The 5 Best 5G Phones for Seniors

1. Apple iPhone SE - Best 5G phone overall

4.6 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
855-914-3412

What We Like Most:

• Good value
• Touch ID features
• Nice camera
• Apple app integration

Cost: $429.99 from T-Mobile

Overview

With the iPhone SE, you can get access to all of Apple’s app content, such as iMessage, Apple Music, and everything else in the app store, for half the price of bigger iPhones. If you listen to a lot of music or play a lot of games, this phone is a great choice.

We liked the 4.7-inch screen, but it isn’t quite bright enough to see in broad daylight. The pictures and videos we took were high quality, even though the phone doesn’t have night mode.

Its call quality is clear, and the integration of voice commands allows you to call your contacts, browse the internet, and play music using only your voice. The phone’s back is made of a durable glass plate, which you usually only see in higher-end phones.

If $430 is in your price range, this is the best 5G phone you can buy. The iPhone SE is also compatible with T-Mobile’s senior plans, which offer unlimited 5G for as low as $27.50 per line. To learn more about these plans, read our T-Mobile senior plan review.

2. Moto G 5G - Best Android Phone

4.3 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
(844) 580-0512

What We Like Most:

• Under $300
• 13.5-hour battery life
• 6.5-inch display
• Water-resistant case

Cost: $249 from Consumer Cellular

Overview

At $249, the Moto G 5G is our pick for the best 5G Android you can buy. The 6.5-inch screen is very visible, but it can’t compete with Apple devices for image clarity despite having a sharper screen than previous Moto G models.

The phone has a nice speaker, still has a physical headphone jack, and comes rated for decent water resistance. You can use it in the rain, even if it can’t be dunked in water. The phone’s performance was also great, with videos and games running with minimal buffering and a 13.5-hour battery that ensures it won’t cut out on you or your grandkids in the middle of playing.

The thing we liked the least was the on-screen keyboard, which has a habit of double-tapping letters and numbers. It may take some getting used to, but the Moto G is still good value.

If you’re interested in other Android phones with better keyboards, take a look at our rundown of the best Android phones for seniors.

3. ZMax 5G - Best Budget Option

4.0 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
(844) 580-0512

What We Like Most:

• Budget price
• Large display
• Compatible with hearing aids
• Great battery life

Cost: $169 from Consumer Cellular

Overview

The ZMax 5G is our pick for the best 5G phone under $200. With a 6.74-inch, 1600-by-720 display, you’ll have no trouble using this Android phone in any viewing conditions. It features expandable storage, Bluetooth 5.0, and even M4/T4 hearing aid compatibility.

The phone has about a day of battery life, too, so it’s equally great for people who want to use their phone all day and those who save it for emergencies. The phone is made of plastic to cut costs, but the ZMax feels so great to hold, you’d never know it was so cheap.

On the downside, the speaker could be louder and the 8MP camera is somewhat low quality compared to the cameras on the iPhone. If this is as much as you want to spend on a smartphone and you don’t mind foregoing Apple’s apps, however, the ZMax could be your ideal pick.

When it comes to affordable data, Consumer Cellular is one of our favorite options, offering unlimited plans that can cost less than $30 per line. To learn more about this provider, read our Consumer Cellular review.

4. iPhone 14 - Best Camera

4.2 / 5

View Packages

What We Like Most:

• Beautiful screen
• Fantastic camera
• Lightning-fast performance
• Apple apps

Cost: $799.99 from Verizon

Overview

The iPhone 14 is our pick for a premium 5G Apple device, even over the alternatives that cost over $1,000. At $799.99, it’s not the most expensive phone out there, but it’s where the value peaks on Apple’s devices.

The vibrant 6.1-inch screen is industry-leading quality, while the A15 Bionic CPU will let you play games and watch movies from Apple’s apps to your heart’s content. The battery life is only around nine to 10 hours, but the 48MP camera is one of the best in the business. Even if you don’t know what 48MP means, just know that it’s a lot — everything from action shots of your grandkids playing to low-light photos will look amazing.

There aren’t many downsides outside of the price. The screen has a 60Hz refresh rate, which means it’s not quite as responsive as some displays in its price range. It also doesn’t have a SIM card slot, which could make a difference for international travelers.

For premium picks within Apple’s range of devices, however, the iPhone 14 is the one to beat.

When purchased from Verizon, the phone also comes with one of our favorite overall cellular networks. To learn about the company’s discounts for seniors, read our rundown of Verizon’s senior plans.

5. Galaxy S23 - Great Screen

4.6 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
844-418-3523

What We Like Most:

• Beautiful display
• Smaller build
• High durability
• Great performance

Cost: $799.99 from AT&T

Overview

The Galaxy S23 is your best bet for a premium non-Apple 5G phone. The $799.99 Galaxy competes directly with the iPhone 14 for our premium options, and we honestly don’t think you could go wrong with either one.

The S23’s camera isn’t quite as good as Apple’s, but the smaller form factor makes it way more pocket-friendly. The 6.1-inch screen is no slouch either, letting you take full advantage of the phone’s Gen 2 Snapdragon 8 processor for all your gaming and multitasking needs during the phone’s 13-hour battery life.

We also love the device’s build, which seems great for smaller hands like your tech-savvy grandkids’. But don’t worry about them breaking it! Samsung went all out with an aluminum body plated with Gorilla Glass on both sides for durability. It’s also rated IP68 for water resistance, which means it can be submerged for a half-hour without worry.