I see these really simple phones advertised all the time in the AARP magazine, but I’ve never investigated them since standard smartphones are fine for me. However, even a youngster like you needs not just phone and text, but GPS also. Google Maps isn’t just useful for figuring out how to get to someplace new, it is great to figure out how long it is going to take to get to someplace you don’t need directions for.
I have Fi, too. I was confused by this, because i don’t pay anything extra when i travel. So i looked up my plan. I’m on the “flexible” plan, The data costs the same, $10/gig, whether I’m home or traveling.
I mean, it doesn’t really, because when I’m home I’m usually on Wi-Fi almost all the time, and use very little data. And when i travel, i use data all the time. But $10/gig is cheap, and i love that i am connected and online before my plane is finished taxiing.
I will say that when i visited Italy i had worse data coverage than my host, who had some local plan. So inside some castles i had spotty coverage. But in the sort of places where you expect good cell phone service (like airports, but cities) i never had any troubles. I downloaded some local maps and drove around with Google maps. It was great.
On that plan I would have paid $1,760 for the last 30 days.
I use Google Maps on my computers at home.
If I’m going somewhere I usually plan ahead.
So I welcome suggestions for an easy-to-use phone for calls (and perhaps texts.)
What were you doing? I’ve spent all my down time watching YouTube videos without Wi-Fi, and never had a bill that hit three digits.
This is what my last 30 days looks like.
Of course, if you are on Wi-Fi, you don’t pay for any phone data.
I have unlimited phone data, and use the phone for almost everything, so I don’t even have wired home internet.
Best Buy makes a simple phone for seniors: https://www.bestbuy.com/product/lively-jitterbug-smart4-smartphone-for-seniors-black/J3ZHQCQ6LT/sku/6557140?sb_share_source=PDP&ref=app_pdp&loc=pdp_page ($48 until tomorrow)
Or the flip phone version, if you prefer: https://www.bestbuy.com/product/lively-jitterbug-flip2-cell-phone-for-seniors-red/J3R8TF8KCJ/sku/6538307?sb_share_source=PDP&ref=app_pdp&loc=pdp_page ($39)
I haven’t tried either, but have seen them in store. Maybe worth checking out?
Maybe you can share your experience with @bobsmom101? Any concerns about the durability?
Fi caps your flexible data spend to a max of $60/mo: Find your Flexible Plan's Bill Protection data level - Google Fi Wireless Help
So on the flexible plan, you would spend between $20/mo (for the basic plan with unlimited calls and texts) up to $80/mo.
It’s $10/GB from 0 to 6 GB/mo. From 6 to 15 GB a month, it’s free. Beyond 15 GB, it throttles you down to slow speeds (256kbps) but is still free for the remainder of the month. If you want more high speed data, you can change plans or opt out of the cost protection and resume paying $10/mo (apparently all the way to infinity?) but obviously you shouldn’t do that.
That said, I don’t think there are many true unlimited wireless plans left, with no throttling, are there? I used to have a grandfathered infinite data plan on Verizon but I gave it up for Fi and have been happier.
If you’re a heavy data user (hundreds of mobile gigs of mobile data) I think you’re left with either Starlink or a deprioritized MVNO? But correct me if I’m wrong.
T Mobile. I’ve never noticed any throttling. The speed varies, but it seems to vary based on moment-to-moment network traffic. If I’m getting a sliw download (say only a megabyte per second) I can flip to aurplane mode and back again and get a better speed (say 10 to 20 MB/s). The best I get locally is around 30 MB/s but once I was downloading while visiting The Big City and downloads were around 125 megabytes per second.
I’ve been using the Galaxy Z Fold 5 for about 2.5 years and I use it all the time. It’s sturdy and solid, the folding mechanism works without any problems, and the larger screen is really useful and pleasant to use. It’s great for writing on and, of course, very easy to read. Basically, it’s like a small tablet. I can only recommend it. I have no idea about its price in the US, in Europe it is a bit more than a very simple phone but it is worth it.
I guess it depends on your plan? Their site says the $100 plan currently offers 30 GB of high speed data of month: Our Best Unlimited Data Cell Phone Plans: Compare Experience Plans
That’s the same level of high-speed data as the $35 plan on Google Fi.
But it’s possible you’re on a grandfathered (or just different) plan with better terms that aren’t available to newer customers? I believe those are pretty rare these days, so worth keeping if that is indeed the case.
Or maybe there’s just some other way to get unlimited unthrottled data with them even as a new customer, but if so, I don’t know what that is.
You mean megabits, right, not megabytes? Their Broadband Facts (a recent FCC labelng requirement similar to Nutrition Fact labels) says:
This is slightly faster than Fi’s:
Real-world, I’ve gotten several hundred Mbps with Fi, but usually it’s around 20-30. Heavily dependent on location and congestion. It tends to be a lot faster in major cities than in rural areas.
(Fi is a T-mobile MVNO, so they share the same network, but not the same pricing)
This is an interesting phone… here’s a senior reviewing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OZfJ9hYXCk
It looks to me like it’s a modified Android phone, but the “Jitterbug experience” offers a big, simple menu with easy access to calls, texts, and medical alerts:
But, you know, even the simplest Android phone (or any smartphone) is still quite complex. If you’re good with computers, it’s probably something you can learn in a few hours — maybe with a family member or friend’s help at first?
Or, the flip phone version MIGHT be easier to use… not sure since I’ve never used that particular one:
But landlines probably aren’t going anywhere anyway. Most of the time they’re already VOIP lines behind the scenes anyway (voice over internet, where the telco encodes your conversation and sends it over the internet anyhow, as opposed to the plain old telephone system like the old days). It’s very often bundled with your internet service.
If you don’t NEED texting, that would be the simplest option…
Apparently they changed the names of their plans recently. My plan used to have a color name, but now I guess it is called “Go 5G Plus”.
Yeah, I think that’s one of those grandfathered plans with unthrottled data: Go5G Essentials - After 50GB it goes to 3G speeds? : tmobile
If you’re not grandfathered in (i.e., you’re a new customer), apparently you have to bum around for a T-mobile employee friend & family code to be able to get onto that plan.
Most carriers have grandfathered plans like this, from back when 4G/LTE was still new and they were trying to get more customers. These days it’s all pretty saturated and I don’t think anyone is offering public unthrottled plans to new customers anymore.
The 50 GB limit is only for tethered Wi-Fi data, not other cellular data.
That’s a different limit. That reddit thread is talking about a few different things.
To be clear, as far as I can tell:
(edit: wait, no, I think this is wrong)
Wait, sorry, I think I’m wrong!
I misread the 30GB on new plans — that is talking about Canada & Mexico.
The fine print actually reads:
1 Essentials customers may notice speeds lower than other customers and further reduction if using >50GB/month., due to data prioritization. Video typically streams on smartphone/tablet in SD quality; Experience More, or Experience Beyond plan activate up to 4K UHD streaming on capable device, or video typically streams in SD. Experience Beyond
So maybe the higher current plans are NOT throttled…? I’m not really sure anymore.
Sorry for the misinformation!