Alcatel OT-282

Editor's Review of the OT-282

Contrary to popular belief, people over the age of 70 do use mobile phones (maybe not smartphones, mind). Yet most phones aren't adapted to faded hearing and eyesight that we'll all be subjected to in old age, so the Alcatel OneTouch 282 has stepped in to accommodate such users.

The OT 282 is as basic as they come, and you couldn't really expect too much more for £30. Of the phone's stand-out features, there's an SOS button on the back that can be configured to call specific numbers, as well as compatibility to work with a hearing aid.

While the small square screen isn't as easy on the eyes as other phones, there's no way you can miss the oversized buttons, which are presumably made for the visually impaired or those with particularly dumpy thumbs.

Ironically, Alcatel have never had the most convenient interfaces, and the one featured here can be awkward to use for more experienced phone users, let alone elderly ones.

Aside from an FM radio, there really is little more to say about this humble phone. However, it doesn't pretend to be anything beyond what it is, and that's an entry-level phone with some elderly-friendly features. In this respect, it does its job reasonably well.