Choose a smartphone when calls, messages, authentication codes and use away from home matter; choose a tablet when most tasks will happen at home and a larger touchscreen is easier to manage. Try the exact accessibility settings, confirm connection and charging routines, plan account recovery and arrange patient support for the first regular tasks.
For people who want manageable access to communication, websites and everyday online services, but may benefit from gradual learning, clear setup and trusted support. The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology notes that access, skills, support and confidence all contribute to digital inclusion.
For people whose vision, hearing, dexterity or preferred way of interacting makes text size, contrast, sound, grip, touch accuracy or navigation especially important. Age UK advises considering these needs when choosing a device.
For people setting up a device for someone else who need to balance useful assistance with the user’s consent, privacy, account security and ability to continue using the device independently. NHS England Digital advises helpers to respect privacy and confidentiality during account setup.
Start with the person’s regular tasks and where they will use the device, then test the exact model in their usual environment before relying on it for important services.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Confidence with routine tasks | Set up a simple home screen; keep important contacts and services easy to find; check that setup help is available for repeated practice. | I want to begin with a small, realistic set of tasks such as calling, messaging, reading information, receiving a code and using one familiar website or app. |
| Readable and operable interface | Try font and icon size, display zoom, contrast, spoken feedback, sound and touch response; test unlocking, holding and returning to the home screen. | The device needs to be comfortable to see, hear and operate in the user’s normal lighting and seating environment, not simply have a large display. |
| Connection and everyday access | For mobile use, confirm 4G or 5G capability and check coverage at regular locations; for home tablet use, check Wi-Fi setup and the charging routine. | I need a phone that works where the person travels, or a tablet that stays connected and charged for regular use at home. |
| Account security and recovery | Check update support; set up two-step verification where appropriate; agree recovery contact details, backup methods and a privacy-respecting support plan. | Important accounts should be protected without leaving the user locked out after a forgotten password, lost phone or changed number. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends two-step verification for important accounts. |
A device alone may not resolve barriers around connection, confidence, skills, accessible services or trusted help. Online-only expectations can also be unsuitable for someone who cannot or does not want to use digital services.
Allow time for setup, practice and continuing support, and keep offline or assisted options available for essential tasks.
Ofcom says UK 3G networks are switched off and 2G networks are being withdrawn over coming years. Weak signal can also undermine a mobile-first setup even when the handset itself is suitable.
For a mobile device, confirm 4G or 5G capability, check usual locations with Ofcom’s coverage checker and verify the provider’s network before choosing a plan or handset.
Vision, hearing, mobility and confidence needs can involve contrast, spoken feedback, tapping accuracy, holding comfort and navigation as well as screen size.
Try everyday tasks on the exact device with accessibility settings adjusted before the return window closes. Consider a stylus or another input method only if it works comfortably for that individual.
Two-step verification can protect accounts, but a lost device, forgotten password or inaccessible email account can create a lockout if support arrangements are unclear. Delayed software and app updates can also leave devices less protected.
Set up updates, secure the user’s important email account and agree a privacy-respecting recovery process before the device is relied on for everyday services.
A mainstream iPhone and iPad option for buyers who want one accessibility ecosystem across phone and tablet devices and can get help from people familiar with iOS or iPadOS.
A mainstream Android smartphone and tablet option for buyers who prefer Galaxy devices or already have Android-based support at home.
A specialist easy-use phone and smartphone option for buyers who prioritise clearer choices, large identifiable icons, adjustable text and loud or clear sound over a conventional mainstream interface.
These Joybuy options cover smartphones for mobile calls and online access, plus larger tablets for home-based reading, video calls and online services.
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A phone option for calls, messages and routine online tasks away from home. Listed details include a 6.75-inch HD+ display, 500-nit brightness, 4.5G and VoLTE, dual Nano SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C and a 3.5 mm audio socket. Test text scaling, touch accuracy and accessibility settings, and check update support, local 4G coverage and account recovery before setup.
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A smartphone to try for mobile communication and reading routine information on a larger phone screen. The listing states a 6.56-inch HD+ display with eye-comfort mode, 4G dual SIM, dedicated TF slot, 3.5 mm jack and IP54 splash resistance. Check whether the user can unlock, hold and tap it comfortably, then confirm local coverage, software support and a recovery plan.
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A large-screen iPhone option for portable calls, messages, authentication codes and online tasks where trusted iPhone support is available. The listing states a 6.9-inch OLED display, high outdoor brightness, Face ID and cellular connectivity. Try routine tasks for grip and touch accuracy, and verify the exact accessibility settings, essential apps, cellular plan and recovery arrangements.
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A tablet option for home-based reading, websites, forms and video calls where a larger touch layout may be easier to test. The listing states a 13.4-inch 120 Hz display, Android, 128GB storage, dual-SIM 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. Test weight, grip, charging and accessibility settings in the user’s normal seating and lighting environment, and verify Wi-Fi reliability and update support.
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A large iPad option for home reading, video calls and forms when the user can draw on iPad-experienced support. The listing states a 13-inch display, iPadOS, Wi-Fi plus cellular connectivity, Face ID and support for Apple Pencil Pro and keyboard accessories. Try positioning, carrying, charging and touch use before purchase, and verify essential service compatibility and recovery arrangements.
Choose based on the tasks and location of use. A smartphone is more practical for calls, messages, authentication codes and use away from home, while a tablet can suit mostly home-based use when a larger touchscreen layout is easier to manage. Age UK recommends considering what the person wants to do, where they will use the device and whether they can try it before choosing.
Test the exact device with the user. Enlarge text and display elements, try contrast and spoken feedback where useful, check speaker volume or hearing-aid connection if relevant, and see whether the person can unlock, hold, tap and return to the home screen. A large display or specialist label alone does not establish that a device is accessible for that individual.
No. The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology identifies access to a device and connection alongside skills, confidence, usable services, offline options and trusted help. Arrange connection, setup, learning and ongoing support, while retaining non-digital routes for tasks the person cannot or does not want to complete online.
Yes for a new mobile-device purchase intended to remain usable on UK networks. Ofcom states that 3G networks are switched off and 2G networks are being switched off over coming years; it advises that 2G-only devices will need at least 4G. Check the exact device and the selected provider’s coverage before buying.
Agree the help before setup, respect the user’s privacy and make a recovery plan for important accounts such as email. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends two-step verification for important accounts and notes that email access can enable password resets for other services.