[GrannyGruntbuck]

Does anyone know where I can get a very basic mobile phone from and perhaps what would I expect to pay for it?

My wife is an absolute technophobe and can only just about use a basic phone.
Her current phone is falling apart as it is so old, so needs a new one very soon.

She is with 3 uk so the replacement basic phone either has to be unlocked or tied to 3 uk.

I see loads of fancy smart phones on sale but I cannot recall the last time I saw a basic push button phone for sale.

[d123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrannyGruntbuck

Does anyone know where I can get a very basic mobile phone from and perhaps what would I expect to pay for it?

My wife is an absolute technophobe and can only just about use a basic phone.
Her current phone is falling apart as it is so old, so needs a new one very soon.

She is with 3 uk so the replacement basic phone either has to be unlocked or tied to 3 uk.

I see loads of fancy smart phones on sale but I cannot recall the last time I saw a basic push button phone for sale.

CarphoneWarehouse is a good start, expect to pay from around £30 for a 3G capable phone. 2G only phones are a lot cheaper if they want a very basic phone and don't mind changing network (from around £2.50 + a top up).

[coachtrip_fan99]

The trouble with three is that they only want their sims to be used in 3g compatible phones... Most of which will be smart phones.

However you can get easy to use doro mobile phones, some of which are 3g
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doro-PhoneEa.../dp/B008JVRUFU

[DevonBloke]

To be honest you would be better changing her to a network that does 2G (since I assume she doesn't want data??).
Then you have a whole load of amazingly cheap phones available. Plus potentially better signal (depending on where you are)
A few 2G phones here.....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-106-Mo...asic+3G+mobile

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TTfone-Mercu...asic+3G+mobile

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TTfone-Satur...asic+3G+mobile

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TTfone-Butto...asic+3G+mobile

All unlocked so any SIM will work.

I don't really like the "Senior" tag they give some of these but they review great.
Hope that helps.

if you are unsure of 2G coverage where you are check out O2, Vodafone and EE's coverage maps.(probably in that order), If they are all good, then you need to compare tariffs.
If you get one and it doesn't work, you can cancel and try another.

I am assuming she is PAYG here.

[Everything Goes]

Three have this one Samsung S5611 Utopia £39.99

http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Devi...=0&colour=Grey

An Android Smartphone can be used in basic mode to make it easier to use.

[swb1964]

Doro flip phones are good- I have one as a second phone.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/1577336.htm

Yes, they aren't the very cheapest (indeed you can get a smartphone for £50 now), but they are very simple to use and well made.

I love mine. Again, no 3G, so she would have to change networks.

If she really wants to stay on 3, then a Nokia 301 should work, but they aren't cheap

http://www.prepaymania.co.uk/mobilep...InZxoCi7zw_wcB

I'd try and get one from somewhere where you can try it and make sure it works on three.

Why does she want to stay on Three?

[GrannyGruntbuck]

I suppose she doesn't have to stay with 3.

No way at all she could use a smartphone. She is one of those people when in close proximity to technology, her brain disconnects and no amount of trying to explain how things work will help at all.

She doesn't need data at all, just the ability to make and receive calls. She can only just manage to read a text when she receives one but can't send any as she is untrainable!

[GrannyGruntbuck]

As I guess 2G is a pretty old format now, is it about to be switched off now that 4G is being made available?

[DevonBloke]

Not for a good few years yet.
You're safe for at least 5 years, probably 10.
If you're on Pay As You Go though, does it matter??

[coachtrip_fan99]

Like I said, the easy to use doro flip phones come in 3g versions, so can be used with three mobile.

Just because it's 3g doesn't mean you have to use it for data / to go on the internet.

Here is (another) example of a 3g doro phone which will work on three mobile: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Doro-Phone...-/221467845606