TechJunkie is a BOX20 Media Company

Home Social Media Instagram The Best Cell Phones for Senior Citizens

TechJunkie Expert Recommendations

The Best Cell Phones for Senior Citizens

TechJunkie is supported by our readers. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Read More.

The Best Cell Phones for Senior Citizens

No matter how we cut it, cell phones are associated with youth. Although Generation Z may not remember a time when smartphones didn’t relentlessly roam the Earth, virtually everyone else does—and that means that anyone with a cell phone is likely to be a relatively hip and with-it kind of guy or girl who doesn’t have any issue embracing new technology. Whether you use your smartphone strictly for the occasional text and selfie, or you’re a full-fledged social media professional who earns a six-figure income by regularly updating your Instagram feed, smartphones have become essential items in our life, for better or for worse. And while more and more kids of increasingly young ages are beginning to embrace smartphone and tablet technology, there’s still a segment of the population that’s overlooked when it comes to cell phone manufacturing and marketing. Senior citizens, frequently viewed as a generation that’s simply opposed to any emerging technology, don’t tend to get much love from smartphone manufacturers and marketers simply because they seem to show little or no enthusiasm for these relatively new-age products. The truth is that older people need cell phones just as much as anyone else, whether it’s for emergencies or to keep in touch with loved ones. Still, it would be foolish to purchase most senior citizens a standard-issue, bells, and whistles smartphone, since these tend to have way more features than the average senior citizen will need. Instead, it would be wise for elders to purchase a cell phone that’s made specifically for seniors. These phones should have a user-friendly interface, large font sizes, and large keypads. Here are some of the best cell phones for senior citizens in 2022.

01 Jitterbug Smart3

The Jitterbug Smart3 is a smartphone that was specially designed for seniors. It has an easy-to-use interface that anyone and everyone can quickly understand. You get a large 6.2-inch screen with a list-based menu that features large icons and fonts. We know some elders have a hard time typing on standard smartphones, but this phone has a voice typing feature that makes everything easier. The phone comes with a front-facing camera, so senior citizens can conveniently hop on a video call with their loved ones. Many older people have different issues with their health, and in the case of an emergency, they can click a button on the phone that immediately connects them to someone from the company’s certified Urgent Response Agents. They can also get in contact with a registered nurse or board-certified doctor without extra costs or insurance plans necessary. The Jitterbug Smart3 has a Lively Rides feature that allows you to get a Lyft ride with more affordable fares. Seniors would just need to call a personal operator who will book the ride for them. The phone also comes with a Lively Link app that shows your friends and family the latest updates on your health.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Emergency button
  • Can take video calls
  • Lively Rides and Lively Link apps

Cons

  • Only works in the United States
  • Might be too large for some

Specification

  • Price $108.88
  • Operating System Android 10.0
  • Screen Size 6.22 Inches
Jitterbug Smart3

02 Jitterbug Flip2

When senior citizens were younger, they never expected touchscreen smartphones to be a thing. There was a time wherein they thought flip phones were the most high-tech device in their lifetime, and many seniors still prefer flip phones today. Their best flip option would be the Jitterbug Flip2. The phone has a large screen and big buttons with sizeable numbers and letters. Its menu is easy to understand, but the best part about it is that it has Amazon Alexa built-in, so elders can easily navigate the phone with their voice. The phone comes with a dedicated Urgent Response button for any help or assistance needed. Users will get to have access to nurses, doctors, and Urgent Response agents at any time of the day. Like the Jitterbug Smart3, the Jitterbug Flip2 also comes with the Lively Rides and Lively Link features. This phone doesn’t connect to the internet, but it’s totally fine because most seniors don’t use social media. Elders in the United States mostly use phones for calls and texts, and they can get an unlimited call-and-text plan for this phone for about $19.99 per month. You can’t use this phone with other wireless carriers, but a Lively agent can help you set it up once it gets delivered to your doorstep.

Pros

  • Flip design with large buttons and fonts
  • User-friendly menu
  • Amazon Alexa support
  • Dedicated Urgent Response button
  • Lively Rides and Lively Link
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Can't connect to the internet
  • Only works in the United States
  • Can't use it with other wireless carriers

Specification

  • Price $63.99
  • Operating System Android
  • Screen Size 3.2 inches
Jitterbug Flip2

03 Samsung Galaxy A12

For seniors who prefer to keep up with modern trends and want a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy A12 would be an excellent choice. The selling point for this phone would be its battery life since it has a 5,000 mAh battery that guarantees up to 34 hours of talk time or over two weeks of standby time. Older people have tons of things to worry about, so the last thing they would want is to worry about if their phone has enough battery or not. Many high-tech smartphones come with features that take too much out of the battery, so they won’t be advisable for senior citizens. The Galaxy A12 features a 6.5-inch IPS display, and you can fix the settings so that all the fonts appear larger or bolder. It only has 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, but this will be enough for seniors who need a phone for texting, calling, and basic browsing. If a techy senior uses the phone, they can quickly expand its storage to 1TB using a microSD card. Seniors can also take memorable photos and videos because the phone comes with a 48MP wide camera, a 5MP ultrawide camera, a 2MP macro camera, and an 8MP selfie camera. Its camera system is decent enough for sending content to family and friends, and elders could even post them to social media if they have accounts. The phone doesn’t support 5G connectivity, but 4G LTE is enough for seniors who want to search for something on Google or watch random videos on Youtube.

Pros

  • Long battery life
  • Expandable storage
  • Decent camera system
  • Excellent for basic internet browsing

Cons

  • Seniors will have to take time to learn how to use the phone

Specification

  • Price $163.50
  • Operating System Android 10.0
  • Screen Size 6.5 Inches
Samsung Galaxy A12

04 Kyocera DuraXE Epic

Not all seniors still have their mobility intact, so they might need more durable phones like the Kyocera DuraXE Epic. This phone features a flip design that will feel familiar to elders. It has a military-grade drop-proof and waterproof design, so it’s perfect for clumsy seniors who can’t always secure their phones when in use. The phone even stays protected from extreme temperature, solar radiation, blowing rain, etc. Its noise-canceling mic and loud dual speakers are excellent for when seniors need to take calls and put whoever they’re speaking to on loudspeaker. The phone comes with a 1,770 mAh battery that promises up to 16 days of standby time or 10 hours of talk time. Those with hearing issues will also love this phone because it’s hearing-aid compatible. The phone’s interface is easy to understand, and seniors will like how it has large fonts. The phone also comes with an SOS button in case of any emergencies. Its internal memory is only 16GB, but putting in a microSD card can expand it up to 512GB. The phone’s 5MP rear camera might not be the best, but most seniors don’t really need a high-end camera at their age.

Pros

  • Rugged design
  • User-friendly interface with large fonts
  • Decent battery life
  • Expandable storage
  • Has an SOS button
  • Compatible with hearing aids

Cons

  • Pretty heavy
  • Pricier than rivals

Specification

  • Price $269.99
  • Operating System Qualcomm
  • Screen Size 2.6 inches
Kyocera DuraXE Epic

05 Consumer Cellular Link II

The Consumer Cellular Link II is a fantastic choice for seniors looking for a budget-friendly phone with a simple design. It’s a flip phone with a bright and vibrant 2.8-inch primary display and a 1.7-inch external display. It has the traditional 12-key keypad that seniors are indeed familiar with. You will need to use the phone with a Consumer Cellular service plan, but they only charge $15 monthly for their talk and text plan. The Link II has dual mics with noise suppression, so dialogue will always be heard clearly in any kind of environment. The phone comes with a 2MP front-facing camera for when seniors want to take selfies and send them to their loved ones. It supports Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, so you can quickly connect Bluetooth headphones to listen to its built-in FM radio. The phone’s 1,600 mAh battery promises up to 16 days of standby time or 14 hours of talk time. It’s a device that’s undoubtedly built for seniors because of its M3/T3 hearing aid compatibility. The phone only has 8GB of storage, but you can expand it to 32 GB via a microSD card.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Simple design and interface
  • Large classic keypad
  • M3/T3 hearing aid compatibility
  • Bluetooth support

Cons

  • Not the best camera
  • Low storage
  • You need to be subscribed to a Consumer Cellular plan

Specification

  • Price $59
  • Operating System GSM
  • Screen Size 2.8” and 1.7” inches
Consumer Cellular Link II

Nick

Jun 5, 2022

50 Articles Published

Our Process & Method

We're not just tech junkies, but we're also tech experts. Each and every "Best of.." list on TechJunkie is curated by our content-area subject matter experts to provide a well-rounded, unbiased perspective to help and inform you, our reader. Our lists are constantly reviewed and updated, so you can be sure you're reading relevant and up to date information.

The Best Instagram Live Video Downloaders

Read More

More