Mobiles for Seniors

Easy-to-use phones for older people

Here is a selection of SIM-free phones specially designed for older people. You will find a range of easy-to-use models with different features. Phones with large keys, amplified volume, SOS button, torch... You will also find smartphones for older people from specialist brands.

Remember that we have express delivery in 24-48 hours. And you can pay over up to 12 months if you wish. If you are not sure what kind of phone suits your father or grandfather, here is a buying guide to help you find your way. If you have any questions, we will help you. You can use the online chat that appears in the bottom right-hand corner of your computer or phone screen.

At MaxMovil we have phones for every kind of user, whatever their age. That is why we have put together a selection of products for older people who are not familiar with smartphones and the latest technologies.

In this guide we will point you to the most important features a phone should have if it is intended for an older person. As they tend to be free of extras and secondary functions, you will find that phones for seniors are truly affordable.

Buy phones for older people.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR AN OLDER PERSON TO HAVE A MOBILE PHONE?

Having a mobile phone brings many benefits to any user. In the case of an older person, a smartphone provides security, connection and easy contact with family and friends. Coping with emergencies, not feeling excluded or the satisfaction of knowing how to use new technologies are examples of this.

In addition, a smartphone can bring other advantages, such as strengthening the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. It has been shown that the close bond between children and older people is a very valuable resource for learning how to use a smartphone.

Older people should be given a chance and not be assumed to never learn how to use a phone.

WHAT SHOULD A PHONE FOR OLDER PEOPLE BE LIKE?

You might think that giving your grandfather your old smartphone and explaining how to use it in five minutes is all sorted. Big mistake! In this case, what will most likely happen is that he gets frustrated and ends up completely ignoring the phone.

We have to bear in mind that many older people have had no contact with smartphones, tablets or sometimes even computers. That is why we must look for the most intuitive solution, free of fuss and eccentricities.

Today there are brands such as Doro, ZTC o Haier that manufacture devices specifically designed for older people. Another possible solution is to opt for an intuitive, minimalist operating system such as Windows Mobile or to apply the easy mode in Android, which will also make it possible to have a phone for seniors with WhatsApp. In this respect, the phones Alcatel for older people stand out for their price and simplicity

Everything depends on the user's level of knowledge, but in principle it is best for the mobile phone to be suited to the needs of older people both outside and inside.

CLEAR, INTUITIVE MENUS

Interfaces should be as simple and visual as possible, leaving aside advanced touch controls and unnecessary options. The list of icons should be minimal, with large, eye-catching icons.

It is recommended to include icons with photos of the most frequent contacts, so they can call them with a single tap. The functions most used by older users should also be displayed: the address book, the torch, the radio and the alarm. There are mobile phones with physical buttons specifically dedicated to these functions.

Android, iOS and Windows Mobile all have a magnifier function, which lets you zoom in on the screen at any time. However, this tool requires two- and three-finger gestures that can cause confusion. Personal assistants such as Siri or Cortana are a resource worth considering, as they carry out actions through voice commands.

Finally, on Android you can install launchers that are downloaded from the Google Play Store itself. These are interfaces that adapt the phone for older people, with simplified menus, large icons and text and high contrast. Among other launchers we can mention Big Launcher, Wiser y Grand Launcher.

LARGE TEXT AND BRIGHT SCREEN

Text size is one of the essential conditions for a phone to be suitable for older people. All operating systems allow you to scale the text size so it can be read more comfortably.

Screen brightness and contrast are also two fundamental aspects. Screens must be bright and with good colour differentiation. Windows Mobile, for example, includes a dark theme in which white text stands out against a black background. The high contrast mode makes reading easier for people with vision problems.

It is also advisable to increase the time before the screen switches off. Older people read slowly and are not used to the layout of a smartphone.

PHONE WITH LARGE KEYS

Up to now we have talked about the inside of the phone, but software is just as important as the outside design. Bright-coloured cases make it easy to locate the phone.

You have to decide between a phone with a traditional numeric keypad or a touch one. In the first case, it is very important to have large keys, spaced apart and comfortable to press.

Flip cases prevent keys from being pressed by accident, as well as better protecting the phone from scratches and knocks. In some cases they can be synchronised with the device to switch off the screen when the flap is closed.

LONG-LASTING BATTERY

A phone for seniors should have long battery life so it can get through the day without worry. This is usually not a problem, as phones for older people have long-lasting batteries and do not use up many resources.

It is also common to have difficulty fitting the charging cable into the smartphone if eyesight is poor or hands shake. The best solution is to have a charging dock on which the phone can rest. This dock, similar to those for cordless phones, can be placed on the bedside table to create a routine of use and keep the phone always to hand.

CLEAR SOUND AND AMPLIFIED VOLUME

Sound is a very important element for using a phone properly. In general, all phones let you adjust the volume of their speakers for call sound. Beyond this, features such as ambient sound cancellation and hearing aid compatibility are especially useful.

Do not overlook the ringtone either, which should be loud and easily recognisable by the person receiving the call.

Radio is one of the most requested apps among older people. That said, it is very helpful if the radio can be heard through the phone's external speaker without needing to connect headphones.

SOS BUTTON

The emergency key, known as the SOS button, is a very practical feature that lets the owner of a phone let others know they are in trouble. It is a clearly identified physical button that automatically carries out a series of actions when pressed.

Each device has different functions on its SOS button, but in general it serves the following purposes: Automatically and immediately calls one or more contacts from the address book at once. These contacts can include emergency numbers. Sends their location coordinates to one or more contacts, so that locating them via GPS is quick and simple. Emits a sound that gets louder, as well as activating the flash to send distress signals.

On the other hand, it is also possible to track an older person's phone via GPS with apps such as Android Device Manager.

THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES

Summing up everything set out in this guide, we can state that the most important features a phone for older people should have are:

Alarm (as an alarm clock, to remember medication times, etc.)
Torch
Radio (preferably in speaker mode)
Simple, visual menus
Large text
Bright screen
Long-lasting battery
Charging dock

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