Advice on what cell phone to get

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting simple cell phones suitable for non-technical seniors, focusing on ease of use, basic functionality, and minimal service requirements. Participants share experiences, preferences, and advice on what features to consider when choosing a phone for this demographic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest visiting a store like Best Buy to physically test different phones for intuitiveness and ease of use.
  • There is a preference for phones with larger buttons and simple interfaces, such as flip phones, over smartphones with complex features.
  • Some participants advocate for prepaid phones as a cost-effective option, avoiding contracts and allowing for flexibility in usage.
  • Concerns are raised about the overwhelming capabilities of modern cheap phones, which may confuse seniors unfamiliar with technology.
  • Several participants express a desire for basic phones that focus solely on calling, without additional features like cameras, which they find unnecessary.
  • Experiences with poor-quality phones are shared, emphasizing the importance of testing phones before purchase to avoid frustrating user experiences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for simplicity in phone selection for non-tech seniors, but there are differing opinions on the best approach to finding such phones, including preferences for specific brands and types of service plans.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various limitations and personal experiences with older phones, indicating that some may not be familiar with current models or features available in the market.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals seeking advice on selecting cell phones for seniors, particularly those who are not tech-savvy and require straightforward functionality.

  • #31
Monique said:
I wanted to buy a new iPod, so had the option of upgrading my old cellphone to an iPhone. I decided against it, way to expensive and impractical. Now I have an iPod touch with 32Gb memory (an iPhone doesn't have that) and when my telephone one day stops working I'll just buy a new one for 50 euros and hope it lasts another 6 years :biggrin:

So if one does not toss their phones onto the subway tracks or flip them into the drink, they can actually go on for years?
 
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  • #32
Forget my notes.
I will just make a copy of this thread and take it with me. I'll rattle the paper like an angry granny if the young techies get too aggressive and warn them they are up against the physicsfourms gang here! :biggrin:
 
  • #33
Evo said:
LOL The i-phone has been named the world's worst cell phone. :-p

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108096/brit-Blog-names-iPhone-worlds-worst.html?mod=family-love_money

<snip>

Yeah, by some random guy that nobody's ever heard of. I could blog about how I think that the Mercedes SLK is the biggest steaming pile of crap on the road...but I would hope no one would actually link that to PF as an actual source.

I know that you and your sprint phone are just jealous of me Evo. :-p It's okay. My iPhone and I will send you some flowers. :biggrin:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #34
Okie Dokie, Off to Best Buy. o:)

working-grandma.jpg

Saladsamurai,
Send flowers to the whipper snapper who will be helping me too please. hehe.. :devil:
 
  • #35
Lacy33 said:
Forget my notes.
I will just make a copy of this thread and take it with me. I'll rattle the paper like an angry granny if the young techies get too aggressive and warn them they are up against the physicsfourms gang here! :biggrin:
:smile: good luck!
 
  • #36
I'm having the same problem. I'm sick of using my POS motorola razor that gets no reception and has a battery life of 5 minutes. All I want is just a simple phone I can call people with, is durable, gets good signal, and has a decent battery life but no one makes phones like this anymore.
 
  • #37
I have had the new Motorola droid since day 1. I love this thing to death!
 
  • #38
Moonbear said:
I agree. I can't even find a phone that doesn't have a camera on it anymore. I NEVER use the camera on my cell phone, and would be perfectly happy with one that doesn't have it (I think I have literally used the camera once, when I first got the phone, just to figure out how it works, then never touched it again).

I wouldn't even know what to suggest to someone who just wants a phone for...oh golly...calling people!
I don't even own a camera. I'm not a photographer, I don't need 12 megapixel pictures. The 5.0 megapixel camera on my new droid is awesome. It comes with 16 gb of memory so I can take plenty of pictures. In fact there is an app where you can take pictures of UPC codes of products in stores and somehow the app is able to figure out what product it is and look for the best price of that product at all the stores in your area. It's mind blowing what this thing can do!
 

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