The Affordable Samsung SGH-T249 from T-Mobile

Here's another affordable phone for those who are looking for a cell phone for seniors. The Samsung SGH-T249 from T-Mobile is a simple and cheap phones that can handle all the tasks that are required by elderly users.

I did say that this is an affordable handset so let's tackle the price first. The SGH-T249 is currently available for $29.99 with a two-year contract. I have to say that there are cheaper handsets out there but if you really want an affordable and simple T-Mobile cell phone then this one is a solid choice.

Now let's move on to the features and characteristics that make this phone a good choice for the elderly. Let's start with the display. At 1.7-inch, the display is a bit small. I fell that a cell phone for senior citizens should have at least a 2 inch display. Fortunately, the 220x176-pixel resolution and 65,000 colors support makes up for the lack in size and produces sharp graphics and bright colors. The dialing font size and color, and the backlighting time can be adjusted depending on the need of the user so even the elderly with weak vision can see the details on the screen.

The simplicity of the Samsung SGH-T249 extends from its basic design to its user interface. The UI is simple and can be changed into either a list or grid style.

But how about the keypad? It's a bit flat but the buttons are separated and the backlight can help users when it comes dialing numbers or composing messages.

The other senior-friendly features provided by this handset include a good speakerphone with strong volume and clarity. It also comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera that can record videos. Not really a required feature for a mobile phone for seniors but it's a nice bonus.

That's it for this cell phone. Stay tuned as we look at more cell phones for seniors and related topics.