Doro specialises in phones for older users with very few features, large keys and simple navigation systems. But the manufacturer is branching out. While the PhoneEasy 332gsm will undoubtedly appeal to the same demographic, Doro is keen to stress that it is for any user who wants a basic handset, whatever their age.

Style and handling on the Doro PhoneEasy 332gsm

Doro has a new marketing tagline, “Brilliantly Simple”. It’s appropriate for the PhoneEasy 332gsm. The features are few, which is key to the phone’s appeal, but it looks good, with retro styling and keys that are large but not offputtingly so. It’s light, at 88g, and feels good in the hand, and you have the option of a black or a white handset.

Above the keypad sit four keys labelled A, B, C and SMS. The first three are speed dial keys; you can actually set all the keys as speed dial numbers if you wish, but these will be the first three you use and may well be enough for most people, especially as remembering 12 speed dial numbers is harder than just dialling the number you want from contacts. However, a short press on each key will bring up the details of your contact so you can check before you dial. A long press will make the call.

Text messages only show up one line at a time, as the other line on the narrow screen is filled with the character or word you are typing. It’s large text which can be made even bigger using the settings menu, which will appeal to the partially sighted and those who don’t want to squint.

The trademark emergency button is present on the Doro PhoneEasy 332gsm, but instead of a big red button, it a discreet black key sited on the back of the phone. If you hold it down for a couple of seconds it will automatically call a preset number and send a preset text to the same number.

Feature set on the Doro PhoneEasy 332gsm

There are very few features on the 332gsm but that’s the point of the phone so shouldn’t be viewed as a failing as that’s the point of the phone. What features there are will appear in whichever order you want on the menu screen. So if you want to take some of the items off the menu, such as the calculator, for example, just go into the settings menu and select the “block function” option.

You don’t get to block the torch function but that’s a good thing as far as we’re concerned. On the left side of the handset is the on/off button which you need to hold down for a couple of seconds. This will prevent you from accidently switching it on in your pocket or bag and using up the battery.

You also get a charging dock that holds the phone upright and is just the job if you also use your phone as an alarm clock. There’s also a bundled handsfree kit for driving.

The verdict on the Doro PhoneEasy 332gsm

Doro’s reputation has long been for phones for older users, but with the PhoneEasy 332gsm it has proved that a back-to-basics phone can appeal to all ages and demographics. Simplicity doesn’t have to be at the expense of style, and this phone demonstrates that beautifully.