Also, some carriers offer discounts for AARP members, in which all people ages 50 and up are eligible for full membership. only 42% of consumers in the U.S. over 65 years of age own a smartphone. This phone has very limited functionality, as it is designed just for phone calls and sending basic messages. Plans start at $15/month. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Perhaps better described … Tall, narrow screen isn't the best for sketching on. Do I have to be a certain age to have a senior phone and plan? The selection for cell phones for seniors is just as varied as regular phones when it comes to features and styles and we looked at all of them for you to determine which are the best in the industry. It also has enhanced volume and numbers in 28 point font. You can dictate words rather than triple-tapping to type. How to Add the Black Unity Collection Wallpaper to Your Apple Devices, 5 hours, 57 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming), 10 hours, 8 minutes (Wi-Fi video streaming). During our research, we learned about the power of advertising. No matter your age, if you're looking for a simple voice phone that's easy to use, these are our top performers in testing. This number drops to 17% when only those over 80 years of age are considered. What safety features do senior cellphones have? Segan is also a multiple award-winning travel writer. Bring on the hour-long phone … With the 20% discount, the combo becomes a $64.98/month payment, which is average for most cell phone plans. Photo credit: GreatCall.com. Photo credit: Amazon.com. Then, we verified if the cell phone came with any special senior plans, which tend to have a lower price or discount. *Deals are selected by our partner, TechBargains. BLU JOY’s large keypad and easy-to-use navigation make it ideal for senior citizens. By jumping on the digital bandwagon seniors … #1 Alcatel GO FLIP 3 PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Two wireless carriers specialize in the senior market: GreatCall, which used to be home to the Jitterbug brand, and Consumer Cellular. 4G LTE basic phones have HD Voice, or high-quality voice calling, when calling other people on HD Voice-capable mobile phones. These numbers raise an interesting question: why are older consumers so reluctant to buy smartphones? Certain cell phones, like Jitterbug, go a step further by providing an Urgent Care feature, which can connect the caller to a 24/7 nurse or doctor who can give advice or even prescribe medications over the phone. It sells several phones from our list. The Jitterbug Flip. While you do not have to be a certain age to have a senior-focused cell phone, certain cell phone plans do have age requirements for discounts. Product name, logo, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within our site are the property of their respective trademark holders. No internet access, social media, or streaming video, No way for parents to monitor calls/texts, How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management. Not the absolute best low-light camera performance. You need to be smart about which simple phones you pick up, though, because of major changes coming in the carriers' networks. This is where cell phones for seniors come in. In fact, it was found in … Given how much older people depend on their phones, strong customer support and a solid consumer rating are highly important. Of the two, GreatCall has more specialized features for those who need health monitoring: an urgent response button, 24/7 access to nurses, and connected medical alert devices. Everyone needs to be connected. ... T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Metro by T-Mobile to name a few. We can also interact with and learn from other people through social media, text messages, games, and other apps. It is a quad-band GSM as well as a dual-band 3G phone. Google Pixel XL. How old do I have to be to purchase a senior phone? The new model, the Lively Flip, supports Alexa voice commands. The Google Pixel 4a is one of the better midrange Android phones on the market, particularly for photo buffs. Since senior citizens are more likely to be retired or living off of partial income, we favored providers that offered discounts and deals for senior customers. Like other mobile phones, cell phones for seniors come in many shapes and sizes—it all depends on the person’s needs. The app alerts the family when the 5Start emergency button has been activated, the phone has a low battery, and it also monitors the user's location. Ultimately the choice is yours. Luckily, we already did that for you. The Jitterbug Smart2 is marketed as having a “long-lasting battery.” According to the manufacturer’s specifications, this phone’s battery is 3000 mAh, which is the average on most smartphones. The phone also comes with pre-installed apps, including Google Maps and Gmail. So go with a voice phone that supports voice over 4G LTE, also known as VoLTE. GreatCall was in hibernation for about a year, with company activity only popping up again this September. Phones designed for seniors. Also called the “candy bar” phone, this type of cell phone maintains the classic, boxy design in which you can press each keypad button individually. The analyses and opinions on our site are our own and our editors and staff writers are instructed to maintain editorial integrity. Cons: … https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-phones-for-seniors. PCMag Digital Group. That may involve buying a used phone. Customers should also know that this phone can only be activated through the GreatCall wireless network. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, the largest model in Apple's iPhone 12 lineup, adds super-long battery life and a giant screen to the 12 Pro's excellent camera capabilities. For example, as the name implies, Sprint’s Unlimited 55+, T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+, or Verizon’s 65 Plus Plan, and others have age minimums to apply. To that end, you should know that many advertisers pay us a referral fee if you purchase products after clicking links or calling phone numbers on our website. For example, Sprint’s Unlimited55+ and Verizon’s 55+ Plan both offer unlimited data use and discounts on extra lines added on the plan. A modern smartphone has the ability to predict the weather for the rest of the week. Photo credit: GreatCall.com. The cell phone is compatible with 2G carriers, including T-Mobile, Straight Talk, and Simple Mobile. For example, when company ranking is subjective (meaning two companies are very close) our advertising partners may be ranked higher. They cannot receive or share them via text message. Flip phones are probably the best choice for consumers who are not interested in browsing the internet or using apps, and mainly need cell phones for making calls and texting. Also, weighing 8.6 ounces, which is a little over half a pound, some consumers may find the Snap ezTWO3G to be a bit heavy. GreatCall uses the Verizon network, and Consumer Cellular uses the AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Weighing only 1.12 ounces, it’s very lightweight and includes a few entertainment features that aren’t normally available in basic cell phones such as built-in FM radio, MP3 and MP4 players, and a camera that allows recordings of short video clips in addition to photos. The smartphone industry, by and large, isn't thinking about the particular needs of the senior market, but if you pay attention you can find carriers, phones, and services that will give you a streamlined, simple, and accommodating phone experience. Then we verify if the phone comes with any special senior plans, which tend to have a lower price or a veteran discount. Unlocked phones offer users a choice of carrier, which enables consumers to shop around for the best plan. Best phone for an older person 2020 If you're new to the world of smartphones or just want to make sense of all the options laid out in front of you, this article should help demystify … “The mind must be stimulated and exercised just as much as muscles. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The best smartphones for the elderly make getting online easy thanks to simplified interfaces and a range of accessibility options. Consumers should also be aware that many carriers are phasing out 2G compatibility, which considerably limits options for BLU Joy users. It can even have groceries delivered to your home (again, without talking to anyone). If you're looking for limited, voice-only plans, you can get them on a range of carrier networks for around $10 per month. If you want a newer iPhone for the senior you're buying a handset for, the iPhone XR is a … Another factor we took into consideration was the carrier service of each cell phone. It also has 2GB of phone memory, enabling users to download a few more apps if they choose. Since this phone is an older, original cell phone, users need a USB cable to transfer photos. As for purchasing a phone plan, the phone carrier is still GreatCall. Flip phones are probably the best choice for consumers who are not interested in browsing the internet or using apps, and mainly need cell phones for making calls and texting. We look at the easiest cell phones for seniors. Our list includes some voice phones and some general-purpose smartphones. Once we're done with service plans, we look at a few more points regarding the cell phone's cost. Through the “GreatCall Link,” a free app designed specifically for GreatCall phones, family and friends can stay updated on their loved one’s activities. With the right amount of time dedicated to research, and after thorough and meticulous analysis and comparison, finding the best product for your needs can be done. Being in what phone manufacturers think of as the "senior market" isn't about chronological age so much as faculties, preferences, and lifestyle. Google's most affordable smartphone of 2020 is also the best option for senior citizens thanks to its unbeatable combination of hardware, software features and support, and of course, its … There are other security measures available as well such as heart rate and oxygen monitors, and, for those with memory impairment or who might be at risk of getting lost, some offer a geo-fencing option, which can alert caretakers if the user leaves a pre-established perimeter. We haven't reviewed it yet, so we don't have conclusions or recommendations about it. How we analyzed the best Cell Phones for Seniors, Our Top Picks: Cell Phones for Seniors Reviews, Helpful information about Cell Phones for Seniors, What to Watch Out For: Cell Phone for Seniors, Look for added features such as GPS monitoring and built-in emergency buttons, Many phone carriers offer discounts for customers ages 55 and older, Watch out for phone scams that trick elderly people into sending money, A great deal of “long-lasting” battery life claims are exaggerated. Model: … They charge $70/month for two lines of their mid-level unlimited plan, a $50/month (!) Photo credit: BluProducts.com. Dr. Cruz, who is also an assistant professor of the Family Medicine Department at the Universidad Central del Caribe's School of Medicine, says he recommends to every patient his top seven tips for staying healthy. Our brand, ConsumersAdvocate.org, stands for accuracy and helpful information. The phone you need right now -- hand-picked by CNET editors. GreatCall’s Jitterbug Smart2  features a list-based menu with universal icons for easy navigation as well as voice typing for text messages. Product Title Walmart Family Mobile LG Journey, 16GB Black - Prepa ... Average rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on 78 reviews 78 ratings Current Price $29.88 $ 29 . According to a Pew Research Center study more than three-fourths of the population 65 years and older have a cell phone. When ranking these phones, we looked at features specific to the needs of seniors such as ease of access, battery life, phone tracking software, and health monitoring apps among others. The Jitterbug Smart2 is priced at $149.99 by GreatCall, a senior-focused carrier that runs on the Verizon network, but consumers can find it for less at Walmart, Amazon, and BestBuy. iPhone XR. Plans are the same as with the Jitterbug Smart2, where monthly minutes, text, and data are available separately, and the unlimited option offers the best deal of $59.99/month. Here’s some of those. Cell phones labeled "for seniors” are designed to be easy-to-use for anyone with mobility, vision, or cognitive difficulties that make it difficult to use a regular cell phone. The best phone to buy for 2021. Those higher-quality calls can be easier on old ears. BLU JOY is designed with a built-in SOS button that, once pressed, alerts emergency response, including the police, medical personnel, and firefighters. Any reference in this website to third party trademarks is to identify the corresponding third party goods and/or services. If you choose to click on the links on our site, we may receive compensation. There are other benefits, as well. For consumers looking for something simple and easy to use, we might suggest a flip phone. Most cell phones today enable us to download games, puzzles, books, and even tune in to Podcasts for daily learning and mental stimulation. The same customizable Health & Safety packages are available with this cell phone as optional add-ons for a $20 discount on the plan. The Jitterbug Smart2 is also designed with a front-facing speakerphone to maximize audible clarity. We know that scammers will go the extra mile to deceive consumers out of their money. Smartphones, on the other hand, have larger screens and offer a number of helpful applications and settings for those who want to do more than just make calls and send texts. Our test covers popular affordable smartphones such as the Alcatel 1X and Aspera Jazz 2, as well as models targeted at seniors and such as the Olitech EasyFlip, Opel BigButton mobile and Swissvoice … For this, many online customer reviews stated that it’s helpful for seniors and individuals with impaired vision. The Jitterbug Smart2. 00 We started by analyzing the specifications of each cell phone, identifying their design, whether traditional or contemporary smartphone, size, and weight. Human Resources Software for Small Businesses. Payette, who was formerly a technician for Apple before starting his own business, performed diagnostics and repairs for smartphones. Cell phones intended for those aged 65+ usually have multiple security features, the main one being an emergency or SOS button that the user can press if they need help. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Solid performance, multi-day battery life, and a gorgeous 6.4-inch display make the $249 Moto G Power the best budget-friendly phone you can buy right now. Our team looked for carriers that offer senior discounts or affordable plans with good coverage. The Snapfon ezTWO3G is regularly priced at $39.99 but is priced higher at popular online retailers, including Walmart and Amazon. Best known by the Jitterbug name of its phones, GreatCall is an excellent option for older customers looking for a cellphone plan that's good for very low monthly use. We sometimes offer premium or additional placements on our website and in our marketing materials to our advertising partners. As for 5G, you won't need to worry about it for years as long as you have a capable 4G LTE phone. Verizon's best simple voice phone, the Kyocera DuraXV Extreme will carry you through the next few years with clear, loud calls. Taking into account that some senior citizens only use cell phones for general phone calls, we looked at the types of service plans available for each cell phone, including talk, text, data, bundles, prepaid, and no-contract plans. Seniors on fixed incomes may want to check out our story on The Best Cheap Phone Plans, which features a lot of low-cost virtual carriers—prepaid carriers that use the major carriers' networks, but tend to charge a lot less per month for basic service than the major carriers do. A growing number of seniors are embracing mobile tech. Samsung phones also have an Easy mode with fewer obvious options. Just as with the Jitterbug Smart2, this flip phone version has a built-in 5Star urgent response button. Your subscription has been confirmed. In the case of an emergency, customers can press and hold the button which immediately contacts emergency personnel as well as family and friends. If you have any specific questions while considering which product or service you may buy, feel free to reach out to us anytime. It can have a driver come and pick you up wherever you are without you even having to talk to anyone. Last but not least, we looked at customer support. We Were Promised a New Keyboarded BlackBerry, So Where Is It? They cannot switch it to a different carrier or add it to a pre-existing family plan outside of GreatCall. According to a recent study, only 42% of consumers in the U.S. over 65 years of age own a smartphone. Do cell phone companies offer senior discounts? Another common cell phone scam that targets older customers is the social security scam, where people have received robocalls stressing their social security number has been stolen. Yes, the first phone in Google’s flagship range may have already received its last … That interaction is very important so that we don’t feel alone, but instead feel important and needed within our families and communities. On that front, we like the Moto G Power, which is available in various forms on various carriers. The best phones for the elderly: five great options 28 Aug 2020 by James Rogerson The Google Pixel 4, Samsung Galaxy S20, and iPhone 11 Pro are great phones, but with their reams of … After looking at a phone's features, we consider a couple of additional traits. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. discount over what two lines would cost for younger folks. Cell phones for seniors are available in different styles: flip phones, smartphones, bar phones, and tablet-phones. As explained earlier, the GreatCall Link app is free for relatives and friends to download and monitor the activity of their loved one with the Jitterbug Flip, as well as provides access to other emergency alerts. Many or all of the companies featured here provide compensation to us. One other thing we consider is whether the cell phone requires a contract or can function on a prepaid plan. We also consider the kind of monitoring a phone offers. The Snapfon ezTWO3G. Benefits of Cell Phones for Seniors When asked what their major concerns were when using a cell phone, 76% of our respondents stated: “not understanding how to use it.”. PCMag.com's lead mobile analyst, Sascha Segan, has reviewed more than 1,100 smartphones, tablets and other gadgets in more than 15 years with PCMag. Because of this, many of these cell phones feature larger buttons, an emergency alert to call medical services with one-touch, hands-free operation, and simpler controls than the regular touchscreen smartphone. There’s some great phones out there that aren’t that technical, but would be quite easy to use for seniors. 8th May 2018 | Insurance . ... T-Mobile offers seniors the best prepaid unlimited plans starting at $50 a month for one line. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Folks who still remember using pen and paper will enjoy taking notes with the Notes' S Pen stylus. The BLU JOY features a sleek, shiny exterior and leather backside, giving it a more modern look. Consumers can purchase the Jitterbug Flip from GreatCall, BestBuy, and Amazon for $74.99, as well as at Walmart for $99. The difference from other flip phones, fortunately, is that the Jitterbug Flip can still sync with the “GreatCall Link.” Generally, these types of apps only function on smartphones, but this is a special perk of being under GreatCall. We also look at how many carriers service each cell phone. The Doro 8050 is the best overall as it is intuitive to use … Now owned by Best Buy, GreatCall recently updated its flip phone. The best flip phones for seniors are easy-to-use, intuitive and don't break the bank. This eliminates the step of calling 911, which can be beneficial for individuals who suffer from slow or limited hand mobility, such as with arthritis. To find out more about how we make money and our editorial process, click here. He's the head of our Fastest Mobile Networks projects in the US and Canada, runs our Race to 5G tracker, and writes opinions on tech and society. Like other smartphones, it has a large, 5.5-inch touchscreen with both a backside and front-facing camera. The reasonably sized Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is the answer for sketchers and note-takers who can't quite handle the larger Note 10+. The age to be eligible for senior benefits and senior plans varies, with 65+ being the most common. The BLU JOY cell phone. On large, affordable devices with lower-resolution screens, icons and touch targets are larger and easier to hit. These phones feature two hinged sections that are flipped open when the phone is in use. Verizon will turn off its old 2G/3G network at the end of 2020, AT&T will turn its off in February 2022, and T-Mobile will likely follow suit. In addition, it is suitable for seniors … Voice quality is loud so it is suitable for seniors with hearing problems. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. For this reason, we favored cell phones that included some form of emergency assistance or monitoring service. One of the most notorious frauds towards the elderly is the “grandparent scam,” where scammers call and pretend to be the recipient's grandchild in need of money for an emergency. Editor’s note: We will be updating this list of the best cell phones for seniors regularly as new devices launch. From his observations, older people fear the idea of a smartphone because it sounds complicated, reminding us that senior citizens grew up in a time where computers would easily break. Phone tracking helps family members who are afraid their loved one might wander into the wrong location and want to keep track of their location. Modern smartphones do so much more than what a regular phone or even a cell phone used to do, that they could easily be intimidating for senior citizens if they are not already tech-savvy. For example, we came across several cell phones that were advertised for having long-lasting batteries, only to discover later that their batteries have the same energy capacity of an average cell phone. Unlike house phones, cell phones enable us to see our family and loved ones through photos and video chats. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. Technology well suited for the 65+ crowd. Best Smart Phone for Seniors: Jitterbug Smart2. These commissions are how we maintain our free service for consumers. Keep an eye on your inbox! If you have laser-sharp vision and the budget for cutting-edge tech, you might prefer to browse our list of best cell phones overall. Finally, health monitoring is a fantastic solution for anyone who wants to monitor their vital signs and other aspects of their body. Consumers can find BLU JOY at Walmart for as low as $24.99 and at BestBuy for $29.99. Also, customers can add the sosPlus 24/7 Emergency Monitoring Service for an additional $15/month to their plan. Consumer Cellular has a marketing arrangement with AARP and doesn't offer specialized services, but has received high marks in the past for customer service.