Most modern smartphones have “easy modes” or accessibility features that can be turned on. Generally, the best phones for seniors will have large buttons, a large bright display for easy viewing, wireless charging—meaning no fumbling with cables—and long battery life.
Another thing to consider is budget. Many of our seniors are living on a fixed income, so it’s important to find options that will fit within those budgetary constraints. We’ve rounded up the best feature phones and smartphones on the market.
The camera on the phone isn’t the best, which is not surprising considering the flip-phone form factor. The Jitterbug Flip is also exclusive to the Greatcall carrier, so if you’re a customer on another carrier, this phone won’t work. But Greatcall has no long-term contracts and uses Verizon’s nationwide network, which is very extensive.
Screen Size: 1.44 and 3.2 inches | Resolution: N/A | Processor: 1.1 GHz | Camera: 2MP rear | Battery: Around 1 day
The camera is not impressive and the phone itself is a little underpowered, but we’re assuming it won’t be used for high-powered applications like gaming. Speaking of gaming, there are a number of what Jitterbug calls “brain games” that are designed to help the user keep their mind active and sharp.
The main reason to look at this phone comes in the form of the health and service packages available. Its 5Star service is available 24/7 and is staffed by IAED-certified agents who can help locate a user, evaluate the situation, and get help if needed. A user can also speak with a doctor or nurse any time and even get prescriptions for common medications if needed. In short, the phone itself is underwhelming, but the services that come along with it can be critical and life-saving.
Screen Size: 5.5 inches | Resolution: 1280 x 780 | Processor: 1.5 GHz | Camera: 13MP rear and 5MP front | Battery: Around 1 day
It’s expensive for a fixed budget to be sure, but there’s no reason our elders should be relegated to flip phones and low-end smartphones. This phone is powerful and still comes at a lower price tag that punches way above its class.
All Samsung Galaxy phones come with an Easy Mode that turns the phone’s interface into large, easy-to-use and easy-to-read buttons. Plus this phone has a great camera setup, perfect for shooting photos of friends and family. 5G connectivity and the Snapdragon 865 processor means seniors won’t have to worry about sluggish performance. This is really the best value you can find in Android today.
Screen Size: 6.5 inches | Resolution: 2400 x 1080 | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 | Camera: 12MP/8MP/12MP rear and 32MP front | Battery: Around 1.5 days
This phone is smaller than your average smartphone, and with that comes a smaller battery. The wireless charging is great for setting your phone down and not having to worry about cables, so that helps. The phone screen is also quite small, so if you have trouble seeing small things, you might want to try a different phone. But if you’re looking for a lot of power and performance with an easy-to-use operating system on a budget, this is one of the best deals in town.
Screen Size: 4.7 inches | Resolution: 1334 x 750 | Processor: Apple A13 Bionic | Camera: 12MP rear and 7MP front | Battery: Around 1 day
You get a large screen that is very clear and easy to read. Even its base model starts with 128GB of storage and is expandable via microSD card. The cameras on this phone are inconsistent along with video recording that’s not super great, so maybe you won’t need to extend the memory. But for those shutterbugs, the addition of expandable storage is nice. Plus, camera lovers might be able to squeeze more out of this camera than the average user.
All the same, this is a great value in the smartphone world, and should fit into the budget for a lot of people.
Screen Size: 6.3 inches | Resolution: 2280 x 1080 | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660| Camera: 48MP/8MP/5MP rear and 20MP front | Battery: Around 1 day
The build quality on the phone itself is a bit suspect. There’s no IP rating, so you’ll want to keep it away from water. Moreover, the phone has plastic backing while its screen sports Gorilla Glass 3, which isn’t bad, but it’s several generations out of date. There are stronger options available out there, but as long as you take care of your phone, this phone will serve you for a long time to come.
Screen Size: 6.7 inches | Resolution: 2400 x 1080 | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Camera: 64MP/12MP/5MP/5MP rear and 32MP front | Battery: Around 1.5 days
You’ll also get great battery life. The Exynos 9610 isn’t a top-tier performer and as such, the phone will stutter occasionally. The upside to that is the processor sips battery, so the phone is definitely an all-day phone. That’s important when it comes to a full day of activities. You want a phone that can stay out as long as you can. Plus, this is one of Samsung’s least expensive phones, so it’s very easy on the wallet as well.
Screen Size: 6.4 inches | Resolution: 2340 x 1080 | Processor: Exynos 9610 | Camera: 25MP/8MP/5MP rear and 25MP front | Battery: Around 1 day
Despite that screen, the phone has a great design that’s consistent through the Galaxy family, and the main camera is a very decent 13MP. You’ll get solid shots as long as there’s good light. Overall, this phone is easy on the wallet, so it’ll fit into most budgets and should last a long time.
Screen Size: 6.4 inches | Resolution: 1560 x 720 | Processor: Exynos 7884 | Camera: 13MP/5MP rear and 8MP front | Battery: Around 1 day
Andrew Hayward has been reviewing tech and games since 2006. He’s previously been published by TechRadar, Stuff, Polygon, Macworld, and was an editor for Mac|Life. He reviewed a big chunk of the phones on this roundup due to his specialty in smartphones and other mobile devices.
What to Look For in a Cell Phone For a Senior Citizen
Price
Living on a fixed income in your later years can put a burden on your pocketbook when it comes time to buy a smartphone. In many cases, a lower price doesn’t necessarily mean a bad experience. It’s important to find the right balance of features and price when smartphone shopping.
Screen Size
Screen size is very important when it comes to phones for seniors. If eyesight has started to go, or if glasses are required, larger screens can accommodate larger icons and text, which will make the phone easier to use.
Cameras
A smartphone is a multi-use tool, and most seniors love capturing photos. A smartphone with a good camera can capture a lot of great memories, and it’s important to have as good a camera as your budget allows. Higher megapixel counts are generally better, but software processing has a lot to say about it too. Check reviews of phones and look for photo samples.
