Best Smartphones for Seniors in 2024
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Like a computer in the palm of your hand, a solid smartphone can do just about anything you can do with your desktop or laptop. From surfing the web to capturing professional-quality photographs, these devices continually impress us with their wide range of functionality.
Despite their various features, modern smartphones often have simple menus and easy-to-read screens, so even if you’re accustomed to the cell phones of yore, transitioning to a smartphone can be a simple process.
This brings us to this question: What is the best smartphone for seniors? More importantly, which one is best for you? We’ve tested out dozens of smartphones to find out.
FYI: With a smartphone comes the need for data plans. To find unlimited plans for under $30 per month, read our guide to the best senior phone plans.
Methodology
When choosing the best smartphones for seniors, we looked at the following criteria:
- Ease of use: A smartphone should simplify your life, not complicate it. In our testing, we paid close attention to the actual process of using each phone, how we could navigate its features, and how smoothly it operated.
- Large screens: More than just a way to watch videos, a large and high-resolution screen can simplify using smartphones. A solid screen makes it easy to read text and view photos.
- Speakers: Many older adults experience hearing loss, so a phone needs to have speakers that relay audio both loudly and clearly. Additionally, all of the phones on this list are compatible with hearing aids.
- Battery life: Each phone on this list has a battery that’s powerful enough to get you through one day (and often more) on a single charge.
- Cost: While the latest smartphones from Apple and Samsung can easily cost upward of $1,000, we looked for phones that were significantly less expensive.
>> Read more: The Best Samsung Phones for Seniors
The Best Smartphones for Seniors in 2024
- Jitterbug Smart4 : Best Safety Features
- Apple iPhone SE : Best iPhone
- Iris Connect : Best Budget Option
- Samsung Galaxy S24 : Best Camera
- Google Pixel 8 : Best Android
1. Jitterbug Smart4 - Best Safety Features
What We Like Most:
- Large, bright screen
- Easy menu navigation
- Medical alert features
- Affordable price
Overview
Price: $149.99 when purchased through Lively
The Jitterbug Smart4 combines everything you’d want in a smartphone with some key safety features like an urgent response button and healthcare hotlines.
Standout Features
If you want a smartphone with some of the benefits of a medical alert system, then you’ll love the safety features available on the Jitterbug Smart4. At the top of this phone’s touch screen is a dedicated urgent response button. By pressing this, we were quickly connected to an urgent response agent who, in the event of an emergency, could have connected us to help.
>>Read more: The Best Medical Alert Systems
Safety features aside, we also appreciated the simplified menus of this phone. If your loved one is new to smartphones, then they’ll appreciate how everything on the Jitterbug Smart4 is in streamlined, list-based menus. This made it one of the easiest phones we’ve tested. Despite these streamlined features, the Smart4 is a fully featured Android smartphone, meaning we could download any app available on the Google Play store, from Facebook to Skype.
Our Plan Recommendation
Unlike the other phones on this list, the Jitterbug Smart4 is only compatible with Lively. With Lively, you’ll have a choice of three plans, ranging from $25.99 to $79.99 per month. All of the plans include unlimited talk and text and the ability to call a Lively member for help ordering a Lyft, getting directions, or looking up numbers. However, the more expensive plans include unlimited data, the urgent response team we mentioned, and emergency alerts for your friends and family, to name a few benefits. To learn more about how Lively’s plans work, read our guide to Jitterbug phone plans.
Drawbacks
Particularly when we compared it to the cameras of the Google Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S24, the cameras of the Jitterbug Smart4 were disappointing, with three rear cameras of 13, 2, and 2 MP, plus one 8 MP front camera. When I compared those photos to the ones I’d taken on 50 MP cameras, they looked significantly less clear.
Our Verdict
If safety and simplicity are important to you, then the Jitterbug Smart4 is sure to please. For a more in-depth look at this device, check out our Jitterbug Smart4 review. Additionally, be sure to check out our other Jitterbug phone reviews.
Pros
- 37-hour talk time
- Simplified menus
- Dedicated urgent response button
- M3/T4 hearing aid compatibility
Cons
- Lower-quality cameras
- No biometric authentication
2. Apple iPhone SE - Best iPhone
What We Like Most:
- Intuitive design and voice commands
- Water- and dust-resistant
- Great camera quality
- Thousands of free apps
Overview
Cost: $429 when purchased through Consumer Cellular
Even if you don’t consider yourself tech-savvy, the iPhone is the easiest smartphone to use, not to mention the most helpful, in the real world. We used it to listen to music, pay for items at stores, and have Siri answer our each and every question.
Standout Features
One of the reasons we recommend the iPhone SE to seniors in particular is because of its accessibility features. One, we could magnify text, making it easier to read on the 4.7-inch screen. Two, we could use VoiceOver, so we’d get audio descriptions of on-screen text, ideal for someone with visual impairments. And for those with hearing loss, the iPhone SE is rated M3/T4 in terms of hearing aid compatibility. On top of that, the phone transcribed audio from real life, FaceTime, and phone calls, so we could always understand whoever we were speaking to, regardless of the medium.
Another useful feature is Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. We didn’t even touch our phones to get directions, hear about the weather, or look something up on Google. This meant less screen time for us, while still getting to benefit from the wealth of information that a smartphone brings. It’s a win-win!
Additionally, with Assistive Access mode, you can make the iPhone SE even easier. To learn more about this feature, read our guide to iPhone Senior Mode.
Our Plan Recommendation
We chose Consumer Cellular as our provider because it offers low prices ranging from $20 to $50 a month for anywhere from 1 GB to unlimited data. All of the plans included unlimited talk and text as well as 5G access, which let us stream videos on the iPhone SE to our hearts’ delight without the annoying buffering. Plus, AARP members can get a 5 percent discount, making prices even lower.
To learn more about Consumer Cellular’s plans and their costs, read our guide to Consumer Cellular plans for seniors.
Drawbacks
The iPhone SE lacks the urgent response button of the Jitterbug Smart4. Its screen is also a bit small at only 4.7 inches, two inches smaller than the Jitterbug Smart4’s screen. Plus, unlike more recent iPhone models, the iPhone SE lacks Face ID, which lets us access our phones using our faces. However, it does have Touch ID, which lets us use our fingerprints for entry.
Our Verdict
If you want to buy an iPhone that won’t break the bank, the iPhone SE offers the features you want from Apple while costing under $500. To learn more about iPhones, be sure to check out our guide to the best iPhones for seniors.
Pros
- Thousands of free apps
- Siri voice commands
- Intuitive interface
- Loud speaker and clear audio
Cons
- No urgent response button
- Slightly small screen
3. Iris Connect - Best Budget Option
What We Like Most:
- 26-hour talk time
- M3/T3 hearing aid compatibility
- 6.5-inch screen
- Affordable price
Overview
Price: $89 when purchased through Consumer Cellular
The $89 Iris Connect proves that it’s possible to get a smartphone for under $100. With its Android operating system, this phone let us do nearly everything that we could do on more costly phones from Samsung and Google.
Standout Features
The Iris Connect didn’t skimp when it came to the size of its screen. Measuring 6.5 inches, it’s the second largest on this list next to the Jitterbug Smart4, which beats it by a mere 0.2 inches. This is ideal for anyone, but especially those with vision problems. For us, it just made our TV shows that much bigger.
We also loved the fact that the Iris Connect has an Android operating system, which lets us access the millions of apps available on the Google Play store. It also meant that we had Google Assistant voice commands. This lets us control our phones using our voices alone. From controlling our home’s smart devices to playing music on Spotify, it was nice to be able to use our phones without manually operating our screens.
Our Plan Recommendation
Since the Iris Connect is only available from Consumer Cellular, we had no other options in terms of data, talk, and text plans. Not that this is a bad thing, of course, as Consumer Cellular is super affordable; it offers the following prices based on the amount of data you can use per month:
- 1 GB: $20
- 5 GB: $25
- 10 GB: $35
- Unlimited data: $50
All plans include unlimited talk and text. However, if you go over your allotted amount of data per month, you’ll be automatically upgraded to the next level, meaning you’ll have to pay for the data you use.
Drawbacks
Unfortunately, the Iris Connect is not compatible with 5G, which meant a bit of a lag when we were trying to open various apps. Rather, it only works with 4G LTE, which isn’t as fast when it comes to streaming, downloading files, and video chatting. Plus, all of Consumer Cellular’s plans include 5G, so we were paying for something we couldn’t actually use. If 5G is a dealbreaker for you, you may want to read our guide to the best 5G phones.
Our Verdict
As long as you’re OK with being on 4G LTE networks only, you’ll love how much you can save with the Iris Connect, which works the same as any Android phone.
Pros
- Google Play Store
- Google Assistant
- 6.5-inch screen
- Up to 256 GB of storage
Cons
- No 5G compatibility
- Slower speeds
4. Samsung Galaxy S24 - Best Camera
What We Like Most:
- 50 MP camera
- AI features
- Long battery life
- Conversational gains with and without hearing aids
Overview
Cost: $499.99 when purchased through Cricket Wireless
Not only does the Samsung Galaxy S24 have a 50 MP camera, one of its four cameras, but it also has a ton of awesome artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that make our photos and videos look better than ever.
Standout Features
Aside from the Google Pixel 8, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is the only phone on this list with a 50 MP camera, which is many times better than the cameras of the iPhone SE (12 MP) or even the Iris Connect (13 MP). But it wasn’t just about the quality of the camera we liked; it was also about the AI that let us edit the photos, making them look better than they ever could in the “real world.”
What do we mean by that, exactly? Well, let’s take nighttime photos, for instance, which tend to look significantly worse than photos we took during the day. But that wasn’t the case with the Samsung Galaxy S24. Our photos were still as bright and detailed as if we had taken them during the day. We could even zoom in without losing that clarity. If taking amazing photos is really important to you, you’ll love the photographer you turn into with the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Our Plan Recommendation
Although the Samsung Galaxy S24 works with many providers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, we chose Cricket Wireless because of its affordable, prepaid plans. If you only need 5 or 10 GB of data, the cost is only $30 or $40 a month and includes 5G access and 2 GB of cloud storage. Unlimited data plans are either $55 or $60 a month, although all plans include unlimited talk and text.
The top-tier plan gave us a 15 GB mobile hotspot, a subscription to Max with ads, 150 GB of cloud storage, plus unlimited texting from the U.S. to 37 countries, and usage in Canada and Mexico. That’s a lot of bang for our buck. To learn more about this phone and its affordable plans, check out our rundown of Cricket Wireless for seniors.
Drawbacks
At $499.99, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is far from the cheapest option, costing over five times as much as the Iris Connect and over three times as much as the Jitterbug Smart4. Additionally, it only allows for 128 GB of local storage. If having a ton of local storage is important to you, the Google Pixel 8 has up to 256 GB.
Our Verdict
People who appreciate photography and AI will love the advanced features of the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Pros
- Great battery life
- 5G compatible
- High-definition screen
- Speedy performance
Cons
- Higher cost
- Only 128 GB of cloud storage
5. Google Pixel 8 - Best Android
What We Like Most:
- Advanced cameras up to 50 MP
- AI features
- High-powered photo editing
- Built-in voice commands
Overview
Price: $699 from Mint Mobile
If you want an Android phone, you’ll love the Google Pixel 8 Pro, which combines Google’s apps and the latest AI capabilities.
Standout Features
The Google Pixel 8 offered us everything we love about Androids. From making voice commands with Google Assistant to organizing every aspect of our lives with Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Calendar, this phone simplified our lives.
But like the Samsung Galaxy S24, the Google Pixel 8 had some pretty incredible AI capabilities. For example, it lets us remove details from photos easily, like if someone had gotten in the background. No Photoshop skills were necessary in the making of this photo! Additionally, when we were taking group pics for work, we combined multiple photos to create a new photo where no one blinked, looked away, or sneezed. And even when we were editing video, the Audio Magic Eraser made it easy to take out background noise, so all we could hear were our own voices.
Our Plan Recommendation
The Google Pixel 8 works with a variety of networks: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Spectrum, and Mint Mobile, to name a few. But we chose Mint Mobile due to its senior discounts. For people 55 and over, Mint offers a prepaid plan: $45 for three months of unlimited talk and text and 5 GB of high-speed data. Plus the plan includes a mobile hotspot and free calls to the U.K., Mexico, and Canada. This is an incredibly good deal, so if you’re over 55, consider Mint Mobile’s senior plans for your smartphone.
Drawbacks
Like the Samsung Galaxy S24, the Google Pixel 8 is expensive, ringing in at $699 when we bought it from Mint Mobile. That’s $200 more than the Galaxy S24, $550 more than the Jitterbug Smart4, and around $270 more than the iPhone SE. If affordability is top of mind, you can spend less than $100 with the $89 Iris Connect.
Our Verdict
The Google Pixel 8 could be worth it for you if you want the best AI features on your Android OS.
Pros
- 50 MP camera quality
- Voice commands through Google Assistant
- Solid battery life
- Impressive AI capabilities
Cons
- Higher price
- Steeper learning curve entailed
What Is a Smartphone?
For the uninitiated, the term “smartphone” might have many different meanings. Touchscreens, web browsing, video streaming — these are all likely features you associate with smartphones. Generally speaking, a smartphone is any mobile device with functionality beyond simply making phone calls and sending text messages.
With each of the phones on this list, you can surf the web, send emails, listen to music, share photos, and play games. Additionally, many of these phones give you access to an app store, a digital marketplace where you can download additional features and tools, many of which are free.
Even if you want a phone for simple functions only, a smartphone can fit the bill. Especially now, with the advent of 5G technology, a network primarily available on the latest smartphones, you’ll gain access to more reliable signals and faster data speeds. No matter your cellular needs, there’s a smartphone for you on this list.
Benefits of Smartphones for Seniors
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, right? Wrong. Although a flip phone may be closer to the landline you’re familiar with, these days, smartphones are so easy to use that we think it’s worth the initial unfamiliarity. Compared to flip phones, smartphones have a ton of benefits for seniors, including:
- Internet access: While some flip phones have internet access, it’s typically so slow that it’s not worth using. But that’s not the case with smartphones, which give you high-speed internet just like a computer, but wherever you go.
- Video chatting: Video chat with friends and family, which is so much better than just a phone call.
- Streaming: You can stream movies and TV shows on your smartphone, getting entertained with the push of a button.
- More storage: From videos to pictures to music to contacts, smartphones have storage capacities of anywhere from 32 to 256 GB or more.
- Voice assistants: Whether it’s Apple’s Siri or Google’s Google Assistant, voice assistants let you access information, send emails and text messages, and control smart home devices using your voice alone.
- Helpful apps: Navigation apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps help you find where you’re going, while music apps like Spotify or Apple Music let you have fun as you’re getting there. There are millions of useful and fun apps in the Google Play or Apple stores, which you’ll be able to download easily onto your smartphone.
- 5G: These days, most smartphones work with 5G, which allows faster speeds necessary for streaming, video chatting, and downloading files. You can kiss buffering goodbye!
How to Simplify a Smartphone for a Loved One
That being said, if a smartphone isn’t easy enough for someone to use, all of its benefits become a moot point. However, there are ways to make smartphones more accessible for loved ones, whether it’s an Android or an iPhone.
- Androids: Google has a list of things you can do to make your Android more accessible. For example, it’s possible to make items on the home screen bigger or increase the font size. You can also teach your loved one how to magnify their screen, make the text higher contrast, or use Select to Speak. This feature allows them to point their camera at something to hear it read out loud. In addition, they can have items on their screen read out loud, as well.
- iPhones: Similarly, Apple offers a list of accessibility features. For example, we could make the text bigger, magnify text, get audio descriptions of what was happening on our screens, or use Siri to get things done. For those with hearing issues, it’s possible to turn speech to text, or have your phone alert you by vibrating instead of playing a ringtone. We could also make the pointer (the arrow symbol that’s used to click on items) bigger and increase the contrast to make it easier to see.
Bottom Line
Now more than ever, smartphones are being designed with simplicity in mind. Their advanced features are being presented through intuitive menus, making them a great option for seniors.
To learn more about our favorite phones and providers, be sure to check out our helpful guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is there a smartphone made specifically for seniors?
The Jitterbug Smart4 is a smartphone made with seniors in mind; however, iPhones are another great option, due to their intuitive design and access to the Apple App Store.
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What is the best smartphone for a 70-year-old?
The Jitterbug Smart4 is a great, simplified option with built-in safety features. Alternatively, the iPhone SE has an intuitive interface that many older adults can pick up quickly.
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Can a smartphone be a medical alert system?
Due to a lack of fall detection and waterproofing, no smartphone can completely replace a medical alert system; however, the Jitterbug Smart4 has a dedicated urgent response button that can contact monitoring agents in an emergency.
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Which smartphones have voice commands?
The Jitterbug Smart 4, iPhone SE, and Iris Connect all have built-in voice assistants that allow you to compose messages, make calls, and browse the web with your voice.
