Best Flip Phones for Seniors in 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Tech Experts

Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip has a large screen and keypad for easy viewing.

Overview

Consumer Cellular’s phone and plan pricing are some of the most affordable on the market. During testing, I found that the IRIS Flip is a big step up from Consumer Cellular’s Verve Snap flip phone and costs only $69, making it one of the most affordable flip phones for seniors. Plus, AARP members can score a five percent discount on service. You won’t find that from other carriers on our list.

Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip offers a great value option and essential senior-friendly features. I love its large keypad, which makes navigating the phone and texting simple. Plus, its two screens are extra bright, a welcome feature for those with low vision. During testing, I noticed that the screen and keypad were larger than the company’s previous model, the Verve Snap — perfect for older hands and eyes. Most types of hearing aids work with the IRIS Flip, too. It’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible, with an M3/T3 rating. The flip phone also has a one-touch favorites button to add medical providers, family members, and other critical contacts to your favorites list with one click.

What stood out to me was the internet connection and speed. The IRIS Flip offers 1 GB of RAM and, unlike its predecessor (Verve Snap), it allows you to browse the internet, download apps (via KiaOS), and even use GPS tracking and map directions. Many flip phones, like the Jitterbug Flip2, don’t offer these features, so they really up the phone’s value. If you’re not into texting the old-fashioned way, you can utilize the Kia Virtual Assistant (KiaVA) and its voice-to-text functionality. However, I did notice that certain popular apps like YouTube don’t work very well on the IRIS Flip. IRIS Flip’s operating system hasn’t been updated in over two years, so it may experience issues with other apps and platforms going forward.

Usability

The IRIS Flip features two screens: a large internal screen, and a two-inch external screen to view the time, battery life, and new notifications. I set up the home screen, which displays your most-used and favorite applications. It might be a little too advanced for some users, but you can swipe to a more “standard” screen with settings, a calendar, a clock, and even saved music and videos.

I had trouble navigating the phone when I first booted it up. I eventually realized that you click the large “OK” button to access the menu. It wasn’t totally intuitive (though I probably should’ve read the product manual first!), so it might be a bit confusing for users initially. Still, with trial and error, I found the phone was easy to use.

The external display on Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip

Everything moves quickly on the IRIS Flip, which stood out to me. With many “budget” flip phones, including the Jitterbug Flip2, you click a button and wait a few seconds for the next screen to appear. With the IRIS Flip, I clicked between different apps or menus and was shocked at the speed and responsiveness. There were a few hiccups, like when I browsed the internet or tried to open YouTube. The IRIS Flip’s internet browser is pretty basic and not that fast, and the YouTube app crashed on me a few times.

» Related Reading: Easiest cell phones for seniors to use

The IRIS Flip is also a great option for seniors who don’t want to charge their phones often. While most flip phones have better battery life than comparable smartphones, the IRIS Flip stands out above the others, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. I used the IRIS Flip for talking, texting, taking pictures, and browsing the internet for two days before I needed to charge the phone.

Value

I really felt like I got the most bang for my buck with this flip phone. At just $69, the IRIS Flip is one of the cheapest flip phones on the market, but it has the speed and features of a basic smartphone, like the Jitterbug Smart4. I could check my email, browse the internet, download apps, and use the 8 GB of storage for photos, videos, and music.

Consumer Cellular plans start at $20 per month for unlimited talk and text with 1 GB of data, and prices top out at $50 per month for an unlimited plan. The IRIS Flip can connect to Wi-Fi, so you can always utilize your home network to reduce data usage. Either way, you still have to buy a plan with data if you want to text, which is important to note before you sign up.

Camera Quality

The IRIS Flip’s 5 MP camera is pretty good, but it’s certainly not made to capture amazing HD pictures. I was disappointed that the phone didn’t have a front-facing camera for selfies, which is standard for the rest of our list. I took some photos in my backyard and living room. I found the colors appeared washed out occasionally, depending on the lighting. I’ve seen flip phones with better cameras, like the Jitterbug Flip2. Still, it’s adequate if you just want a phone that can take clear photos and videos. The 8 GB of storage ensures you can save over a thousand photos and dozens of videos simultaneously.

A photo taken on Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip

Testing out Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2

Overview

The Jitterbug Flip2 made our list for its range of health and safety features accessible with Lively’s phone plans. Features like Urgent Response transform the flip phone into a personal safety device. My grandma and I tested the Urgent Response button to connect with a Lively Urgent Response team member. We found that the agents were kind and quick to ask what help we needed. Talk about a way to stay safe and save money!

» Learn More: Best medical alert systems

Phone plans range from $19.99 to $49.99 per month, while the phone costs $99.99. For seniors struggling with any health problems, I recommend the Premium plan. You get 24/7 access to a live nurse or board-certified doctor. You can even order common prescriptions over the phone.

» Dive Deeper: Lively phone review

Even without the extra safety features, the Jitterbug Flip2 still offers a lot. It’s simple, practical, and compatible with most hearing aids. Plus, sending texts to the grandkids has never been easier! Use voice-to-text with the built-in Amazon Alexa or utilize the phone’s large keypad and screen to text manually. It’s up to you. I used Amazon Alexa to navigate the phone and send texts, and it was a breeze to use. I appreciate this feature for those with mobility issues or arthritis, like my grandma.

» Further Reading: Best voice-activated phones for seniors

Usability

The Jitterbug Flip2 is a basic, no-frills flip phone. It’s perfect for seniors who only want to make calls, answer texts, and take photos and videos. While it has a very similar layout to the IRIS Flip, the Jitterbug Flip2 doesn’t have internet browsing or extra apps. Instead, it offers a list-style menu that keeps things as simple as possible. I found this phone much easier to navigate than the IRIS Flip. My grandma liked how simple the phone was, but since she’s had some experience with more advanced flip phones and smartphones, she felt like the Flip2 could’ve used some extra features and “oomph.”

It all comes down to personal preference, but if you have some experience with cell phones, you might feel the same as my grandma. The Jitterbug Flip2 is the definition of simplicity, and this can be a huge plus for seniors who don’t feel comfortable with more advanced tech. In any case, the bright screen and big buttons made it easy for my grandma to use the Jitterbug Flip2 without much assistance.

» Learn More: Best big-button cell phones for seniors

Value

$99.99 is a pretty standard price for a modern flip phone. Both the TCL FLIP Go and the Snapfon ezFlip 4G fall between $95 and $100, but the Jitterbug Flip2 truly shows its value if you’re willing to purchase a plan with Lively’s Urgent Response feature. This way, your flip phone can double as an emergency response device with 24/7 monitoring. If you don’t pay to upgrade your Lively phone plan, the extra cost of the phone may not be worth it, especially when compared to a cheaper, internet-ready flip phone like Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip. All of Lively’s phone plans also include unlimited talk and text.

One negative that my grandma and I agreed on was the lackluster speaker quality. We could always hear each other during test calls, but the volume didn’t go as high as we would’ve liked. There were also some occasional feedback issues, so if you have hearing problems, you may opt for a phone with a better speaker, like the TCL FLIP Go.

Camera Quality

The Jitterbug Flip2 has a decent camera for selfies (5 MP) and a better-quality external camera (8 MP) for regular photos and videos. There are still much better options out there, but if you’re happy with the simplicity of the Jitterbug Flip2, you’ll likely be happy with the quality of its dual-camera system. My grandma and I could take high-quality photos and videos with it, and you can easily zoom in and out using the up and down arrows. The camera even has a built-in magnifier to make text easier to read.

Photo of my potted flowers taken with the Jitterbug Flip2

TCL FLIP Go from T-Mobile

Overview

The TCL FLIP Go from T-Mobile made our list of best flip phones for seniors because it checked all the boxes. With a simple design, easy navigation, and affordable price, older adults will love this phone. It features a powerful speaker and noise cancellation, and I could hear very clearly during testing. The TCL FLIP Go also has shortcut keys, so I could easily find my messages and favorite contacts. Plus, the phone has Bluetooth compatibility and an M4/T4 rating, which is as good as it gets for hearing aid-compatible phones. That’s a better rating than most other phones on our list, including the IRIS Flip.

Usability

The TCL FLIP Go is one of the simplest phones my grandma and I have ever used. That’s nothing but a compliment! My grandma started using the phone before I did, and she easily understood how to do everything, from accessing the camera to making phone calls. But like the Jitterbug Flip2, the simplicity of the TCL FLIP Go could be a drawback for some seniors; it doesn’t have a lot of extra features. You can make calls, send texts, and take photos and videos, but that’s about it. The TCL FLIP Go is ideal for those looking for a basic, no-frills phone.

Value

At just $96 with the option to finance your purchase through T-Mobile, the TCL FLIP Go is a very affordable flip phone for seniors. However, it doesn’t have a lot of extra features. Unless you specifically want a basic flip phone or a plan with T-Mobile, you might prefer something with more value. Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip only costs $69 and is internet-ready (not to mention pretty easy to use). However, T-Mobile will allow you to finance your TCL FLIP Go for as little as $4 per month, which is great for those on a tight budget.

T-Mobile also offers unlimited phone plans for those aged 55 and older, with perks like in-flight Wi-Fi, service abroad, and free Apple TV Plus. Prices start at $40 for one line, with no contract required. T-Mobile’s reasonable pricing earns high marks from me. Plus, all plans include five layers of scam-blocking protection to keep pesky robocalls, scammers, and telemarketers at bay. That’s a must-have, as seniors lose more money to phone scams than any other age group. If you’re looking for a provider that offers plan perks and discounts, visit our latest T-Mobile review for more details.

Camera Quality

If you want quality vacation photos or print-worthy pics of your furbabies, the FLIP Go probably isn’t the best fit. I was pretty disappointed with the 2MP camera, which takes relatively low-quality photos and videos. My grandma didn’t mind using the camera, as it’s pretty easy to point and click to take a photograph or switch to video mode. However, the final results aren’t always clear, especially in lowlight environments. It’s not a concern if you’re not as worried about picture quality. But if you want high-quality images, we’d recommend checking out the other phones on our list with better cameras, including the Jitterbug Flip2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 from AT&T has a compact flip phone design that’s water-resistant and durable. If you’re looking for an advanced flip phone with smartphone capabilities, I recommend this user-friendly phone with a high-resolution, foldable screen. At first glance, the phone looks like a traditional smartphone, but you can fold it in half like a flip phone. When I first folded the screen in half, it freaked me out. It felt unnatural to fold a smartphone in half. But, as advertised, it worked!

» Related Reading: Best Android phones for seniors

The durable Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has an IPX8 rating, which means it’s water-resistant and can survive going underwater (up to five feet). It is excellent for those like me who are prone to dropping phones in inconvenient locations that, to my dismay, often involve water. On the flip side (no pun intended), it’s not dust-resistant. I was delighted by the various advanced features like Flex mode, which allowed me to use the phone like a laptop. I folded the phone and set it upright to use the top half of the phone as a screen and the bottom half as a keyboard. How cool is that?

The Galaxy Z Flip4 is also compatible with most hearing aids (M3/T3) and has a talk time of up to 32 hours, which is more than double the talk time of the TCL FLIP Go. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is durable and flexible, thanks to its convenient, user-friendly flip design. It can be especially helpful for seniors with dexterity issues. It’s also the only phone on this list that’s 100 percent smartphone and flip phone!

Usability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is an enhanced smartphone, so while it has great features like 5G connectivity and access to mobile apps on the Google Play Store, it may be a little advanced for some seniors. My grandma loved the look and feel of the phone, but she needed a little help setting it up and downloading her favorite apps. Once we installed the basics, my grandma didn’t have many issues. It even has an Emergency SOS feature, which I had to go into the settings to set up. Either way, it’s a full smartphone with all the bells and whistles, so it’s ideal for more tech-savvy folks or those who feel more comfortable using touch-screen smartphones.

» Learn More: Best smartphones for seniors

Value

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 costs $999.99. That’s roughly 10 times more expensive than any other phone on this list. However, it has everything you would expect from a modern touch-screen smartphone. Plus, it’s durable and water-resistant, so you won’t need to replace it soon. It could be well worth the purchase price if you want the perks of a flip phone and a smartphone rolled into one. Additionally, if you purchase through AT&T, you can finance your phone for as little as $15 per month.

AT&T offers a variety of phone plans for older adults, including a 55+ unlimited plan available to Florida residents. I was disappointed that the 55+ plan isn’t available outside of Florida like T-Mobile’s 55+ plans are. Still, AT&T has plenty of other competitive plan options. Check out our AT&T senior plan review for more details.

Camera Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has the best camera of any phone on our list. It takes excellent photos and videos, with a 12 MP rear camera and a 10 MP front camera. My grandma and I also enjoyed the FlexCam feature, which let us use the flip phone design to take selfies and videos from different angles. My grandma liked that she could even take self-portraits using the exterior camera with the phone completely closed. If the camera is a vital feature for you, consider the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, as it offers one of the best all-around cameras and photo-taking experiences of any flip phone we’ve tried.

Snapfon ezFlip 4G

Overview

I know what it’s like to be concerned about a loved one’s safety. That’s why I’m a big fan of the Snapfon ezFlip 4G. Not only is it easy for older adults to use, but you can also add Snapfon’s sosPlus package, which offers medical alert features. When pressed, the phone’s accessible SOS button connects you to a 24/7 emergency response center and sends a message to your emergency contacts. If you want, it can set off a siren, which is an excellent feature if you live near neighbors who could help during an emergency.

When I tested the SOS button, I found the siren was quite loud. But, I connected quickly to an emergency response agent. This feature is similar to the Jitterbug Flip2’s emergency response services; however, Lively has many additional health and safety features, including on-call nurses and a caregiver mobile app, that Snapfon doesn’t offer. If you just want basic medical alert protection, the ezFlip 4G is a great option. But if you want all the bells and whistles, I’d recommend the Jitterbug Smart2.

» Compare Providers: Jitterbug vs. Snapfon

The Snapfon ezFlip 4G does its part to protect older adults after a fall, which one in four Americans age 65+ experience each year.3 Thanks to the SOS button and built-in fall detection, you can call for help immediately after a fall, which is crucial for preventing life-threatening injuries. The only drawback to this (and other phones with an SOS button, like the Jitterbug Smart2) is that you’ll need your phone on you to call for help. If you’re looking for more robust medical alert protection that doesn’t require a phone, I’d recommend a medical alert system.

Usability

I found the Snapfon ezFlip 4G surprisingly easy to use. It has more features and capabilities than expected, including easy-to-use volume controls and an excellent speaker. It can function as an LED flashlight, an emergency alert device, and a GPS locator. The SOS button is on the back of the phone, which is unique. I noticed it’s in a place that’s easy to press during an emergency but wasn’t likely to press on accident. That means fewer false alarms! Overall, the ezFlip 4G is a good mix between a basic, easy-to-use cell phone and an enhanced medical alert device for seniors.

» Learn About: Best medical alert systems

I had no issues using the Snapfon ezFlip 4G from the start. The phone has a simple menu that’s easy to navigate. It combines a large keypad with touch-screen capabilities, which are easy to use. I could see the screen being somewhat small for those with vision loss, but the browser and other built-in applications were surprisingly fast. Screen size aside, this phone is great for those who just want a basic flip phone with medical alert features.

Value

At just $99.95, the ezFlip 4G strikes the perfect balance between an affordable price and useful features; you can check your email, text friends, surf the web, and play simple games. Snapfon has competitively priced plans, starting at just $15 for unlimited talk and text. If you want to access Snapfon’s medical alert features, you’ll need to add the sosPlus plan for $10 per month, which is pretty affordable. If you want data, prices are similar to Consumer Cellular, starting at $20 per month for 1 GB. As mentioned previously, if you want more robust medical alert features and a phone for a similar price, we’d recommend the Jitterbug Flip2. On the other hand, if you’re content with the basics, Snapfon is a solid option.

Camera Quality

Snapfon’s ezFlip 4G has a 5 MP external camera, which matches the quality of Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip. Unlike the IRIS Flip, the Snapfon ezFlip 4G has a front-facing camera. It’s not much to write about, boasting just a 2 MP lens. The Snapfon ezFlip 4G is pretty good for taking regular photos and videos but less than ideal if you want to take selfies. Low-quality cameras are pretty typical for flip phones, but if you’re looking to take photos worthy of framing on your wall, we’d recommend considering a smartphone.