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Having a closed size of 106 x 55 x20mm, and weighing just 110 g it slips conveniently into a pocket or handbag and has large and easy-to-use keys together with a 70mm easily read display.  

On the right hand side of the phone are the volume up/down controls while, on the opposite side is the standard 3.5mm headphone socket together with the microUSB charging port. The camera lens, the second microphone as well as the charge status and the new message/missed call buttons are in a group on the cover of the phone while the Assistance button is on the back of the phone alongside the loudspeaker.

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Above the keypad are four special buttons: two are marked with symbols for the camera and messaging while the other two, marked “A” and “B” are for fast dialling of two pre-programmed numbers. Further numbers can be programmed in and then recalled by holding down the related digit on the keypad.

While these are very useful and convenient the Assistance button and ICE (In Case of Emergency) are much more significant. The purpose of the former is to initiate a request for help. A phone call, text message and GPS location information will be sent to a relative or close friend to alert them to the situation. In the event of their not answering the call the phone will then attempt to call another listed person. ICE enables medical and other information to be stored on the phone where it can then be accessed by “first responders” in the event of an emergency. Having this information as early as possible in the event of a trauma can increase chances of survival.

In order to make proper use of these facilities, however, it is necessary to pre-programme the phone with all the required ICE information and keep it regularly updated. The same applies to the phone numbers of those who are to be called for assistance.

One can use the camera button to take a quick snapshot with the 3MP camera. However, by going to the menu and then selecting camera one has the choice of snapshot or video as well as being able to access previously taken images and videos. The message button goes directly to the menu for the messaging and email options. As well as create new, Inbox, Outbox and Send messages there is E-mail. When selected this latter gives the options Write e-mail, Inbox, Outbox, Sent and Change account. This latter will only be relevant if one has set up two or more accounts.

Overall, as this is targeted at the elderly it offers hearing aid compatibility and effort has been taken to ensure reasonable quality audio and ease of use. Furthermore, a small desktop cradle is supplied to provide a convenient way of putting the phone on charge and so reducing the risk of forgetting to charge it and ending up with a flat battery.

Offered in black/white or red it is priced at £90 but available on Amazon for £57.98 the Doro 6620 has been designed to provide the features and the ease of ease that are so necessary to many of the elderly while, at the same time, allowing caring relatives to have confidence that, should the need arise, an alert can be raised and that vital ICE information will be immediately available.