FYI: T-Mobile is one of our favorite networks, but there are several others with lower monthly prices. To find wireless plans from $10 per month, read our guide to the best senior phone plans.
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T-Mobile is one of the best providers for people 55 or older, offering unlimited talk, text, and data plans from $27.50 per line. Did we mention the plans include 5G data and require no contracts?
T-Mobile allows users to bring a phone to its network, but it also provides a wide range of devices — from smartphones to flip phones and everything in between. Our list of the five best T-Mobile phones for seniors has something for everyone (and every budget).
FYI: T-Mobile is one of our favorite networks, but there are several others with lower monthly prices. To find wireless plans from $10 per month, read our guide to the best senior phone plans.
To evaluate the best phones from T-Mobile, we looked at the following criteria:
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: Looking for an iPhone with more powerful cameras and processors? Read our guide to the best iPhones for seniors.
For just over $300, the Samsung Galaxy A23 is our pick for the best Android phone in T-Mobile’s lineup. That starts with its beautiful 6.6-inch screen, which displays brightly and clearly no matter the viewing environment.
We liked the old-school options on the phone, such as a headphone jack (which no longer comes standard) and a slot for expandable storage options. The additional storage is necessary, however, because the phone comes with only 64GB out of the box.
The battery life, which lasts around two days depending on your usage, is another high point of the Galaxy A23, as is the four years of guaranteed software security updates. You can also use your voice to enable the camera, call your contacts, and search the web using its Google integration.
The Galaxy A23 also works with other major carriers, including Verizon and AT&T.
Cost: $96
For its budget price, the TCL Flip Go is the best choice for people who want a simple, old-school design while staying somewhere on the curve of modern audio technology. The Flip Go has great sound quality and loud speakers, and even adds noise cancellation software for people who are hard of hearing.
We like the large typeface on the phone’s buttons, and we thought the screen was nice and bright. The battery lasts 12 to 14 hours on a single charge, and you’ll get mobile hotspot compatibility and the ability to connect some hearing aids to the phone for added ease of use.
The phone is a budget pick for a reason, though, and it has a low-quality camera and a lack of features that come standard with most phones.
Pro Tip: If you’re willing to bring your own phone to T-Mobile’s network, you should check out our rundown of the best flip phones for seniors for more affordable options.
Cost: $200
The Sonim XP3 is a budget-priced phone that makes great calls, lasts a long time on a single charge, and will work comfortably for anyone who has used a flip phone before. People looking for a bare-bones talk-and-text plan or a business phone should seriously consider this one.
Clear voice quality, durable design, and fast performance with the functions it can handle are the big selling points of this simple phone. It’s also durable, and we appreciate that it comes with a three-year warranty. It has a headphone jack, a 12-hour battery life, and a nice user interface. It even opens to reveal a keyboard that makes texting more efficient.
The downside is that the screen is a you-get-what-you-pay-for situation, with a display we found difficult to read in daylight. Its camera is also below par. Still, it’s a utilitarian device if you’re looking for something simple — no matter which carrier you use.
Cost: $170
For $170, the Revvl 5G is an extremely affordable smartphone that gives you the experience of a modern design at a budget price. We like the screen, but the low-light lens is definitely a budget cut even though the main cameras are decent.
The 10-hour battery is decent for the price, and it held up even while playing games and videos. We were also able to multitask on the device without losing too much performance. The actual video quality, however, is a major drawback. The bios reader, which should allow you to unlock the phone with your fingerprint, is also unreliable.
The Revvl 5G is tailored to T-Mobile’s network, so you won’t be able to use it with other carriers. For a smartphone design on one of the provider’s plans, however, it doesn’t get much cheaper than the Revvl.
In recent years, the major wireless providers (T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T) have begun to phase out minimal and affordable plans. Gone are the days of purchasing 500 minutes and 300 text messages per month. Now these providers try to push people to plans with unlimited talk, text, and data.
Some users will appreciate the departure of overage charges, but many bemoan the higher costs for these plans. AT&T’s unlimited plans start at $65 per month, while those from Verizon and T-Mobile start at $60.
Unlike Verizon and AT&T, however, T-Mobile offers discounted plans for seniors. They start at $45 per month for one line or $55 for two lines. The best part is these plans are identical to T-Mobile’s normal unlimited plans.
For people ages 55 and up, T-Mobile offers plans with unlimited talk, text, and data that start at $27.50 per month per line.
T-Mobile still offers flip phones, including the TCL Flip Go and Sonim XP3 Plus. Some feature modern screens and other features, while others are old-fashioned devices offering purely talk-and-text-based services.
T-Mobile does offer payment plans for its phones, usually with $0 down and a 24-month schedule of equal payments based on the phone’s list price.