Suggestions Needed: A smartphone for a definitely non-tech savvy senior citizen

[NixLynch]

Hi all

My mom is in her late 60s and is one of those older folk who kinda resisted getting to know anything tech related. Her current phone is one of those entry level Nokias with the torch and radio which she just uses for calls and sms. She seems to be picking up an interest in smartphones as one of her friends is on whatsapp and goes on about it to no end as if it's the best thing since sliced bread.

I seriously need suggestions for an entry-to-mid level smartphone for her, something that we can install whatsapp on and allows for enlarged, or at least, clear, non-fidgety display.

Thanks,
Nix

Edit: I'm an Android fan, so something Samsung would be great?

 

[Defib]

I bought my mom in law an entry level Samsung Galaxy. Don't recall the model. She lives far from us. She loves it and is cool with its operation. It was like R500 or so from Edgars

 

[Viva]

How much would you like to spend? There are quite a few options:

http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-p...a-moto-g-3rd-gen-16gb-black-origin-eu-286340/

http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-phones/sim-free-phones/lenovo-k5-16gb-dual-sim-dark-grey-290303/

http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-phones/sim-free-phones/huawei-p8-lite-black-286888/

http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-p...motorola-moto-g4-16gb-black-origin-eu-290448/

http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-p...honor-5c-16gb-dual-sim-grey-origin-eu-291463/

 

[Lupus]

Redmi pro 2,R1800 most places. You don't want to get your mom something entry level as Android on those phones actually sucks

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Any phone will work. If you put a good launcher on it (one that can lock config and folders), setup direct dial and shortcuts, large key dialer, etc. You can customise it to meet her needs. There are apps to disable apps you don't want coming up.

As far as the version of Android? Doesn't matter. You are going to end up disabling 3/4 of the apps or more. It's not going to be doing much more than contacts and dialer so even 4 will be more that what is needed.

 

[AstroTurf]

Hi all

My mom is in her late 60s and is one of those older folk who kinda resisted getting to know anything tech related. Her current phone is one of those entry level Nokias with the torch and radio which she just uses for calls and sms. She seems to be picking up an interest in smartphones as one of her friends is on whatsapp and goes on about it to no end as if it's the best thing since sliced bread.

I seriously need suggestions for an entry-to-mid level smartphone for her, something that we can install whatsapp on and allows for enlarged, or at least, clear, non-fidgety display.

Thanks,
Nix

Edit: I'm an Android fan, so something Samsung would be great?

Any Samsung with easy mode will do.

Got my gran an s5. Got her watsapp, Facebook and some Bible app she wanted.

Put the phone in easy mode and put those along with sms, camera and phone on the home page in easy mode.

All set.

Oh just make sure haptic feedback and tones on button presses are set.

Oh another edit. My gran is 91...
Rocking Ubuntu on an old laptop and an s5.

 

[sajunky]

No one can beat simplicity of iPhone.
Everything is logical and well organised.