Serving wireless and mobile services to over 165 million people in the U.S.,1 AT&T is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. In recent years, there's been a growing need for more variety, efficiency, and affordability when it comes to cell phones and mobile plans for seniors. In response, AT&T has added senior-friendly plans to their offerings. And we're sure glad they did!
AT&T Logo
It is important to note that AT&T does not manufacture phones specifically designed for seniors, like those offered by competitors we’ve reviewed, such as Lively. However, they do offer all of the biggest names in cellular technology, including Apple, LG, Samsung, and others. Read on to learn more about what AT&T brings to the senior wireless plan arena.
Pros and Cons
What We Like About AT&T
No long-distance charges
500 night-and-weekend minutes
Senior phone plan
Discount for those 65 and older
AARP and veterans discounts
Things to Keep in Mind About AT&T
No senior-specific phones
No data on Senior Nation plan
The Buying Experience with AT&T
You can purchase an AT&T phone online or in one of the carrier's thousands of brick and mortar locations nationwide. Keep in mind that AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan and Senior Nation plan cannot be selected online. You must also have a billing address in Florida. To purchase the Senior Nation plan, you'll need to chat with a representative via the online chat box, give them a call, or visit an AT&T store. The Unlimited 55+ plan has to be purchased in-store because you'll need to show your Florida ID to verify that you qualify for the plan.
If you purchase your AT&T phone online, you'll have several options to receive it:
Delivery: An AT&T representative will deliver your order to your doorstep at the time you select.
Curbside pickup: AT&T will call you when your order is ready, and you can pick it up from your local store. A representative will bring your order to your car.
Free standard shipping: Your order will be shipped to you for free.
FYI: AT&T charges a $30 activation fee for new lines of service. This is typical across the industry.
Choosing a Cell Phone
AT&T currently has a total of 44 phone models available on their website. Talk about options! We'll cover our current favorite basic phone and smartphone for seniors below to help narrow down your search. For more details on the top phones for seniors, check out our best cell phones for seniors page.
Sonim XP5s
Sonim XP5
Touted as exceptionally durable, the Sonim XP5s costs $339.99, and it's a great option for older adults who are a bit tougher on their devices. The waterproof, brick-style phone is small and sleek, with features that are ideal for seniors, such as large backlit buttons, a loud, powerful speaker, and a drop-proof design. The Sonim XP5s also comes with a 5MP camera. Plus, with 25 hours of talk time, you won't have to charge your battery too often. For older adults who don't need or want a smartphone, this is a durable option that has just the right amount of user-friendly features. Plus, it comes with a three-year warranty and has a M3/T4 hearing aid compatibility rating.
More Tips From the Pros: If you're still unsure which cell phone is best for you, check out our in-depth cell phone buyer's guide for all the details on how to choose the right phone for your needs.
Samsung Galaxy S20 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S20 5G is our current smartphone pick. Priced at $27.78 per month or $999.99 upfront, this model is ideal for older adults who may or may not be familiar with the use of a smartphone. It's large enough for older eyes and hands, but not oversized. It is also waterproof and dustproof, with an innovative design that is familiar to smartphone users. Plus, the camera quality on the Note will make you “ooh” and “aah.” Well, at least it did for us! If you want the next step up in phone technology without feeling like you're carrying around a tablet, this is a great choice for seniors, with an easy-to-navigate menu and so much more.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G
Keep in mind that the Senior Nation plan doesn't come with data, so you won't need a smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G if you choose this plan.
Bring Your Own Device
If you already have a phone you love, you can keep that phone and switch to AT&T as your cell phone provider. The $30 activation fee will be waived, and you'll receive a $250 credit toward your future monthly bills.2 Score!
Nationwide Coverage
AT&T provides 5G and 4G LTE coverage depending on where you're located. The difference between 5G and 4G LTE is data transfer speed, as 5G is about 100 times faster than 4G. Unless you’re trying to watch videos or play games when you're not connected to Wi-Fi, you probably won't notice too much of a difference between 5G and 4G. To see if your area is covered by AT&T, you'll want to check their interactive coverage map. There are a few parts of the U.S. that aren't covered by AT&T, so it is important to check where you live and the places you travel to frequently to make sure you'll be covered.
Contracts and Warranty
Contracts
To get started with AT&T's Senior Nation plan, you'll be required to enter into a two-year contract. We aren't big fans of contracts, but they are pretty standard in the cell phone industry. As long as the contract isn't a deal-breaker for you, you're still getting a great deal with the $29.99 per month AT&T price, not to mention the AARP discount if you're eligible for that too.
Wallet-Saving Perk: AARP and veterans discounts (which aren't a given with every carrier) can be applied to eligible AT&T wireless plans.
Warranty
Warranties vary depending on the device you purchase. Apple devices typically come with a one-year warranty. Other devices from AT&T, like the Sonim XP5s, come with a three-year comprehensive warranty. If you're nervous about damaging or losing your device, you can add on a protection plan when you purchase your phone. That typically costs between $11 and $17 per month depending on the tier of coverage you select.
AT&T Senior Phone Plans at a Glance
Name
Price
Basics
More details
Senior Nation
$29.99 per month
+200 anytime minutes
+ Unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling nationwide
+ 500 night-and-weekend minutes
+ No roaming or long distance charges (nationwide only); additional minutes $0.45 each
+ Eligible for basic phones only
+ Includes voice mail, call forwarding, call waiting, conferencing, and caller ID
AARP Discount
Save 10% on monthly service charges on qualifying wireless plans
+ Save 15% on eligible accessories
+ Some of their unlimited data plans for smartphones might be eligible for this discount
AT&T Unlimited 55+ (Florida residents only)
$60 per month for one line or $80 for two lines
Unlimited talk, text, and data (in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada)
+ Free texting to 120 countries
+ Auto fraud-blocking and spam-risk alerts
+ Must verify Florida residency and age eligibility in store only
AT&T Plan Details
AT&T Senior Nation Plan for Budget-Conscious Users
Cost
AT&T's Senior Nation plan is ideal for seniors who are on a budget and don't plan to use a smartphone. At $29.99 per month, it's priced very competitively. The plan comes with a set number of minutes, and any overages are $0.45 per minute. So if you're on the phone a lot and plan to use your cell phone as your main line of communication, you may want to look into a plan with unlimited talk.
Plan Features
Designed for those 65 and older, the Senior Nation plan caters to older adults who want a simple phone plan at an affordable price. Here are the features to expect with the Senior Nation plan:
200 anytime minutes
Unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes nationwide
500 night-and-weekend minutes
Additional minutes are $0.45 per minute
Unlike senior plans from other carriers we've reviewed like T-Mobile that don't require contracts, AT&T's Senior Nation plan does require a two-year contract. Also, this plan is compatible with basic cell phones only, not smartphones. With over 40 percent of seniors owning smartphones today,3 AT&T's limiting its senior plan to basic phones is not ideal, but their senior-friendly discounts make up for it!
AT&T Unlimited 55+ Plan for Florida Residents
Cost
At $60 per month for one line or $80 per month for two lines, the AT&T Unlimited 55+ plan is a good deal. To compare, the AT&T Unlimited Starter plan for one phone is $65 per month.4 Over the course of a year, that's $60 in savings if you opt for one line. You can save even more if you're an AARP member, with up to $45 off in activation fees and a 15 percent discount on accessories.
Plan Features
Unfortunately, this plan is available to Florida residents only. Plus, you'll have to visit an AT&T store in person to verify your eligibility to qualify for this plan by flashing your driver's license or state ID. Here are some features you can expect with AT&T's Unlimited 55+ plan:
Unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Standard mobile security to block those pesky spam calls
Free texting to over 120 countries
Free 5G access
The Bottom Line on AT&T
AT&T’s Senior Nation plan, which includes unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling, is ideal for older adults who simply want dependable cellular service at an affordable rate that meets their basic mobile talk needs. Given the growing number of seniors who use smartphones, it would be nice to see AT&T offer a more widely available senior plan that includes data discounts. Currently, their Unlimited 55+ plan is only available for seniors in Florida.
Nonetheless, it is easy to see that AT&T strives to help older adults connect with family and friends without breaking the bank. For instance, the unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling element is a solid perk with the Senior Nation plan. Overall, the company is affordable, fair, and competitive, all for the sake of supporting seniors and giving them the opportunity to embrace technology without too much hassle.
No, but you can find a model that works best for your age and your level of mobility, as the company does offer an excellent selection. However, many medical alert systems do operate on the AT&T network.
