TMany daily tasks now require smartphones due to new online payment security checks, and widespread use of parking app. It can be a nightmare for people who are not comfortable with apps, touchscreens, and texting. However there are simpler models to conquer this technology gap.
Although manufacturers are constantly updating their smartphones to make them easier to use, it’s not possible to change the interface of apps like WhatsApp or your bank. These are the top options, even though there isn’t a smartphone that does everything.
Emporia Smart5
Price: £241
The Emporia smart5 is a smartphone that’s specifically designed for over-65s. The main features of the Emporia Smart5 are a simplified home screen and a clever folio case that has four buttons to answer calls. There is also an emergency call button at the back which rings five contacts. The phone also comes with a printed manual, which can be used to help you walk through some basic tasks. It comes with a magnifying device and a training program that teaches touchscreen interaction, such as tapping and scrolling.
The Smart5 is an average smartphone with a 5.5in screen, a camera, splash resistance, and full Android 10 (not the stripped down Android Go). It also has access to all the apps of the Google Play Store, including messaging apps and banking apps. The Smart5 can be purchased with a charging cradle; otherwise, it uses a USB cable.
Unfortunately, when you open a third-party app the simplified interface is left behind for the app’s regular interface. It also doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor for your banking app or similar. Emporia does not guarantee security updates for two years after purchase. You should replace the device as soon as possible to keep your data safe.
Apple iPhone SE 2022
Price: £449 RRP – deals from £300
The iPhone SE isn’t specifically tailored for older people but you can change the settings to make it easier to use and it has all the advantages of an Apple smartphone. The iPhone SE is small and compact with a 4.7-inch screen. There are many third-party accessories that can be used to make the phone even more durable.
You can simplify the home screen by getting rid of all unnecessary apps and adding widgets that allow you to quickly access your favourite contacts. You can make everything larger by increasing the text size and zoom in the settings. You can also enable accessibility features such as text magnification, screen magnifying and adjustments for hearing aids. It is also water-resistant up to one metre, so it can survive a full dip in a toilet or bath.
With as many as seven years of software support, once learned, you won’t have to change the phone for a long time, and if it breaks it is easy to get fixed on the high street. It’s easy to use the large Touch ID fingerprint key for unlocking your phone, as well as in banking and payment apps. It has 64GB of storage which is plenty for apps and videos.
The Lightning cable can charge the phone but wireless charging is also possible. You can place your phone on a flat surface to charge it, rather than trying to use a cable. The box does not include a USB-C cable.
Google Pixel 6a
Price: £399 RRP – deals from £299
Google’s Pixel 6a offers terrific value and can be customised to make it easier to use.
The screen is a decent-sized 6.1in and the body is compact, making it easy to carry. It can be submerged to one metre, and there are a few third-party cases available. In the event of a breakage, it can be fixed by Google or third parties. It boasts a stunning camera that rivals phones twice its price and 128GB storage.
You can enlarge the interface to make text and icons larger. This also works for third-party apps. You can customize the home screen by removing unneeded app icons and adding widgets to your favourite contacts. They can also be made larger and more spaced so that they are easy to tap.
There’s a choice of swipe or on-screen buttons for navigation, plus a decent selection of accessibility tools, including large on-screen buttons for various controls and a screen magnifier tool. Google offers five years of support starting with release. This makes the Pixel 6a safe until July 2026.
It charges only by USB-C cable and you’ll need to provide your own power adaptor. It has an in-screen fingerprint scanner that is useful for unlocking the device and banking apps but is more fiddly to use than the iPhone’s big, physical home button.
Samsung Galaxy A33
Price: £329 RRP – deals from £250
The Galaxy A33, which has a 6.4in screen but is still compact and lightweight, offers a larger screen. These phones can be outfitted with many third-party accessories. The A33 is water-resistant up to one metre, has a large battery, good camera, 128GB storage and support for microSD cards.
Similar to the Pixel 6a, the home screen can be customised, although app icons can’t be made quite as large. You can magnify text and interface elements to make them bigger. There’s a choice of swipe or on-screen touch buttons, plus some accessibility tools including adjustments for touch and hearing aids as well as a magnifier tool. Samsung offers up to five years of support starting with release. This makes the A33 safe until March 2027.
The phone charges via USB-C only, and doesn’t include a power adaptor in the box. The phone has an on-screen fingerprint scanner that unlocks the phone and allows you to access banking apps. This will be more difficult than using a physical button. The phone can also be unlocked using face recognition via the camera when the light is good.