Pro Tip: To learn about the different AT&T phone plans, read our guide to AT&T plans for seniors.
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AT&T is one of our favorite carriers for seniors, and when you bundle your phone plan with AT&T internet, it can easily be one of the best deals available. That said, one of their phone plans is incomplete without the purchase of a cellphone.
From the latest smartphones to budget-friendly flip phones, AT&T offers a wide range of handsets. The following five phones are our favorite options for seniors, combining affordability, simplicity, and functionality.
Pro Tip: To learn about the different AT&T phone plans, read our guide to AT&T plans for seniors.
Cost: $429.99
While the most recent iPhone iterations can cost over $1,000, the iPhone SE costs less than half that price. While it won’t have as advanced a processor or camera as the iPhone 14, what the iPhone SE does have will be perfect for most users.
Although a smartphone may seem intimidating to the uninitiated, we find that most seniors are more than capable of learning how to use one in a matter of days. iPhone menus are intuitively laid out, and the quick loading times make the device a breeze to use.
The other feature we love about the iPhone SE is its camera. While not as powerful as that of the iPhone 14 (detailed below), those who are accustomed to flip phone cameras will be blown away by the high-quality images captured by this phone. What’s more, with the additional front-facing camera, video calling loved ones has never been easier.
FYI: To learn more about this phone, read our rundown of the best iPhones for seniors.
Cost: $499.99
Motorola’s Moto Edge is a sleek device with a matte finish that keeps your phone from getting smudged. Its 6.6-inch OLED screen is vibrant and punchy, giving you top-notch resolution with bright colors at all viewing angles. It’s the perfect phone for watching videos with someone next to you.
We loved the phone’s visual responsiveness but worried about its durability; Motorola remains behind its competition in terms of making its devices sturdy. With only minimum waterproofing precautions in its design, the Moto Edge is no different.
While we wouldn’t recommend the Moto Edge if you frequently pass your phone off to your grandkids to play with, the 13-hour battery life and gorgeous screen make the Moto Edge one of our favorites.
Cost: $199.99
If you’re looking for old-fashioned talk and text without sacrificing modern durability, the Sonim XP3 Plus is the phone for you. At its budget price point of $199.99, the phone can take a beating while providing above-average call service. It has a fantastic 12-hour battery life and a great user interface for your talk and text needs on its 2.8-inch LCD display.
But by opting for the old-fashioned model, you sacrifice modern usability. Those who are visually impaired should look elsewhere, as the Sonim has a smaller interface than nearly every modern smartphone, as well as a mediocre camera under the hood.
The XP3 Plus is a great little phone for business calls or for a bare-bones talk and text plan that doesn’t require extra features. Its call quality is also great on AT&T’s network, even in noisy locations.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for flip phones from $50, read our guide to this year’s best flip phones.
Cost: $999.99
Before you shake your head at the $999.99 price point, understand that the iPhone 14 Pro isn’t the most expensive phone on the market despite featuring some of the best performance features out there at any price. The gorgeous 5.81-inch screen is augmented by the stainless-steel frame that gives the 14 Pro its reputation for durability.
The screen is fantastic, the camera is one of the best in the business, and the integration with Apple apps is smooth and convenient. Despite its always-on display, which may annoy some, the iPhone 14 Pro boasts a 16-hour battery life. We love its call quality too, and the browsing speeds were the fastest we tested. The phone even has satellite-activated crash detection, which calls emergency services if you’re in an accident.
There are drawbacks to the phone, such as its comparatively high price and slower charging speeds compared to other phones in its price range. But for premium options on AT&T’s network, this is the phone to beat.
Cost: $74.99
Without a doubt the most basic phone on this list, the TCL Classic will only set you back $74.99. For those looking for functionality at a bottom-barrel price, this phone has a lot to offer.
The HD voice call quality is good and the battery life is excellent — up to 10 hours while calling and up to 16 hours while in standby mode. We also liked the large buttons on the phone, but they aren’t the most accurate analog buttons we’ve used. Expect to double back and fix some typos if you like to text family and friends.
The TCL phones, including a slightly more expensive Pro version, are available on the major networks, including AT&T and Verizon. Chances are, if this is the phone you’re looking for, you already know it based on its old-fashioned look and ultralow price.
No, AT&T allows you to bring your own phone to your new plan, provided it’s compatible with their network. Buying one of their phones guarantees that it’ll work with your new service.
The value of trading in your phone to get a new one depends on your old phone. Newer models will get you better trades and save you the hassle of selling it yourself. Check their trade-in page to see what your phone could be worth.
No, the AT&T installment plan simply divides the retail price of your new phone by the number of months it’ll take to pay it off, usually in $5 to $6 installments. You won’t pay interest or finance fees so it won’t cost you extra, but you won’t save any money either.