Doro Phone Easy 410gsm phone

Doro phones are designed above all else to be easy to use.

We've looked at – and recommended – a few of them before, most recently the Doro Phone Easy 409gsm.

The newer 410gsm looks very similar to that model, and in many ways it is very similar. The basic look and design are the same, down to the display, which is bright, clear and colourful with big letters and numbers that appear on the small but high-contrast screen.

Like its predecessors, it's aimed at older people who might not be comfortable with all the strange features of a smartphone, but actually there are plenty of not-so-old people who might feel they'd benefit from the same stripped-down approach.

It uses what's called a clam-shell design, which means it flips open to reveal the screen and keyboard. That means it's likely to stay locked when it's in a bag or pocket and there's little chance of accidentally pressing buttons.

A button on the back is for emergencies – hold it down and the phone will send automatic pre-defined text messages to certain contacts and then start calling those contacts.

In addition to making and receiving calls the 409gsm was able to send and receive text messages, and the 410gsm adds in picture messages. It can only receive them, though, as it has no camera to create them. It also has an FM radio, some small games and a calendar. The keys have also been redesigned so the numbers are higher-contrast and easier to read.

It also includes Bluetooth so you can use a wireless headset, and a wired one is supplied, along with a mains charger (which doesn't use a standard USB connection, so may be a problem if it gets lost). Battery life is very good – it will last for days and days on standby.

In many ways, this phone resembles a standard phone of 10 years ago, although the big difference is that it's better designed and easier to use.

This is a good choice for anyone not confident with more complex modern handsets.