Choosing a smartphone for a parent or grandparent
Large text, a loud speaker and a good battery matter more than benchmark scores. A practical guide to buying — and setting up — a phone for older family members.
Buying a phone for an older parent is different from buying one for yourself. Simplicity, comfort and support matter far more than raw power.
What to prioritise
- A large, bright screen. Easier to read, especially outdoors.
- A loud, clear speaker and good call quality. Test a call before buying if possible.
- Long battery life. Charging every night is easy to forget.
- A simple, familiar interface. If they have used a particular brand before, staying with it helps.
- Reliable updates for security.
- A decent camera for video calls with family.
Features that help
- Simple or easy mode with larger icons (available on many Android phones)
- Adjustable text size and bold text
- Hearing aid compatibility or Bluetooth hearing aid support
- Fall detection or emergency SOS on some phones and watches
- Face or fingerprint unlock to avoid remembering passcodes
Set it up before you hand it over
- Remove unnecessary apps and put the important ones on the first screen
- Add family contacts with photos
- Increase text size and ring volume
- Set up video calling and a shared photo album
- Enable two-factor authentication and screen lock
- Turn on automatic backups
- Set up remote help, such as location sharing or a screen-sharing app, with their consent
Guard against scams
Explain that banks and officials don't ask for OTPs or PINs by phone or SMS, and block unknown callers if needed.
The bottom line
Choose comfort over specs, and spend an hour setting the phone up. A well-configured mid-range phone beats an expensive one they find confusing.