Smartphone for Mom

[Athadeus]

I would like to get my mother a smartphone for Mother's Day but don't know much about them. She has a really old v3 razr on T-mobile that is severely lacking.

The phone should work with T-mobile, and I am wondering if it makes any sense to get a used phone with no mobile data. She is around wifi very often. AT&T iPhone 4s can't work with T-mobile can they? I may be able to get one cheap.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[shabby]

I would like to get my mother... a used phone

Shirley you jest?!?

Moto g or moto x, both are available for tmo.

 

[RossMAN]

What's your budget?

Do you think she needs or would actually us a smartphone?

I would recommend either iPhone 4S or Moto G. Since it's T-Mobile make sure you get a GSM model.

 

[sgrinavi]

Is your mom computer savvy? How old is she?

1. Don't get her a used phone for a gift, that's tacky.
2. Answer is probably going to be iPhone 5C

 

[AstroManLuca]

AT&T and T-Mobile use the same frequencies for talk, text, and 2G data, so those should all work if you bring an AT&T iPhone to T-Mobile. The issue is 3G data, which uses different frequencies for the two. However, T-Mobile has been upgrading or "refarming" their 2G transmitters to 3G in most large markets, so in most cities, you can still get fast 3G data on an AT&T phone.

Of course if she doesn't need data, this is a moot point.

As a Windows phone user I have to plug the Lumia 521. It's available new for $70. The hardware is basic but the OS is very light and simple - great for a non-power user or anyone who doesn't want things to be too complicated. With data switched off, the battery life is very good despite only being 1430 mAh. And being a Nokia, it's really durable. The biggest drawback is the camera - it only has a rear camera (no front camera) that takes low quality, grainy pictures and it doesn't have a flash. So if she's planning on taking pictures with it, look elsewhere. Otherwise, it's a great option if you are on a limited budget.

IMO there's no point in breaking the bank for an iPhone if she's not even going to use data and is used to a flip phone. And WP8 is a much easier OS for older people than Android.

 

[corkyg]

Take a look at the new Jitterbug Touch 2. Designed especially for seniors.

http://www.greatcall.com/Jitterbug/...edata2&gclid=CIOw8ZGomr4CFQpgfgodRnIArg#plans

 

[s44]

2. Answer is probably going to be iPhone 5C

The 5C is one of the worst buying choices in history. It only exists so parents can pretend not to be splurging on their spoiled kids, and so that later Apple can sell it at an actual cheap price and not spoil their precious brand image.

 

[isekii]

att 4s should be fine as long as you're in a refarmed area. I have a backup unlocked iphone 4 16gb from att that works on t-mobile.

 

[crashtestdummy]

Depending on your budget, look at the Lumia 521 or the Moto G. There's not too much reason to bother with a used phone at this point.

 

[Belegost]

Another vote for a Lumia 521, I got one for my mom, it's a nice straight-forward smartphone. I thought the pictures from it were quite acceptable, nothing you want to print 8x10s of, but good enough for Facebook.

Definitely better with a brand new phone with warranty support than buying a used phone with potential problems.

 

[alkemyst]

The 5C is one of the worst buying choices in history. It only exists so parents can pretend not to be splurging on their spoiled kids, and so that later Apple can sell it at an actual cheap price and not spoil their precious brand image.

So you agree the 64GB 5S is the only way to go, bro?

I just bought one for my step-daughter, she broke her 32GB iPhone4

 

[AstroManLuca]

Depending on your budget, look at the Lumia 521 or the Moto G. There's not too much reason to bother with a used phone at this point.

I'm actually extremely happy with my used Lumia 810 as an upgrade over the 521 I had previously, but it's not ideal as a gift for one's mother for two reasons: one, it's tacky to buy a used phone as a gift, and two, it's not officially supported by T-Mobile anymore.

When I got mine, it still had whatever OS version it had originally shipped with (pre-GDR1). T-Mobile didn't just stop releasing updates for the phone, they are no longer pushing out existing updates, so I was stuck until I learned that I could manually update it using a hacked version of Nokia Care Suite. Once I did that, I was able to install the developer preview app and got 8.1 installed.

It is superior to the 521 in every other way, with a better camera, a flash, a front camera, faster CPU, more RAM, and a nicer screen. And I got it for $84 from eBay, in like-new condition.

But it's not something anyone should buy as a gift.

 

[desura]

Republic wireless moto g

$150 purchase price and $10/mo service unlimited talk and text.

You will have to leave T-Mobile though.

 

[alkemyst]

How are free phones a gift?

 

[Athadeus]

Is your mom computer savvy? How old is she?

1. Don't get her a used phone for a gift, that's tacky.
2. Answer is probably going to be iPhone 5C

She has only ever owned used phones, but the real issue is that she wouldn't want me to spend a lot of money on one (cost of data should be included). There is no budget limit for me, but if she knows I am going to end up spending more than $200 for this, she will be unhappy. She is a bit utilitarian at 60, and only going to get more so.

AT&T and T-Mobile use the same frequencies for talk, text, and 2G data, so those should all work if you bring an AT&T iPhone to T-Mobile. The issue is 3G data, which uses different frequencies for the two. However, T-Mobile has been upgrading or "refarming" their 2G transmitters to 3G in most large markets, so in most cities, you can still get fast 3G data on an AT&T phone.

Of course if she doesn't need data, this is a moot point.

As a Windows phone user I have to plug the Lumia 521. It's available new for $70. The hardware is basic but the OS is very light and simple - great for a non-power user or anyone who doesn't want things to be too complicated. With data switched off, the battery life is very good despite only being 1430 mAh. And being a Nokia, it's really durable. The biggest drawback is the camera - it only has a rear camera (no front camera) that takes low quality, grainy pictures and it doesn't have a flash. So if she's planning on taking pictures with it, look elsewhere. Otherwise, it's a great option if you are on a limited budget.

IMO there's no point in breaking the bank for an iPhone if she's not even going to use data and is used to a flip phone. And WP8 is a much easier OS for older people than Android.

Hey Luca, how is it going? You know my mom, so do you still stand by this suggestion? Just wanted to make sure you recognize me since I'm not on AT much lately.

Take a look at the new Jitterbug Touch 2. Designed especially for seniors.

http://www.greatcall.com/Jitterbug/...edata2&gclid=CIOw8ZGomr4CFQpgfgodRnIArg#plans

Okay, she is not there yet I am not saying it isn't a good phone, but my parents are looking at getting one for Grandpa, and I think she might be offended. Those aren't available on T-Mobile either are they? I seem to recall them discussing that.

 

[BladeVenom]

If you go with Moto X you can even order a custom model.

 

[RossMAN]

Add me to the Nokia Lumia 521 bandwagon for these reasons:

$69.99 brand new with warranty, none of this tacky used/preowned BS.
Very easy to use, take pictures, read e-mail, text, play games and surf the web.
Easily use cellular or wifi only data.
Offline GPS navigation which doesn't require an internet connection.

Quite simply it's the best bang for your buck smartphone available.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00COYOAYW/

http://www.walmart.com/ip/T-Mobile-P...phone/24099994

 

[sgrinavi]

The 5C is one of the worst buying choices in history. It only exists so parents can pretend not to be splurging on their spoiled kids, and so that later Apple can sell it at an actual cheap price and not spoil their precious brand image.

That's just apple-hate. Last time I looked you can get a 5C free at best buy with a contract. It has it's place, there are several women that I know, who might very well be in the OPs moms age group, that were excited to get one.

EDIT -

As for the WP phone, I have one - it's nice, but not anywhere as user friendly as my iphone, I wouldn't suggest one to a person that wasn't willing to fumble around - it's not as intuitive.

 

[openwheel]

Windows Phone sounds perfect for her situation. It is as easy or easier to use as iPhone.

iPhone 5C and 5S are too overpriced (new or used).

 

[AstroManLuca]

Hey Luca, how is it going? You know my mom, so do you still stand by this suggestion? Just wanted to make sure you recognize me since I'm not on AT much lately.

Ha, I didn't notice it was you who posted this! Yeah, I'd probably still stand by the 521. I actually have a spare one but like I said earlier, you should buy one new if you're getting it as a gift.

It can be hard to transition to WP if you're used to iPhone or Android, but as a first smartphone it's great. And the opportunity cost is so low that even if she doesn't use it much, it's not really an issue. She can just pop her T-Mobile sim card into it and turn off mobile data. If she really likes it she can always switch to a data plan.

 

[s44]

Last time I looked you can get a 5C free at best buy with a contract.

You mean for $500+ -- the minimum extra for going subsidized over the life of the contract? (Incidentally, the 5C is $550 financed on T-Mo and on AT&T next.)

"Free" is far from free. And the OP is very clearly buying off-contract. The 5C is so much worse than the 5S that it makes no sense for anyone to buy this year.

 

[alkemyst]

You mean for $500+ -- the minimum extra for going subsidized over the life of the contract? (Incidentally, the 5C is $550 financed on T-Mo and on AT&T next.)

"Free" is far from free. And the OP is very clearly buying off-contract. The 5C is so much worse than the 5S that it makes no sense for anyone to buy this year.

The 5C is a great phone, it's a repackaged iPhone 5.

For most big carriers the buyout is <$300 usually if you cancel.

The androids have similar costs.

 

[dagamer34]

Lumia 521 is around $60-80. Got one for my mom and dad. They like them. If you want to step up a bit more, you can also go for the Lumia 925 for around $220 on Newegg (new) or a bit less used on eBay. Or if you want Android, Moto G might be a good option.

 

[shabby]

The 5C is a great phone, it's a repackaged iPhone 5.

No its not, its a cheap plastic version of the iphone 5. Who in their right mind would get it over the iphone 5?

 

[bearxor]

I probably would. It feels nicer in the hand than the 5S or 5. If it had same specs as the 5S, I would have bought it. Given a choice between a 5 and a 5C, I'd probably pick the 5C.

But for the OP, seriously, go check out that Lumia 521. Great phone, great price.