Best Cell Phones & Cell Phone Plans for Seniors in 2018

Finding the Best Cell Phones for Seniors

Cell phones have become so much more than a mere phone. They have so many uses, often limited only by the apps you choose to load onto them. You can use them to take and store pictures and videos, to calculate an equation, to see what the weather is like anywhere in the world, and to give you step-by-step driving directions to wherever you want to go. It can serve as a flashlight, tell you what time it is, serve as a stopwatch or timer, become your own personal portable library and act as a PDA or calendar. Cell phones occupy our time with an unending supply of games. The list of what cell phones can do goes on and on. With the addition of an app, a cell phone can do almost anything. They are essentially small computers, which means you have the world wide web at your disposal anytime and anywhere which can certainly be a huge benefit. Whether you want to check local movie schedules, look up the address of a store you want to visit, or check out some odd bit of trivia, all you need to do is whip out your cell phone and the world wide web is at your fingertips.

The very first cell phone call was made in 1973. Back then, cell phones were bulky (even requiring a base unit that resembled a briefcase to be carried around with it) and expensive. Reception was an issue and the locations in which a call could be made were very limited.

We have seen many advancements since then. Cell phones are smaller, more versatile and, due to the use of satellites and wireless services, reception is much improved. In fact, cell phone service is available worldwide, even in remote areas.

Cells phones are an excellent way to stay connected with family and friends and provide users with a sense of security. Cell phones even go beyond having the ability to call for assistance. Since most cell phones are equipped with GPS technology, the phone (and its user) can be located in the event of an emergency (as long as the GPS capability is available and turned on).

Why Do Seniors Need a Cell Phone

Cell phones are no longer a luxury item, especially for older adults. Despite the tremendous benefits seniors receive from owning a cell phone, nearly one-quarter of all seniors sixty-five and over still don’t own one. This is unfortunate. From having the ability to connect with those they love to being able to get assistance with emergencies to the enjoyment of apps that are easily loaded onto a phone, a cell phone can greatly enhance the life of a senior.

Benefits of cell phone ownership include:

• Helps You Maintain Social Connections: Whether you’re calling, texting, using Skype or FaceTime, cell phones make it easy to stay connected to friends and family.
• Provides Emergency Assistance: From trips and falls to strokes or heart attacks, seniors are more likely to be faced with a medical emergency than any other segment of the population. With a cell phone, a person has instant and easy access to lifesaving assistance wherever and whenever it is needed.
• Gives You Peace of Mind: Knowing you have a way to connect with friends and family when you need to or want to can’t help but give you peace of mind. When driving alone in a remote area and your car breaks down, when you’ve fallen and need assistance, when you’re running late and need to let someone know, and many other scenarios just like these, it’s nice to know you have a phone and can do what you need to do, especially when you need help or assistance.
• Monitors Everyday Health: There are lots of easy-to-use apps that make it simple to monitor your health conveniently on your cell phone. Plus, these tools enable seniors to keep current on their medical needs, all in one convenient location.
  With this many choices, you are sure to find the app that meets your needs and makes it easy to monitor your health wherever you are.
• Unending Entertainment options: Cell phones are so much more than a calling device. From music to games to movies, nearly every cell phone on the market offers options for entertainment. With just a few keystrokes, you can find everything from cognitive training to mindless entertainment to music and videos and everything in between. Check out the Google play store to find a zillion ways to entertain yourself and keep your boredom at bay.

Choosing the Right Cell Phone

With so many choices, finding the right cell phone for you can seem like a daunting task. Here are a few easy tips to help you find the perfect cell phone:

• Smart vs. Basic: When it comes to cell phones, you essentially have two options – a smartphone or a basic flip phone. Your choice between these two will depend on how you intend to use your phone. If you want to be able to have apps, games and video capabilities, then you will want to choose a smartphone. If you want to have a simple, straightforward, easy to use cell phone for voice calling and text messaging capabilities only, then a basic flip-phone will easily meet those needs and do so with a much cheaper price tag.
• Create a list of all the features you want or need, such as large buttons, ability to take good-quality pictures or videos and voice command. Here’s an article you might find useful, 10 smartphone must-have features. You may not find a phone that has everything you’re looking for, but you’re more likely to find what works best for you in the end if you have a good idea of what you are looking for.
• Read reviews of the cell phones you are considering. Make sure reviews meet your standards.
• Visit stores and check out the phones. Try out phones in person to make sure the buttons and displays are what you need. Make sure they are large enough if you have vision problems. Those with hearing issues need to make sure the phone’s volume is adequate, both call volume and the ringer. Be sure to see what others are saying about concerns such as these when you read the reviews.
• Take advantage of the return policy. Be prepared to return the phone if it does not meet your needs. Almost every carrier allows no questions asked returns during a 14- to a 30-day trial period.
  There are quite a few cell phones that are specifically designed for seniors. We will be discussing them later in this article. After reading the reviews and trying one out for yourself, you can determine if a certain phone meets your needs.

Cell Phone Service Plans

A cell phone service plan is a paid agreement between you and a mobile carrier that allows your cell phone to use their network for calls, text messages and internet access (also called mobile data).

There are five major mobile phone service carriers in the U.S.– Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular (only provides regional coverage). Each of these companies is classified as a Mobile Network Operator (MNO).

Other carriers, like Cricket, Straight Talk Wireless and Boost Mobile are resellers, also referred to as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO). Mobile Virtual Network Operators purchase network access from one of the major carriers, the MNOs, and resell that access to their own customers, often at a lower rate because they don’t have to pay to maintain the network infrastructure and licensing. MVNOs primarily offer pre-paid/no contract plans and services.

Benefits of Using an MNO

Why would you choose an MNO when you can use the same network for less by choosing an MVNO?

• Ability to purchase cell through a monthly payment plan, rather than paying for the total cost up front. This does require a credit check.
• Offers a larger selection of cell phone brands and models.
• Option to post-pay for services at the end of the service month instead of paying before you use the service.
• When mobile traffic is high, MNOs prioritize their customer’s network access ahead of that of MVNO customers. In areas with spotty service/less coverage, MNO customers have fewer service disruptions and dropped calls.
• When new advancements in technology are made, MNO customers are the first to benefit.

Benefits of Using an MVNO

Besides being able to pay cheaper rates, MVNO customers have other benefits to consider as well:

• Since almost all of the plans are prepaid, they generally don’t do credit checks. This can be a big bonus if your credit is less than stellar. Not all MVNO plans are prepaid.
• By paying in advance, you are never surprised with extra unexpected fees and overages.
• You have the option to use your own existing phone rather than buying a new one as long as the phone you intend to use is configured to work on the network you choose.

How to Choose a Cell Phone Plan

Mobile carriers offer various types of plans that cover talk time, messaging and mobile data. To determine which plan is right for you, consider the following:

• Which cell phone carrier provides good signal strength where you live? Ask others who live in the area and those who visit, which carriers they use and if they are satisfied with the service they receive.
• How much data do you typically use? Taking the amount of talk time, the number of texts and mobile data you typically use into consideration, will the plan you are considering work for you?
• Do you have a phone you would like to continue using? Will the plan and carrier you are considering allow you to do so? Will they allow you to keep your number as well?
• How many lines do you want or need?
• Are you able to piggyback onto a spouse’s or other family member’s plan for $10-$20 per month extra (instead of getting a plan of your own)?
• Many carriers offer discounts to veterans, seniors, and persons who are low income. Ask the carrier if you qualify for one of these discounts. See how low-income seniors can even qualify for a low cost or free phone later in this article.
• Even if you already have a plan, consider checking into others, especially if you’ve been on the same plan for a long time. You may be able to find a plan that can save you money every month just by switching. Be aware that switching may cause you to pay early termination fees. Some carriers are now willing to pay all or part of those fees for you if you switch. Be sure to ask before you switch and reread your current phone plan and compare it to your new proposed plan.
• How important is cost? Know how much you’re willing to pay and how much your budget can withstand. Costs range from plans going for $20 a month with a $60 flip phone to a $100+ a month plan with a $1100+ iPhone. So, it’s important to narrow this down a bit or you’re liable to be overwhelmed with choices.

Types of Cell Phone Plans

There are several categories of cell phone plans:

• Inexpensive (cheap) cell phone plans with limited minutes for talk and text. Overages can add up quickly on inexpensive post-paid plans.
• Family mobile phone plans allow for multiple lines. There are two types of family plans. One, where all users share an allotment of mobile data and, the other, where each line has their own allotment.
• Pre-paid cell phone plans where you pay in advance, refilling as you use up the data. You never have an overage with pre-paid plans, but if your phone runs out and you run into an emergency before you refill it, you’re out of luck.
• Unlimited data phone plans offer unlimited data; however, they intentionally slow down your data speeds when certain scenarios come into play. For instance, when you reach certain limits, service drops from 4G to 3G services.
• Senior cell phone plans generally offer discounts to older adults, different carriers offer this discount at differing ages. Some also offer medical assistance/advice or the ability to call for emergency help with the push of a button.

Best Cell Phones and Cell Phone Plans for Seniors

Now that you understand the importance of having a cell phone, let’s take a look at various top-rated cell phones and cell phone plans. You’re sure to find one that meets your needs at a price that fits within your budget.

Senior cell phone usage patterns generally fall into two different groups:

• Individuals who simply want a phone for the occasional call and for emergencies
• Individuals who want a phone to chat with friends and family frequently

Knowing how you intend to use your phone will help you select the best cell phone and cell phone plan for you.

Cost

Cell phone manufacturers have designed a variety of phones that sell for a wide range of prices. Some of the phones themselves are priced well under $100 while others go for more than $1000. For example, the iPhone X, which came out in the fall of 2017 with facial recognition, a studio-quality camera and animated poop emojis (you heard that right!) came in at just over $1000. Options range from the basic cell phone that is used only to make phone calls to a complex, technologically advanced piece of equipment that can perform more tasks than the basic home computer. Over the last ten years, cells phones have become more and more a necessity for people the world over. Satellites have made it possible for even the most remote and underdeveloped countries to have access to some amount of wireless services and cell phone technology.

Cell phone prices span a wide range of dollar amounts. Cell phones designed for seniors, tend to be more basic with very few bells and whistles. Some cell phones can be purchased outright, like the Alcatel Go Flip with Consumer Cellular, which sells for $30.00 plus a monthly plan with free activation. The Jitterbug Smart2 with GreatCall regularly sells for $149.99 plus monthly plan and activation. Plans using the Jitterbug Flip cell phone are available for as low as $14.99 per month. The Kyocera Verve goes for $19.99 per month on-contract. The Kyocera Cadence LTE retails for $120.00 and can be purchased for $5.00/month in 24 monthly payments with a contract. These are just a few examples from phones previously discussed in this article. Prices vary depending upon the method of purchase, from an outright purchase to being paid out as part of a purchase plan and contract.

Some phone plans have a one-time activation fee while others wave this fee.

Since 2011, when smartphones reached the global average price of $348, the average global price has steadily declined to an average of $229 in 2018. It’s expected to drop even further to $214 by the end of 2019.

The average price varies around the world with North American paying the highest average price. In 2013, North American consumers paid an average of $531 compared to the $306 global average. In 2017, the average North American selling price was $567, up from the 2013 price, although globally the price continued to drop.

The average selling price for a smartphone also differs between vendors and the phone’s operating system. Apple’s iPhone has the highest average selling price. Smartphones using an Android operating system pay substantially less, almost two-thirds less.

Although worldwide average cell phone prices continue to drop, the trend for higher priced cell phones in theU.S.is expected to continue to rise. As processing power, internet data speeds, camera technology and battery life continue to improve, the value people attach to their phone continues to increase as well. Consumers who consider a mobile phone to be the most important product in their lives are prepared to pay a premium; and, mobile phone suppliers are prepared to take advantage of this fact.

Basically, you can obtain a plan and pay less than $20 per month and pair that with a $60 flip phone. Or, you can get a $100+ per month plan to use with your $1000+ cell phone. There are many more options in between. As you shop for a cell phone, you need to determine how much you’re willing to pay and find the phone and plan that stays within your budget. Be sure to ask the salesperson to total up all the taxes and fees so you know exactly what to expect when you receive your bill each month.

Accessibility Apps for Seniors

If you have a phone that allows you to load additional apps onto it, you might find the following apps helpful if you have accessibility issues.

The app, Android Accessibility Suite, offers a collection of accessibility services that will enable you to use your Android device eyes-free or with a switch device. Android Accessibility Suite includes such features as Accessibility Menu, Select to Speak, Switch Access and a TalkBack screen reader. For more information about Android Accessibility Suite and other accessibility options, click here.

If you are interested in other third-party applications, there are a variety of options that can be used to make your phone even more accessible to meet your needs. These two links, Android third-party accessibility apps and iPhone third-party accessibility apps, will provide you with a great start in finding an app to fit your needs.

Free to Low-Cost Cell Phones and Phone Plans for Seniors

Many seniors on a fixed income sourced entirely from Social Security often find it difficult to make ends meet. Given their low income, cell phones often fall low on the list of things they can afford to purchase. Understanding that having a cell phone is important for seniors, especially when faced with an emergency, Lifeline, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program, was created to make free to low cost cell phones or home phone service available to anyone who qualifies.

Lifeline subscribers can purchase discounted monthly phone service and broadband services from participating providers. Subscribers have several options from which to choose – voice only, stand-alone broadband or a bundled voice-broadband package. Lifeline helps ensure that low-income seniors can afford 21^st-century technology. FCC rules prohibit more than one Lifeline service per household.

Best Cell Phone for You

With so many options and choices, only you can determine which cell phone and cell phone service plans are right for you. Do you want a Smartphone, or will a flip phone serve your needs? Do you travel and need to have a plan that enables you to stay connected with family and friends even when you’re out of the country? Or perhaps, you have friends and family who live outside the country with whom you want to stay connected. Is having access to the internet important? What does your budget allow? Once you have answers to these questions and many others like them, you’re more prepared to choose the best cell phone to meet your needs.