Posted on 03/07/2026 6:10:00 PM PST by Jamestown1630
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with 'dumb' flip phones, the kind they suggest for seniors.
My husband recently bought us fancy new 'smart' phones, and it's the first one I've had in ten years. It's huge and much more complicated than anything I've used before.
As I've been figuring it out, I've thought I'd like to supplement it with something smaller, simpler and faster when I'm out-and-about, something that just does phone calls, texts, and maybe has a radio, and fits in my pocket.
We've been looking at Jitterbug, Iris and some others; does anyone have experience with these and can share their opinions?
Thanks!
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Just get used to it and learn to use the modern one. It has very useful capabilities and you are not obligated to use the useless crap.
It has preprogramed text answers, yes, no, call me and such.
I’m getting used to it; but I don’t want to carry it around with me. It’s too big to fit in a pocket, and I don’t need all of that when I’m out shopping, going to the doctor, etc.
I have a 2006 AT&T Flip Phone (now using their 2018 FP model), which ONLY what I want it to: MAKE & TAKE CALLS. That’s what all phones are meant to do. Nothing more.
Verizon, for example:
https://www.verizon.com/basic-phones/
Verizon doesn't necessarily offer low monthly rates though.
Another option is to buy a flip phone (Amazon carries them) that works on T-Mobile / Mint Mobile and get a basic plan from Mint Mobile for $15 or so per month (if you pay the year in advance).
My 93 year old mother has Jitterbug. It’s great for her. We tried smart phones, but that was a nightmare for her and for us.
No, its not. It has a decent calculator, notebook, ass-kicking camera, video and audio recording, GPS navigation, inclinometer, and Internet if needed. (Internet is something I use occasionally, social media never on the phone.)
The compass and GPS can save your butt even out beyond cellular service it you are smart enough to pack conventional maps.
Now, throw in accurate time-keeping and a calendar. Holy smokes, there is a multi-function stop watch and several types of concurrent timers.
Kick in a well-apportioned Swiss Army Knife, and you are good to go.
The biggest problem I’m seeing with these dumb phones is the expense.
They are marketed to elderly which is always terrible because companies take advantage of the elderly.
The costs for such a device are not inline with their capability
I guess you don’t pack a decent pistol either.
I have a flip phone. It’s Kyocera.
I like it because all I want to do with my phone is call and text. Not interested in wasting money on a smart phone. I can get on the computer at home if I need to.
You must flip it open with a quick wrist snap, then bring it close to your face and, with the other hand, slowly twist the knob to dial in the correct frequency. Speak clearly into the receiver and ask for either Scotty or the Enterprise. (If you get a guy named Khan, tell him he’ll “have to come down here!!”)
You can always purchase a cellular modem that supports voice, and then plant it on a circuit board with you own choice of microprocessor. I like the ATSAM4Sxxx series of microprocessor or the STM32L476RG. The cellular modem responds to AT commands, just like the telephone modems of old. Surely you can handle the audio circuits after all of that.
That’s not what we’re seeing. Some of the ones we’re looking at are only about $50, and the plans start around 15 or 20 dollars a month.
I just want this to be an easy to carry, simple supplement to the fancy one.
Got my 96 year old mom a RAZ phone. Designed for elderly. Has pictures of the contacts on screen so she doesn’t have to try and use a list
LOL
I prefer rifles.
I hate new phones and new computers.
Hate ‘em.
I’m 75 and used flip phones for years before going to a Smart phone about 10 years ago. Flip phones are handy and great for calls but texting is quite a chore that I really don’t ever want to repeat.
All I use my Smart phone phone for are calls, texting, and taking photos and videos which is what I like most about it.
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