Which phone is right for you?
19 Dec 2017
Technology is evolving so quickly, it can be hard to keep up. When it comes to phones, are you better off with a traditional flip-phone, or is smart the way to go?
Technology is evolving at breathtaking rates and even the most technologically fit users can find it hard to keep up. Phones are now more powerful than some computers, and with a huge range of choice, change and marketing, choosing one can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you pick out the right phone for you.
Doro 6520
If you’re just looking for a very basic phone for talk and text, the Doro 6520 is probably a good fit. The flip phone is lightweight, easy to handle, and its only bells and whistles are the stock alarms and ringtones (at least by today’s technology standards).
It has a camera, memory and internet access (albeit just browsing) with a relatively decent sized screen (2.8 inches), and the ability to increase the size of the text/icons for better visibility.
It also has reasonably large buttons with shortcuts for camera, call, and text message access however using the keyboard can be quite time-consuming as there are three or more letters assigned to each number. The sound is loud and it’s compatible with hearing aids, and there’s also an assistance button on the back of the phone which is easily accessible in emergency. This has an alarm function, and can call or text up to 5 predetermined contacts once the button is pressed.
Smart options
However, it’s not the only phone on offer. And in fact, a smart phone may be a better bet. Deloitte’s Mobile Consumer Survey 2017 found that 82 per cent of seniors aged 55-64 and 78 per cent of seniors aged 65-75 in Australia, own a smartphone.
The big names in high-end smartphones of course include Apple and Samsung, however, Huawei, One Plus, and Nokia are fast encroaching on their space. The primary downside with their flagship phones is often the price, which usually starts around the $1000 mark and often forces you into a plan. This can mean that by the end of your contract, you’ve paid more than the phone is worth, and you’re susceptible to some horrible phone bills at the end of the month, if you don’t know how to manage your data.
The good news is, because technology is advancing so rapidly, it doesn’t have cost you an arm and a leg to buy a smartphone. The cheapest smartphones start at around $50, but the best basic smartphones can still be found around the $200-500.
If you want to stick with the big names, without the big price, the Samsung Galaxy J5 is a good mid-range smartphone. It’s unlocked – allowing you the opportunity to choose your own provider, while still having the benefits of a prepaid phone. Like most phones, it connects to the 4G network and Wi-Fi. Retailing at around $300, it has a 5-inch display, 16GB of storage, with expandable memory up to a whopping 256GB, a 13MP camera on the back and 5MP front facing camera, and hearing aid compatibility. It’s a basic phone which allows you to download all the apps you want to use (like Facebook, Amazon Kindle, and music streaming services).
At the end of the day, the best people to speak to if you’re in the market for a new phone are friends and family. They’ll give you their honest opinion about their devices, and chances are, if they have it, it’s likely going to be a safe bet.
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