For many older adults, a standard smartphone or tablet can feel confusing. Small icons, hidden settings and frequent updates may make everyday tasks harder than they need to be. A simpler device can help your parent make video calls, send messages, browse the internet, view photos or access useful apps with more confidence.
The right option will depend on how your parent wants to use the device. Some may need a phone with emergency support and clear calls. Others may prefer a tablet with a larger screen for video calls, photos, emails and online browsing.
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If you’ve found a product that’s made a real difference to your parent, we’d love to hear about it. Please get in touch at hello@carents.co.uk and help us share with others in the Carents community.
1. Easology Samsung Smartphone – Full Touchscreen Made Easy
Built on Samsung’s trusted platform, the Easology smartphone is customised for simplicity, with large icons, structured menus and a clear home screen that shows key contacts, weather and apps at a glance.
Pros:
✔️ Large 6.7” display – Bright, clear and comfortable for reading
✔️ Simplified interface – Designed for older users
✔️ Custom home screen – Add favourite contacts for quick dialling
✔️ Includes tutorial videos and support
✔️ Comes with protective case and EE SIM card
✔️ Includes magnifier tool and intuitive messaging
Cons:
❌ Requires basic confidence with touchscreens
❌ Pricier than basic phones
🏆 Best for: Elderly parents who want a simplified smartphone with large icons, printed instructions and extra support.
2. Doro - Aurora A30 Smartphone
The Doro Aurora A30 is a senior-friendly smartphone with a 6.1-inch screen, practical buttons, clear sound and an SOS button. It is hearing aid compatible, uses Doro ClearSound for clearer calls, and includes a Doro Secure Button with GPS location to alert connected responders when help is needed.
Pros:
✔️ Doro Secure Button – Can alert connected responders with GPS location in an emergency
✔️ Hearing aid compatible – Designed to support clearer calls for people with hearing challenges
✔️ ClearSound technology – Helps make speech easier to hear
✔️ Physical call buttons – Useful for answering and ending calls without relying only on the touchscreen
✔️ 50MP camera – Helpful for photos, video calls and sharing family moments
Cons:
❌ Smartphone setup may still require help from a family member
🏆 Best for: Elderly parents who want a smartphone with built-in emergency support, clear calls and easier physical controls.
3. Doro Tablet - Easy Tablet for Seniors
The Doro Tablet is an Android-based tablet designed for seniors, with a 10.4-inch screen, large adjustable icons and text, a high-contrast display, four speakers and a simplified interface. The tablet also has TeamViewer QuickSupport, which allows a trusted contact to help remotely with settings, apps, text size or home screen organisation.
Pros:
✔️ 10.4-inch display – Larger screen for reading, photos, websites and video calls
✔️ Adjustable icons and text – Can be changed to suit eyesight and confidence
✔️ Four speakers – Designed to improve sound for calls, music and videos
✔️ TeamViewer QuickSupport included – Allows trusted relatives or support teams to help remotely
✔️ Google Play access – Gives access to familiar apps where needed
✔️ Table stand included – Useful for hands-free video calls or watching content
Cons:
❌ Wi-Fi setup and app downloads may still need support
🏆 Best for: Elderly parents who prefer a larger screen for video calls, emails, photos and everyday browsing at home.
4. Ordissimo - Celia Tablet for Seniors
The Ordissimo Celia tablet is designed around simplicity, with a large screen, clear email, internet and photo applications, and the option to zoom the interface as needed. It supports video calls through WhatsApp and other services, and can use a 4G SIM card for calls, texts and internet access away from Wi-Fi.
Pros:
✔️ Beginner-friendly interface – Designed to be easy to understand for new users
✔️ Large screen – Comfortable for video calls, photos, emails and browsing
✔️ Zoom options – Helpful for people who need larger content on screen
✔️ 4G SIM option – Useful where Wi-Fi is unreliable or when travelling
✔️ Keyboard cover available - option to turn the tablet into a notebook
Cons:
❌ Some app setup may still need help, especially for video calling accounts
🏆 Best for: Elderly parents who are new to tablets and would benefit from a highly simplified interface with a larger screen.
Which Easy Smartphone or Tablet is Right for Your Parent?
🏅 For a simplified smartphone with support: Samsung Galaxy A16 Easology Smartphone – Clear layout, large icons, printed guidance and Easology support.
📞 For safety and clear calls: Doro Aurora A30 Smartphone – A practical option with hearing aid compatibility, physical call buttons and an emergency button.
🖥️ For video calls and browsing at home: Doro Tablet – A larger-screen option with adjustable icons, four speakers and remote support through TeamViewer.
👆 For nervous beginners: Ordissimo Celia Tablet – A guided tablet experience with a simple interface, zoom options and video calling support.
A carefully chosen phone or tablet can help your parent stay connected, feel more independent and reduce some of the everyday frustrations that technology can bring. The most suitable choice depends on whether they need a phone for safety and calls, or a larger tablet for video chats, photos, emails and browsing.
If you’ve found a smartphone, tablet or other easy-to-use device that has worked particularly well for your elderly parent, we’d love to hear about it. Sharing these suggestions helps other carers make confident, informed choices. Get in touch with us at hello@carents.co.uk and let us know which products have made life easier for you.
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