I have a friend who wants a new mobile phone, but has no need for anything flash or expensive.  He's been looking at those $39 and $49 dollar models (doesn't mind being locked in to current telco).
 
Essentially usage is just phone calls, TXTs, and the odd app such petrol purchasing, flight check-ins, parking, and the like.  Would not be using any data per se other than internet via free wifi.
 
Would one of those basic units suffice under these circumstances?