Other iPhone for grandmother

[Mardiel8128]

Hello friends,

My grandmother's birthday is coming, I would like to give her an iphone she uses an android, and she struggles. I think iphone is more user friendly. She would use for whatsapp, email, facebook, tiktok and take photos. I think an iphone 13 or 14 is too much power for her, do you have any advice?

 

[KaliYoni]

My spouse and I have been helping elders in our families with technology, including desktops, phones, and tablets, over the last several years. If I could redo some of our purchase decisions, I would buy elders the latest version of a device that fit into our/their budget.

Why? Because a lot of people, particularly elders, rely on memorized patterns and muscle memory to use their devices. This means being able to use, say, a phone for as long as possible with no changes in how to reach the Home screen or put the phone on mute, for example, is really important.

 

[ukms]

Hello friends,

My grandmother's birthday is coming, I would like to give her an iphone she uses an android, and she struggles. I think iphone is more user friendly. She would use for whatsapp, email, facebook, tiktok and take photos. I think an iphone 13 or 14 is too much power for her, do you have any advice?

Really depends what you mean “too much power” ?

I would buy what your budget allows. I have just bought my 90 year old mother a 14 plus and it’s perfect for her.

 

[Andeddu]

Really depends what you mean “too much power” ?

I would buy what your budget allows. I have just bought my 90 year old mother a 14 plus and it’s perfect for her.

I think he means that the phone doesn’t have to be a complete powerhouse for an elderly person as they don’t require the phone to carry out demanding tasks like a younger person would.

 

[ukms]

I think he means that the phone doesn’t have to be a complete powerhouse for an elderly person as they don’t require the phone to carry out demanding tasks like a younger person would.

It’s interesting that the word “grandmother” to some means old and incapable, the reality is often different.

My experience of younger members of my own family is that their phone is rarely used for any more ‘demanding tasks’ than my own 90 year old mother 😃

Age is a number.

 

[Andeddu]

It’s interesting that the word “grandmother” to some means old and incapable, the reality is often different.

My experience of younger members of my own family is that their phone is rarely used for any more ‘demanding tasks’ than my own 90 year old mother 😃

Age is a number.

Your gran is an aberration then as most people over the age 70 aren’t particularly tech savvy. There are obviously outliers such as your gran and people like Bill Gates however most elderly people only require phones for basic functions such as instant messaging, video calls and some light web-browsing.

 

[calliex]

Your gran is an aberration then as most people over the age 70 aren’t particularly tech savvy. There are obviously outliers such as your gran and people like Bill Gates however most elderly people only require phones for basic functions such as instant messaging, video calls and some light web-browsing.

I am in my early 70's and use a Mac,iphone,ipad and Apple Watch. I teach a tech class. My generation came up with theses devices.

 

[Andeddu]

I am in my early 70's and use a Mac,iphone,ipad and Apple Watch. I teach a tech class. My generation came up with theses devices.

Like I said, most people in that age group are not exactly tech savvy and do not partake in things like social media and do not own the latest technology. Some do and some are tech savvy but I am talking about demographics. There are obviously going to be outliers especially on a forum like this one where will be many within that age group who are enthusiasts.

 

[Fred Zed]

And this was me thinking about getting my dad an iPhone 8 + as an introductory to the iOS garden. 👍🏼

 

[ukms]

Like I said, most people in that age group are not exactly tech savvy and do not partake in things like social media and do not own the latest technology. Some do and some are tech savvy but I am talking about demographics. There are obviously going to be outliers especially on a forum like this one where will be many within that age group who are enthusiasts.

Where do you take your statistics from about particular ages being being ‘tech savvy’ ? and what exactly is tech savvy ? Mobile phone usage ? Tablet usage ? Internet usage ? Social media usage ? Frequency of use ? Or something else ?

You refer to ‘that’ age group …. What is the age group you refer to ?

If you do some up to date research you might find that your very blinkered and narrow minded opinion is very much out of date.

 

[cousintim]

I am in my early 70's and use a Mac,iphone,ipad and Apple Watch. I teach a tech class. My generation came up with theses devices.

No it didn't. Your generation used typewriters in college. The IBM PC was introduced in your late 20s and PCs were not widely used until your mid 40s.

 

[turbochgd]

Your gran is an aberration then as most people over the age 70 aren’t particularly tech savvy. There are obviously outliers such as your gran and people like Bill Gates however most elderly people only require phones for basic functions such as instant messaging, video calls and some light web-browsing.

I think you’re over generalizing about people over 70. I’m 73 and am totally immersed in the Apple ecosystem and high tech and have been for many years. I know many others my age and older who are extremely good with technology.

So it boils down to the particular person, regardless of age, you’re buying the phone for. If they have little clue or interest in how to use the tech, then you would purchase accordingly.

 

[Andeddu]

Where do you take your statistics from about particular ages being being ‘tech savvy’ ? and what exactly is tech savvy ? Mobile phone usage ? Tablet usage ? Internet usage ? Social media usage ? Frequency of use ? Or something else ?

You refer to ‘that’ age group …. What is the age group you refer to ?

If you do some up to date research you might find that your very blinkered and narrow minded opinion is very much out of date.

What? Are you telling me that seniors, as a demographic, are as computer literate as younger people? As far as I was concerned, seniors were not particularly used to touch screens and preferred physical keys as many of them suffer from joint pain and lack of flexibility. They also prefer simple technology and are not used to modern platforms as they are definitely not from the Instagram generation.

I have already explained what tech savviness means and further stated that seniors tend to use smartphones for basic web-browsing, video calls and instant messaging along with emails. Can you explain to me why a senior would require a powerful device such as an iPhone 14 Pro over a iPhone SE2020 or XR?

I don’t really know what you’re talking about and am completely baffled as to why you have been trying to make out that the elderly, as a demographic, are as sophisticated with tech as the younger generations.

It’s a ridiculous thing to say when they are obviously the least tech literate generation. Nothing against them, but when I am over 70, I do not expect to be as up to date with technology as teenagers and young adults.

 

[Andeddu]

I think you’re over generalizing about people over 70. I’m 73 and am totally immersed in the Apple ecosystem and high tech and have been for many years. I know many others my age and older who are extremely good with technology.

So it boils down to the particular person, regardless of age, you’re buying the phone for. If they have little clue or interest in how to use the tech, then you would purchase accordingly.

The statistics show that 1 in 4 people over 65 do not even use the internet whereas virtually everyone else younger does. I did say that there are exceptions to the rule and outliers, such as yourself, do exist. It a fact that the over 65 are the least tech literate demographic.

Why would anyone even try to argue that point?

 

[ukms]

What? Are you telling me that seniors, as a demographic, are as computer literate as younger people? As far as I was concerned, seniors were not particularly used to touch screens and preferred physical keys as many of them suffer from joint pain and lack of flexibility. They also prefer simple technology and are not used to modern platforms as they are definitely not from the Instagram generation.

I have already explained what tech savviness means and further stated that seniors tend to use smartphones for basic web-browsing, video calls and instant messaging along with emails. Can you explain to me why a senior would require a powerful device such as an iPhone 14 Pro over a phone SE2020 or XR?

I don’t really know what you’re talking about and am completely baffled as to why you have been trying to make out that the elderly, as a demographic, are as sophisticated with tech as the younger generations.

It’s a ridiculous thing to say when they are obviously the least tech literate generation. Nothing against them, but when I am over 70, I do not expect to be as up to date with technology as teenagers and young adults.

You are clearly not even reading my questions, perhaps that is why you are baffled ! One thing I did ask is where you got your statistics from ? as I mentioned you would probably be very surprised at the high percentages and capabilities of those in older age brackets and I dont think I have ever suggested that technology use is higher in older ages just saying its much higher than you are suggesting.

You are clearly very blinkered and narrow minded (and quite demeaning). You make very sweeping judgements refering to 'seniors' and 'elderly', joint pain and lack of flexibility ..... what age does someone need to be to be in either of those brackets in your opinion?

Anyway pretty pointless discussing with you as there are none so blind as those who do not want to see !

 

[ukms]

The statistics show that 1 in 4 people over 65 do not even use the internet whereas virtually everyone else younger does. I did say that there are exceptions to the rule and outliers, such as yourself, do exist. It a fact that the over 65 are the least tech literate demographic.

Why would anyone even try to argue that point?

Figures from North Carolina are hardly the benchmark, but you can turn that figure round and say that 75% of over 65's DO use the internet so perhaps not the edge case that you describe. The same article say that 60% use a smartphone again hardly an edge case !

Nobody has suggested the use is higher than younger groups just significantly higher than you think ... perhaps reread the posts

 

[hanser]

To come back to the original question: The iPhone 11 of my wife is still going strong and should be sufficient, if budget is of any concern. If eyesight is a problem, perhaps the 11 plus. If eyesight is good and Touch ID might be preferred, even the iPhone SE. My 91 year old father (rather techsavy for his age) has an SE as his first smartphone and is happy with it, except that he prefers using his Macbook whenever possible.

 

[Mikeske]

Now back to the question originally ask. He are some questions. What size is grandmothers device is under 6” or over. I try to match up the device to a similar size. Then shop accordingly. For my wife who is 78 she needed a replacement for iPhone 8 and went looking for new phone. She naturally went with a iPhone 13 mini. She took a while how to use the Face ID but after two weeks she was zipping around the phone with almost 0 issues.

It all depends on the person and age doesn’t matter. I am 8 years younger than my wife and have a iMac MacBook Pro M2 a iPad mini, a iPhone 14 pro and Apple Watch. Age has nothing to do but a willing to learn new does.

 

[Andeddu]

Figures from North Carolina are hardly the benchmark, but you can turn that figure round and say that 75% of over 65's DO use the internet so perhaps not the edge case that you describe. The same article say that 60% use a smartphone again hardly an edge case !

Nobody has suggested the use is higher than younger groups just significantly higher than you think ... perhaps reread the posts

Those are national statistics, not just for North Carolina.

I never said seniors did not use the internet or had a requirement for smartphones, I suggested that their use cases are more basic than those from younger generations as the uptake and use on social media platforms, gaming, video editing, etc… is considerably lower in the 65+ bracket than those below.

I also stated that my statements are generalisations that are factual and that exceptions do exist. Perhaps you need to re-read my posts.

I have made generalisations but that’s the point, we all have to make generalisations otherwise nothing can be produced for a specific demographic.

If you gran, who is aged 90, is a social media scroller, plays graphically advanced games on her device and does demanding tasks such as video editing on her iPhone, she is a massive outlier for her age group. Most people within that age bracket are not used to touch screens, Face ID, social media platforms, etc…

 

[tenordrum]

One of the tasks your grandmother uses is to take photos with the phone. The camera in the SE3 is good, (we got the SE3 for my wife who is a grandma), and I use the 13pro's camera a lot, not just for grandkids, but for quick shots when I am not carrying my Canon R6 with a heavy L lens. So if you go to the Apple refurb store, you will see a 12 pro for $569, only a bit more than the SE3 brand new. The 12 Pro would be a nice budget fitting choice. Yet you have not yet given us a budget range to select. that would help in our suggestions.

I am 69, a former programmer of IBM mainframes as one of my first jobs after getting some useless arts and letters degrees in college, and an original Mac128 owner selecting that over the IBM PC jr after seeing the crappy keyboard on the Jr. I hacked that 128K into a Mac Plus, and we owned Macs personally ever since. Each person is different, and learns at different paces. Some of us actually get taught by our kids and grandkids ;-) Also, the apple store, if you are close to one, offers great classes. Plus videos on how to use the phone.

 

[ukms]

Those are national statistics, not just for North Carolina.

I never said seniors did not use the internet or had a requirement for smartphones, I suggested that their use cases are more basic than those from younger generations as the uptake and use on social media platforms, gaming, video editing, etc… is considerably lower in the 65+ bracket than those below.

I also stated that my statements are generalisations that are factual and that exceptions do exist. Perhaps you need to re-read my posts.

I have made generalisations but that’s the point, we all have to make generalisations otherwise nothing can be produced for a specific demographic.

If you gran, who is aged 90, is a social media scroller, plays graphically advanced games on her device and does demanding tasks such as video editing on her iPhone, she is a massive outlier for her age group. Most people within that age bracket are not used to touch screens, Face ID, social media platforms, etc…

Clearly no attention to detail (I find that a lot with young people ) as it’s my mother who’s 90 not my grandmother but that doesn’t change anything.

You have your views and explanations which seem to have changed somewhat …. Lets agree to differ.

 

[Andeddu]

Clearly no attention to detail (I find that a lot with young people ) as it’s my mother who’s 90 not my grandmother but that doesn’t change anything.

You have your views and explanations which seem to have changed somewhat …. Lets agree to differ.

It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about your mother or grandmother, lol. I don’t even think you’re disagreeing with me as I am stating simple facts which seems to have hit nerve with you.

I am not even denigrating elderly people either as I will be old one day too and I am sure by that point I’ll have other things on my mind than keeping up with whatever technology and social media platforms the young whippersnappers are using.

I am in my early 30s and already feel like I am positively 100 years old when talking about technology to someone who was born after the year 2000.

 

[floral]

I'd recommend the SE. Nice, grippable bezels, powerful specs for her uses, and affordable price.

 

[MyPhone99]

Hello friends,

My grandmother's birthday is coming, I would like to give her an iphone she uses an android, and she struggles. I think iphone is more user friendly. She would use for whatsapp, email, facebook, tiktok and take photos. I think an iphone 13 or 14 is too much power for her, do you have any advice?

Please consider these things while making your decision
i) weight of the phone, most elder generation prefers or would need a lighter phone
ii) Screen size , the bigger the better for the eyes

if you dont have any budget constraint i would suggest 14 plus or if you are tighter on budget then a regular 13 followed by a regular 12.