As a gift from a grandson: TOP 5 phones for the elderly

Explay A170

A phone that takes us back to the 2000s with its design, when it was impossible to surprise anyone with its simplicity and uncomplicated appearance. The only difference between this model and the phones of those years is the support for two SIM-cards. Now this is an unspoken standard for low-cost phones, although it is still not found in all models. In addition to Explay A170, Fly Ezzy 6 also has this feature in our TOP-5.

The display of the phone is relatively small — 1.77", and the buttons are not as large as we would like, but the main thing is Bribes this model is the price. The phone is about half the price of all the other participants in the review and one of the most affordable devices that works with two SIM cards. Probably no one will argue that the price is a key factor that people of respectable age pay attention to today — it's sad, but it's true. However, the phone can be assessed as a low-cost phone for calls for all age categories.

The talk time without recharging is up to 5 hours. Therefore, sociable users need to charge the device every three to four days. It is possible to listen to the radio without connecting headphones as an antenna and communicate via a wireless headset. And about the camera, you can say that it is in the device, but the quality of the pictures will not surprise you.

Explay A170 is available in several colour combinations — the back cover can be white, black, blue or orange. Perhaps the last option is most suitable for people with imperfect vision, because it is clearly visible against the background of furniture and things.

Texet TM-B112

A product of the Russian company Texet (trademark owned by Alkotel Electronic Systems), assembled in China. Looking at this phone, you can immediately tell what audience it is designed for — it has a wide screen with good image contrast and really large buttons with symbols clearly visible on them. Outwardly, the phone is somewhat reminiscent of a calculator, which will not appeal to young people, but will not cause complaints from undemanding adults. Like the Alcatel and Fly models, it is noticeably wider than conventional phones, so it fits comfortably in a large palm. Such devices are called "grandfather phones" and "grandmother phones".

The display has a size of 1.77", which is smaller than that of smartphones. Nevertheless, thanks to the large size of the graphical menu elements and fonts, it is comfortable to work with the device. The manufacturer notes that it has optimized the menu for visually impaired users. When dialing a number, pressing the buttons is additionally voiced, which reduces the risk of accidental errors. The presence of an FM tuner can be useful for listening to news on the radio. If young people happen to use the phone, they will appreciate the ability to connect microSD memory cards up to 16 GB to the device to store music and photos that can be viewed on the phone screen.

One of the useful things is the presence of a programmable emergency call button ( on the back of the case). By clicking on it, you can send a signal for help using a call or SMS to several pre-recorded phone numbers at once. At the same time, an audible signal can be activated at the same time in order to attract the attention of, for example, passers-by on the street. In some situations, this is the most important function. According to reviews, the incoming call is loud, which is also important given the positioning of the phone.

In standby mode, the phone, according to the developers, can work up to 350 hours, while in talk mode the battery will run out in at least 6, 5 o'clock. The device is charged when installed on a special stand (cradle). This is convenient, because you do not need to get the charger into a small plug every time, and it looks aesthetically pleasing. Additional features include a built-in flashlight, alarm clock and calculator. What the developer did not take into account is a rather complex locking mechanism that is not immediately clear to a person in years.

Alcatel One Touch 2000X

This phone also looks like a calculator like the previous one. Similarities with such a device Alcatel adds a horizontal display and large numbers on the buttons. But, nevertheless, often such a form factor with a wide display is convenient for older users. By the way, it has a built-in calculator. As well as the LED flashlight and FM radio.

The phone is available in two body colours — white and black. However the difference is only in the design of the rear panel, and the front one is black for both versions. Together with the device, the package comes with a compact docking station, with which it is convenient to put the phone on charge — similar to DECT phones. This will be useful for people with poor eyesight, because they do not have to try every time put the charger connector into the corresponding socket on the phone. The talk time is up to 7 hours, while at rest the phone is able, according to its developers, to last 21 days without recharging.

This model has the largest display (among the TOP-5 participants) ) — 2.4". Together with a well-thought-out and optimized menu, this provides the Alcatel One Touch 2000X with good ergonomics. The picture is completed by large rubberized buttons and pleasant to the touch material — plastic with a soft touch coating. There is also a panic button, which can be useful for the elderly. In particular, those who, for health reasons, need the help of loved ones.

Fly Ezzy 6

Fly was one of the first companies to think about the specific needs of people who are “far beyond...” and began release phones for the elderly in 2010. Ezzy 6 is already the sixth version of such devices from the "flying" brand. It has a very simple yet cute design, especially the white version. At the same time, the device is well thought out in terms of ergonomics in relation to its target audience. It has large, easy-to-read buttons with clearly visible characters, a large character font, and a bright 2.2-inch screen.

The phone supports dual SIM-cards at the same time, has a built-in flashlight that can even be turned on when the phone is off, the FM tuner (works without connecting a headset) and, attention, the TV tuner. However with the latter, the owner is unlikely to be able to catch more than 10 channels and the image quality will not surprise him. However, even among expensive smartphones, this possibility is very rare. And connecting a memory card up to 32 GB to the phone has already become common even for inexpensive devices.

Of course, due to the low cost, the buyer will have to compromise. So, the body of the phone is made of plastic, and the parts are not very well fitted in places. However, the device does not belong to premium and expensive devices, such as Fly Tornado Slim. Therefore, it is not worth judging him strictly for this.

Ezzy 6 has an alarm slider button, by sliding which, its owner activates an alarm signal. At the same time, the phone also sends an SMS asking for help to pre-programmed numbers. In total, you can add four numbers of close people to the alarm list. According to the manufacturer, the battery life of the device is up to 200 hours in standby mode and up to 4 hours in talk mode. So you don't have to charge the battery often.