new smartphone for Mom. your advice and options, please.

turkeydance

Well-Known Member
Life Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2017
Messages
4,434
Location
nc
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
she's never had one.
she wants one for pics/vids of her grandchildren.
i will put the pics/vids in her phone for her.
other than that, she will use it to make calls.

qualifications:
1. cannot spend more than $275 including tax/etc.
2. has to be Verizon. no other option where she lives.
3. she will not send an email.
4. she will not check voicemail.
5. she will not text.

what's a good model for her?
have you personally used that particular model?
and, as stated in the title, it has to be NEW (Corona fears).

thanks.
 
They are at Walmart, Best Buy, and target I believe.


DS
 
I love my Samsung but for simplicity and the fact it’s hard to mistakenly screw up an iPhone I’d go with a “certified” preowned IPhone from them (or other type). You can get a “certified” preowned 7 for just over $180 or if you want to splurge a “certified” preowned 7 plus for just under $275. That’s what I did for my kid a couple years back and will likely do for myself when my old Samsung Galaxy gives up the ghost.

ETA: when you setup whatever you buy make sure to enable WiFi calling if she’s in an area where service can be spotty that way she could be covered by WiFi as well as the cell towers.
 
Last edited:
iphone for a person who doesn't want to be all technical.
they're made to limit what you can do and be easy to allow you do do what you're allowed to do.

Heck, get her a flip-phone for calls, and a wi-fi only iPad.
This is what my parents have settled on. flip phones and a kindle tablet. my dad also uses a pc, but mostly for watching youtube videos.
 
I have to go with.

Cheapest smartphone you can find to start. On the network needed.

Someone you know has surely "upgraded" and has the old phone in a drawer. I can find one or two here I'll send you if you'd like.

Go with whatever system you know. Android or Apple.

The operating system you or those close to her use the most will be the best for her.

If she shows any aptitude for whatever system you choose. Then you can upgrade the quality of her phone.

Don't go spending up for "new" tech that isn't needed.

Start her on "baby steps" even 5 year old tech is blazing fast for someone's first smartphone.
 
Go on eBay and get a used iPhone 6 or 8 depending on price. Will be less then 275 for sure.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Me.
Instead of a phone get her a wifi picture frame. We gave one to my parents. We load the pictures on our computer and they cycle through on the picture frame at their house up in NY. No phone needed. Simple and you can just add or change pictures any time you’d like.
 
thanks CZ...picture frame wins....at least for now.
that is what we will try first, and see if that works.
 
thanks CZ...picture frame wins....at least for now.
that is what we will try first, and see if that works.
If you’re feeling real generous get her a Samsung Smart TV and use the screen saver app for displaying the photos too. My Aunt thought a TV was ugly hanging her wall until she realized she could have have “art” pictured on it when she was not watching The Price is Right ...
 
Back
Top Bottom