If the main goal is to be able to phone someone, you can make life easier by going with a more basic phone. And if that’s what you are looking for, just buy the Nokia 3310 3G. It’s likely the phone you are thinking of without even knowing it. You can listen to the radio or even some MP3s if you’re so inclined, or just use it as a basic phone to keep in touch. Nokia phone updated to the 3G network (which means it’ll work most everywhere). You can text, make calls, and even listen to the radio or some MP3s. But to cut to the chase, if you need a basic cell phone for modest cell phone needs, the Nokia 3310 3G is what you are looking for. Screen Size: 2.4 inches | Resolution: 320 x 240 | Processor: 460MHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 6.5 hours Extremeness aside, this is a good, basic phone with camera and video capabilities, really loud front-facing speakers (if you need them to be loud), and it can act as an LTE mobile hotspot for 10 devices. Simply put, this is a basic cell phone that can be put through more-than-basic conditions. Screen Size: N/A | Resolution: N/A | Processor: 1.2GHz | Camera: 5MP | Battery Life: 9.5 hours It runs on T-Mobile’s 4G/LTE network, so calls should be clearer than those limited to 3G networks. The battery is rated for 7.9 hours of talk time, which should be more than enough to get you through a pretty full day. Screen Size: 2.8 inches | Resolution: 320 x 240 | Processor: 1.1GHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 7.9 hours The phone’s screen is large enough to read incoming texts, navigate the menu, and screen incoming calls via Caller ID. Keep in mind if you get this phone we mean it when we say it’s best for texting. The phone’s talk time is limited to just 4 hours. Screen Size: 2.4 inches | Resolution: 320 x 240 | Processor: 460MHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 4.5 hours It’s got a big screen and big buttons to help those with poor vision, plus a hearing aid compatibility mode to avoid electronic feedback while talking on the phone. In an emergency, the Easyfone A1 has an SOS calling feature that will rapidly dial up to five contacts and features storage for critical personal and medical information that first responders can access. Screen Size: 2.4 inches | Resolution: 320 x 240 | Processor: 460MHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 22 hours

Ease of Use

If you’re buying a basic cell phone, it’s at least partly because you don’t want to deal with the complexities of a modern smartphone. While most basic cell phones are inherently simple, some are surprisingly complicated. Today’s basic phones can include features such as texting, taking photos, or listening to music. Aside from premium features, some fully loaded basic phones have complex interfaces. While looking for a basic phone, make sure it has an interface that makes it fairly easy to place and answer calls.

Expandable Storage

Basic phone users and smartphone users alike can benefit from extra storage. Today, most basic cell phones include a camera. If you plan on taking photos or videos, you’ll want to ensure the phone has enough storage. Getting a phone with expandable storage can help if you’re unable to transfer your memories from the phone to a computer. With expandable storage, not only are you able to add more capacity, but you’re able to easily swap memory cards when the current card gets full.

About Our Trusted Experts

Nicky LaMarco has been writing and editing for more than 15 years for consumer, trade, and technology publications about many topics including: antivirus, web hosting, backup software, and other technologies.  Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based writer who has been covering technology and video games since 2006.