The Best Android Phones for Seniors

Overview

The Consumer Cellular IRIS Flip is one of the most stripped-down cell phones on this list, making it a good choice for older adults just starting with cell phones. At $69, it’s also the cheapest option. You get a basic 5 MP front-facing camera to capture videos and photos. What you’re mostly paying for with the Cellular IRIS Flip, however, is a device that allows you to talk and text with friends and family without the complexity of a smartphone.

I was happy to see how Consumer Cellular has improved upon the features of its previous flip phone model, the Verve Snap. Both the internal and external screens are oversized. It also includes features that make it closer to a smartphone, like the Sonim XP10. I could download apps via the KaiOS built-in app store, browse the internet, use GPS navigation, and use the Kai Virtual Assistant for voice-to-text commands. The features can help bridge the gap between old-school flip phones and high-end smartphones, and they make the IRIS Flip feel more advanced than the comparatively simplistic Jitterbug Flip2.

Best Carrier to Pair It With

The IRIS Flip is available only through Consumer Cellular. For older adults on a budget, that may be a blessing in disguise. Consumer Cellular’s plans offer budget talk, text, and data starting at $20 per month. (You can take another 5 percent off as an AARP member.) There are also no contracts or cancellation fees. Not only does the IRIS Flip cost just $69, but you can also finance your purchase for $2 per month by using EasyPay at checkout.

The IRIS Flip offers only 4G speeds, while some of the smartphones on our list are 5G-ready. I still experienced reliable coverage while using the IRIS Flip at home and on vacation with my friends, so the 4G speeds were sufficient. Consumer Cellular uses both AT&T and T-Mobile networks to offer more widespread coverage. I love the double duty! Still, if you’re looking for the fastest speeds, you may want to consider a 5G smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy A15.

Using the Kai Virtual Assistant on Consumer Cellular's IRIS Flip

Senior-Friendly Experience

My grandma and I are very comfortable using flip phones, and we found that the IRIS Flip was a welcome change from other models we’ve tested. The IRIS Flip feels like a good middle ground between a flip phone and a smartphone, even if its “advanced” features are sparse. My grandma was excited to enjoy the comfort of a flip phone with access to mobile apps, but the lack of familiar apps disappointed her. We could still download apps like Facebook and YouTube, but the KaiOS app store offers only around 1,300 apps. For comparison, the Google Play Store (available on the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G) has more than 3.5 million.

» Related Reading: 2024 Consumer Cellular Review

We agreed that the IRIS Flip works well as a flip phone, with large buttons and an easy-to-read screen, but we don’t consider it a worthy replacement for a smartphone. The 1 GB of RAM means browsing the internet or using GPS navigation was pretty slow, even when we had strong 4G LTE coverage or fast Wi-Fi. Still, the Kai Virtual Assistant worked surprisingly well. It made it easier for my grandma to navigate the phone, send texts, and make calls without manually going through complicated menus. If you have arthritis like she does, this feature is for you!

Who’s It Best For?

Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip is best for:

• People who need an affordable phone for texting, calling, and taking pictures
• Seniors who want a flip phone that offers a little bit extra
• OIder adults who don’t want a smartphone but still want to use mobile apps
• Those who want a flip phone with GPS navigation
• Seniors who want a phone with a voice assistant

My grandma trying out the Jitterbug Smart4

Overview

Lively’s Jitterbug Smart4 is a solid starter cell phone for seniors ready to take the smartphone plunge. It’s got an even bigger screen (6.75 inches) than Lively’s previous models, which makes reading small text and watching videos much simpler. I used the phone’s voice assistant to text, make calls, and browse the web. It made navigating the phone a breeze! The Smart4 also comes with GPS, email, browsers, as well as Lively’s trademark Urgent Response button for medical emergencies (more on this later).

The list-based menu was one of the handiest features I found while testing the Jitterbug Smart4. My grandma and I didn’t have to search anywhere for the apps we use every day. It took us a while to figure out how to navigate the IRIS Flip’s various features. Some features were in a list-based menu, while others were in different locations. That could confuse even less tech-savvy seniors, so I’m a big fan of the Smart4’s simplicity! The smartphone also has a 4G LTE connection with great nationwide coverage, courtesy of Verizon, and it’s compatible with hearing aids.

» Learn More: Best Cell Phones for Hearing-Impaired Seniors

At $149.99, the Smart4 has an affordable price tag for a smartphone. That’s $420 cheaper than the Sonim XP10, another entry on our list. You can make your savings go even further when you pair your Smart4 with a Basic plan, which offers unlimited talk and text for $19.99 monthly. You’ll also need to add a data plan starting at $5 for 1 GB.

Best Carrier to Pair It With

If you choose a Jitterbug Smart4, you can’t use it with, for example, AT&T. You’ll have to pair it with a Lively plan. Is that a problem? I don’t think so. Like Consumer Cellular, Lively’s cell phone plans are designed for older folks on fixed incomes. If a simple unlimited-talk-and-text plan is enough for you, you can get started for as little as $19.99 monthly. If you want to take advantage of Lively’s health and safety features, try upgrading to the Preferred ($39.99 per month) or Premium ($49.99 per month) plans. Lively is a good bargain for data, with packages starting at $5 monthly.

Senior-Friendly Experience

The Jitterbug Smart4 is one of the most senior-friendly smartphones on the market. My grandma liked that she could pick up the phone and easily navigate the simple, list-style menu. It’s easy to use but still gives you the benefits of a large touch screen, voice typing, video chat, mobile apps, and internet browsing.

» Related Reading: Jitterbug Phone Review

Regarding speed and processing, we definitely noticed a difference between the Jitterbug Smart4 and the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G. The Galaxy A15 is not the fastest smartphone, but it works substantially faster than the Jitterbug Smart4. The Smart4’s interface can feel clunky and slow compared to other smartphones. My grandma and I agreed that the phone takes too long to react when clicking an app icon or menu item.

While not terrible, the camera didn’t fully deliver on image quality. The 13 MP main camera is still good enough to take relatively clear photos and videos, especially in good lighting. The Smart4’s cameras are better quality than previous phone iterations, including the Smart3.

Photo taken on the Jitterbug Smart4

The beauty of the Jitterbug Smart4 is the potential to use your phone as an emergency-response system. You get an all-in-one emergency-response device if you’re willing to splurge for the Preferred or Premium plan. The Smart4 has a large, red Urgent Response button you can press at any time to receive help after a fall or other emergency. We tested the Urgent Response button, and we were able to connect with an agent in less than 20 seconds.

Lively's Urgent Response button is clearly displayed on the home and lock screen

The phone offers other health and safety features, like on-call nurses, a caregiver mobile app, and scheduled Lyft rides. The features are unique – you won’t find them with most other phones. The caregiver mobile app was one of my favorite features. It offered updates on the Smart4 and allowed me to track my grandma’s location, whether at home, out shopping, or at her book club.

» Learn More: Best Medical Alert Systems

Who’s It Best For?

I’d recommend the Jitterbug Smart4 to:

• Seniors who want a basic smartphone
• Older adults who want a phone and emergency-response device
• Seniors who like the simplicity of a list-style menu
• Those who don’t mind having a mediocre camera
• Family members want to keep track of their loved ones and receive status updates

Sonim XP10

Overview

At $569.99, the Sonim XP10 is a 5G smartphone for older adults who want a rugged workhorse minus the gadgetry — and the XP10 is a workhorse. You can drop it, spill liquid on it, or cover it in sand, and it will keep ticking. That makes it a great companion for older folks with a house full of chocolate-coated grandkids or those with unstable grips. I am rather prone to dropping my phone at the worst times — while in the bathroom, for example — so I’m a big fan of these rugged features!

The touch screen is even designed to work with gloved or wet hands. I could answer a call while washing my hands without drying them first during testing. I also took the phone on a cold walk while wearing gloves, and I could still navigate without issue! That’s unique since most smartphones I’ve tested aren’t designed that way. Whenever I use my iPhone in the cold, I must take off my gloves to type.

» You Might Like: Best 5G Phones for Seniors

Ruggedness aside, the Sonim XP10 has great HD calling quality and excellent coverage via AT&T, Sprint, or even a discount Consumer Cellular plan. It also comes with a generous three-year warranty.

Best Carrier to Pair It With

You can use your Sonim XP10 with most major cellular carriers. I recommend pairing it with AT&T’s senior-friendly plans. If you’re 55 or older and live in Florida, you can sign up for the AT&T Unlimited 55+ plan, which starts at $62 per month for one line. I was disappointed that AT&T doesn’t offer a nationwide senior plan like T-Mobile. AT&T still has wonderful options for people outside Florida, such as the basic AT&T Unlimited Starter plan, which starts at $65.99 monthly. I recommend signing up with other family members, as the price per line decreases the more lines you add. If you finance your phone through AT&T, you can pay as little as $15.84 monthly with no interest.

I’ve been an AT&T customer since I purchased my first cell phone eons ago, and I’m a big fan of the service. It’s reliable, and I’ve had great experience with customer service, both in person and over the phone. One drawback is that AT&T has less reliable coverage in rural or remote areas. I went camping with some friends who had Verizon, and they had coverage in places where I had no service. It won’t be a major issue for people living in or near cities, but it’s still something to note.

Senior-Friendly Experience

The Sonim XP10 is all about rugged durability. It’s great if you occasionally drop your phone, but it also has a few noticeable drawbacks for seniors. My grandma doesn’t like holding heavy phones because of her arthritis. The Sonim XP10 weighs a whopping 11.3 ounces. Compared to the Jitterbug Smart4 (6.72 ounces) or the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G (7.02 ounces), the Sonim XP10 can feel like a brick in your hands. My grandma preferred resting the phone in her lap while browsing or texting. She held it up just to answer calls or take photos. That may be a drawback for seniors who struggle to hold objects for extended periods, but I like knowing nothing bad will happen if I drop the phone or spill water on it.

The Sonim XP10’s interface looks and operates similarly to the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G. The XP10 uses Android 12, while the Galaxy A15 uses Android 14. That means the Sonim smartphone is a bit slower and, in theory, more susceptible to cybersecurity risks that could lead to identity theft. I didn’t find a huge difference in performance between the two phones, but there were moments when browsing the internet on the XP10 was slower than expected. The screen size is also a little disappointing, at just 5.5 inches (2 inches smaller than the Smart4), but it’s much larger than the screens on flip phones like the IRIS Flip and Jitterbug Flip2.

» Learn About: Highest-Ranked Identity Theft Protection for Seniors

The Sonim XP10 also has a very loud speaker that’s 5 dB louder than its predecessor. That makes it an excellent choice for older adults with mild hearing loss.

Who’s It Best For?

The Sonim XP10 is my pick for:

• Seniors who want a strong, durable smartphone
• Older adults who worry about dropping or damaging their smartphones
• Seniors who want access to email, internet browsing, and mobile apps
• People who like a phone that can withstand the elements
• Those with mild hearing loss who want an extra-loud speaker

Testing out the Jitterbug Flip2

Overview

Smartphones aren’t for everyone. If you prefer a big-button flip phone, the Jitterbug Flip2 is a fabulous choice. At $99.99, the affordable Flip2 keeps things easy with a convenient list-based menu, a large screen, and a magnifier for enlarging text. Voice navigation with Amazon Alexa will also be a relief for older folks whose fingers tire easily. I could send texts and make calls with just the sound of my voice — no buttons required! The Flip2 has a basic camera for family snapshots. The 8 MP camera was slightly better than the IRIS Flip’s 5 MP camera, but it’s nothing to write home about. The phone also has a heavy-duty speaker catered to older ears.

The Flip2 doubles as a medical emergency device. Like the Smart4, I pressed the red Urgent Response button at the bottom to connect with Lively’s board-certified medical staff. They’re available 24/7 to assist with emergencies, and I found they were always patient and kind! The service is available only with the Preferred and Premium phone plans, which respectively cost $39.99 to $49.99 monthly.

» Also Check Out: Jitterbug Flip2 Phone Review

Best Carrier to Pair It With

You won’t get the leeway to choose your carrier for the Flip2 like you would with a Sonim XP10 or a Samsung Galaxy A15 5G. But you get the benefit of an affordable monthly bill and a bargain phone made for seniors. The Jitterbug Flip2 is only $99.99, and Lively phone plans start at $19.99 monthly, similar to Consumer Cellular. Not bad at all. Lively’s health and safety services really set it apart from other carriers. If you’re interested in that, I highly recommend going with Lively.

Senior-Friendly Experience

The Jitterbug Flip2 is one of the easiest cell phones we’ve tested, and it didn’t get that way by accident. A lot of thought went into the Flip2’s easy-to-use menu and buttons. Much like the Smart4, it has a simple list-based menu that was a no-brainer for my grandma and I to navigate. The phone’s keypad has large buttons that are easy to see and press.

For older adults with chronic medical conditions, the Flip2’s Urgent Response button is a lifesaver, giving instant access to certified health care professionals 24/7. Lively’s health and safety features, including on-call nurses and caregiver tracking, gave me extra peace of mind. My grandma was also thankful that she could call for help with one press of a button, something you can’t do with most other phones on our list. Considering the affordable $99.99 price tag, you can see why it’s one of the most popular phones for older adults who want to keep things simple.

The Lively Flip keypad and Urgent Response button

My grandma and I sat down with the Jitterbug Flip2 and compared it apples to apples with the only other flip phone on this list: the IRIS Flip. The IRIS Flip is $30 cheaper, has internet access, and offers access to mobile apps, while the Jitterbug Flip2 has a simpler list-style menu and emergency-response features (with certain plans). The IRIS Flip has more bang for your buck, but the Jitterbug Flip2 is easier to use and stellar for seniors who want 24/7 medical alert protection.

Who’s It Best For?

The Jitterbug Flip2 is my top choice for:

• Seniors who want an easy-to-use flip phone
• Older adults who don’t need all the bells and whistles of a smartphone
• Seniors who want emergency-response features
• Those who want a small yet durable phone

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

Overview

If you’re looking for a mid- to high-end smartphone on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G. I found it extremely easy to use during my testing. I could access all the apps in the Google Play Store and features smartphone users have grown accustomed to, such as a high-end camera, responsive touch screen, large display, and face recognition to unlock your phone.

What I really like about the Galaxy A15 5G is its oversized, brightly lit display and long battery life. Even when using the phone regularly throughout the day (with the brightness turned way up), the phone kept chugging along without needing a fresh charge. The Galaxy A15 5G boasts 44 hours of talk time and up to 16 days of battery life in standby mode (for example, when it’s turned on but you’re not actively using it).

If you’re already comfortable using an Android phone, the Galaxy A15 5G is like a breath of fresh air. As the name implies, it’s 5G-ready. You can enjoy lightning-fast speeds, especially if you choose a nationwide carrier like T-Mobile. Did I mention the Galaxy A15’s camera system? It has a 50 MP rear-facing camera and a 13 MP front-facing camera. In simpler terms, I could easily take crisp, clear, high-definition photos and videos. It’s the best camera on our list by a long shot!

Best Carrier to Pair It With

T-Mobile’s Unlimited 55+ phone plans are one of my top picks for seniors, and I recommend pairing your Samsung Galaxy A15 5G with one. They’re all contract-free and offer unlimited talk, text, and data for as little as $40 per month for one line. I could get the Galaxy A15 5G for free by adding a new line or trading in an eligible phone. That’s why the phone also made our list of the best free phones for seniors!

» Even More Info: T-Mobile 55+ Cell Phone Plans Review

Even if you don’t want to use T-Mobile, the Galaxy A15 5G is a good midrange option at $199.99. If you want a bargain-basement prepaid plan, I recommend checking out Mint Mobile. Mint’s no-nonsense cellular plans start at $15 per month. You won’t get many of my favorite perks offered by T-Mobile, though, such as in-flight Wi-Fi and international data.

Senior-Friendly Experience

My grandma and I tested the Galaxy A15 5G together to get hands-on experience with how it feels in senior hands. Right off the bat, she loved the big, bright screen. Even when she held the phone at arm’s length, she could read average-size text, which surprised us both. This phone could be a great pick if you have vision loss. I also liked that the Galaxy A15 5G offers wireless charging.

» Also Check Out: Smartphone Apps and Resources for People With Vision Loss

The Android 14 operating system felt like a big step up from some of its predecessors, and it’s certainly faster than Jitterbug Smart4’s operating system. That said, the phone has only 4 GB of RAM. That’s about half as much as in most mid- to high-tier Samsung phones. That means the phone gets sluggish if you do too much at once. Switching between data- or energy-heavy apps made the experience a bit frustrating since we had to wait a few seconds for the screen to change. Despite that issue, my grandma and I really loved taking photos and videos with the exceptional camera. Whether I was outside in bright sunlight or inside in darker spaces, the phone took very sharp, crisp pictures.

Who’s It Best For?

I’d recommend the Galaxy A15 5G to:

• Seniors with experience using Android smartphones
• OIder adults who want to enjoy a full range of mobile apps
• Those who need a high-quality camera
• Seniors who are not as concerned about having a durable, water-resistant phone