Best Smartphones For Seniors: Top 5 Models Most Recommended By Experts

A smartphone can be a lifeline for seniors, allowing them to connect with friends and family. However, as we age, we have slightly different needs when choosing a phone. Any of these features may be important: bigger screen size, ability to enlarge fonts, a one-click easy mode, clear speakers, a simple navigation system, sufficient storage for keeping family memories, an SOS button, or even wireless charging that does away with fiddly charger cables. Not everyone will need all these features, however, and that’s why consulting expert reviews is helpful. We have sifted through the best smartphones for seniors available today to make your choice easier.

Seniors having access to tech like smartphones is important as it allows easier communication between family members and friends. With loneliness and lack of contact being a big issue for seniors, this is important. A British survey found that many hundreds of thousands of seniors often go a whole week without having a single conversation with anyone. This is an alarming statistic and anything that can bridge that communication gap and make keeping in touch easier should be considered, especially when family members and friends are often scattered across the country.

Of course, many seniors have already embraced technology and in a recent survey one in three say they now prefer sending texts to making calls. For those people, this guide may be helpful in choosing their next phone upgrade.

With that said, it’s time to dive into the best of the best smartphones for seniors and discover which models nine experts agree are the top picks. If you have your own thoughts on any of the phones discussed here, we would love to hear them in the comments.

The List: Best Smartphones for Seniors, According to Expert Reviews

1. Jitterbug Smart3

Senior Living made this phone their top choice and here’s why: “Choosing the Jitterbug Smart3 as our overall best smartphone for seniors was easy. It truly is ‘the simplest smartphone ever.’ Its large 6.2-inch screen is easy to see, and the list-based menu is easy to navigate. Need to check your email, send a text, or take a pic? What about looking up directions to your grandkid’s soccer game? No problem at all. The Jitterbug Smart3 can do that and more.”

The Senior List chose it as their best smartphone for seniors. “The Smart3 features a bright, clear 5.5-inch display with a simplified menu that lets you quickly find frequently used features. The Smart3 is an easy-to-use, feature-packed phone, but where it really shines is with its emergency features.”

It also topped Tech Radar’s list. “The Jitterbug Smart3 is the best phone designed for seniors that we’ve seen so far – in fact, when we saw its specs list and price, we had to double-check that this wasn’t just a competitively-priced ‘standard’ smartphone.”

2. Apple iPhone SE

Number one choice in Top Ten Reviews’ list is the Apple iPhone SE. “Since it’s Apple it means easy menus and lots of apps for free. But it also means the ability to offer modes for those hard of hearing or vision, so the phone will adapt to suit the user’s needs. From larger fonts and screen zoom to see better, to speak selection to show you where you are, this iPhone is built to guide everyone through its minimal menus. A loud ringer and LED alert flashes also help make this phone an attention grabber in more ways than one.”

This Apple model impressed even Android Central. “We know this is an Android site, but hear us out (no pun intended). Apple’s iPhones and iPads have long been at the forefront of the accessibility discussion, with tons of features for all kinds of differently-abled people. Whether it’s voice-to-text, low sight accommodations, or hearing aid integration, iPhones cater to people with hearing or visual impairments.”

Tech Radar enjoyed the ability to switch between a phone and an iPad if needed. “Seniors with an iPhone can also benefit from the nearly seamless transition between an iPhone and iPad whenever they might want an even larger screen. “

3. Samsung Galaxy (various models)

There were several votes for different Samsung Galaxy models. Safe Wise highlighted screen size and accessibility of one style. “The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 comes with a huge 6.3-inch display and a stylus. You can do a lot with all that real estate. Like the iPhone 8, it has adjustable accessibility settings, allowing you to zoom in and make text larger or read the text aloud.”

Assisted Living’s vote went to the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active. “This top-of-the-line device from the Samsung Galaxy line is a great option for the senior on a budget who wants all the great features of a new Galaxy phone. Its high-tech design features one of the world’s first built-in heart rate monitors, which works in conjunction with the S Health app. Combine this with the phone’s design built for durability and you have a truly ‘smart’ phone for seniors.”

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was the pick of Senior Living. “The high-tech Galaxy S22 Ultra lets you take and send amazing pictures too. What a great way to stay in touch with family! Of course, our favorite senior-friendly features have to be its durable glass screen and battery life. If your loved one is hard on technology, fear not. Its Gorilla Glass Victus+ screen can take it, delivering superior shatter and scratch resistance.”

4. Jitterbug Flip2

The Senior List voted the Jitterbug Flip2 the most affordable flip phone. “Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2 isn’t quite a smartphone, but with its Alexa compatibility, dual camera design, and safety features, it redefines how modern flip phones can work. Its simple navigation menu, large backlit keypad, and built-in SOS emergency button make it stand out from conventional flip phones.”

This model came out top overall in Lifewire’s review. “The Jitterbug Flip is a flip phone with a small outside screen for incoming calls and notifications and a large inside screen with a custom operating system designed around simple yes/no navigation. The large buttons and bright screens are perfect for seniors because they’re so easy to use. The loudspeaker makes phone calls a snap, even for those whose hearing could be better.”

It’s important to remember though, that this phone’s focus is all about making calls. As Tech Radar points out: “The Jitterbug Flip2 is perhaps one of the simpler mobile phones on this list, and it’s designed for seniors who don’t need flashy features like WhatsApp or the internet.”

5. Moto G Power

PC Mag succinctly sums up this phone: “The 2022 edition of the Moto G Power Offers smooth performance and impressive battery life for $200.”

The battery and the fast charge also impressed Senior Living. “Motorola packs many features into the budget-friendly Moto G Power, our favorite of which is the long battery life. It didn’t take long for us to see why it got the name Power. That battery lasts up to three days on a single charge! No need to worry about mom or dad forgetting to charge it. Plus, even if they do, it has 10W rapid charging.”

Android Central reviewed the sister model to the Power, the Moto G Stylus, and was equally impressed. “Motorola also has some solid accessibility settings. TalkBack lets you tap anything on the screen and have the phone read it out loud to you. You can also turn on large text or high-contrast text by default. Then, there are some standard Android accessibility tools like voice-to-text, plus (of course) Google Assistant.”

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