Best iPhones for Seniors in 2025
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August 9, 2025
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Contrary to popular opinion, surveys have found that 79 percent of Americans ages 65 or older own smartphones.1 Combining sleek design with surprisingly intuitive interfaces, iPhones could be the ideal phone for your older loved ones. In my experience, I’ve been surprised by how easily flip phone users were able to adapt to an iPhone’s controls.
There are over 15 generations of iPhone, however, and within each generation there are several models with slightly different specifications. After months of testing, I’ve come up with five of my favorites. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly iPhone or one with a high-definition camera, this list has a pick for you.
Pro Tip: With an iPhone, you’ll have your choice of networks. To find plans with unlimited talk, text and data for $30 per month, read my rundown of the best cell phone plans for seniors.
The Best iPhones for Seniors
- Apple iPhone 16e : Best Value
- Apple iPhone 15 : Best Camera
- iPhone 16 Plus : Biggest Screen
- Apple iPhone 13 Mini : Best Hearing Aid Compatibility
- iPhone 12 : Best Refurbished Option
iPhones are great, but they’re hardly affordable. If you’re looking for cell phones as low as $50, then read my guide to the best phones for seniors.
iPhones for Seniors Compared
| Model | Price | Screen size (in inches) | Main camera quality (in MP) | Battery life (in hours of talk time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e | $599 | 6.1 | 48 | 26 |
| iPhone 15 | $729.99 | 6.1 | 48 | 20 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | $929 | 6.7 | 48 | 27 |
| iPhone 13 Mini | $259 to $405.15 | 5.4 | 12 | 12.5 |
| iPhone 12 | $210 to $378.01 | 6.1 | 12 | 10 |
Best iPhones for Seniors
Apple iPhone 16e - Best Value
What We Like Most:
- $599 price tag
- 48MP camera
- 26 hours of video playback
- 6.1-inch screen
Overview
Price: $599 from Consumer Cellular
The iPhone 16e is one of Apple’s latest iPhones. It’s not the least expensive at $599, but when you compare it to the iPhone 16 Pro’s $999 cost, it seems a lot more reasonable.
I got great features, including:
- Long battery life: My phone worked for 26 hours without needing a charge. If the older adult in your life often forgets to charge their phone, either of these would make great options.
- 6.1-inch screen: It’s not quite the largest screen on this list (that would be the iPhone 16 Plus, which has an enormous 6.7-inch screen), but you should have no issue navigating on the 16e’s 6.1-inch screen. Plus, it’s less bulky than the 16 Plus, weighing less than 6 ounces.
- Hearing aid compatibility: The 16e works with ANSI 2019 hearing aids, making it a good option for people with hearing impairments.
I bought my iPhone 16e from Consumer Cellular, but you can use networks from AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon. To save the most, choose a phone with 128GB of storage. It will cost $699 for 256GB of storage, while 512GB costs $899.
With a Consumer Cellular plan, I got unlimited talk and text with 1GB of data for $20 per month.
Did You Know: Consumer Cellular offers a 5 percent discount for AARP members.
While 1GB of data isn’t enough for regular streaming, Consumer Cellular won’t hit you with overage fees if you go over your limit. Instead, the company will automatically bump you up to the next plan tier. Plus, when you’re connected to your home Wi-Fi, none of that usage counts toward your monthly data allowance.
>> Read more: Consumer Cellular Review
Pros
- Face ID
- Long battery life
- Large screen
- Emergency SOS
Cons
- No physical home button
- Can’t be immersed in water
Did You Know: If you’re looking to save on your cellular plan, check out my guide to senior cell phone discounts.
Apple iPhone 15 - Best Camera
What We Like Most:
- Best iPhone camera
- High-definition display
- Optional urgent response features
- Long battery life
Overview
Price: $729.99 from Verizon
The iPhone 15 is one of the newest iPhones on this list, which is why it has the highest price tag. With that $729.99 price tag, of course, comes the latest features Apple has to offer.
If you want a phone primarily to take pictures and videos (something I do at least once a day), the iPhone 15 offers the most advanced camera on this list, tied with the larger 16 Plus and the 16e. The main camera is 48MP (three times that of the iPhone 12 and 13 Mini), and I could zoom in optically four times, which is great for faraway shots. Plus, with a 6.1-inch diagonal display, it was fun and easy to review and edit my photos and videos right on my iPhone.
I bought my iPhone 15 from Verizon, although cellular service is available from AT&T and T-Mobile. While Verizon has a plan for adults ages 55 and up, it’s only available to Florida residents, who can buy one line for $45 a month or two lines for $80, $40 each. For everyone else, including me, prices start at $65 per line per month. If you want extras like mobile hotspot data or unlimited international data, it’ll cost $80 to $90 a line. All plans include, however:
- Unlimited talk and text
- 5G data
- Talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada
- International texting
- Spam blocker
To learn more about the plans for this phone, check out my rundown of Verizon phones for seniors.
Pros
- Highest quality, 48MP camera
- Super Retina XDR display
- Zoom optically four times
- Urgent response button
Cons
- Costly device
- Not the longest battery life
Pro Tip: While not the same as an iPhone, the Jitterbug Smart4 is a great smartphone option made specifically for seniors. To learn more, read my Jitterbug Smart4 review.
iPhone 16 Plus - Biggest Screen
View Packages
Links to Consumer Cellular
What We Like Most:
- 6.7-inch screen
- Ultra-wide camera
- Up to 27 hours of video playback
- Ability to send and receive messages via satellite
Overview
Credit: Consumer Cellular
Price: $929 from Consumer Cellular
The iPhone 16 Plus has the largest screen of any iPhone, tied with the 15 Plus. At 6.7 inches, it’s ideal for someone with vision issues who wants to be able to see things clearly. And because this is one of Apple’s newest iPhones, it has incredible camera quality, 27-hour battery life, and the ability to send and receive text messages even when you don’t have a cellular signal. Instead, you can use Apple’s satellite, meaning you’re never out of reach.
The iPhone 16 Plus is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys taking photos. In addition to its 48MP camera, it features an ultra-wide lens that lets you capture even the smallest details, like a ladybug perched on a leaf. For amateur photographers, it’s a big perk not having to carry a separate camera along with their phone.
One drawback of the 16 Plus is its price, which starts at $929 for 128GB of storage. I was able to offset some of that cost by choosing a Consumer Cellular plan, starting at $20 a month for unlimited talk and text plus 1GB of data. There’s also a financing option, $17 down and $38 a month for two years at 0 percent interest, which is a great choice if you’d rather not spend nearly $1,000 all at once.
Pros
- Large screen
- Long battery life
- 48MP camera
- Emergency SOS button
Cons
- Expensive
- Weighs over seven ounces
Apple iPhone 13 Mini - Best Hearing Aid Compatibility
What We Like Most:
- M3/T4 hearing aid compatibility
- Small enough to hold in one hand
- Great camera quality
- Water-resistant
Overview
Price: $259 to $405.15 from Amazon
Do you want a new phone that will work with your hearing aids? Look no further than the iPhone 13 Mini, which works with M3/T4 hearing aids. According to the National Institute on Aging, hearing loss affects about 1 in 3 older adults, and changes in hearing loss only increase with age.2 But you don’t have to let your hearing loss prevent you from using smartphones like the 13 Mini.
I purchased my device on Amazon, where it’s priced between $259 and $405.15, making it an excellent refurbished option alongside the iPhone 12. It’s a great pick if you prefer a smaller phone. At just 4.97 ounces, with a 5.4-inch screen and a slim 0.3-inch depth, it fits comfortably in the palm of my hand. I enjoyed its compact size, though it may not be ideal for those with visual impairments.
The screen may be small, but it has the Super Retina XDR display, the same display as the latest iPhones like the iPhone 15. That’s great value, as the 13 Mini costs about $500 less. Aside from the clear display, one of the reasons someone on our team bought this phone was because they were about to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and they wanted a phone with an amazing camera. The 13 Mini didn’t disappoint, as you can see from the above photo, and he wasn’t disappointed that he didn’t bring a separate camera along. Plus, the phone’s small size made for easy traveling.
Pros
- Hearing-aid compatible
- Up to 512 GB of storage
- Lightning cable for fast charging
- Super Retina XDR display
Cons
- Only 12.5 hours of talk time
- Display is only 5.4 inches diagonally
iPhone 12 - Best Refurbished Option
What We Like Most:
- Large, high-definition screen
- Dust-tight and waterproof
- Rapid charging capabilities
- Relatively affordable
Overview
Price: $210 to $378.01 from Amazon
We’ve all had that frustrating moment when you forget your passcode and get locked out of your phone. To avoid that, I set up FaceID on the iPhone 12, allowing me to unlock it just by looking at it. It even worked when I was wearing glasses or a hat!
The iPhone 12 is a larger model, measuring 6.1 inches diagonally, which some people with vision issues may prefer. You’ll also appreciate the Super Retina XDR display (the clearest display Apple has to offer, even among recent models like the iPhone 16 Pro). The phone also has quick charging through the lightning cable. With this feature, I was able to charge this phone to half capacity in roughly 30 minutes.
The iPhone 12 is no longer available from Apple or even AT&T, so I had to buy the device on Amazon. There were a few options, ranging in price from from $210 to $378.01. The cost depends on the amount of storage, which ranges from 64GB to 256GB. I went with the cheapest option and then got data from AT&T, which has a senior plan for either $40 per month for one line or $70 per month for two lines, which amounts to $35 per line. Each plan includes:
- 10GB of hotspot data per line per month
- 5G access
- Spam call blocking
- Standard-definition streaming
- Unlimited talk, text and data in the U.S., Mexico and Canada
>> Read more: AT&T Plans for Seniors
Pros
- Impressive 12MP dual-camera system
- 5G compatible
- Large 6.1-inch screen
- High-definition, Super Retina XDR display
- Dust-tight and waterproof
- Rapid charging with USB-C lightning cable
Cons
- Only available from resellers like Amazon
- Shorter battery life
Bottom Line
The iPhone 16e is the best value, but the iPhone 15 has the best camera, the iPhone 15 Plus has the largest screen, the iPhone 13 Mini is best for someone with hearing aids and the iPhone 12 is the best refurbished option.
For more information, read about how we test iPhones and the questions we get asked the most.
Our Methodology
Apple releases new iPhone models every year, and it’s often difficult to discern the differences among them. When choosing the best iPhones for seniors, we looked for the following:
- Affordability: It’s no secret that smartphones can cost upward of $1,000. When choosing the best iPhones for seniors, I gave preference to the devices with more affordable price tags.
- Battery life: Due to their variety of uses, iPhones and other smartphones often have issues with battery life. In my tests, all of the phones on this list had batteries powerful enough to last an entire day before needing a recharge.
- Camera quality: One of the best features of any iPhone is its camera. All of the phones on this list make it easy to take high-quality photos worthy of sharing.
- Hearing aid compatibility: Many older adults use hearing aids, so to avoid any excess noise or high-pitched feedback, we tested all of these phones to make sure they are compatible with hearing devices.
- Network choice: Smartphones are often paired with expensive cellular plans, so we chose devices that are compatible with discounted plans featuring unlimited talk, text and data.
Why Should Seniors Consider an iPhone?
Seniors should consider iPhones because they’re user-friendly and intuitive. Because iPhones have touch screens, it doesn’t take much technical know-how to learn how to use them. The screens are large and bright, and the phones have many capabilities, such as:
- Controlling smart devices
- Listening to music
- Taking photos and videos
- Talking, texting, and FaceTiming with friends and family
The most modern iPhones have FaceID, which lets me open my phone using my face rather than having to type in a pass code. Plus, many iPhones are hearing-aid compatible, making them a great choice for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
>> Read more: Best Phones for Hearing Impaired Users
iPhone Senior Mode
In 2023, Apple released an update to iOS, the operating system that powers iPhones. The update introduced a new feature that many have dubbed the iPhone’s Senior Mode.
Officially called Assistive Access, the feature allows you to streamline the layout of a traditional iPhone, enlarge the touch screen’s digital buttons, and limit the use of certain apps and features. All of the features mitigate confusion.
Seniors, of course, are not a monolith, but I’ve found that many older adults struggle to learn the ins and outs of Apple devices. With Assistive Access, however, you can drastically shrink the learning curve.
To learn more, read our guide to iPhone Assistive Access.
Which Cellular Provider is Best for iPhones?
The best cellular provider for iPhones will depend on where you live, your budget and the iPhone model itself. The Federal Communications Commission provides a map of 4G LTE and 5G coverage in the U.S. as of Dec. 31, 2024.3 Navigate the map to your city or town to find out which networks cover your area. Most likely, you’ll have coverage for multiple providers, although this may not be the case in more remote areas.
You should also take into account the cost of the cellular data itself. AT&T, for example, ranges from $35 to $40 per month for seniors, while T-Mobile’s senior plans range from $45 to $85 per month. Verizon’s plans cost $45 per line per month, but they’re available only to seniors in Florida, unlike the national plans from AT&T and T-Mobile.
Take into account what you’d get with each plan, including:
- Unlimited talk and text
- Mobile hot spot data
- International calling and texting
- Streaming quality
- 5G access
Not every provider will be available with every iPhone. The newer iPhones that Apple sells are compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, for example, but older models like the iPhone 13 Mini are available only with resellers like Amazon. Make sure you can get the model you want with your preferred network.
What About Preowned iPhones?
Buying a preowned iPhone is a great way to save money. New iPhones like the iPhone 15 cost at least $729.99, but older models like the iPhone 12 start at around $210 from some resellers.
Look for models that are labeled “certified preowned” or “refurbished.” What’s the difference?
Refurbished phones: According to Verizon, refurbished phones are used phones that a company has repaired.4 The seller has restored the phone to its factory settings and wiped its data.
Certified preowned phones: Certified preowned is an umbrella term for all of the preowned phones that Verizon — or any seller — sells, some of which may not have needed repair.
Typically, a preowned iPhone will work as well as a new iPhone, and you’ll set it up as if it’s a new iPhone. It may have some scratches, however, which will make the price tag lower.
Verizon, for example, grades each preowned phone for its cosmetic condition: good, very good or great. I recommend buying a preowned phone from a source such as Verizon or AT&T. It’s a bigger risk if you’re buying from an individual seller on Amazon, because the phones aren’t held to a unified standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are iPhones good phones for seniors?
iPhones are good for seniors because they have large screens and intuitive interfaces that make it easy for seniors to answer calls, send text messages and FaceTime loved ones. For more technologically advanced users, they can also use their iPhones to listen to music, watch movies and TV shows, research topics online, and perform many other actions through millions of applications.
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Which iPhone is the easiest to use for seniors?
The iPhone that is the easiest to use for seniors is the iPhone 16 Plus, because it has the largest screen at 6.7 inches. All iPhones have an option called Assistive Access that allows you to make items larger and simplify your home screen into grids or rows of customized, enlarged apps.
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Do iPhones have a senior mode?
Yes, iPhones have a senior mode, officially called Assistive Access. Using this mode, you can:
- Make on-screen items larger
- Decrease the number of features visible on the screen, arranging them into a simple row or grid
- Customize the apps available
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Which is easier for seniors: iPhone or Android?
iPhones are often easier for seniors because of their simple, consistent interface and features such as larger text options, Siri voice commands and built-in accessibility tools like senior mode.
Android phones can also be senior-friendly, but their variety of models and interfaces may feel less intuitive to those new to smartphones. Overall, iPhones tend to have a gentler learning curve, while Android offers more customization for tech-savvy users.
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Is there a senior discount for iPhones?
No, there is no senior discount for iPhones. Apple does not offer any discounts based on age.