Rating: 9.2 / 10 (Excellent)
25 Customer Reviews - see all comments
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GrandPad is an easy-to-use tablet designed with seniors in mind. The tablet helps users keep in touch with their loved ones by allowing them to make phone calls, video calls, send text messages, and more. The device is user-friendly and comes with custom apps that cater to the user's specific needs.

How is Consumer Cellular GrandPad rated?

Breakdown

4.5/5
Features
4.8/5
Coverage and Cost
4.6/5
Support

Overall Rating: 4.6 / 5 (Excellent)

The GrandPad tablet is a highly-sought mobile device for seniors that is user friendly and easy-to-follow. GrandPad has pre-installed games and communication applications, internet connection, and a long-lasting battery life. The device includes walkthrough video instructions and enables users to easily communicate with loved ones across a variety of devices. GrandPad does not require a contract, but instead has a monthly service fee that covers the cost for internet and security features. The GrandPad company has great reviews and an excellent rating from the Better Business Bureau. GrandPad is powered and sold through its partner, Consumer Cellular. Consumer Cellular has a low rating on Trustpilot, where most of its unsatisfactory reviews regard issues with billing and network service. Overall, the GrandPad is reputable for its simplicity and receives great feedback from seniors.

Consumer Cellular GrandPad Features

Features - 4.5 / 5

The GrandPad comes with pre-installed applications that enable users to communicate with loved ones, such as video calling, phone service, and text messaging. The device also comes with games such as Solitaire and Crossword. It includes home-care and customer support buttons, which serve as alert features for assistance. The device also has its own internet connection and is designed with large buttons and text for easy navigation.
Display Size
1920 x 1200 full HD display
Phone Dimensions
8 inches (diagonally)
Operating System
Android

Senior Specific Features

  • Large Buttons
  • Large Text
  • Urgent Response Button

Regular Features

  • Internet Enabled
  • Text
  • Camera
  • Touch Screen
Extended Battery Life
The GrandPad's battery life is long-lasting and able to hold a charge for up to three days.
Monitoring
The Companion App allows family members to maintain contact with users who have the GrandPad, anywhere and anytime. Customer support is also accessible on the device's screen. In a feature unique of\ this product, the manufacturer's customer service department can monitor the battery life of the GrandPad and alert the user and others when the batter becomes critically low.

Consumer Cellular GrandPad Service Plan

Coverage and Cost - 4.8 / 5

The GrandPad tablet is prepaid. Users pay in full for the tablet and receive a monthly service that enables internet connection and service features.
Unlocked
Yes
Carrier
All major U.S networks: Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T
Prepaid
Yes
Contract Required
No contract required, but the company charges a monthly service fee for internet access and security features.
Price Range
$200
Cancellation Fee
No

Consumer Cellular GrandPad Reputation & Customer Service

Support - 4.6 / 5

GrandPad has an excellent rating from the Better Business Bureau and a significant amount of supportive followers on its social media platforms. There aren't any direct online reviews on top rating sites for GrandPad, but the company does have positive customer reviews on its website, as well as positive comments on its Facebook page. The GrandPad includes a customer support button for quick and easy access to assistance. The service provider for the GrandPad, Consumer Cellular, has a low rating on Trustpilot for customer service and has several negative reviews that focus on billing and network service issues.
BBB Rating
A+
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
0
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
0
Date Collected
2015-03-17
Customer Support
Phone
Email
Live Chat
How to Guides
Support Hours
Not Specified

Company Profile

Full Name
Consumer Cellular GrandPad Cell Phone for Seniors
Company Website
Headquarters
850 E. Chapman Ave, Suite C, Orange, CA, 92866

Top Rated

Consumer Cellular GrandPad

  • Wireless charger cradle
  • Walkthrough video instruction manual
  • Full HD touchscreen with large fonts & buttons
  • Built-in 4G LTE internet connection
  • Companion app to connect with loved ones on any device
  • Instant customer support connection

Latest Consumer Cellular GrandPad Reviews

mhamlin772

9/22/2022
Suze needs to tell everyone how dangerous it is to buy a consumer cellular device and get their service. I've been using my device for 2 days and it has crashed. I live by myself in the country and switched to this service based on AARP's recommendation. When I called customer service I was informed that they don't make the equiptment and couldn't help me fix it. Now I have no phone. Don't get sucked in to Consumer Cellular


jgschmitz

11/11/2021
Great device BUT the screen started flickering making it unusable for my 96-year-old mother and creating loads of problems for her family. Hours and hours. Missed holiday calls. REALLY bad. This happened within the warranty but the support process was drawn out and ambiguous and we passed the replacement date. Fortunately, we paid for the SquareTrade warranty and got a new one. Then the same thing happened again. Extreme flickering. There is a fix by turning off the device for 24 hours but how does a memory-impaired grandmother do that? We were told Consumer Cellular would replace without going through SquareTrade but the deadline for that passed quickly and we were not told that... Read More


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Sallie

9/20/2021
Buyer BEWARE. Especially if you are a senior. I NEVER get warranties on phones. I also get paper billing. The warranty they put on my phone without my permission was not realized until several billing cycles. I went on the website to see what was up and there was an un-authorized warranty. I called and was told " we record all phone calls and I will check the recording and get back to You". No one did so I called again, No reference to the recording and they took off the charge but, would not refund the months they charged me. I was told " you paid for it so that was the authorization" Keep in mind this charge was not on my paper bill. ONLY on line. After 2 months of back and forth I... Read More


Pamela G

8/23/2021
Just got the Grandpad and am prepared to take it over to my mom in memory care. It's design, access is icon driven with large buttons - even email is a voice message feature - so she won't have to type! If you are looking for a 'special' phone, don't forget to look at GrandPad (.net) and call to discuss features and answer your questions. I'm glad I did. It will really help mom in having more access to the outside world (SAFELY).


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P M

8/5/2021
Did not work during my mom's time in the care center, dropped calls, poor connections, tried calling on my cell phone while sitting in her room, yet still unable to connect. Frequent dropped calls and poor connections even at home. Would NOT recommend. Purchased for video calls, yet unable to do so fluently. When grandpad was working was mainly used for games. I will purchase an ipad and internet service for the cost of the grandpad. Not worth it!


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csmyers

10/24/2020
I purchased a GrandPad for my tech-challenged parents directly from https://www.grandpad.net/. The customer service has been amazing, both for me and for my mom, who is now alone but never out of touch. We video chat most mornings so I know she's up and active and has eaten and taken her meds. Re. the user who was upset that the internet button doesn't take the user to the internet, the family circle's administrator can add websites for the user to enjoy. I added the websites for the local newspaper and my parents' church, for instance. This works great for our family, since "surfing the web" only led to confusion and frustration for my folks. If your parents are comfortable using the... Read More


purchase01

10/10/2020
Consumers must be aware, the device is awesome at giving you an option to see and talk with your family but........ Consumer Cellular will default the grandpad to WIFI only, and still charge you for cellular service. Now imaging paying $80 a month for cellular service but everytime you use it the device will only use WIFI for months. This is a dishonest practice, you the consumer cannot turn off the WIFI option to use the service you a paying for. My advice is to use FACEBOOK PORTAL, as this is over $100 cheaper and does not charge you for ghost cellular service. I tried BBB but Consumer Cellular knows they are getting away with this so they do not offer any solution.


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Val S

9/30/2020
My mom used her Grandpad for four months, before she passed. I would now like to donate it, someone less able to afford, but from reading the comments below, I find it cannot be done. What a waste. Why not create a place where these tablets can be refurbished, and reused???


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Susan

8/10/2020
Screen goes blank, hitting help button NEVER works, Customer Service is a joke. 91 yr old uncle waited for over an hour after calling 800 number, still no help. WORST SCAM FOR SENIORS EVER!!!!!


jeannettecarrasco1923

5/16/2020
I would like to buy an iPad grandpa for my husband for father's day ,to give him a nice and affordable gift. And something for him to have some entertainment, since he doesn't really go out. I would like to see him happy and having some fun in life . After he worked so much..and to ease his pain of lossing our child in the Irak war.😑😣😶😐


sgtrushing

5/12/2020
Senior citizens are typically fond of old school games such as dominoes but there is no method to customize the GrandPad for the individual. Another frustrating fact is the Internet button does not lead the senior to the internet or allow them any leeway to explore the internet. Instead, Consumer cellular restricts the flow of information to the NOAA, NPR, AARP and one other liberal leaning source of information. Had I adequately researched the GrandPad rather than relying on ratings, I would have simply bought a tablet from Verizon and customized it myself for my mother-in-law. I am greatly disappointed in this product for the aforementioned reasons and will implore Consumer... Read More


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Anne R

4/30/2020
I purchased the GrandPad for my parents at the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic because they are living in an isolated area and I live 700 miles away. My mom is 87 and her husband has heart disease, and knowing that they can keep in touch with the entire family and even video conference with their healthcare providers gives me enormous peace of mind. They do not have internet and are a bit overwhelmed with most technology, but they are enjoying their GrandPad immensely. It’s simplicity has won them over, and given them confidence in exploring the benefits of limited access to basic internet services without being too complex. The ability to grant administrative access to myself... Read More


bygrace1377

4/25/2020
My 92 year old mother didn’t want one but we got her one anyway. She Loves it, especially now since we can’t see each other. Now we can! It’s so easy to use, she’s figuring it out on her own. We are so thankful for the grandpad!!


sstclair

4/25/2020
The only cell phone service at my mom's house is Verizon. The device will not work. It will work with AT&T and TMobile ONLY. She lives in a very rural area where Verizon is the only coverage. I will need to return the device. She is very disappointed....as is the whole family. Customer service has been helpful and the device is very user friendly--if only she could use it....


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Natalie W

4/9/2020
It's really too bad that Grandpad developed an item that can truly help seniors not feel so isolated. But then they partnered with Cellular Central and gave them full control of their device. If you decide to purchase this item, you better hope the person you are giving it to plans to use it for a long while. Because NO ONE else can use the Grandpad afterward. It is not an item you can reset, insert a new SIM card and allow to be used by someone else. Grandpad either does not care about that fact, or has not control. Not sure which. And Cellular Central certainly doesn't care. What a waste. I am writing this during the Covid-19 of 2020 in the USA. My mother is in assisted living and unable... Read More


Dawn B

4/5/2020
My mom is 94 and this has been a lifesaver didn't see her for four weeks and can now vidio chat best purchase ever easy for her to use with a little help from nurses highly recommend,peace of mind is the best


sbaedaro8303

10/31/2019
We have reached out on multiple occasions to Consumer Cellular Service Supervisors, have sent 2 letters to John Marick, the CEO of Consumer Cellular, and Greg Pryor, the COO of Consumer Cellular to resolve a very serious matter amicably regarding two defective phones that presented my 72 year old husband to be without a working cell phone. On February 2019, my husband and I purchased a Doro phone at Best Buy through the Consumer Cellular offer. A week after we purchased the phone, we noticed the keys were sticking and adding additional numbers. This was frustrating and annoying, but we dealt with it. In September 2019, the keys were still sticking adding additional numbers, and... Read More


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PD H

8/19/2019
If you do not have good WiFi do not get this product. Purchase for my Mother who does not have WiFi. Doesn’t work properly in her home. YouTube, Facebook, etc does not load consistently and hardly ever at night. If you have a metal roof or in a rural community you are out of luck.


Judy C

6/9/2019
Do not buy it...…….I have had nothing but trouble trying to set this up. The problem is that it is not like a normal phone. Yes, they can make phone calls, however they cannot get calls unless the person has been programmed in. I have yet to get anyone programmed in. I keep getting a run around as to how to do that. They tell me I can do it without the grandpad (as this is at my 86 year old uncles house). But I can't. They send e-mails to log in, but they go to the grandpad which I don't have at home. I have tried numerous time unsuccessfully to get anything on my desk top. Also, if they do not answer the phone, it does not go to a voicemail. So if this older person goes to the... Read More


Kim P

6/7/2019
Having a terrible time with the GrandPad. $40 a month but there has been ongoing issues with connection, needed to try another SIM card. My Mom has a flip phone for God's sake she could not figure out how to put in a SIM card. I live in Illinois and she is in Florida-hard of hearing, the video option is best for our communication, but not if it only lasts for 4 seconds. I paid someone to do the SIM card. Now they are saying the WiFi might be "fighting" with something else and there needs to be someone with her to try several things. This was touted as a simple easy to use option for seniors. Not true. I'm giving up at this point


Donna S

6/6/2019
Do not buy! I bought the Grandpad for my mother and have had nothing but trouble with the connection. My mother and I can not even complete a call without garbling and she has been unable to keep in contact with friends. I have made at least 20 calls with technicians from Grandpad and every time they tell me something different or I have to try the same things again. Now my mother (88 years old) has to do one "final" test to see if the problem is in the speakers. Ghrr! Wish I never bought this.


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mike

5/6/2019
Any company is going to have negative issues by customers. Consumer Cellular has by far the least amount in service , product quality, etc. I've been with them for 5+ years and couldn't be happier!! Mike


Dave M

4/28/2019
Grandpad and Dementia... Grandpad is too complicated for a person with dementia or have memory impairments and I could NOT recommend its use for those users. Most features may be okay with elderly that have NO memory impairments. The picture feature is great ! The cost at 40.00 a month is a little high due to the lack of usage and value. The telephone aspect is not great and not useful breaks up even on a strong WiFi connection .... I have Comcast installing a phone circuit and router for 25.00 a month and plugging in a programmable picture phone into it should make phone communications in her Memory Care room complete... Grandpad would have great value if it had a Nanycam... Read More


Vernon L

4/5/2019
Yes my mom have been wanting a grand pad ever since they came out so I got her one since she has had it we had to replace over and over very poor made plus in the middle of video calls cut off and on plus internet did not work have the time she was very disappointed with grand pad don't waste your money to many problems.


Steven W

12/27/2018
88 year old mother in law has been afraid of technology, will only use a flip phone and has trouble even using a tv remote. Her 3 daughters chipped in buying her grandpad with my assistance. It's only been a week and she is already responding to emails, commenting on shared pictures, making phone and video calls, and also creating her own music playlist by just clicking music offered on the device to her favorite button. Most of all this well thought out device now lets her communicate with her children, grandkids and great grandkids like never before. Well done consumer cellular!