Cheap smartphone for my mum

[Javier P]

Sadly I can't recommended any Android phone as a first. But only because of the app store loose app policy. A newby, even an experienced user can easily become infected with malware.

Also Google needs to review app permissions. I use humidtrack on my Pixel, but it asks for permissions to the camera, camera location(precise and background access), read and write shared storage, full network, and 11 other permissions.

I also have a iPhone for work. The same app has no permissions other than to use Bluetooth.

Come on Google?

A general rule when downloading apps from the Play Store is to avoid those with not many downloads, with bad reviews and unnecessary permissions. Just like the app that you downloaded.

 

[Javier P]

Oh, and never, ever download any app that claims to clean or boost your battery/memory/storage/performance ... I mean ... Never.

 

[Dylan Bacon1]

I see you are a newer user here - welcome to Android Central! Moto is a great idea!

Another idea is to look at a Pixel 2. They will be at a lower price point now and I'm sure you'll be able to find used ones at a great bargain. It's also a very simple and uncluttered operating system so your mom wouldn't have to get used to any bloat or weird configuration.

Let us know what you decide!

I found a renewed (Very much new in all regards, not a single scratch and battery still works great) Pixel 2 on Amazing through a vendor called Certified Smartphone. The Pixel 2 was $100, and the flagship specs are still higher than any 2019 midrange that are triple the price. Pixel 2 is a great choice if you can find an unlocked variant, as they are cheap now and pack the power and camera you'd want to use on the daily.

 

[obarthelemy]

I've been handling smartphones for seniors around me.
1- The best phone for seniors depends on a number of factors: eyesight and hearing (the huge Xiaomi Mi Max 3 might be a good choice), country (Xiaomi doesn't work on half the US carriers). As long as you stick with the major brands, there are no really bad phones, just make sure to get something with ARM A7x cores, not A5x. My default reco is a Xiaomi Redmi Note.
2- The most important thing for success is spending a LOT of time prepping the phone for easy use: import contact lists (phone, mail...), make an easy single-page home screen (lock it down, put a couple of widgets ie weather, mail,... ; maybe 1-2-3 heavily favored contacts; and 4-5 apps to start ie phone, texts, whatsapp, a game, a browser, banking ?), tweak font size.
3- in extreme cases of computer illiteracy + bad eyesight, Big Launcher dumbs things down a lot, and its font screams at you ;-p
4- maybe a tablet would be a good alternative, my 80yo moms uses it more than her phone.

 

[B. Diddy]

Sadly I can't recommended any Android phone as a first. But only because of the app store loose app policy. A newby, even an experienced user can easily become infected with malware.

Also Google needs to review app permissions. I use humidtrack on my Pixel, but it asks for permissions to the camera, camera location(precise and background access), read and write shared storage, full network, and 11 other permissions.

I also have a iPhone for work. The same app has no permissions other than to use Bluetooth.

Come on Google?

Welcome to Android Central! I'll disagree with you about it being easy to get infected. Malware has to be installed by the user, so as long as the user has some degree of common sense, the risk of malware is low. Here are my usual recommendations:

1. Avoid shady websites that deal with things like porn, gambling, and "free" (aka pirated) apps/music/movies.


2. Never ever tap on a link that appears in a popup while browsing, especially if they're warning you that your phone is infected -- they're just trying to scare you into installing some bogus "antivirus" app that is probably malicious itself.


3. Only install apps from well-established app sources like Google Play Store or Amazon Appstore. Read a bunch of app reviews before installing an app to look for any complaints about adware or suspected malware.


4. Turn on Google Play Protect features in Settings>Google>Security (or in the Play Store settings). This allows Google to periodically scan your phone's apps to look for malware.


5. Turn off "Unknown Sources" in Settings>Security (or in Special App Access on newer phones). This prevents any app that wasn't obtained from Google Play Store from being installed (which could include malicious apps that are inadvertently downloaded).

Unnecessary permissions don't always mean a developer is up to no good -- most of the time, it's due to laziness. You mention a good habit of checking an app's permissions before deciding to install it, so if it asks for permissions that seem unnecessary, that can be a good criterion not to install it. But if you know the developer is legit, that's a good reason to contact them and ask them about why those permissions exist -- there could be important reasons why they're there on Android and not iPhone.

 

[tony bag o donuts]

Nokia phones are worth looking at as well. They're all Android One, so they get reliable monthly security and feature updates, and they run "stock" Android (meaning that there's no manufacturer skin on it).

Love my 7.1. Small compromises, but solid device and monthly security patches are worth it.

 

[Frank Barbeau1]

The learning curve on any Android isn't that steep. Buying a cheap one with the thought of upgrading later is a waste of time and money. Find one you lik te at a price point you are comfortable with and buy it.

Let the folks you buy it from get it setup and don't leave the store until you make your first call with it, your email is working on it and you know how to turn it on and off and the proper way to plug the charger into it.

When you get a spare moment experiment with one or more of the applications that the manufacturer has installed. Don't start downloading s bunch of trash from the play store until you figure out exactly what you want to do with the phone. Don't be afraid of breaking it by experimenting with it. If you get out of your comfort zone simply turn it off and start over. If you are easily frustrated and get to that point, walk away for awhile.

Button line buy a phone you can grow into and take the time to learn ALL it is capable of. These phones are amazing.

 

[B. Diddy]

The learning curve on any Android isn't that steep. Buying a cheap one with the thought of upgrading later is a waste of time and money. Find one you lik te at a price point you are comfortable with and buy it.

Let the folks you buy it from get it setup and don't leave the store until you make your first call with it, your email is working on it and you know how to turn it on and off and the proper way to plug the charger into it.

When you get a spare moment experiment with one or more of the applications that the manufacturer has installed. Don't start downloading s bunch of trash from the play store until you figure out exactly what you want to do with the phone. Don't be afraid of breaking it by experimenting with it. If you get out of your comfort zone simply turn it off and start over. If you are easily frustrated and get to that point, walk away for awhile.

Button line buy a phone you can grow into and take the time to learn ALL it is capable of. These phones are amazing.

Welcome to Android Central, and thanks for sharing that very rational advice!

 

[BEaRebel]

Love this Post.
1) I have an 80 yr old Mom who I will not let
Get old, we got her Pixel 3a 64gb, sept.2019.
(Will not let anyone buy less than 64gb, just Frustrating).
She actually LOVES it. I Dislike Immensely.
2) I'm looking for a new phone 4 BF. I'm just a little frustrated with his non-tech life. Yikesey.
SOOOO, whatever works for Moms, may work for him.

~Moto G 7? Moto Power? Looking for under/@250$
Any HELP is much appreciated. Need ASAP.

 

[B. Diddy]

Just curious, what do you dislike immensely about the Pixel 3a?

 

[BEaRebel]

Hi B Diddy,
Just about everything except it's picture taking ability. It's just quite unfriendly to use.
Even screen shots are a multiple step procedure.
I have Huawei Mate SE. Wish they had something similar in same price range available now.

 

[BEaRebel]

Just last nite I had to download App to Mom's Pixel 3 & realized Yet Again... I was quite Happy It WAS NOT My Phone

 

[B. Diddy]

Odd -- taking a screenshot is just like any other Android phone: press and hold Power and Vol Down for about half a second.

Not sure what you mean by unfriendly, but I doubt I'll be able to change your mind about anything.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Hi B Diddy,
Just about everything except it's picture taking ability. It's just quite unfriendly to use.
Even screen shots are a multiple step procedure.
I have Huawei Mate SE. Wish they had something similar in same price range available now.

Screenshot is a multi step process? A simultaneous button press of power and volume down?

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

Or long press on the power key and then tapping screenshot. Is that the issue. The pixel is the easiest phone to use in the Android system. And any phone you get will have similar steps to do things.

 

[B. Diddy]

Or long press on the power key and then tapping screenshot. Is that the issue. The pixel is the easiest phone to use in the Android system. And any phone you get will have similar steps to do things.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that method! That was a relatively recent addition.

 

[BEaRebel]

So ~ Back to the Original Reason I posted. Any ideas ???
What do we think about these two attached... Must buy ASAP. Cannot deal with low grade + cracked screen... Others I am open to.
BTW, I actually enjoy learning from you all, Why I jump on here every so often.
-They Need Simple, but as you all said, We can TWEAK, Dumb Down to Usable, remove bloatware, etc.
-Unfortunately this person uses Cricket for Service.
-Has Very Large Hands, Works in Construction.
250$ is High, I'll kick if I must.
Your help is Truly Appreciated.

 

[tony bag o donuts]

So ~ Back to the Original Reason I posted. Any ideas ???
What do we think about these two attached... Must buy ASAP. Cannot deal with low grade + cracked screen... Others I am open to.
BTW, I actually enjoy learning from you all, Why I jump on here every so often.
-They Need Simple, but as you all said, We can TWEAK, Dumb Down to Usable, remove bloatware, etc.
-Unfortunately this person uses Cricket for Service.
-Has Very Large Hands, Works in Construction.
250$ is High, I'll kick if I must.
Your help is Truly Appreciated.

I like cricket. Very rare for me to have an issue. If you need below 250 look at last year's mid range devices from Samsung or looked at the Nokia 6 series.

 

[B. Diddy]

I'd lean towards the Nokia, since it's Android One and will get more reliable updates.

 

[BEaRebel]

Whoa, thank you "TBOD" What do you think of the Samsung Galaxy A30S ? Int./GSM.
Not much on Amazon (at least), except for the
SShot I enclosed -
Which out of the 2 would be
-Simpler, after I Tweak...
-Slightly More durable ?
BTWay the Samsung seems to get better Reviews.
THANK YOU .
I'm gonna Pull the Trigger