Choose a tablet or phone
Everyone has different needs so when choosing a device it is important to make sure you consider everything that is important to yourself.
Tablets and mobile phones have a range of prices that to some degree reflect their performance.
(NOTE: iPad is the brand name for Apple tablets. The generic term 'tablet' is used here to include all brands of devices)
Pertinent Points
This is a summary of what is detailed below.
- There is little difference between Apple or better brands of Android
- It is probably a better choice to get a reasonable quality mobile phone rather than a 'cheapie'
- Avoid buying a device mainly as a fashion statement unless you are happy to spend a lot for appearances
- Unless you want very basic features or have difficulties with a touchscreen, a smartphone is probably better than a basic mobile phone
- A mid range device is probably suitable for most and 5G can be ignored until about 2024
- Consider any tablet purchase very carefully. Convertible laptops with touch screens will do more for similar cost but are heavier.
- Work out your needs for a mobile phone plan as the costs can vary enormously and you do not want to pay for data you don't use.
Apple or Android?
Apple has excellent brand recognition as a premium product but what is Android?
This is not a brand but what is known as an Operating System.
This is the computer program that makes the phone or tablet work.
Android operating system is a Google product that is freely available for use by any business.
Businesses like Samsung, Sony, Nokia, LG and so on can use the Android Operating System on their phone and tablet products.
This also means that you may find Android on everything from cheap to premium products.
Apple phones have an Apple operating system and only on their products.
Is there an advantage to choosing Apple or Android?
Like most things the answer is; it depends:
- if you are already used to using one or the other it may be preferable to stay with what is familiar
- there are advantages to having the same brand of device in a household eg to share services
- there is very little difference in the use or performance of quality products from Apple or the better Android products
- some Apple features are a little more restrictive than Android but this is a minor consideration
- Apple tends to support their products for longer so higher cost is offset by more years of support
- it is hard to recommend the cheaper Android phones unless you need basics and 'turn them over' frequently
Essentially you will pay about the same for an Apple or Android device of the same quality and performance so just choose what suits you the best.
There is an Apple / Android comparison table that can be accessed from here for more detail.
NOTE: Huawei used to use Android but this has been stopped over security concerns in the USA.
A new operating system has been introduced by this company that seems largely based on Android.
Cheapie or Premium?
Devices with a premium price will have lots of features, but will you use them to advantage?
Similarly, budget pricing may be attractive but a device that has frustrating features will not always offset the savings made.
It is likely that cheaper mobile phones or tablets will have:
- slower performance of apps because of cheaper and slower computing 'chip'
- poor touch response on their cheaper screens
- average reception performance in difficult areas or average WiFi performance
- less memory making it harder to add extra apps and little space for your own photos
- an older version of the operating system which cannot be updated and which will prevent some newer apps from being used
- poor water and dust resistance (look for the IP rating i.e. Ingress Protection)
Quite often the 'sweet spot' for purchases is a middle of the range phone from a well known brand.
Well-featured but not too expensive, but also look for good prices on premium models that have just been replaced by a new version.
Preferably try before you buy so that you know if the device performance suits you as many middle-of-the range phones or tablets do perform well.
There is also quite a 'push' from mobile phone manufacturers to move purchasing to the 'premium' product in their range.
This is because the sales of mobile devices is slowing and there is more profit in a more expensive phone.
It is particularly challenging if the device you are choosing is the first one you have owned as you may not be sure of your needs!
In this case it may be better to purchase a good quality used device, try using one that a friend owns, or see if you can get a 'hand me down' from family or friend to learn how the devices behave.
Technology as Fashion
The mobile phone in popular culture has become a status symbol. Surveys have shown that many consider the mobile phone to be the most important status item that they own. For further reading click here or here
This just means that suppliers will charge much higher prices for a perceived status value, especially with mobile phone sales declining.
Be aware of this issue to avoid salespeople attempting to up-sell a more expensive device that does not provide for your personal needs.
It may in fact be easier to negotiate a discount on a mid-range device to your own advantage, but it still may be a better deal to source a handset as part of a plan. (see discussion below)
Which Brand?
There are many brands of mobile phone, over 120 as of 2019, from Acer to ZTE.
Note that many brands share parts suppliers and manufacturing facilities so there may not be a lot of difference between many models of differing brands.
Tablets have less variations but still there are still over 60 brands as of 2019.
No one brand of mobile phone or tablet can be recommended here as every person has differing needs and the market is continually changing.
Note that there is very little functional difference between Apple and Android based phones.
Of the well known mobile phone brands, the lower or middle range should be quite acceptable.
With cheaper brands it maybe that a more expensive device may have to be chosen to get good performance.
Consider the comments above about performance and choose something that suits your needs and budget.
Keep in mind especially the comments about the cheaper end of the ranges as many of these devices may disappoint in terms of performance, reliability and battery life.
Smartphone or Mobile Phone?
Some seniors may prefer the simplicity of a 'simple' mobile phone that has a keyboard and mini-screen.
This will allow phone calls and perhaps SMS text messages but little else.
These phones cannot download apps for other purposes and so have rather rather limited functionality.
There is thus no possibility of using any social media or sharing photographs with these phone types.
Get someone to demonstrate a smartphone and try using the touch screen before deciding on a basic mobile.
It may be that the buttons on the basic mobile are easier to use but the smartphone does have many Accessibility adjustments that can help with touch and vision problems.
Smartphone screens can also be operated by using a low-priced touch pen that help when suffering with arthritis or a tremor.
For those with very limited vision and touch it may be preferable to use dedicated mobile phones.
Some are completely customisable with single button dial and emergency button click here for more information
Mobile Phone Basic Requirements
As of 2022 you should be able to get a reasonable mobile phone for $300-$600 as an outright purchase. (not locked to any provider)
This phone should have:
- At least a 2 year warranty
- At least 3 GB RAM working memory; more is OK (this is like 'short term memory' in humans)
- At least 32 GB storage memory; more is OK (this is like 'long term memory' in humans)
- Android 11 or Apple iOS 14 as a minimum
- Rear camera at least 10 Megapixel, more is OK (this is like having good eyesight!)
- Front camera at least 6 Megapixel, more is OK
(see below for more technical details of what this all means)
Screen Size
Mobile phones are gradually increasing in screen size.
This is because many use their phone to watch video.
There is really no other reason to choose a large screen and it can be unwieldy for smaller hands.
Buy a phone that fits your hand, pocket and handbag; too large and it can be expensive and at risk of dropping.
5G, is it necessary?
Because 5G mobile services are not widely available at present and may not be available for 3-5 years in your area it is probably not worth the extra expense. 5G really only offers higher internet speed but at a premium price for the phone and for the 5G phone connection plan. If you want more details about 5G please click here
Unless you watch lots of video, 5G can probably wait until your next phone.
However, if you are offered a 5G phone at a reasonable price you can use it on 4G without problem.
[Every mobile phone will change to the most suitable connection automatically so if you do not have a 5G plan a 5G phone will just find a 4G or 3G connection and work with that.]
Tablet/iPad Basic Requirements
As of 2023 you should be able to get a reasonable android tablet for $300-$900 as an outright purchase.
An Apple iPad will start a little higher at about $500 -$1000
Note that there are two tablet sizes 8" or 10" (iPad Mini is 8") the smaller size being a little cheaper than the larger sizes.
Take particular care with considering a tablet or iPad as the better quality devices can be a similar price to a modest laptop.
Small laptops will have more built-in storage, a proper keyboard and more convenient connections to USB sticks and similar.
Laptops will be a little heavier to carry and require more space in handbag or briefcase, however a tablet with keyboard and cover will be about the same weight as a small laptop
There are reasonably priced laptops that are 'convertible' allowing the screen to fold over the keyboard so that it can be held like a tablet and used with a touch screen.
Click here to see more about computers and laptops.
A tablet should have:
- 1- 2 year warranty
- At least 32 GB, storage memory; more is OK
- Android 11 or Apple iOS 15 as a minimum
- Rear camera at least 8 Megapixel, more is OK
- Front camera at least 2 Megapixel, more is OK
- WiFi only (you will pay about $200 more to have a SIM card slot*)
*Note: There is little value in having a tablet with SIM card for data at extra cost as you can connect your mobile phone to the tablet or use home wifi from NBN to connect the tablet to the internet.
Choose a phone plan or data plan
A Plan is just the name for the type of access you purchase from a mobile phone network.
The Plan will include phone calls and other options that you can choose, mostly about data.
(see below in All About Data if you need more detail)
In Australia, plans are frequently month-to-month contracts that you can choose to renew automatically.
To connect your mobile phone to the mobile phone network you will need a SIM card installed from a provider.
In some newer phones you can have an eSIM which means there is no card to install just a code.
Some more expensive phones can have more than one SIM for reasons like:
- business and private calls can be separated and costed separately
- local and overseas calls can be separated for cost reasons
Plans and Phones
As of 2020 the large providers have begun offering monthly plans rather than contract plans.
You will need your own mobile phone handset to use any of these plans unless you purchase a handset as part of the plan.
The cost of such a handset must be considered in the overall cost comparison unless you already own a handset.
Note though, that the phone handset purchased as part of a plan may not be much different in cost to that available on the open market.
You may want to take advantage of monthly payments to spread the cost so this might have some appeal.
What is important
There are three main things you are concerned with on a mobile phone plan:
- Most plans will offer unlimited calls and text but if not, the number of calls and length of calls you will make is important
- How much data do you need; because it may be that a modest plan will be enough if you don't use internet much on the mobile.
- How much data can you access from home wifi or on business free-wifi to avoid large data usage as you will need some data to update apps.
How much data is on offer?
Mobile phone data usage is usually provided as part of the provider service so that you can monitor your usage before you overrun your monthly limit.
Be aware that many apps are using data even when you are not accessing them. This is because the apps are checking if they need updating, sending user information and other actions that may be necessary for their functioning.
This means that there will be some data use no matter how frugal you try to be.
As of 2022, the smallest plans from the major providers (ie Telstra, Optus, Vodaphone) are offering around 20 GB data per month with unlimited calls and text.
This may be far more than needed by seniors unless your mobile phone is your only internet connection.
See the All About Data section below for some suggestions about how much data per month may be needed.
There are also re-sellers who purchase access to the major provider's system and repackage the access as a different plan
Some of the re-sellers offer much smaller data plans but still with unlimited calls and text.
There are also some basic plans that do not include data.
This may suit if you only use your mobile for calls and do not need any apps
If you intend to use your mobile phone to connect to a tablet or laptop when travelling for internet you may need to allow for the extra data for this purpose.
All About Data
What is this Data stuff? If you make a phone call or a text on a mobile phone it is normally considered part of the calls.
Data is basically everything else and is mainly about information coming from or going to the internet.
The data is used for things like:
- Checking a weather app
- Using a banking app
- Using a Social Media app like Facebook
- Making an on-line purchase on the internet
- Checking your location on a map or following directions
- Getting or sending emails
So basically when using almost any App, you are using data.
It means that you do not need much data if you mostly make mobile phone calls and not much else.
If you want to watch a movie, buy something or check some facts from the internet you will need more data.
How much data you need each month depends on how much internet activity happens on your mobile phone.
(you can use your home internet connection to the NBN, if you have one, to use NBN data instead of your phone data when you are at home)
How Much Data Do I Really Need?
Data is measured in GB or Gigabytes.
So how much do you need? Surveys in 2020 found the average adult user was around 4-5 GB per month.
Data use increases every year however so you should review your plan each year to check if it is enough.
Many seniors however, would be considered lighter than average users so that you might find that 1GB per month is adequate.
This is about 2000 emails or 600 web pages viewed every month.
If you listen to a lot of music, watch video or use a lot of social media you may need more!
Here is an estimator made by Telstra which gives you some detail of the different things you might use:
Telstra Data Calculator
To go to the next basic skill click here