Easiest SmartPhone To Use For a Novice

jacklamabe65

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Yes, I am 67 years old and have always had a flip phone. I would like a larger phone - not one of these dainty little things - mostly because I don't carry around my reading glasses everywhere. Also, I need something that is for a beginner. Price doesn't really matter. I would also like to use my Spotify account. Finally, I use Verizon Wireless. Is there such an animal out there?
 

tims4wins

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Jul 15, 2005
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Hingham, MA
Honestly, I think the iPhone is incredibly user-friendly and intuitive. My kids learned to use them as toddlers. We are talking 2-3 years old.
 

benhogan

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Nov 2, 2007
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Santa Monica
Yes, I am 67 years old and have always had a flip phone. I would like a larger phone - not one of these dainty little things - mostly because I don't carry around my reading glasses everywhere. Also, I need something that is for a beginner. Price doesn't really matter. I would also like to use my Spotify account. Finally, I use Verizon Wireless. Is there such an animal out there?
gat an iPhone. That way you can walk into an Apple store and ask a millennial to help you

I purchased a large one but didn't love it since it was bulky in my pants pocket. You can adjust text size for reading
 

Marceline

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Yes, I am 67 years old and have always had a flip phone. I would like a larger phone - not one of these dainty little things - mostly because I don't carry around my reading glasses everywhere. Also, I need something that is for a beginner. Price doesn't really matter. I would also like to use my Spotify account. Finally, I use Verizon Wireless. Is there such an animal out there?
Definitely the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Fits all your criteria.
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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Jul 12, 2008
4,231
New England
Get an iPhone. Get AppleCare. The AppleCare entitles you to unlimited calls with Apple Support. They don’t suck. They are patient and pleasant to talk to. They will walk you through any questions you have. They can do screen sharing if you like. There are also personal setup sessions. If you’re near an Apple Store, you can attend Today @ Apple sessions to learn things in small group classes.

Edited to add: iPhone also has great accessibility features for folks who don’t always have their glasses. Large, bold text that is customizable and scales across apps.
 

edoug

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Jul 15, 2005
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If there is a Verizon store near you, try out some phones. Try before you buy.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
34,397
I'll make a counter argument to iphone. My mother who is in her 70s loved her android and is less of a fan of the Iphone, she found a lot of the home button stuff counterintuitive and we noticed that she constantly had the problem of thinking she'd closed things only to have 25 apps running in the background so her phone would run glacially slow even though it was fairly new

Personally I think a good sized android phone is better than an iphone, especially given how much easier it is to customize stuff to fit what you like.

Downside is no going to an apple store, but who wants to go to a mall and wait around for 40 minutes. On all of these the basics are usually pretty easy, and you can go on youtube and there will be literally thousands of videos that will walk you through any and everything you could possibly have a question about. Right now the Samsung S22 Ultra is probably the most popular of the top level android phones.

Overall though, I'd say as someone who used to sell phones many years ago @edoug gave you the best advice, go to Verizon or Best Buy or the like and play around with the display models, see what feels good to you, and make a decision on that.

Also, since you said price wasn't important people all suggested $1,000+ phones, but honestly there is really no particular reason for you to get that if all you want it for is call/text, spotify etc. There are a ton of Androids in particular anywhere from $200 up that will easily handle what you want them to do, which is one reason I'd suggest going to a Best Buy or something, see what you care about, and what you like. Capability isn't going to matter to you, a 5 year old phone can easily handle everything you want, higher end gets you better screens... usually, always gets you better cameras and better finishes. So try them out... do you really like a glass back? Then buy a high end phone. Do you actually like a lighter plastic phone's feel... then go mid-range.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Nov 16, 2004
19,236
I'll make a counter argument to iphone. My mother who is in her 70s loved her android and is less of a fan of the Iphone, she found a lot of the home button stuff counterintuitive and we noticed that she constantly had the problem of thinking she'd closed things only to have 25 apps running in the background so her phone would run glacially slow even though it was fairly new

Personally I think a good sized android phone is better than an iphone, especially given how much easier it is to customize stuff to fit what you like.

Downside is no going to an apple store, but who wants to go to a mall and wait around for 40 minutes. On all of these the basics are usually pretty easy, and you can go on youtube and there will be literally thousands of videos that will walk you through any and everything you could possibly have a question about. Right now the Samsung S22 Ultra is probably the most popular of the top level android phones.

Overall though, I'd say as someone who used to sell phones many years ago @edoug gave you the best advice, go to Verizon or Best Buy or the like and play around with the display models, see what feels good to you, and make a decision on that.

Also, since you said price wasn't important people all suggested $1,000+ phones, but honestly there is really no particular reason for you to get that if all you want it for is call/text, spotify etc. There are a ton of Androids in particular anywhere from $200 up that will easily handle what you want them to do, which is one reason I'd suggest going to a Best Buy or something, see what you care about, and what you like. Capability isn't going to matter to you, a 5 year old phone can easily handle everything you want, higher end gets you better screens... usually, always gets you better cameras and better finishes. So try them out... do you really like a glass back? Then buy a high end phone. Do you actually like a lighter plastic phone's feel... then go mid-range.
I don't know why it was slow, but the iPhone has been designed so you don't need to close apps. Unless you have a problematic app those apps are generally all in a suspend mode and not doing anything. They recommend you actually don't close them.
 

Harry Hooper

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FWIW, I think I am on my last Droid as I have been dealing with multiple reboots almost every day for months.
 

santadevil

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FWIW, I think I am on my last Droid as I have been dealing with multiple reboots almost every day for months.
Make/model/year?
This is a totally useless post without any context at all

My kid had an iphone that had the same issue. Is that helpful to you at all?
 

Marceline

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Sep 9, 2002
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Canton, MA
I agree with the general idea that a mid range phone is fine for a person who is just doing basic stuff on it, but the counterpoint and reason to still consider going high end is that it will future proof and last that much longer before needing to be upgraded again. Which is relevant for someone still on a flip phone who probably isn't going to want to upgrade again in 2 years.

The iPhone 13 pro max, or Samsung s22 ultra, will both easily last and be usable for 5+ years, apart from battery degradation, but it's pretty easy/cheap to have someone replace the battery in that case.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
72,203
Yes, I am 67 years old and have always had a flip phone. I would like a larger phone - not one of these dainty little things - mostly because I don't carry around my reading glasses everywhere. Also, I need something that is for a beginner. Price doesn't really matter. I would also like to use my Spotify account. Finally, I use Verizon Wireless. Is there such an animal out there?
Iphone
More people to help you and Apple Stores
 

McBride11

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Jul 15, 2005
22,089
Durham, NC
What are your thoughts on being a 'green texter' and the shame associated?

In all seriousness, I think an Android, large screen, would suit your needs. Yes you lose the apple store, but if you can find SoSH you can find google or ask here, or ask younger relatives. My 70ish plus parents went with Androids (galaxy) for their flip to smart phones.

I guess the only maybe consideration would be if you're a fully Apple environment, the iPhone probably better.

And I'm an iPhone guy. I feel once you pick an environment, you are kinda locked there. (Maybe this has changed in the last 8 years)
 

Pegleg

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Jul 15, 2005
42
Sayre, PA
I'm 79, my wife's Moto just died (11 years old!) and her whole family uses iphones, so we're going that way. Either 13 mini or 13 max.
 

RSN Diaspora

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Jul 29, 2005
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Washington, DC
Yes, I am 67 years old and have always had a flip phone. I would like a larger phone - not one of these dainty little things - mostly because I don't carry around my reading glasses everywhere. Also, I need something that is for a beginner. Price doesn't really matter. I would also like to use my Spotify account. Finally, I use Verizon Wireless. Is there such an animal out there?
My technologically illiterate mom who is older than you seems to navigate her iPhone with relative ease, so I'll add to the others making this suggestion.
 

RIFan

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Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
Going from a flip phone, I don’t see any reason to spend on an iPhone 13. A basic iPhone 11 or 12 should be more than fine. If you’re looking for 5G or the better camera a 13 makes sense. Battery life will be more than sufficient if you’re not watching a lot of videos. I doubt any iOS upgrades will make those inoperable in the next 5 years.

i’m still on an iPhone 8 and haven’t seen enough of a reason to spend for a new one yet.
 

SumnerH

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Jul 18, 2005
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Alexandria, VA
Both of my parents are 75+ years old and I went through this with them right before COVID started. We trialed Pixels, iPhones, and Samsungs and they settled on the Pixels as the easiest for them to use at the time. My mom also hated the idea of having more charging cables that are different from what they have (she's just getting used to USB having micro and C options).

FWIW, I think I am on my last Droid as I have been dealing with multiple reboots almost every day for months.
I assume you mean Android phone and not Droid. The most recent Droids haven't been supported in a half-decade or so.
 

BigJimEd

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Jan 4, 2002
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If there is a Verizon store near you, try out some phones. Try before you buy.
This is excellent advice.

I know several older people that use Android phones and several that use iPhones without much issue. As mentioned, Jitterbug is another possibility. Mother-in-law liked hers due to the large text. Very basic which may or may not be a plus.
 

edoug

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Jul 15, 2005
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This is excellent advice.

I know several older people that use Android phones and several that use iPhones without much issue. As mentioned, Jitterbug is another possibility. Mother-in-law liked hers due to the large text. Very basic which may or may not be a plus.
Thanks, money may not be an issue for @jacklamabe65, comfort should be. Whether it's Android, Apple, or Jitterbug.
 

SumnerH

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Jul 18, 2005
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This is excellent advice.

I know several older people that use Android phones and several that use iPhones without much issue. As mentioned, Jitterbug is another possibility. Mother-in-law liked hers due to the large text. Very basic which may or may not be a plus.
Jitterbug is an Android OS, fwiw.