Affinity Cellular Cell Phone Review 2024

Affinity Cellular offers budget-friendly cell phone plans and bundles for older adults starting at $12.99 per month.

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SeniorLiving.org Rating:
3.3 of 5
30-day guarantee on some plans
Bring your own phone option
$12.99 per month starting price
$34.99 phone starting price

SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines

SeniorLiving.org Rating:
3.3 of 5
Sarah Goldy-Brown, Writer & Researcher Read About Our Panel of Experts

If you want a straightforward phone provider without frills, you may want to check out Affinity Cellular’s pay-as-you-go plans. The provider offers low-cost, postpaid plans that run on Verizon’s nationwide 5G network. Plans start at $12.99 per month. Phones start at $34, and there are lots of smartphone and flip phone options with monthly payment plans of under $5 (plus taxes). For comparison, Consumer Cellular, another provider we’ve reviewed, has plans starting at $20 per month and devices starting at $69.

Affinity Cellular’s affordable plans — especially those without data — make sense for many seniors. Other perks, such as no contracts, a 30-day guarantee, and the option to switch your plan at any time, give older adults flexibility as their needs and phone usage change.

During my time as a writer for SeniorLiving.org, I’ve tested and reviewed dozens of products for older adults, including phones, hearing aids, and medical alert systems. I was excited to test Affinity Cellular’s plans and phones for this year’s review to see what they’re all about. Below I outline the details of Affinity Cellular’s plans and phones, as well as my experience with them, to help you decide if they’re the right fit for you.

Taylor Shuman
Expert Insights
From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert
I’ve tested dozens of phones and carriers during my time as a senior tech expert. In my experience, Affinity is a decent budget phone carrier for people who don’t care about extra frills or the most reliable coverage. If you’re just looking for an inexpensive plan to stay connected, Affinity Cellular is worth considering.
Affinity Cellular Flip Phone - ZTE Cymbal

Affinity Cellular Flip Phone – ZTE Cymbal

Pros and Cons

What We Like About Affinity Cellular

  • Affordable phone-and-service bundle options
  • No contracts
  • Discounts for multiline plans
  • Straightforward online ordering process
  • Simple, senior-friendly flip phones
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau1

What We Dislike About Affinity Cellular

  • Pricey unlimited data plan
  • No online live chat support
  • Multiline plans have shared data
  • Inconsistent customer service
  • No rollover minutes
  • Website contains some contradictory and confusing information

Comparing Affinity Cellular to Top Cellular Carriers

Affinity Cellular offers affordable pay-as-you-go phone plans for seniors. If you already have a phone you love, you can bring it with you. Or you can purchase a flip phone or smartphone that you pay for either outright or over time. Phone plans start at a significantly lower rate than most other prepaid carriers, including Boost Mobile and Mint Mobile.

Not only can you bring your own device when you get an Affinity Cellular plan, but you can also spend as little as $12.99 a month — with no contracts. That said, you may not like the data caps or the limited customer-service options. If you want to see what else is out there, be sure to consider some of the other top-rated carriers we have reviewed.

We may receive compensation from the brands listed here. The compensation we receive from our partners impacts the products and services shown here, but it does not impact our ratings in any way. Our ratings are chosen through comprehensive research, clear methodologies, hands-on testing, and input from our team of experts.
SeniorLiving.org Rating:
4.6 of 5
Call for best price: Call to Order: 855-643-4847
SeniorLiving.org Rating:
4.5 of 5
Call for best price: Call to Order: 855-929-4241
SeniorLiving.org Rating:
4.5 of 5
Call for best price: Call to Order: 866-461-7793

The Buying Experience With Affinity Cellular

Affinity Cellular phones and plans are available for purchase online. The process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes.

  1. Visit Affinity Cellular’s website.
  2. Choose how many lines you’d like. The more lines you choose, the more you save per line. If you want more than three lines, however, you’ll have to call Affinity’s customer-service line.
  3. Select your monthly plan.
  4. Type in your ZIP code to confirm coverage in your area.
  5. Select the phone or phones you want to purchase, or indicate that you want to bring your own phone.
  6. Review the price and your purchase.
  7. Provide your payment and shipping information.
  8. Check out.

Phones and SIM cards ship for free. Activation is free too. Affinity even automatically applies any relevant promo codes at checkout, so you know you’re getting the best price available. That takes out a lot of the frustrating guesswork that often accompanies phone purchases.

Since Affinity phones are only sold online, you won’t get to test the phone or see it in person before you buy it. You get 30 days upon receipt, however, to decide if the phone is right for you or if you’d rather exchange it. The only caveat is that you won't receive a full refund if you’ve used more than 30 minutes, 30 texts, or 30 MB of data.

Customer Service

Affinity offers customer support via email or telephone. Similar companies, such as Consumer Cellular, also offer a live online chat feature, which I would’ve liked to see with Affinity Cellular.

I reached out to Affinity Cellular’s customer-service team via email to ask some questions about pricing. Affinity offers multiline discounts for up to five lines, but it only publishes pricing for up to three lines online. In my email, I asked about pricing for four and five lines. The response was prompt, but it wasn’t very helpful. Instead of answering my question, they just asked me questions. When I tried to respond again, I was unable to because Affinity had deemed my question resolved.

Taylor Shuman
Expert Insights
From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert
High-quality customer service is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a phone carrier. There will inevitably be issues or questions when you sign up for a new phone plan, so it’s important that someone is there to answer all of your questions and provide expert advice.

I decided to give Affinity’s customer-service team a call. Within 40 seconds, I was speaking with a very polite representative. Unfortunately, she was unable to answer my question about the multiline discount. Instead, she took my contact information so a supervisor could call me back. Since the website advises calling in for that information, I was a little disappointed that the customer-service team wasn’t able to give me an answer promptly.

I never got a call back from the supervisor, which was frustrating. Most older adults only need one or two lines, so that wasn’t an immediate disqualifier. If, however, you’re planning to share your data with a larger group, I’d suggest a different carrier, like AT&T or Verizon.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Cell phone providers that cater to the needs of seniors often make phones with large, easy-to-see buttons. Check out our list of the best big-button cell phones here.

Choosing a Cell Phone

Affinity Cellular offers the option to bring your own phone or buy a new one. You can choose among a small selection of flip phones and smartphone models. If you want to bring your own phone, check with Affinity Cellular before purchasing to make sure it’s compatible.

Not all the phones the company sells are new. Many are indicated on Affinity’s website as CPO (certified preowned), which brings down your cost. New, recently released iPhone models are also available. When we looked at Affinity’s website, we saw iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 Pro Max for sale at various price points.

A few of our favorite phones for seniors from Affinity are listed below.

Apple iPhone 15 (128 GB)

Apple iPhone 15

Apple iPhone 15

iPhones are a great choice for older adults, and the iPhone 15 is no exception. The smartphone is one of Apple’s most recent models, and it may be expensive for many budgets. If you have your heart set on the latest and greatest tech, however, you can buy the phone from Affinity for $789 or pay in installments of $21.92 a month for 36 months (plus an up-front activation fee). The payment plan is offered with 0% interest, and no credit check or application is required.

Our favorite features for seniors: 

  • 6.1-inch display screen
  • 48MP (megapixel) main camera
  • 12MP selfie camera
  • Face ID sensor for easy unlocking
  • Fast rechargeable battery
Did You Know?

Did You Know? Of the 92 percent of people ages 65 and up who own a cellphone, 61 percent own a smartphone.2 Smartphones help you stay connected with friends and family — and even your medical providers — thanks to social media, video calls, and telehealth apps.

ZTE 233 Cymbal Flip Phone

Home screen on the ZTE 233 Cymbal flip phone.

Home screen on the ZTE 233 Cymbal flip phone.

Affinity sent me the ZTE 233 Cymbal flip phone to test. It’s a simple flip phone with a large screen, sizable buttons, and easy-to-learn navigation. There’s no up-front cost for the phone. You’ll pay $1.99 per month for every month of use.

The no-frills flip phone is great for seniors on a budget who just want to text and make phone calls. If internet browsing and checking email is what you want, I recommend considering an iPhone or one of Affinity Cellular’s other internet-enabled phones.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? There are hearing-aid-compatible phones made specifically for seniors with hearing loss. To learn more, read our breakdown of the best cell phones for seniors with hearing loss.

If you’re still not sure what phone you want, check out our list of the best cell phones for seniors for more information on our top picks.

Unboxing

The first thing I noticed when opening the box was the empty SIM card holder. Affinity already had the SIM card installed, which is great for older adults with limited dexterity or vision difficulties. The box also contained the flip phone, charging cord, wall charging block, and a nifty instruction manual that explained how to use the phone.

I pressed the red “End Call/Power” button to turn on the phone. I was happy to see the phone arrived fully charged and ready to go. Within seconds, I could start testing the phone’s features.

Testing the Phone’s Features

Flip phones are typically called “dumb phones” because of their limited features, so I was surprised that the Cymbal flip phone can actually do a lot. Notable features include:

  • Front screen: Displays time, battery life, and cell service.
  • Rear-facing camera: The 2-megapixel camera quality is nothing to brag about, but the pictures turned out all right. A camera button on the keypad makes opening the camera app a breeze.
  • Radio: Plug in wired headphones and enjoy listening to the radio. I gave NPR a listen, and the broadcast was crystal clear.
  • Calendar
  • Alarm
  • Music: Connect the phone to your computer to put your favorite MP3s on it.
  • Sound recorder
  • Texts: You can send only regular texts, and you can’t send and receive picture messages (MMS).
  • Talkback: When activated, the device gives spoken feedback to help blind and low-vision users. A voice will describe what you select, type, and activate. I gave the feature a try and was impressed by how detailed it was.
ZTE 233 Cymbal Flip Phone

Easily check the time on the phone’s front screen.

Deal Alert:

Deal Alert: Save more than $100 with the Affinity Wireless Flip Phone Bundle. For only $34.99, you’ll get the ZTE 233 Cymbal flip phone; five months of free service with 500 minutes and 500 text messages per month; and a free charger, activation, and shipping.

Making Test Calls

I gave my mom a call with the ZTE 233 Cymbal flip phone. She didn’t answer at first, so I left a voicemail. I had trouble hearing her when she finally picked up, so I turned up the volume all the way. It was still hard to hear her, and I even had my hearing aids in!

My mom had trouble hearing me on her end, too, unless I bent the phone at an angle toward my face. That wasn’t too comfortable because the phone stays put only in a fully open or fully closed position. Later she let me know the voicemail I left was very hard to hear and understand.

Since that test call didn’t go well, I did a second one a bit later. I gave my husband a call. I could hear him clearly, but he said my side was quiet and muffled, so he couldn’t understand me.

It’s hard to know for sure whether it’s the cell phone itself or the service in my area that caused the issues. I had four out of five bars of service at my house, which, in my experience, is more than enough to make and receive calls clearly.

Using the ZTE 233 Cymbal Flip Phone

Sarah’s mom using the ZTE 233 Cymbal flip phone.

Still Can’t Decide?

Still Can’t Decide? Can’t figure out which phone to go with? Check out our latest list of the best cell phones for seniors to see what device may work best for you.

Nationwide Coverage

Affinity Cellular relies on Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G wireless network, which covers 98 percent of U.S. households. Use the wireless coverage map on Affinity’s website to check coverage for your ZIP code. Large cities have the best coverage, but Verizon reaches most rural areas too. The spottiest coverage areas include parts of Nevada, Maine, New Mexico, and Texas.

FYI:

FYI: Live in an area with poor Verizon coverage? AT&T offers cell phone plans for seniors starting at $30 per month. T-Mobile’s 55+ plans start at $40 per month.

Contracts and Warranty

Contracts

There aren’t any contracts with Affinity. Plans are month to month, so you can end your service at any time. Just keep in mind that the free flip phone Affinity provides in the Affinity Wireless Flip Phone Bundle must be returned if you cancel your service. Affinity also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is on par with other providers such as Consumer Cellular. If you’re not happy with the phone or service, simply return the phone within 30 days to receive a refund.

Warranty

Affinity Cellular phones come with a lifetime warranty as long as the defect is from normal use. If you drop your phone, scratch the screen, or experience water damage, it’s not covered. Replacement phones aren’t guaranteed to be new and may have physical imperfections. Customers must pay the activation fee, shipping, and handling for replacement phones.

You can also purchase an extended service plan for additional coverage. Monthly pricing ranges from $1.49 to $9.99, depending on the phone’s value. The plan provides coverage if your phone cracks, shatters, or has water damage. It doesn’t cover lost or stolen phones. Affinity Cellular will repair or replace your phone after you pay a small deductible. The protection plan may not be cost-effective for Affinity’s cheaper phones, but it may be worthwhile if you purchase a pricey smartphone.

Affinity Cellular Phone Plans at a Glance

Affinity Cellular offers plans with and without data. You can choose from six plan options, many of which come with discounts for the first three months of service.

Plan name Monthly price for 1 line Monthly price for 2 lines Monthly price for 3 lines Talk and text Data
3 GB Data Plan $20 per line $17 per line $16 per line Unlimited 3 GB
5 GB Shared Data $25 per line $19.50 per line $17.67 per line Unlimited 5 GB shared
10 GB Shared Data $35 per line $24.50 per line $21 per line Unlimited 10 GB shared
Unlimited Shared Data $50 per line N/A N/A Unlimited Unlimited shared
No Data Plan 1 $10 for first 3 months; $12.99 afterward N/A N/A 350 text messages; 350 minutes talk (call AAA roadside assistance without using your minutes) N/A
No Data Plan 2 $15 per line N/A N/A Unlimited N/A
FYI:

FYI: With Affinity Cellular, minutes and texts don’t roll over like they do with plans from other providers we’ve reviewed, such as Lively.

Affinity Cellular Plan Details

There isn’t an Affinity Cellular plan designated as a “senior plan.” Instead you can choose from the options outlined above. Below we’ll take a look at some of the plans we feel work best for older adults.

No Data Plan With Unlimited Talk and Text: Best for Basic Cell Phone Users

Plan Features

One of Affinity’s two no-data plans, this plan includes unlimited talk and text. Since it doesn’t include data, you can’t send or receive picture messages (MMS). We like the unlimited talk and text option for seniors who don’t have a landline or who want to use their phone without worrying about overages or running out of minutes.

Cost

The plan costs $15 per month per line. That’s on par with unlimited-talk-and-text plans from other providers such as Consumer Cellular, Snapfon, and Lively. It’s also the same per-month price you could pay for a plan from Mint Mobile with unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 5 GB of data. Companies like Mint Mobile are prepaid, however, meaning you’d need to pay for multiple months of service up front. Affinity Cellular is postpaid, so you receive a bill for a month of service at a time. It can be helpful if your monthly budget is tight.

Taylor Shuman
Expert Insights
From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert
Affinity Cellular’s no-data plan is a very affordable option for seniors who don’t have a phone with an internet connection. For instance, a few of my older relatives like to keep things simple with flip phones that don’t have internet access, so they never use data. There’s no need to pay for data you won’t use!

3 GB Shared Data Plan With Unlimited Talk and Text: Best for Smartphone Users

Plan Features

Affinity Cellular’s 3 GB shared data plan comes with unlimited talk and text and 3 GB of shared data. That’s more than enough data for browsing the web, checking email, and using Google maps. If you plan to stream videos or music using data, you’d be better off with the 10 GB, 15 GB, or unlimited data plan. If you want the multiline discount for this plan, all users share 3 GB of data.

Cost

Affinity Cellular charges $20 for a single line on this plan. It’s postpaid, so you receive a bill each month. That’s fairly rare, and it’s helpful when you’re budgeting. Close competitors that also use Verizon’s network charge more for similar plan benefits. Lively’s unlimited talk, text, and 3GB data plan, for example, costs $29.99 per month. With Affinity, you get the same service for $5 less each month.

New customers can save even more by bundling this plan with an iPhone 7 — pay just $114.99 for an Apple iPhone 7 (32GB) plus five months of this plan. That’s an excellent deal for seniors who want to use a smartphone. You will need to pay the $114.99 up front though.

Helpful Hint:

Helpful Hint: Need a plan on the AT&T or T-Mobile network? Consumer Cellular’s unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 5 GB data plan is the same price: $25.

Affinity Cellular vs. the Competition

Before signing up for a phone plan, it’s important to compare all your options. Below is a closer look at how Affinity Cellular stacks up to the competition.

Affinity Cellular Consumer Cellular AT&T Lively
Availability Full national coverage, some spotty areas Full national coverage, some spotty areas Full national coverage, some spotty areas Full national coverage, some spotty areas
Monthly cost range of one-line plans $12.99 to $50 $20 to $50 $35.99 to $50.99 $14.99 to $44.99
Contract needed No No Yes No
Multiline discounts Yes Yes Yes Yes, on 2-line Family Share plans
Flip phones Yes Yes Yes Yes

 

Our Methodology: How We Tested and Reviewed Affinity Cellular

To learn about Affinity Cellular, we did a deep dive into the provider’s plans and analyzed them for cost, contracts, data amounts, and caps. We also went through the process of ordering a phone and plan online.

We noted that Affinity offers both flip phones and smartphones at good prices or with monthly payment plans. Plans with and without data were also available. We like that Affinity offers lots of options in phones and plans, including some that have great appeal for seniors. We noted, however, that Affinity’s website contained some inconsistencies and confusing content. Emergency devices are mentioned in the headings, for example, but the link goes to a nonexistent page.

We spoke to customer-service representatives several times to gauge their patience and their knowledge of their products. Everyone we spoke to was polite, but we were disappointed that the information we needed was unavailable. This is an area where Affinity falls short.

We tried an Affinity flip phone at home for a week. We used the phone at home and on the go to assess coverage quality. It was easy to set up, but the quality of phone calls was lacking. We do, however, like that Affinity powers its phones over Verizon’s nationwide network.

To recap our methodology findings:

  • Price: Affinity offers budget-friendly options that seniors will like.
  • Buying experience: The experience is easy and straightforward. We like that shipping is free.
  • Customer service: This is an area where Affinity is lacking, but it’s not the worst we’ve seen.
  • Contracts: There are no contracts needed, which is great.
  • Warranties: We like Affinity’s lifetime warranty on its phones.

Phone selection: The selection is limited compared to larger carriers such as AT&T and Verizon, but it still has enough options to satisfy most senior shoppers.

The Bottom Line on Affinity Cellular

Affinity Cellular’s phone plans range from $12.99 per month to $50 per month, giving seniors options no matter their budget. Some plans are pricier than those from other providers, but you can’t beat Affinity Cellular’s phone and service bundles. They offer the best bang for your buck, whether you want a smartphone or a simple flip phone.

Affinity Cellular’s customer service is fairly limited and customer reviews highlight its inconsistency, which is an important drawback to consider. It may take a little extra effort if you need help with your phone or plan. Fortunately, Affinity offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can always get your money back if you’re truly unsatisfied with your phone, the plan, or the service.

Frequently Asked Questions About Affinity Cellular

Citations
  1. Better Business Bureau. (2023). Affinity Cellular.

  2. Pew Research Center. (April 7, 2021). Mobile Fact Sheet.

Written By:
Sarah Goldy-Brown
Writer & Researcher
Read About Our Panel of Experts
Sarah covers a range of senior lifestyle topics, from reviews of walk-in tubs and hearing aids to overviews of Medicare and Medicaid. Her close relationship with her grandparents gave her a firsthand look at the evolving life needs of older… Learn More About Sarah Goldy-Brown