Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Choosing A Smartphone (self.Blind)
submitted by BlindMan94
Hi, as part of some mobility and independence training I've been doing of late with Guide Dogs NSW, I've been asked to get a new smartphone to be able to better utilise adaptive technology. I'm legally blind (2/20), and was wondering if there are any opinions on what would be best for me out of the iPhone 7 Plus or Galaxy S7 Edge for someone in my situation? I understand the Edge is easier to customise, but I don't have too much experience with that, so I'm not sure if its as much of a bonus as it seems, and though Voiceover sounds great, the iPhone is a fair bit more expensive. Would love to hear any thoughts or recommendations while I'm making a decision, thanks!
KillerLag 3 points 6y ago
Realistically, the iPhones have much more accessibility than Android phones. Virtually every single person I know with significant vision loss, and most with some loss, use an iPhone.
With your vision being 20/200, the iPhone's zoom should work decently. And when your eyes get tired, you can use VoiceOver. Also, most accessibility apps for the blind are developed and released on iOS first.
With your vision being 20/200, the iPhone's zoom should work decently. And when your eyes get tired, you can use VoiceOver. Also, most accessibility apps for the blind are developed and released on iOS first.
Diabroticavirgifera 1 points 6y ago
iPhone
BlindMan94 [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Thanks for the tips, all! Got an iPhone 7 Plus yesterday, and I'm liking it so far, though its been an adjustment in some ways. Does anyone have suggestions on free apps that they would consider of use to a vision impaired person? I've been quite impressed by Voiceover so far, I must say.
angelcake 1 points 6y ago
As well as what other folks have mentioned regarding the iPhone another advantage I can see is that when there are OS updates the basic parts of the operating system remain the same. When you go into settings there will be new additions but everything else is pretty much where it has been since the iPhone three. Basically once you learn more things are
kennethbrodersen 1 points 6y ago
I will have to agree that the "safe bet" is an iPhone. It is what most visually impaired use so it will be easier for you to get assistance if needed and there is a great ecosystem with applications designed specially for people with a disability.
But in my view the magnifier in Android is far more useful than the zoom functionality in ios. I personally prefer using the magnifier to using speech so my Android phone is my daily driver while the iPhones rarely leaves my desk. But it all depends on the individual person I guess.
If you decide on an iPhone I would advice you to buy the 7 plus and not the older models. The 7 plus is water resistent. It might sound like a gimmick but its not. You will quickly realise how useful an app like Google Maps is for getting around town, but surprise surprise, sometimes its raining. When you get dependent on a phone (and you will) its damm nice to know that you can use it wherever and whenever you need to.
But in my view the magnifier in Android is far more useful than the zoom functionality in ios. I personally prefer using the magnifier to using speech so my Android phone is my daily driver while the iPhones rarely leaves my desk. But it all depends on the individual person I guess.
If you decide on an iPhone I would advice you to buy the 7 plus and not the older models. The 7 plus is water resistent. It might sound like a gimmick but its not. You will quickly realise how useful an app like Google Maps is for getting around town, but surprise surprise, sometimes its raining. When you get dependent on a phone (and you will) its damm nice to know that you can use it wherever and whenever you need to.
Vaelian 1 points 6y ago
Isn't the Samsung S7 Edge waterproof too? I do recall that at least the regular S7 is from the TV ad where they show one in use in the rain.
kennethbrodersen 1 points 6y ago
Yep. The galaxy s7/s7 edge is water resistent too.
Both the s7 edge and iPhone 7 plus are awesome phones with great cameras, screens and decent battery life. The real difference is in the os and ecosystems.
Both the s7 edge and iPhone 7 plus are awesome phones with great cameras, screens and decent battery life. The real difference is in the os and ecosystems.
fastfinge 1 points 6y ago
If price is an issue, could you get an iphone 6S? Some phone companies will even offer a 6S for free on contract, because it's the older version. I'm still using an iPhone 6 (two versions old), and voiceover still works perfectly fine.
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