Best 5G Phones for Seniors
The best 5G phones perform well in all of our testing categories, including battery life, camera quality, cost, and value.
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- Budget-friendly smartphone
- Long battery life
- Large screen
- Up to 48-hour battery life
- Large, bright screen
- Fast processing power
- Hybrid smartphone and flip phone
- Excellent camera quality
- Large, easy-to-read screen
- User-friendly phone
- Excellent camera quality
- Large, bright screen
Contents
While a 5G phone isn’t necessary for everyone, 5G service can make life easier for many older adults. 5G is the fifth generation of cellular service and the successor to 4G.1 It allows you to use the internet on your phone (as long as you have a 5G plan) with much faster speeds and greater reliability. But not every phone is 5G-compatible — or a good fit for the unique needs of seniors. In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the best 5G phones for seniors so that you can find a phone that’s right for you!
Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best 5G Phones for Seniors
Testing out an iPhone from Verizon with my grandma.
Choosing the best 5G phones for seniors takes a lot of research. Over 100 hours of research, to be exact! After looking at the most popular and best-reviewed 5G phones on the market, our tech experts narrowed down our list to the best 5G phones with features for seniors, like bright displays and easy-to-use interfaces. Additionally, all of the phones on this list are at least M3/T3 hearing aid compatible, include basic or advanced accessibility features, and are affordably priced or have financing options available through a wireless carrier.
After our research team determined the top 5G phones on the market, we tested out each one to pick the best 5G phones for seniors. Here’s what our testing process looked like:
- We made sure that we could get each phone from a variety of sources (retailers and carriers) and then determined where we could get the best prices.
- We ordered each phone and set it up with a 5G plan.
- We used the phones for several days and recorded our experiences.
- After comparing our notes, we narrowed down our choices to just five phones and gave specific accolades to help seniors understand why each phone made our list.
During our testing process, we paid special attention to the following factors:
- Pricing: Many older adults live on fixed incomes or simply don’t want to spend a fortune on a shiny new phone. However, some seniors may be willing to shell out more to get all the bells and whistles. For this reason, we included choices at various price points. We also included pointers to help you get a new phone at the lowest price.
- Battery life: Having a long battery life is a must for senior-friendly phones. While all of the phones on our list can last for up to a day, some phones last much longer on a single charge than others. We tested each phone at various usage levels to see just how far they could go on one charge.
- Camera quality: If you’re anything like us, we love to take photos! Having a 5G phone with a great camera is a huge perk, as you can snap pictures and videos of your fur babies, grandkids, or even a beautiful sunset. We examined the specifications for each phone’s camera and tested them out for ourselves.
The Best 5G Phones for Seniors in 2024
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Samsung Galaxy A54 from AT&T - Best for budget shoppers
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Motorola EDGE+ from Consumer Cellular - Best for long battery life
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Apple iPhone SE from Mint Mobile - Best for simple user interface -
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G from Mint Mobile - Best for flip-phone users
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Google Pixel 8 Pro from AT&T - Best for vision-impaired users
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1. Samsung Galaxy A54 from AT&T - Best for budget shoppers
What we like most
- Budget-friendly smartphone
- Long battery life
- Large screen
Samsung Galaxy A54 from AT&TOverview:
Samsung Galaxy A54
Overview
Sometimes, you just want a good smartphone that won’t cost a fortune. Enter the Samsung Galaxy A54. This smartphone costs $449.99. While that’s not what we’d define as “cheap,” it’s affordable for an advanced smartphone. Some of the phones on our list are more than twice that price. Plus, if you get your Galaxy A54 5G phone from AT&T, you can pay as little as $5.99 per month with zero-interest financing. This doesn’t include discounts you can get for trading in an eligible phone.
Pro Tip: Unsure which mobile carrier to choose? Check out our guide to the best phone plans for seniors!
While the Galaxy A54 is considered a “budget” 5G smartphone, it can still handle what most seniors need to do with a phone. You can easily use the internet, take photos, make calls, send and receive texts, and download apps from the Google Play Store. Plus, the Galaxy A54 boasts a large, 6.4-inch display that’s great for older adults with vision loss. That said, we still think the Google Pixel 8 is a superior phone for those with vision loss (more on that later).
» Helpful Guide: The best cell phones for seniors with vision loss
If you want a 5G smartphone that can do all the basics (and then some) and doesn’t cost a fortune, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is a great option. You may run into occasional performance issues — it’s not as powerful as the Motorola EDGE+, for example — but if you mostly use your phone for talking, texting, and taking photos, it’s a great deal. Plus, it has a larger display with a much better refresh rate than many phones at the same price point, which makes the Galaxy A54 even easier on the eyes.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Samsung Galaxy A54 from AT&T
- Affordable advanced smartphone with financing options through AT&T
- Large screen with 120Hz for reduced motion blur
- Long battery life
- Low retail price compared to similar 5G phones
Cons About Samsung Galaxy A54 from AT&T
- The charger is sold separately
- Relatively few upgrades from the Galaxy A53
- Can take three hours to reach a full charge
Summary:Pricing
The Samsung Galaxy A54 retails for $449.99, which is technically $20 higher than the Apple iPhone SE (if you choose 64 GB storage). However, the Galaxy A54 has twice the amount of storage, so it offers better value. AT&T also makes it easy to finance the Samsung Galaxy A54 for as little as $5.99 over 36 months. You can also reduce the price even more if you trade in an eligible phone. Taking advantage of trade-in deals is a great way to save on a new phone. We found that AT&T makes it easy to estimate your savings before checkout. All we had to do was plug in our current device information to get an estimate.
For example, we estimated how much we could get by trading in a 3rd Generation Apple iPhone SE (64 GB). It gave us a rough estimate of $95. While this is far less than the resale value of a pre-owned iPhone, it’s still a fast and easy way to knock more than 20 percent off the purchase price of the Samsung Galaxy A54.
Purchasing a phone through AT&T generally locks you into a longer contract with the carrier, especially if you finance your device. Fortunately, AT&T offers an excellent Unlimited 55+ plan for seniors in Florida starting at $60 per month. While we’re disappointed that this plan isn’t available nationwide, you can access AT&T’s standard unlimited 5G plans that start at $65.99 per month in other states.
» Learn More: AT&T cell phone plans for seniors 2024
Battery Life
We tested out the Samsung Galaxy A54 to see how long its battery could last under different levels of usage. When we hardly touched the phone and just made short calls from time to time, the battery lasted for more than 30 hours on a single charge. However, when we used it frequently to browse the internet, check messages, download apps, and stream content, the battery life was closer to 12 hours.
» Related Reading: Best cell phones for seniors
This was a pretty big difference, but we think that most seniors will find a happy middle ground that allows them to enjoy their phone for a full day on one charge. Still, if battery life is really important to you and you don’t mind spending a little more, consider the Motorola EDGE+ from Consumer Cellular.
Camera Quality
Like many seniors, our tech team loves to take photos and videos. The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts an excellent camera for both selfies and regular photos; it has a 13-megapixel front (selfie) camera and a whopping 50-megapixel rear camera. We were able to take very clear photos and videos in just about any lighting environment. Despite its affordable price, the Samsung Galaxy A54 has a camera that’s just as good (if not better) than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5.
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2. Motorola EDGE+ from Consumer Cellular - Best for long battery life
What we like most
- Up to 48-hour battery life
- Large, bright screen
- Fast processing power
Motorola EDGE+ from Consumer CellularOverview:
Motorola EDGE+
Overview
If charging your phone every few hours feels like a nuisance, the Motorola EDGE+ could be the answer to your problems. It’s a fast, modern phone that offers everything seniors might need, from hearing-aid compatibility to a user-friendly operating system. You’ll pay a bit more for it ($799 to be exact), but the Motorola EDGE+ is still a great phone that can handle a lot of different tasks at once. For an extra $79.99, you can even get a Motorola Smart Stylus that can charge wirelessly with the bundled folio phone case.
» You Might Like: Best Android-compatible hearing aids
The Motorola EDGE+ is the only phone in the Motorola EDGE product line that’s 5G compatible. It also happens to be a great option for seniors who want a large, bright screen (6.7 inches) and a battery that can last as long as 48 hours. The Motorola EDGE+ also performs well for a midrange phone. It has 8 GB of RAM, which means its processing power can compete with some phones that cost $200 to $300 more (like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5). This smartphone also features an easy-to-learn, intuitive user interface.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Motorola EDGE+ from Consumer Cellular
- Very fast processing power
- Battery charges fast and lasts for up to 48 hours
- Large 6.7” display
Cons About Motorola EDGE+ from Consumer Cellular
- A little pricey for a midrange phone
- Minimal dust and water resistance
Summary:Pricing
While the price may be high at $799, you can finance it for as little as $32 per month with Consumer Cellular. All you have to do is put $31 down at the time of purchase and then make $32 monthly payments (with no interest) for two years. This may not be the best option if you want the freedom to switch between carriers, but Consumer Cellular has simple, affordable, senior-friendly plans, so we think the commitment is worth considering.
» Check Out: Consumer Cellular cell phone plans 2024
Consumer Cellular plans start at $20 per month, which is more affordable than AT&T’s 55+ plan. However, if you want unlimited data, the price jumps to $50 per month. One important thing to consider is that Consumer Cellular offers solid deals on eligible trade-ins. If you have a high-end phone that doesn’t suit your needs, you could get a trade in value of up to $700. That means you can pay just under $100 for a brand-new phone!
» Further Reading: Consumer Cellular review
Battery Life
While testing the Motorola EDGE+, we were most impressed with the superpowered battery. Even with heavy usage, the Motorola EDGE+ lasted for nearly two days on a single charge. This was a huge step up from the Apple iPhone SE, which lasted less than a day with heavy usage. Another thing we loved about the EDGE+ was how quickly it could go from zero to 100 percent battery. It only took about an hour to fully charge.
Camera Quality
Like the Samsung Galaxy A54, the Motorola EDGE+ boasts two powerful camera systems: a 12-megapixel front camera and a 50-megapixel rear camera. After taking dozens of photos and videos with the phone, we could see a huge difference between the quality of the EDGE+ photos and the iPhone SE photos. Indoors or outdoors, day or night, we were able to take some truly amazing photos. We really liked that we didn’t have to switch between different lens settings or adjust for different lighting environments to get great shots — all we had to do was point the camera in the right direction and snap the photo! It took care of the rest.
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3. Apple iPhone SE from Mint Mobile - Best for simple user interface
What we like most
- Excellent camera
- Affordable iPhone model
- Sleek design
Apple iPhone SE from Mint MobileOverview:
Testing out the iPhone SE
Overview
Apple is known for creating user-friendly products. Even if you’ve never used an Apple device before, you can probably pick up an iPhone and figure out how to do the basics in a few minutes. This is a plus for older adults who may not feel confident with new technology. While you can choose from many different iPhone models with a Mint Mobile plan, the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Generation) is the most affordable 5G iPhone — and the best fit for seniors who want a smartphone that’s easy to use.
Did You Know? Apple created the iPhone SE as a more affordable option that still includes most of the iPhone features consumers have come to know and love.2
It’s important to note that previous iterations of the iPhone SE aren’t 5G compatible, so you’ll need to get the 3rd Generation (2022 or later) to enjoy 5G service. The 3rd Gen iPhone SE offers pretty much everything you could ask for in a smartphone, including fingerprint Touch ID, accessibility features for those with vision or hearing loss, and regular software updates for enhanced security and performance. As an added bonus, the iPhone SE is Apple’s most affordable smartphone, starting at $429.
» For Hearing Assistance: Best Made-for-iPhone hearing aids
If you like using Apple products or you want a smartphone that’s easy to pick up and use right out of the box, the iPhone SE could be a great fit. It may not have all the high-tech features that come with more expensive versions of the iPhone, but it’s still a lot of phone packed into a relatively small package. That said, you’ll have to sacrifice having a larger display. If you go for the most affordable option (64 GB of storage), you may need to store some photos and videos in the Cloud to keep your phone running smoothly.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Apple iPhone SE from Mint Mobile
- Apple’s signature, easy-to-use operating system
- Lots of accessibility features
- More affordable than most comparable smartphones
- Small, easy-to-grip design
Cons About Apple iPhone SE from Mint Mobile
- Display is pretty small at just 4.7 inches
- Storage space on the most affordable model can get used up quickly
- Doesn’t come with a charger
Summary:Pricing
If you’ve ever shopped for an iPhone before, you know that the prices can be steep. Fortunately, the iPhone SE retails for $429, which is about $270 less than the Google Pixel 8 from Visible. If you buy your iPhone SE from Mint Mobile (online or at an Apple Store), you can get zero-interest financing for as little as $22 per month with Affirm.
Even if you don’t purchase your iPhone SE through Mint Mobile, we still think the carrier is a great choice for seniors thanks to its affordable and simple plans. Mint 55+ is Mint Mobile’s senior plan that costs $15 per month ($5 cheaper than Consumer Cellular’s base plan). The caveat is that you have to pay for three months in advance ($45 upfront) and the prices could potentially increase after the first three months.
» Our Comparison: Consumer Cellular vs. Mint Mobile
This plan comes with unlimited talk and text, 5G speeds, and 5 GB of data per month. It also offers free support from MinTech advisers who can help with any questions you have about your service. Mint Mobile will even get on a call with you and your current carrier to help you cancel service. They make switching as easy as possible!
» Dive Deeper: Mint Mobile senior phone plan review
Battery Life
In our experience, the iPhone SE’s battery life is pretty hard to predict. It definitely falls short of the long battery life we experienced with the Motorola EDGE+, but there were major differences in energy consumption based on what we were doing. For example, when we just used the phone for calling, texting, and light web browsing, the battery lasted upward of 24 hours on one charge. Alternatively, if we spent time watching YouTube videos, scrolling through social media apps, or playing games, the battery would drain from 100 percent to about 10 percent in less than 10 hours.
While the iPhone SE’s system is made to be accessible and intuitive, it’s not made to be very energy efficient. If you only plan to use your phone for the basics like talking and texting, however, the battery life should be more than sufficient.
Camera Quality
The camera on the iPhone SE is by no means bad, but it doesn’t compare favorably to other phones on this list, like the powerful Samsung Galaxy A54 or the Google Pixel 8. The 7-megapixel front camera is decent, so you can take adequate selfies. We couldn’t help but notice that the images were grainy and not always in focus, especially in lowlight environments. Even the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, which has a 10-megapixel front camera, took clearer selfies. That said, the 12-megapixel front camera on the iPhone SE is solid, but there are better options out there. If you don’t care about having the highest quality camera and just want to take photos for the memories, it works great!
A photo of a furry friend taken with the iPhone SE
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4. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G from Mint Mobile - Best for flip-phone users
What we like most
- Hybrid smartphone and flip phone
- Excellent camera quality
- Large, easy-to-read screen
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G from Mint MobileOverview:
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
Overview
Flip phones were incredibly popular about 20 years ago, but they’ve since fallen out of style. That said, many people still want to enjoy the flip-phone design without having to use an outdated device. Fortunately, Samsung has combined the best of both worlds with the Galaxy Z Flip5. This 5G smartphone not only has the standard touch screen that’s associated with most modern cell phones, but it also allows you to flip your phone open and closed with ease.
» Useful Resource: Cell phone buyer’s guide for seniors
The unique design that combines old with new isn’t the only great thing about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5. Like the Motorola EDGE+, this phone has 8 GB of RAM and lightning-fast processing speeds. When combined with a 5G network, this means you can use data on multiple apps without much lagging.
» Learn About: T-Mobile unlimited 55+ senior plans
Pros & Cons:Pros About Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G from Mint Mobile
- Flip-phone design with a touch screen
- Fast processing speeds
- High-quality photo and video capabilities
Cons About Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5G from Mint Mobile
- Battery life is just average for a modern smartphone
- The price may be too high for some seniors
- Not many upgrades from the Flip4
Summary:Pricing
While the high price of $1,119.99 may be outside many budgets, the phone’s sleek design and processing power can justify its cost. Plus, you can finance your 5G phone from T-Mobile starting at $46.67 per month, and get even more savings by trading in your old phone at the time of purchase. You’ll also get extra savings and perks with one of the carrier’s 55+ unlimited plans.
» Even More Info: T-Mobile 55+ cell phone plans review
Still, spending more than $1,000 on a phone is no small decision, even if you spread the payments out over time. We only recommend the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 to seniors who have room in their budgets for a top-tier phone and actually want (or need) all the bells and whistles. Plus, it’s important to consider that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is one of the only phones that allows you to enjoy the design of a flip phone and all the perks of a smartphone at the same time. It’s unique!
Battery Life
Considering how much processing power the Flip5 has, it’s no surprise that the battery life is just “OK.” When we tested it out with low-to-moderate usage, we could get almost a full 24 hours on one charge. However, as soon as we started streaming content on the phone or doing anything that required a bit more power, the battery life sank to less than 12 hours. It still outlasted the iPhone SE by about two hours, but the mediocre battery life was a bit disappointing — especially for such a pricey phone.
Camera Quality
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 has a robust rear camera system, with a 50-megapixel main lens, 12-megapixel wide lens, and 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. While it can take some time to learn all the best ways to get the perfect shot, the image quality was incredible. The selfie camera is a bit less impressive with a 10-megapixel lens (that’s slightly inferior to the selfie cameras on the Samsung Galaxy A54 and Motorola EDGE+). However, the selfie image quality was still good and better than what we got with the iPhone SE. If you really want the absolute best photo and video experience that also comes with a lower price tag, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy A54.
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5. Google Pixel 8 Pro from AT&T - Best for vision-impaired users
What we like most
- User-friendly phone
- Excellent camera quality
- Large, bright screen
Google Pixel 8 Pro from AT&TOverview:
Google Pixel 8
Overview
The Google Pixel 8 is a solid 5G smartphone that’s pretty easy to use and doesn’t sacrifice more advanced features. When we first turned on the Google Pixel 8, we already knew how to do the basics. There are just four icons: talk, text, the web browser, and the camera. Plus, there’s a search bar at the bottom that gives you easy access to Google’s search engine. And if you want access to all of Google’s useful features, like Google Calendar, you can download them via the Google Play Store.
» Helpful Resource: How to use Google Calendar on your phone
Even if the simple design isn’t that impressive to you, the Google Pixel 8 is among the best smartphones on the market for seniors with vision loss. The built-in feedback system allows you to give voice commands for things like Google searches or other simple tasks. When taking a picture or recording a video, we could say things like “move phone down” or “move phone up” to adjust the frame. The phone even uses facial-recognition technology to make sure that you (or your loved ones) are always in the shot.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Google Pixel 8 Pro from AT&T
- Beautiful design and bright, crisp display
- More affordable than many high-end smartphones
- Easy-to-use UI
- Plenty of voice-activated features for seniors with vision loss
Cons About Google Pixel 8 Pro from AT&T
- Occasional software glitches
- Phone can get hot when running multiple apps or programs at once
Summary:Pricing
The Google Pixel 8 costs $699 with a plan from Visible, or you can finance your phone for as little as $19.42 per month. Like Mint Mobile, Visible offers zero-interest financing at checkout via Affirm. The price point of the Google Pixel 8 puts it somewhere between the Samsung Galaxy A54 and the Motorola EDGE+. Fortunately, it has 8 GB of RAM, which means you can get fast speeds while browsing, streaming, or making video calls.
To keep things simple, Visible offers just two 5G plans: Visible ($25 per month) and Visible+ ($45 per month). The basic plan should cover most of your needs. It offers unlimited talk, text, data, and hot-spot use. However, if you want to keep in touch with loved ones living abroad, Visible+ might be worth the upgrade. It offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada, along with calling to over 30 countries and unlimited texting to over 200.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 8’s battery can go from 0 to 100 percent charged in about an hour and a half, which is pretty fast for a high-powered smartphone. While testing the phone, we could get a full 24 hours out of the Google Pixel 8 before needing to plug it in.
The phone also comes with an adaptive battery feature that learns how you use your phone and helps optimize energy usage over time. For example, if there’s an app running in the background that you rarely use, your phone will deprioritize this app to get a little bit more time out of each charge! This is a great feature for seniors who want to stick with the same phone for a while, as phone batteries tend to degrade over time. The adaptive battery feature can help offset reduced battery life.
Camera Quality
Like the Samsung Galaxy A54, the Google Pixel 8 boasts a 12-megapixel front camera and a 50-megapixel rear camera. Our photos turned out great, but we did notice a bit of a difference between Samsung and Google when it came to image quality. The Google Pixel 8 has a 50-megapixel rear camera, but the final photos are scaled to just 12 megapixels. This meant that if we zoomed in on virtually identical photos from the Samsung Galaxy A54 and the Google Pixel 8, the image from the Samsung phone would look more crisp and detailed.
How to Choose the Right 5G Phone for You
With so many great options out there, it’s not always easy to pick the right 5G phone. If you’re shopping for your very first 5G phone or you simply don’t have a lot of experience shopping for smartphones, you may feel a bit lost. Fortunately, there are a few strategies you can use to make the entire process easier:
- Set a budget: Whether you’re preparing for retirement or you’ve already settled into retired life, you’ll need to set a budget for a 5G phone. New technology can be expensive. When it comes to 5G-compatible phones, you can generally expect to pay a few hundred to more than a thousand dollars.
- Think about your wants: Nothing feels worse than spending your hard-earned money on a new phone, only to realize that it doesn’t have some of the features you wanted. So, think about what you really want from a 5G phone. Is speed important to you? Do you want to take crystal-clear photos and videos? What about versatile keyboards and voice-activated features? Thinking about how each phone meets your expectations can help narrow down the list.
- Understand your needs: Even if a phone doesn’t offer every single thing you want, it should offer the basic things you absolutely need. For example, if you use hearing devices, make sure your phone is compatible with them. Similarly, if you have difficulty typing on a small screen, you’ll want a phone that has voice-to-text or other accessibility features.
- Test out phones in person: At the end of the day, nothing beats holding a phone in your hands and actually seeing how it works in person. So, if you don’t want to rely on online research alone, see if you can try out a few of the phones you’re interested in. If you visit the mobile carrier of your choice, they’ll usually have display phones available so that you can take them for a test run before you make a purchase.
Do I Need a 5G Phone?
It can be easy to get drawn in by the latest tech, but you’re probably asking yourself: Do I really need 5G? The fact is that most people don’t really “need” 5G service, but it’s a major improvement over 4G and previous mobile service iterations. 5G is faster and more reliable than 4G. If you travel a lot or simply like the idea of having better service in the event of an emergency, a 5G compatible phone (and a 5G phone plan) could be a great fit for you. Alternatively, if you don’t venture away from home much and you already get fast 4G service in your area, 5G might be unnecessary.
It also depends on how you use your device. Seniors who just want a simple phone for talk, text, and photos may not need to pay more just to get 5G service. But if you like to stream videos or do other data-heavy activities on your phone, 5G could make it easier to get the most out of your device. And remember, even if you don’t think 5G is the right choice for you, there are still plenty of great phones out there.
Federal Trade Commission. (2021). 5G FAQs.
Apple. (2022). Apple announces the new iPhone SE: a powerful smartphone in an iconic design.