iOS is pretty well regarded to have superior accessibility features over Android. iOS has a host of features including built-in voiceover and magnification options (for visually impaierd/legally blind users). For your price range I would probably look at an iPhone SE if you want to go new, or an iPhone 6/7 if you're okay with going used. You can use Google maps for pedestrian GPS functionality.

Edit: bonus continuity functionality if your father also uses either an iPad/macbook.

In regards to making phone calls, what I did for my mom (who doesn't really understand cell phones), is I got her a prepaid Samsung (because it has that one, tactile button at the bottom).

I registered a GMail account in her name and added a Google Voice number to it. I also associated her landline number with the Google Voice account. I got her a prepaid phone so I wouldn't have to maintain a monthly bill.

I hooked the phone up to the house WiFi, and I installed an app called GVoice Callback.

I configured GVoice Callback to log in to her Google Voice account, I specified the callback number as her landline number, and I enabled "Outgoing call integration".

Then I entered all her contacts into her GMail account, names and phone numbers and synchronized the phone with her Gmail account to bring in all the contacts.

So now, she can use the tactile button on the Samsung phone to activate Google Assistant and say, "OK, Google, call John Smith".

The GVoice Callback app intercepts the call, and sends a request through the WiFi for Google Voice to ring her back on her landline, and when she answers, it proceeds to call John Smith from her landline.

This way, she doesn't have to learn the intricacies of a touch screen, and she can answer and hang up her landline phone with the tactile buttons she's used to.

This doesn't address your GPS issue, though. But i thought I'd share anyway in case you could use the idea in one fashion or another.

I just ordered my blind mother an iPhone after MUCH talk to the kind folks here on Reddit. When it comes down to it, in my opinion, the iPhone is just a better fit for a blind person. I say that only because I've done a lot of research and talked to lots of kind folks.

I also made a post and asked specifically about a navigation device for the blind. There are apps for the iPhone as well as actual devices you can buy. It just depends on his needs. I wish you luck---I can relate to having a blind parent, my mom has been blind since I was born so it's all I know!!!

I strongly recommend an iPhone. Android devices are useable, but they have a steeper learning curve.

I currently use Soundscapes, Microsoft's app, and Google Maps although Blindsquare is also a good app.

Love my iPhone!

As I think everyone has said, I'd recommend an IPhone. He can use Siri to text, call, get weather updates and things like that. I'd highly recommend he tries voiceover, it might be a little hard to begin with but is totally worth it.


I'd recommend looking into the voices, you may not like the default voice.
You can download voices for free and use any voice once it is downloaded to the phone.


There are quite a few settings so perhaps you should have a little play around with it yourself so that you know what to do if he doesn't.


There's apps for free that run you through a little tutorial but I can't remember what they're called. I think a tutorial when the Iphone starts would be great so that those who aren't as into tech as we are can get used to Voiceover.

There's applevis.com it's a site for those that use Iphones and voiceover.

Here's a link to all the IOS tutorials https://applevis.com/new-to-ios

I am legally blind and ditched my android for an iphone and will never go back. Iphones are pricey but very much worth the cost. If it helps, here is a link to show how to do the voiceover commands to give you an idea of how useful they are.

https://www.applevis.com/guides/ios-voiceover/complete-list-ios-gestures-available-voiceover-users

I just bought an IPhone SE off eBay for less than $200 and brand new. If you’re looking for accessibility this would probably be the way to go. He would be able to use google maps as well as the other gps apps that are made specifically for blind/low vision users.
Edit: sharing the specific link to the phone here... I hope that’s ok.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F282896210743

What kind of question is that? Hahahahahahahahaha! *kidding*

Anyway, agree with majority, Iphone is the way to go, look at blind square and maybe something like seeing eye gps. The one from aph isn’t bad.