Best Cell Phones for Seniors

Lively's Jitterbug Smart3 is the best cell phone for seniors because it was designed with them in mind. This simple smartphone has a large menu with only the essentials like maps and directions, a camera, email, and an internet browser. 

Even the phone’s service plans have senior-friendly features like on-call conferencing with a doctor or nurse and an SOS button that turns your cell phone into a simple medical alert system. Plus, each Lively cell phone plan is contract-free, so you can cancel service at any time.

When you turn the phone on, you’ll be greeted by a bright, simple menu. You can make a phone call, check your voicemail, or send a text in just a few clicks. And the call quality is loud and clear too, thanks to the front-facing speaker. 

The Smart3 improves on the Jitterbug Smart2 with an even larger screen for easy viewing. You also don't have to pay extra for brain games like with the Smart2—the games come standard on the Smart3.

Lively gives you lots of options when it comes to customizing your cell phone plan. Talk, text, and data come à la carte .

The talk and text plan's monthly prices are slightly misleading since they don't include a cellular data plan. You have five data options to choose from, and it costs $0.10 per MB used above your plan limit.

There are a few more optional services to add to your plan: Lively's Health and Safety packages get you cool features like Urgent Care, Urgent Response, and even a personal operator. 

The Apple Health app is like having a tiny doctor in your pocket. It can record nutrition, activity, and vitals information from daily steps to blood glucose. If you need to track it, it’s probably there.

If you use a wearable device for seniors like the Apple Watch or a FitBit, your device will automatically sync with Apple Health. 

There are advantages to going with one of the most popular smartphones around. The iPhone 8 is a great choice for older adults who love to tinker with tech. For example, if you have loved ones who also use an iPhone, you can video chat with them directly through FaceTime.

Apple iPhones connect to a huge range of smart home and health devices. The iPhone is compatible with popular smart home devices like these: 

• Amazon Echo
• Google Home 
• Smart light bulbs
• Indoor security cameras
• Home security systems

As you get older, tasks like typing, reading, and remembering become more of a challenge. The iPhone 8 has the power to tweak almost every aspect of the phone’s functions to make it more accessible to those with hearing, vision, or motor impairments.

Toggle the VoiceOver feature on to have the phone read text aloud to you or hook it up to your hearing aid to hear conversations more clearly. You can also adjust the color settings to make the screen easier on your eyes.

Or for a simpler solution, adjust the font size on the phone to make the text bigger.

One of the biggest complaints we saw about the Go Flip 3 was its camera. If you aren’t planning on snapping a lot of pictures, it’s not a problem. But the photos a 2 MP camera produces will look grainy and unclear compared to those from phones with 13 MP cameras.

This flip phone for seniors is available through T-Mobile or Metro by T-Mobile, so prices may vary. But when we checked, the phone is about $97 from T-Mobile.

If you’re looking for a simple mobile phone, the Alcatel Go Flip 3 is a cheap option for just calling and texting. Reviewers on T-Mobile said navigation takes practice and the camera was a big drawback for them. That said, it’s great for the ultra-minimalist in your life who prefers short phone calls and a way to check emails on the go.

It has all the key features you may want in a smartphone like apps, internet browsing, a voice assistant, and social media. We also like Google Fit, Android’s built-in health monitoring app. And because it’s a newer phone, it can sync with other health and safety wearables like a Galaxy smartwatch or FitBit. 

You can find an unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 8 online, but you’ll need to take it to your cellular carrier to get it working. So prices may vary depending on where you buy. The good news is most major carriers like Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and AT&T support this smartphone.

The Galaxy Note 8 is great for seniors who like tinkering with home automation, new devices, and surfing the web. It can connect to smart home devices and control your home security system.

The Android operating system on your Galaxy Note works with smart devices too. Here are just a few goodies you can control from your phone:

• Home security systems
• Google assistant devices
• Smart locks
• Smart thermostats

But if you’re looking for something simple, the Galaxy Note 8 may be a little too feature packed.

The Palm Phone is aptly named because it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Its 3.3-inch screen keeps everything simple but may be tough to see for some older adults.

But it does have a dual speaker for better audio. And its face-unlock feature means you won’t have to remember any codes to use your phone.

The Palm Phone works independently or with major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Mobile. If you don’t go with a carrier, you can use a SIM card of your own or the one Palm includes with the phone.

If you go with Palm’s plan, it’s $5 per month for data and you get the first month free. And the phone itself costs around $280. We like that you get the option of going with one of the big guys or keeping it simple. 

Learn more in our full Palm Phone review.

For us, the Jitterbug Smart 3 hits the sweet spot. It caters to older users without watering its function down. You’ll get all the important features from your smartphone without the distractions and noise that comes with standard phones.

Whether you thrive on the latest tech or prefer a simple phone in your pocket, it’s important to be honest about your needs in a cell phone. After all, you’ll probably use it every day.

Older adults have different needs than younger folks. Devices with large displays, simple controls, and loud audio got pushed to the front of the line for our senior cell phone review. 

We also looked for phones with fewer distractions. The best cell phones for seniors put communication front and center, rather than apps, games, and social media. 

And finally, we looked at the price. Newer phones are expensive, so we wanted to help seniors save some cash for what matters to them, like spoiling the grandkids or enjoying a vacation.

Check out our methodology page to see our best practices for reviews like this one. 

• How Can I Keep Grandma and Grandpa Safe Online?
• Best Fitness Trackers for Seniors
• Best Safety Devices for Seniors
• How Smart Home Tech Can Help Older Adults
• Types of Medical Alert Systems and How They Work

1. Federal Communications Commission, “Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control,” October 2021. Accessed May 19, 2022.