Phones adapted for seniors, which are often called “grandmother phones”, are the exact opposite of top-end smartphones. While many functions are relevant for the latter, completely different parameters are important for the former. Parameters that only grandparents can appreciate.
The ideal “babushkophone” has:
- large keys – the phone should not have a touch screen, since it is more convenient for older people to work with the keyboard, each button on which should be large with understandable and easy-to-read symbols;
- large screen – the display does not have to be color, a monochrome screen with large characters and high brightness is much better;
- a powerful battery – a device for an elderly person should work for a long time without recharging, since it can often be forgotten to connect to an outlet and it simply has no right to be disconnected from the discharge for one day;
- loud speaker – the call must be heard from any end of the apartment, which will allow you to constantly be in touch and not miss incoming calls;
- the maximum simple menu and the minimum of functions – if young people need smartphones “stuffed” with capabilities, then the older person is more important than the minimum set of options so that it is impossible to get confused in them.
It's good if the phone has a protected case with a non-slip coating, is able to withstand water and is equipped with an SOS button that either turns on the “siren” to notify of an emergency, or sends messages to pre-programmed contacts.
Philips E172 Xenium
- screen: 2.4 inches, color
- Resolution: 240×320
- battery: 1700 mAh
- memory: 32 MB, memory cards up to 16 GB
- SOS button: no
- additional features: FM-radio, 2 SIM-cards
We say Philips – we mean a powerful battery and high autonomy of the device. If we take into account the high-quality screen and keyboard, as well as the declared ability to work in talk mode up to 19 hours, and in standby mode up to 601 hours without recharging, then such a phone will come in handy not only for elderly people, but also for those who need a long-playing simple “dialer”. The device supports two SIM cards, it can also work with memory cards.
BQ 2004 Ray
- screen: 2 inches, color
- Resolution: 320×240
- battery: 1400 mAh
- memory: 32 MB, memory cards up to 16 GB
- SOS button: yes
- additional features: FM radio, flashlight
A phone that, according to its characteristics, is perfect for the role of a device for an elderly person. Minimal features are combined with large keys and a clear color screen. The advantages include dedicated buttons for the radio and SOS calls, but the disadvantages at the same time can be attributed to them – not too large and not dedicated keys for additional functions.
DIGMA Linx C281
- screen: 2.8 inches, color
- Resolution: 320×240
- battery: 1700 mAh
- memory: 32 MB, memory cards up to 16 GB
- SOS button: no
- additional features: FM radio, flashlight
A budget version of the phone, endowed with the minimum of features that are necessary for an elderly person. The disadvantages of the device include the absence of a separate SOS button, but among the undoubted advantages is a powerful battery that allows you to spend longer without recharging.
F + R280
- screen: 2.8 inches, color
- Resolution: 240×340
- battery: 2500 mAh
- memory: 32 MB, memory cards up to 32 GB
- SOS button: yes
- additional features: FM radio, flashlight, dust and moisture protection
A rather rare variant of a mobile device, both by the standards of a smartphone and by the standards of a “grandmother”, which is distinguished by a protected case. IP68 certification guarantees complete protection against dust and moisture, even when submerged at depths of more than a meter for a long time. Add to that a powerful battery and a dedicated SOS button – and this is arguably the perfect phone for seniors.
Irbis SF10
- screen: 2.4 inches, color
- Resolution: 320×240
- battery: 800 mAh
- memory: 30 MB, memory cards up to 16 GB
- SOS button: no
- additional features: FM-radio, 2 SIM-cards
The “clamshell” format has sunk into history with the development of smartphones, but now it is starting to return – they make foldable devices with touch screens, and produce push-button “clamshell” phones. A convenient version of a phone for an elderly person, which, with a suitable set of functions, is also stylish and bright, which makes it difficult to lose it.
Itel It2590
- screen: 2.2 inches, color
- Resolution: 220×176
- battery: 1900 mAh
- memory: 32 MB, memory cards up to 32 GB
- SOS button: yes
- additional features: FM-radio, 2 SIM-cards
A compact phone with large keys, a color screen with large and understandable symbols. Combine this with a dedicated SOS button, powerful battery, loud ringer and speakerphone capability, making it nearly ideal for seniors.
MAXVI B7
- screen: 1.77 inches, color
- Resolution: 128×160
- battery: 800 mAh
- memory: 32 MB, memory cards up to 16 GB
- SOS button: yes
- additional features: FM-radio, 2 SIM-cards, removable battery
Nowadays, manufacturers equip mobile devices with almost monolithic cases with non-removable batteries for the sake of protection from dust and moisture. A pleasant exception is this “babushkophone”, which is equipped with a removable battery. Despite the small volume of the battery, the ability to quickly replace a discharged battery with a charged one is expensive. Fortunately, figuratively.
Nokia 130 (2017)
- screen: 1.8 inches, color
- Resolution: 640×480
- battery: 1020 mAh
- memory: 8 MB, memory cards up to 16 GB
- SOS button: no
- additional features: FM radio, removable battery
Not the freshest, but still relevant model of a well-known brand. And even if now Nokia is not what it used to be, if you need a simple and reliable phone, then you should take a closer look at it. Among the advantages are a powerful and removable battery, a high-quality screen, and a comfortable keyboard. Such a device will come in handy not only for grandparents. True, the screen is too small and the amount of memory is very tiny, even for a push-button phone.
ONEXT Lollipop 3G
- screen: 2.4 inches, color
- resolution:
- battery: 1450 mAh
- memory: 32 MB, memory cards up to 16 GB
- SOS button: no
- additional features: FM-radio, 2 SIM-cards
The very case when a phone can only be bought for its design. It is unlikely that design decisions are important for “babushkofonov”, but bright colors are a matter of functionality, since such a device is easier than black to find in case of loss. As for the rest, the characteristics are typical for similar phones.
teXet TM-B201
- screen: 1.77 inches, color
- Resolution: 128×160
- battery: 1000 mAh
- memory: 32 MB, memory cards up to 32 GB
- SOS button: yes
- additional features: FM radio, charging cradle
A phone that claims to be the perfect device for grandparents. There are large keys, a clear screen, and a powerful battery, and a charging “glass” stand will help you not to lose your device, and at the same time keep it charged at all times. This is important for older people. As well as the opportunity to buy such a functional phone at a minimum cost.
Well, if you are looking for inexpensive but powerful Android smartphones, then take a closer look at the leaders of the ranking of the most productive gadgets for May 2021, which we talked about earlier.
