.co/kgs/84Z1uB

both the a2 lite and the a2 are android one phones

the a2 lite has a much better battery life and headphone jack/socket tho. also cheaper. runs super smooth on stock android. in this case OP looking for a smaller phone and a2 lite smaller than a2

a2 has better cpu and camera but the a2 lite not bad in either regard

The high horse brigade · 13-01-2019 3:48pm

glasso wrote: »

both the a2 lite and the a2 are android one phones

the a2 lite has a much better battery life and headphone jack/socket tho. also cheaper. runs super smooth on stock android. in this case OP looking for a smaller phone and a2 lite smaller than a2

a2 has better cpu and camera but the a2 lite not bad in either regard

Yeah, that's what I ment. If buying a budget Android definitely make sure it's Android One certified as there's a lot of crap out there. You definitely do not want a poor budget Android phone, it will drive you absolutely nuts for as long as you have it

13-01-2019 4:22pm

for sure.

android one is a big draw in general, but especially in the budget segment.

most budget phones get the worst levels of software support and updates. if there an issue in the software that becomes apparent it may not be fixed at all.

android one means that you get support and updates at least as good as and as long as the most expensive flagship android phones and quicker

Irish Gunner · 13-01-2019 8:09pm

Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite looks actually good any other good places to buy online?

ianob7 · 13-01-2019 8:10pm

Irish Gunner wrote:

Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite looks actually good any other good places to buy online?

Amazon

14-01-2019 12:13am

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite looks actually good any other good places to buy online?

yes amazon has it but it will be a lot more expensive.

honorbuy is a good seller - coming through Europe

eglobal fine if you can wait longer - also coming through Europe

Irish Gunner · 14-01-2019 9:27am

Ok going to go with this phone good price over on eglobal. Not in a hurry for it but what are these like to buy from? Take it you get the European Plug?

Does this phone have expandable memory, forget that see it has microSD so the 32gb should be enough. Can't see if it has quick charge, ok just read that it does.

So anything else I should know before ordering from this site or about the phone?

Cheers

GBX · 14-01-2019 9:46am

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Ok going to go with this phone good price over on eglobal. Not in a hurry for it but what are these like to buy from? Take it you get the European Plug?

Does this phone have expandable memory, forget that see it has microSD so the 32gb should be enough. Can't see if it has quick charge, ok just read that it does.

So anything else I should know before ordering from this site or about the phone?

Cheers

It has a microSD Slot yes but this doubles as the 2nd sim slot if needed.

14-01-2019 10:02am

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Ok going to go with this phone good price over on eglobal. Not in a hurry for it but what are these like to buy from? Take it you get the European Plug?

Does this phone have expandable memory, forget that see it has microSD so the 32gb should be enough. Can't see if it has quick charge, ok just read that it does.

So anything else I should know before ordering from this site or about the phone?

Cheers

Yes two pin plug. May provide adaptor can't remember but it's only 1 euro to buy in any case.

Expect 10 days delivery.

That's what it took when I ordered there

Irish Gunner · 14-01-2019 4:14pm

Cheers

Just purchased it and now the wait

unsure if to root it or not with Magisk see it over on Xda there is a way of doing this and still get the updates but looks long process

Is there much bloatware on this

The high horse brigade · 14-01-2019 4:49pm

There's next to no bloat on any Android One. My son has a Mi A1, it's pretty much vanilla Android

14-01-2019 7:56pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Cheers

Just purchased it and now the wait

unsure if to root it or not with Magisk see it over on Xda there is a way of doing this and still get the updates but looks long process

Is there much bloatware on this

no bloat apps.

no real need to root it imo

I did unlock the bootloader to enable camera 2 api and then relocked it.

this allows installing of the google camera which does help low-light camera shots

instructions on xda

doesn't take long once you have the adb stuff correctly installed on pc

D'Peoples Voice · 15-01-2019 12:24am

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Okay parents looking for new phone. One for Internet, what's app, Instagram etc just the basics.

Dora 8040 is said to be a decent smartphones
[url] https://www.doro.ie/doro-8040.html[/url]
I just got mine a Moto G and put on a launcher designed for older people.

Stay away from Apple, they are a disaster, you can't change the launcher so it's difficult to get it set up right for an elderly person.

Recommended Smart phone for parents

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