Jitterbug Flip2 Cell Phone for Seniors Gray

Product Information

Camera: Basic models start at 2 megapixels, which is fine for snapshots. High-end models offer 12-megapixel cameras and all manner of photographic enhancements. In terms of cameras, on paper, the Smart4 has higher pixel counts, as well as an additional rear camera. That said, the cameras on both phones perform similarly. Images captured with both phones are good enough to capture text and share with friends, but inconsistencies in light and color prevent them from being photo album-worthy.

What really interested me was their inclusion of the feature: Ask Alexa. While Alexa could be used to perform “hands-free” functions such as: Nurse On-Call: One of my favorite wellness features, Nurse On-Call, allowed me to speak directly with registered nurses and doctors who provided me with medical advice and could even prescribe common medications over the phone. Available 24/7, I found this feature to be much more useful than the Care Advocate service. I think that Nurse On-Call is a great way for seniors to answer non-emergency medical questions in a prompt manner. It definitely beats standing in line for Urgent Care or waiting several weeks to schedule a primary care visit. This button reaches the same person you would reach by pressing the alert button on the Lively Mobile Alert. Overall, the Smart4 delivers on its promise of simplifying the smartphone experience. The phone is easy to use, and its battery life was more than enough to last throughout the day. Browsing the web was noticeably smooth with the Jitterbug Smart4. Smart4 Android Features LifeStation offers both home alert solutions and those designed for more active seniors who like to enjoy the outdoors or travelling.

How Does Lively Compare to Other Phone Carriers?

Verizon Network: Lively, the provider for the Jitterbug Flip2, is powered by Verizon’s wireless network, which is one of our favorite cell phone providers for seniors. Anywhere I traveled, I received flawless service with my calls and messages. Seniors who opt for the Jitterbug Smart4 – Lively’s “simplest smartphone ever” — must choose a data plan to go with their talk and text plan. Data plans let you use the internet when you’re away from home or not connected to Wi-Fi. How much data you need each month depends on your habits. Lively lets you pay just for what you need with four options to choose from. You can choose from 1 GB, 5 GB, or unlimited data plans. The camera’s extra feature is that the menu offers a magnifier mode, allowing the phone to be used to read small text or scan for a small dropped item. And, the flash can be used as a flashlight to see in the dark for short periods. I have tried several approaches using simplified home screens and smart widgets, but in some cases, there is still too much resistance. In the many test calls I made, I was impressed by the clarity and volume of the audio, which could be made even louder by using the speakerphone option. Considering how many older adults suffer from hearing loss, a phone’s audio quality should be top-notch, and the Jitterbug Flip2 does not disappoint. The Jitterbug Flip2 is also rated M4/T4 in terms of hearing aid compatibility. The Jitterbug Flip2's main menu is simple and easy to navigate Jitterbug Flip2 Messaging

But what makes the Jitterbug Flip potentially lifesaving is that the core phone electronics and interface have been redesigned for those with poor eyesight, and to provide single-button access to Greatcall’s 5Star emergency help service. A flip phone doesn’t need much memory, but surprisingly, the Jitterbug Flip2 is provided with a large 16GB of internal storage. This capacity is spacious enough to save plenty of files and apps. Expanding the storage is possible with this phone since it lets you install up to 32GB of MicroSD card. The larger of these is 3.2 inches and has a resolution of just 320 x 480 pixels, and the smaller external screen is only 1.44-inch. In this case, the Jitterbug Flip was once an Alcatel OneTouch, that has also been sold as the Alcatel Go for those who got one from Sprint or T-Mobile. Touchscreen: These phones don’t necessarily have to be cluttered with dozens of apps. Many popular jitterbug phones may not have buttons, but the display offers terrific clarity and a simple list of functions in large, plain font that’s still easy to read.Brain Games: Studies have shown that puzzle-based activities, also known as brain games, can help refine thinking skills that tend to decline with age, skills such as decision making and short-term memory. My Jitterbug Flip2 had several different types of these games. My personal favorite was called Face Facts, a game in which I had to memorize names and associate them with images of faces. One unique feature of this design is that LifeStation has crafted an Alexa skill, enabling Alexa to tell you where the pendant wearer is if asked.

Urgent Response: In the event of any emergency — medical or otherwise — the Urgent Response feature can come in handy. By pressing the dedicated button on the top of my Smart4’s screen, I was immediately connected to an agent certified by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) who could trace my location and send help if necessary, much like a medical alert system. The Flip is actually based on the same hardware as the Alcatel Go Flip on Sprint and T-Mobile; we like Jitterbug's version better because we don't care for the Go Flip's software. The phone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor under the hood, which is a basic, older smartphone chip. There isn't much you can do beyond making calls, sending texts, and taking pictures, and the Flip has more than enough power to perform all of these actions smoothly.When you sign up for the phone and service, you can even transfer an existing number to the phone to minimise any disruption.

Right now, the Flip makes calls using Verizon's old 3G CDMA system, but soon it will also support phone calls in HD quality over LTE bands 4 and 13. That will allow for nationwide coverage even after the CDMA shutdown in 2019. The combination of CDMA and LTE gives the Flip better Verizon coverage than the Kyocera Cadence LTE, at least for now. There are two main choices here: traditional buttons and touchscreen. Voice activation is also available. If you don't need any of those services, Consumer Cellular's Doro 7050 is a better value in terms of a simple phone. But those services can give real peace of mind, especially to frailer folk who are living on their own, and to their families. It really depends on what you need. Call Quality and BatteryVideo: Video recording and video chats are other possibilities. While some seniors might have limited mobility, other senses can remain active. Anything that provides stimulation is usually considered beneficial. The only limitations of this device are that it uses AT&T mobile phone services and therefore won’t work outside the USA or in locations that this provider doesn’t offer coverage. A review of a Jitterbug phone wouldn't be complete without a mention of its services. The main one I've already touched on is 5Star Urgent Response, which connects you to a 24/7 operator who can identify your location and request help from emergency services. That's included for free with the phone. Lively Link: This is an app that keeps friends and family in the loop if your battery is running low or you call Urgent Response. This is an interestingly different approach to a medical alert. This product is a “senior friendly” cell phone, but it has a button which lets you call the medical alert monitoring service which is provided by the manufacturer (Lively, which was previously called GreatCall, and which is now owned by Best Buy).