Hi Char.... first, a
couple of links which you asked for....
You've likely heard of
Clark Howard, the so-called "cheap skate" who writes of all things less expensive for those that really need to be as thrifty as can be or just like saving money.... He does a lot of the research for you and writes in a very easy to understand style that is easily understood by the beginning novice or the seasoned veteran... his site ...
clark.com where you can read his recommendations and reviews of a great many inexpensive phone plans and he also has reviews and recommendations on cell phones you can review on his site..... phones for seniors or anyone that meet there individual and personal needs...
For iPhones you can go to the
Apple website and see all the various unlocked phones they sell
(unlocked means you can use just about any phone plan from just about any phone company and you are
not locked into one specific company.... most newer phones are designed to work on both types of cellular networks used by all phone companies, so getting an unlocked phone is the ideal way to go so you are not limited in which company or plan to go with.... You just insert the SIM card for that company, or even use a built in eSIM and can use 2 companies at same time if you want3ed to do so... Here's a website that describes about all the phones offered by Apple so you can see sizes of screens, memories, and physical size of the phone and which year they were new offerings ....
www.apple.com/iphone/compare/Your daughter mentioned "
Face Time" and that is a feature
unique to Apple products so they can be used to make video phone calls with each other (iPhone to iPhone, iPad to iPhone, or Mac to iPhone) ....
ZOOM is an application (App) like Face Time that can be used between iPhones or Apple Products and is not restricted to only Apple products but can be downloaded / installed on Android phones, Windows computers, and so forth so that each can communicate with each other.. You might use ZOOM to speak with your doctor for a medical appointment when in-person visits may not be needed or are not safe in today's COVID environment ..... Google also has an app called "
Google Duo" which is also nearly identical to Face Time and lets iPhones and Android phones video chat/call with each other,
as long as both versions of cell phones are using the Google Duo application..... I use that one to talk / chat with family all over the country that use Android phones and not iPhones (great when we vacation together and stay in touch but when not next to each other).... Half our family use iPhones and other half use Android's so it comes in handy for video/voice calls..... Of course,, no app is needed just for regular phone calls between cell phones or landline phones.... Apps just needed for picture with voice calls....
As most sites will explain, generally, Android phones are a bit cheaper/less expensive than Apple phones, and if you go that route while your daughter is using Apple then just remember you can still video call/chat with each other, you just have to use an application on both devices to do so... We've been using Apple phones for so long, I almost forget how to use an Android since losing my last one in Maui, HA some 11 or 12 years ago. I have and almost entirely use Apple devices now as I got tired of the constant fixing and tinkering I did with Windows or Android, but there are many folks who prefer not to use Apple, be it they are a bit more costly or they just personally prefer using something they learned on and are happy with that. That's the joy of computers and cell phones (which really are just small computers you put in your pocket with a talking app built in so you can make phone calls on it...
). There are abundant choices that we can make to meet our financial or personal needs.... I also prefer iPhone as they work in a "sand box" environment and are much less susceptible to any malware or virus problems (not totally free of them, but very much less likely to get infected)... but that's just a personal choice for me.
And remember, you don't have to buy the newest and greatest... new devices that are a year or two old are now selling with the holiday seasons here upon us for quite a bit less than the newest versions which are also on sale.... and features tend to be very similar... example, I use an iPhone 13 Pro Max and there is very little difference to the newer iPhone 14 Pro so I see no need to upgrade... I tend to hold onto phones for 4-6 years before updating and that saves me some funds.... Our last phones were iPhone 6S Plus Max and we reset them to factory condition and donated to two folks who were a bit financially challenged that really appreciated receiving them.... Their batteries may not last or hold a charge like a new phone but unless they are on the phone or browser all day, they really never notice.....
You can walk into a Walmart, a Target, Best Buy, a Costco/Sams Club, and similar stores and physically see and hold phones to find one most comfortable and appealing to you as well as learn about inexpensive phone plans that are available (pre-pay, or monthly/yearly plans) and then decide where you want to buy your phone.... in a physical store or on-line... this time of year places tend to be crowded with holiday shoppers, but also there are many sales going on to help you save funds on a new phone, current model or one that is a year or two old but still new ....
Hope that is helpful info, and with the info that Everton helpfully gave you, and checking out a couple websites like I listed above, you'll be in great shape and happily Face Timing with those grandkids and family (or Duo'ing with them...) for the holidays.... Al
), there are abundant choices that we can make to meet our financial or personal needs.... I also prefer iPhone as they work in a "sand box" environment and are much less susceptible to any malware or virus problems (not totally free of them, but very muse less likely to get infected)... but that's just a personal choice for me.
