Mobile phones are no longer merely used by the elderly to make calls: due to the pandemic, people are more frequently handling administrative matters via smart phones, although a reliable device is particularly essential for correspondence purposes – mainly when meeting in person is not recommended or deemed to be too risky.

As mobile phones can save lives, it is important what kind of device the grandparents choose, who usually rely on the advice of their children and grandchildren in such matters.

What guidelines should we follow in order to choose the ideal device? The NMHH has compiled 10 aspects to consider when purchasing a device:

1. Warranty: It is worth purchasing the device from one of the service providers in Hungary to ensure that it is compatible with domestic technologies and to validate warranty claims when necessary.
2. Battery life: Next generation mobiles have highly developed, maximum capacity batteries. This is not always the case for older or second-hand models.
3. Screen size: The latest devices typically have larger displays, making it easier to view content along with optional support features such as larger font sizes.
4. Resolution: Those who frequently use their phones to view photos or videos should also take screen resolution into consideration. High resolution devices display images and videos in a higher quality.
5. Speed: In the case of images and visual content, data transmission rates are not to be ignored: glitch-free uploading and downloading require a device capable of connecting to modern networks and suitable network coverage.
6. Voice control: The voice control feature of modern devices allows selecting functions, controlling the smart device, finding a person’s number and inputting text instead of typing, which normally might pose a challenge.
7. Password storage: The latest devices include a number of safety features to store passwords in order to avoid storing them on paper, which is a high-level data security risk.
8. Wireless charging: This is a convenience service for users: there is no need to fumble with tiny connectors.
9. Waterproofing: Modern devices are more likely to be waterproof, which can save users the annoyance caused by minor mishaps.
10. Cloud services: It is worth considering the use of cloud-based storage services: the cloud-based backups of data and images will not be lost if the device is damaged or important information is accidentally deleted from the device.

It is worth choosing smartphones for grandparents that provide a long-term solution, both in terms of their reliability and the technology used (4G and 5G).

When replacing used, yet modern, i.e. 4G devices, it is worth considering passing them on to other family members—for example, a grandparent—who previously used a more outdated mobile phone.

However, we should not forget that using new devices can pose challenges for the elderly, so it is important to help them learn how to use the functions they need.