10 best smartphones you can buy for your parents
In this smartphone-centric world, youngsters prefer to do almost everything on their devices. However, the ever-advancing phone technology often leaves our parents behind. Older people who aren't tech-savvy find it difficult to adopt new cell phone technologies. But their lack of mobile proficiency shouldn't stop them from enjoying the benefits of the latest tech. Here are 10 smartphones that are best for your parents.
What types of smartphones are suitable for parents?
Most of our parents use phones for making voice and video calls, taking photos/videos, reading books or listening to audiobooks, watching videos, etc. While there are (largely) no smartphones specifically designed for them, one should look for features like comfortable screen-size, decent display and camera, good speakers, voice assistant, durability, big battery, among other things. Easy-to-use smartphones help them understand how they really work.
Nokia 7 Plus is a phone one can rely on
Nokia 7 Plus, priced at Rs. 25,999, is an Android One device running Android 8.0 Oreo. The purest version of Google's Android, Android One, ensures an easy-to-use interface without additional apps/services or bloatware. It has a 6-inch Full-HD+ 18:9 display, Snapdragon 660 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB internal storage, 3,800 mAh battery with fast-charging, 16MP front-camera, 12MP+13MP dual rear-camera setup, and a fingerprint sensor.
About the affordable Moto G6 and Moto E5 Plus
Motorola's phones are among the best-selling affordable stock Android devices. Starting from Rs. 13,999, Moto G6 has a 5.7-inch FHD+ 18:9 MaxVision display, Snapdragon-450 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB/64GB storage, Android 8.0 Oreo, 16MP selfie-camera with flash, 12MP+5MP dual rear-camera. Moto E5 Plus, at Rs. 11,999, has 6-inch display, Snapdragon-430 SoC, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, huge 5,000 mAh battery, 5MP front and 12MP rear cameras.
These Xiaomi phones are among the best under Rs. 15,000
Xiaomi's Redmi Note 5 Pro, starting at Rs. 14,999, sports a 5.99-inch Full-HD 18:9 display, Snapdragon-636 processor, 4GB/6GB RAM, 64GB storage, 20MP AI selfie-camera, 12MP+5MP dual rear-camera setup. It runs Android-Nougat-based MIUI 9. For pure Android experience, there's the Rs. 13,999 Xiaomi Mi A1 Android One device having a 5.5-inch Full-HD display, Snapdragon-625 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 5MP selfie-shooter, and 12MP+12MP dual rear-camera.
ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M1 has a huge battery
ASUS's Zenfone Max Pro M1 has almost all required features and is also easy on the pocket. Starting from Rs. 10,999, it has a 5.99 inch Full-HD+ Display, Snapdragon-636 processor, 3GB/4GB RAM, 32GB/64GB storage, 8MP front and 13MP+5MP dual rear cameras, and a massive 5,000 mAh battery. A new 6GB RAM variant with 16MP front and 16MP+5MP rear cameras was launched for Rs. 14,999.
Samsung's recently-launched Galaxy A6+ is another good option
Samsung Galaxy A6+ is a great mid-range phone that's easy-to-use and has almost all necessary features. Priced at Rs. 23,900, it has 6-inch super-AMOLED 18:9 display, Snapdragon 450 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 3,500mAh battery, 24MP selfie-shooter with flash, 16MP+5MP dual rear-camera. Just like other Samsung phones, A6+ comes with "Easy Mode" useful for non-tech-savvy people. Samsung devices are considered to be easy-to-use.
Blackberry KEYone comes with a QWERTY keyboard
Blackberry KEYone, launched last year, is an interesting device which comes with a 4.5-inch touchscreen Full-HD display and a traditional QWERTY keyboard, too. It is a great option for those who struggle with typing on a touchscreen. Priced at Rs. 32,999, the device runs Android Nougat out-of-the-box. It has Snapdragon 625 SoC, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 3,505mAh battery, 8MP front and 12MP rear cameras.
iPhone 8 Plus has a ton of handy features, too
Tech-savvy parents can go for a high-end handset like iPhone 8 Plus, too. The 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus (starting from Rs. 66,000) is a better option compared to 5.8-inch iPhone X (starting Rs. 85,000), which only has a slightly bigger display. The device comes with great features including better display, Touch ID, great cameras (dual 12MP rear, 7MP front), water-resistance, wireless-charging, accessibility options, etc.
Don't want touchscreens? You can buy Jio's smart 'feature' phones
The older JioPhone and the recently-announced JioPhone 2 with QWERTY keypad look different but have many similar specs. Both run KaiOS and have 2.4-inch display, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, 2,000mAh battery, dedicated voice assistant button. JioPhone 2 will support WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube. JioPhone would soon support these apps, too. JioPhone costs Rs. 1,500 (fully-refundable); JioPhone 2 will be available for Rs. 2,999.
