Jitterbug Smart4 Review, Hands-On Test
For those new to smartphones, the Jitterbug Smart4 is an intuitive entry point. With its simplified menus, voice commands, and optional safety features, it’s one of our favorite smartphones for older adults. It’s also highly affordable, with the phone costing $119.99 and plans starting at $19.99 per month.
In this Jitterbug Smart4 review, I’ll recount my experience using this smartphone for seniors. I’ll explore each of its features, analyze its costs, and compare it to smartphones made for seniors.
You can only use the Jitterbug Smart4 on Lively’s network. However, when it comes to data, this provider can get expensive quickly. If you’re looking for affordable unlimited data plans, read our guide to the best senior phone plans.
Jitterbug Smart4 Pros and Cons
Pros
- A smartphone, simplified: With its bright screen, large text, and streamlined menus, the Jitterbug Smart4 makes its advanced features accessible and intuitive. Even for the most technologically averse person, I could see them using this phone with ease.
- Ample voice commands: Like any Android phone, the Smart4 supports Google Assistant voice commands, allowing you to make calls, dictate messages, or ask questions with your voice.
- Urgent response features: In addition to minutes and data, Lively offers urgent response features, turning your phone into a personal safety device.
- Powerful cellular network: Although the Jitterbug Smart4 is only compatible with Lively’s plans, this cellular provider offered everything I’d need in terms of coverage.
- Affordable device: The Jitterbug Smart4 costs $119.99, making it far more affordable than most smartphones.
Cons
- Costly overage charges: Unlike Consumer Cellular, which will automatically upgrade your service in the event of an overage with data, Lively will charge you $0.02 per megabyte, which could quickly add up. Remember, if you’re not on Wi-Fi, a 10-minute video could require up to 1,000 MB of data to stream.
- Only 20GB of high-speed data: Even with the unlimited plan, you’ll only get 20GB of high-speed data per month. After you’ve reached that allotment, your speeds will be slowed to 128kbps.
Jitterbug Smart4 Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.75 inches |
| Battery Life (Talk Time) | 28 hours |
| Battery Life (Standby) | 4 days |
| Cameras |
|
| Hearing Aid Compatibility | M3/T4 |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Internal Storage | 32 GB |
Purchasing My Jitterbug Smart4
You can purchase the Jitterbug Smart4 over the phone, online, or in physical stores, such as Best Buy or Target. I bought my device directly from Lively’s website.
My Jitterbug Smart4 ended up costing me $119.99 for the device, plus the monthly costs of my plan. There was also a one-time activation fee of $35.
Jitterbug Smart4 Plans
Unlike most phones, you must use the Jitterbug Smart4 on a plan from Lively. Luckily, since Lively piggybacks off Verizon’s cellular network, most Americans will fall within its service area. But note that even though Verizon offers 5G Ultra Wideband, its fastest network,1 the Jitterbug Smart4 can only access 5G maximum.
For the Jitterbug Smart4, Lively offers three different plans, ranging from $19.99 to $49.99 per month. While these plans include unlimited talk and text, they differ in extra features.
Additionally, these plans only include 1 GB of data per month. Additional data comes with additional costs—5 GB of monthly data costs $5, 10 GB costs $15, and unlimited data costs $30 per month. We must note, however, that with Lively’s “Unlimited” data plan, you’ll receive 20 GB per month of high-speed data, after which time your data speeds will be throttled for the remainder of the billing period.
FYI: Looking for unlimited data plans that won’t slash your speeds? Then read our rundown of the best unlimited phone plans for seniors.
Jitterbug Smart4 Plan Comparison
| Basic | Preferred | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $19.99 | $39.99 | $49.99 |
| Lively Rides | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Urgent Response | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lively Link App | No | Yes | Yes |
| Care Advocate | No | No | Yes |
| Nurse on Call | No | No | Yes |
Here is an overview of each feature of Lively’s plans.
Urgent Response
In the event of any emergency, medical or otherwise, the Urgent Response feature can come in handy. By pressing the dedicated button on the top of my Smart4’s screen, Lively connected me to an agent certified by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) who could trace my location and send help if necessary.
Essentially, this gave my phone the capabilities of a medical alert system.
Testing Lively Urgent Response
Lively Rides
While younger generations have long been familiar with the ride-sharing app Lyft, many older adults have yet to catch on. With Lively Rides, Jitterbug Smart4 users can bypass the app altogether by calling an operator who will arrange the ride for you. Lively will add the cost of these Lyft rides to your monthly bill.
Lively Link
The Lively Link app is a great way for caregivers to keep tabs on their loved ones. Using this app on his smartphone, my partner received notifications each time I pressed my Urgent Response button. He could also check on my location and the battery level of my Smart4.
Care Advocate
With the Care Advocate service, Lively connects Jitterbug Smart4 users with what it calls “Care Advocates.” Personally, from my experience, I’d call them “senior care coaches.”
These professionals will conduct an initial screening and help the user create a “Care Plan” encompassing health, financial planning, and personal care.
Nurse On-Call
One of my favorite wellness features, Nurse On-Call, allowed me to speak directly with registered nurses and doctors who provided me with medical advice and could even prescribe common medications over the phone. Available 24/7, I found this feature to be much more useful than the care advocates.
I think that Nurse On-Call is a great way for seniors to answer nonemergency medical questions promptly. It definitely beats standing in line for urgent care or waiting several weeks to schedule a primary care visit.
Using MyJitterbug Smart4
Below, I’ll recount my experience using the Jitterbug Smart4, from installation to daily use.
What’s Included
Upon unboxing my Jitterbug Smart4, I found the following:
- 1 Jitterbug Smart4 phone
- 1 USB-C charging cable
- 1 wall plug
- 1 instruction manual
Activation
If you purchase your phone online, then you can either activate online or over the phone. During this time, you’ll choose your plan and any extra features. I should note, however, that Lively charges a $35 activation fee plus another universal service fee for activation:
- Phone: $4.75
- Online: $3.39
If you purchase and activate the phone in store, you’ll still have to pay an activation fee, but note the universal service fee for phone or online activation.
Phone
The Smart4 home screen is intuitive and easy to read, with a list-based menu that makes it easy to access each of its features. Additionally, the phone has dedicated Home and Back buttons on the bottom of the screen to help users avoid getting lost in various features and menus.
In terms of call quality, each of my phone calls came in crisp and clear. Even while wearing hearing aids, I noticed a clarity to each of my phone calls. Additionally, browsing the internet was a breeze with the Smart4’s large touch screen.
Overall, the Smart4 delivers on its promise of simplifying the smartphone experience. The phone is easy to use, and its battery life was more than enough to last throughout the day.
For a closer look at our experience with the Jitterbug Smart4, watch our video below.
Smart4 Android Features
Remember, despite the Smart4’s simplified design, it’s a fully featured Android phone. This means that it can use any app available on the Google Play Store, including Facebook, Google Maps, TikTok,2 WhatsApp, and Gmail, among others.
Similar to the Jitterbug Flip2, the Smart4 also features voice commands, although the Smart4 works with Google Assistant, while the Flip2 works with Alexa. Voice commands allow you to activate just about any feature of your Smart4 by using your voice. All you have to do is say, “Hey Google,” and then state your command. This makes the Smart4 even easier to use.
Cameras
The Smart4 has three rear cameras (13MP, 2MP, and 2MP), and an 8MP selfie camera.
The colors are crisp and, for the most part, accurately represented. The one exception would be in conditions with high levels of light — that is, sunlight. In these cases, photos tend to be washed out.
So, while you could certainly find a better camera on any number of our favorite iPhones for seniors, the Jitterbug Smart4’s camera will certainly do the job. Just don’t expect to print and frame any of these photos.
Compare Jitterbug to Other Brands
Bottom Line
When all is said and done, a Jitterbug Smart4 can’t replace a full-fledged medical alert system, many of which are waterproof, can be worn around the neck, and feature automatic fall detection. With falls being the main source of fatal injury to older adults,3 I think of fall detection as an essential feature of any bona fide medical alert system.
>> Seasonal Discounts: Jitterbug Black Friday Deals
Still, what the Jitterbug Smart4 offers is a bridge between older adults and the modern smartphone. With its intuitive controls and added safety features, chances are this smartphone will be great for any of your loved ones.
To learn more about our favorite cell phones and providers, be sure to check out our helpful guides:
Jitterbug Smart4 Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the Jitterbug Smart4 compatible with hearing aids?
The Jitterbug Smart4 has a hearing aid compatibility score of M4/T3, meaning that it complies with FCC guidelines and will work with most hearing aids.
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How much storage is available on the Jitterbug Smart4?
The Jitterbug Smart4 has 32 GB of internal memory, which is enough to store about 3,200 songs, 6,000 photos, or several hours of video. Additionally, you can add up to 32 GB of external storage through a micro SD card.
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Which operating system is used on the Jitterbug Smart4?
The Jitterbug Smart4 runs on Android 13.
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How is Urgent Response on my Jitterbug Smart4 different from a traditional medical alert system?
A traditional medical alert service offers you a direct line of communication with a monitoring center, one that can call for emergency assistance. Lively’s Urgent Response service does this, as well.
