Best Big Button Cell Phones for Seniors

One of our writers testing out the Jitterbug Fip2

Why It’s One of Our Top Picks

Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2 offers advanced medical alert features you won’t find with other big-button phones. It’s voice-activated thanks to built-in Amazon Alexa technology. I could control the phone with my voice. It’s excellent for people with arthritis or vision loss. The Jitterbug Flip2’s features are easy to use and designed for seniors. They can also keep you or your loved one protected on the go. The phone’s big buttons are backlit. I could easily see the phone in dimly lit places, and its large screen made reading texts and navigating the phone a breeze.

What sold me on the Jitterbug Flip2 is that it doubles as an urgent-response device when you choose a Preferred or Premium phone plan. The Jitterbug Flip2 has a large red button that instantly connects you to the Lively Response Team to assist in case of an emergency. That feature makes the Jitterbug Flip2 great for older adults who live alone and may be at risk of falls or other emergencies. Around 36 million falls are reported each year. Having protections in place is essential!

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Button Layout

Like the Iris Flip, the Jitterbug Flip2 has ample spacing between the number keys on the keypad. My grandma and I agreed that the Jitterbug Flip2 has an even better layout since every button on the keypad is distinct and clearly marked for its intended purpose. Aside from the numerical keys, there’s an OK and Back button, a Speaker key to switch to speaker mode, and an On/Off power button. Even the directional arrows are labeled with Up, Down, L (left), and R (right).

The Lively Flip keypad and Urgent Response button

Where the Iris Flip has its Favorites button, the Jitterbug Flip2 has the Urgent Response button. It’s bright red, marked with a star and exclamation point. I pressed the Urgent Response button during testing and connected with an agent in around 15 seconds. The agent was patient, kind, and ready to send help immediately. I also enjoyed Lively’s other safety features, including a mobile app with caregiver tracking, on-call nurses, and a care advocate. You won’t find those features with any other phones on our list!

Testing out the Lively Link app's location tracking feature

Ease of Use

Thanks to the list-style menu and clearly marked directional keys, navigating the Jitterbug Flip2 couldn’t be easier. My grandma picked it up and already knew exactly what to do to make calls, send texts, use Amazon Alexa, and take photos. The camera is 8 MP. That isn’t stellar compared to modern smartphones, but it offers superior image quality to the TCL Flip Go and Snapfon ezFlip 4G’s cameras.

» Compare Your Options: Best Smartphones for Seniors in 2024

The only downside to the phone’s simplicity is the lack of internet access. My grandma and I enjoyed browsing the internet on the Snapfon ezFlip 4G and using mobile apps on the Iris Flip. Those features aren’t available on the Jitterbug Flip2, so it’s ideal for seniors who just need a phone that is easy to use and can double as an emergency-response device.

For a closer look at the Jitterbug Flip2, check out our latest Lively phone review.

Pricing

At just $79.99, the Jitterbug Flip2 is Lively’s most affordable phone. Unlike the Sonim XP3plus or TCL Flip Go, which work with various mobile phone carriers, the Jitterbug Flip2 requires purchasing a Lively phone plan. Lively plans start at $19.99 monthly for unlimited talk and text. You’ll need to upgrade to a Preferred ($39.99 per month) or Premium ($49.99 per month) plan to enjoy the Urgent Response services and other safety features. Fortunately, you can shave $5 off your plan by opting into paperless billing. Although $49.99 monthly may feel spendy for a basic phone plan without data, remember that your phone doubles as a medical alert device. That’s what I call a two-for-one deal!

» Related Reading: Lively Phone Plans

Consumer Cellular's IRIS Flip has a large screen and keypad for easy viewing.

Why It’s One of Our Top Picks

Practical and affordable. Those are the two words I would use to describe the Iris Flip by Consumer Cellular. The phone gets straight to the point, and I found it very simple to use. It’s the most affordable phone on our list. Nevertheless, it still offers key cell phone features that older adults need. The flip phone is designed with large, well-spaced, and tactile buttons that make dialing and navigation simple for older hands. The dual screens are also well-lit for people with vision loss.

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After testing Consumer Cellular’s previous flip phone, the Verve Snap, I can confidently say that the Iris Flip makes a lot of small but practical improvements. The main and outer screen are substantially larger, at 3.2 and 2 inches, respectively. The Iris Flip also comes with a whopping 32 GB of internal memory, which is great for storing all your favorite photos and videos. The Iris Flip’s camera is still just 5 MP, however, and the quality of the photos and videos I took were OK, but nothing to write home about.

Button Layout

The Iris Flip features the standard 12-button layout for numbers, the star sign (*), and the number sign (#). Each button is separated by approximately 2 millimeters, making it easy to dial a phone number without accidentally pressing two buttons simultaneously. The Iris Flip has a great layout for dialing numbers and T9 texting, especially compared to the Sonim XP3plus, which has less space between its buttons.

In addition to the basic number keys, the Iris Flip has clearly marked buttons to start or end a call, switch to speaker mode, and delete text. There are also standard arrow buttons to navigate the menu and apps, plus two generic keys at the top of the keypad that bring up your notifications and camera. One feature I liked was the “Favorites” button (the red button at the bottom with a heart symbol). It allowed me to quickly access a custom list of contacts rather than searching through all my contacts or dialing phone numbers manually.

Testing out the IRIS Flip's rubberized, large buttons

Ease of Use

The Iris Flip is an excellent option for older adults who use the internet infrequently or never. You can stay connected with friends and family through calls or texts. It is a step up in usability from its predecessor, the Verve Snap, thanks to the KaiOS operating system that offers voice command functionality and (limited) access to the internet. The Favorites button and the built-in virtual assistant make it easy to handle all the basics on the Iris Flip, from making a call to changing the default settings.

» Learn More: Consumer Cellular Review

The keys are very responsive and easy to use, but the built-in operating system (KaiOS) is a bit slow. It was particularly noticeable when I tested more complex features, like GPS navigation and internet browsing. The 1 GB of RAM meant I had to wait a few seconds before the phone actually did what I told it to do.

Pricing

Consumer Cellular’s Iris Flip is the most affordable phone on our list. It offers the essential features in a small, 4.5-ounce design — all for $69. That’s $130 less than the Sonim XP3plus, and you still get a large button layout, GPS navigation, mobile apps, and more.

» Dive Deeper: Consumer Cellular Phone Plans

The one downside is that you’re locked into using Consumer Cellular as your phone carrier. With reliable service and plans starting as low as $20 per month, that shouldn’t be a huge issue. I would have liked the option to pair the Iris Flip with AT&T or other major carriers, but Consumer Cellular offers some of the best prices for its phones and senior-friendly plans with no activation fees.

Sonim XP3plus

Why It’s One of Our Top Picks

If you’re looking for a durable flip phone with user-friendly features and a large display, I recommend checking out the Sonim XP3plus. With extended battery life and first-responder support capabilities, the XP3plus is an excellent choice for seniors who want a flip phone made with older adults in mind. What sets apart the XP3plus is its rugged design. It’s built to withstand drops and spills. I’m pretty hard on my devices and frequently drop my phone. I appreciate the tough design. I also noticed that the phone was very easy to grip. It wasn’t slippery, so I was less likely to drop it.

As a bonus, the Sonim XP3plus comes with an impressive three-year warranty. That’s longer than most manufacturer warranties. Jitterbug phones, for comparison, have a one-year warranty. The phone also features 16 GB of built-in memory, easy-to-read buttons, noise cancellation, and voice-command functionality. For older adults with hearing aids, the Sonim XP3plus is M4/T4 compatible, which is the highest available rating. The Sonim XP3plus even has wireless emergency alert (CMAS) capabilities to help seniors feel safe on the go. Overall, the XP3plus is packed with useful features for older adults.

Button Layout

The Sonim XP3plus is unique, because it has more buttons (in more places) than the other phones on this list. Before I even opened the phone, I saw the large yellow button on the side. It serves as a push-to-talk button that works like a walkie-talkie. The phone also has volume buttons on the same side of the phone. What’s most interesting, though, are the buttons on the front of the XP3plus. There are two buttons just below the front screen that allow you to turn silent mode on or off and check new notifications.

» Related Reading: Best Flip Phones for Seniors

Once I opened the flip phone, I was presented with a pretty standard keypad. It has all the numerical keys you would expect, four directional arrow keys, a center “select” key, a Start Call key, and an End Call key. Like the IRIS Flip and Jitterbug Flip2, the Sonim XP3plus has a speaker button to switch to speaker mode and a back button to return to a previous screen or delete text.

Since the SonimXP3plus offers internet access and mobile apps, it has three additional keys at the top that can be used to navigate more complex screens. I found that the keys made it easier to use everything you would expect with a phone running Android 11. It also means there are more buttons and less space for each button than on many of my favorite big-button phones. I had to be more precise when pressing buttons because I often accidentally pressed two numbers at the same time when texting. (Curse these clunky fingers!) The buttons are still a decent size and clearly labeled.

Ease of Use

Thanks to the Android 11 operating system and 2 GB of internal RAM, the SonimXP3plus runs well for a flip phone. When you click a button, the phone responds immediately. You can switch among screens without delays. That said, the navigation system took some getting used to, since it felt like a basic smartphone without a touch screen at times. Browsing the internet was quick, but not necessarily easy. Trying to use the navigation keys in place of a mouse or touch screen definitely takes some practice. If you’re not patient enough to learn the Sonim XP3plus’ navigation system, you may find yourself feeling a little frustrated. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a rugged flip phone that can withstand some drops, it may be worth it!

Pricing

The Sonim XP3plus retails for $199.99, which makes it the most expensive phone on this list by far. It costs about twice as much as the Jitterbug Flip2, TCL Flip Go, and Snapfon ezFlip 4G. The XP3plus is hundreds of dollars cheaper than a smartphone, though, so the price tag is fairly manageable. Unlike the Jitterbug Flip2 and Iris Flip, you can get the Sonim XP3plus through various providers, such as AT&T. Plan prices vary by carrier, but you may be able to reduce up-front costs by trading in an old phone or financing your purchase with zero-interest monthly payments.

Like many flip phones, the Sonim XP3plus offers only 4G speeds. As a longtime AT&T customer, I can attest to the company’s reliable 4G coverage. I had no problems with service or call quality when testing the XP3plus, whether I was at my house, running errands, or traveling.

» Also Check Out: AT&T Cell Phone Plans for Seniors

TCL Flip Go

Why It’s One of Our Top Picks

The TCL Flip Go from T-Mobile has the essential internet features seniors look for without the added fuss of a smartphone. It’s a solid choice for older adults who want internet access and enjoy smartphone features but prefer physical keys over a touch screen. The device has large tactile keys, making navigating the phone very easy for older hands.

I also like the bright and clear internal and external display screens that make it easy to read texts and emails. With the 4G service, seniors can browse the web, watch videos, listen to music, and connect with friends and family through video call apps. The phone also doubles as a hotspot to provide data to other devices. I’m a big fan of that feature since I often work on the go and don’t always have access to Wi-Fi. I used it while working from a coffee shop and had no issues connecting to the internet.

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The TCL Flip Go is an excellent device for beginner and intermediate internet users alike. It’s highly accessible and provides many essential internet features of other smartphones in an easy-to-use flip phone design. The design is also durable, so there’s no need to worry about cracked or broken screens if they slip out of your hands. We’ve all been there!

Button Layout

If you’ve used a flip phone before, the button layout on the TCL Flip Go will look very familiar. You have 12 large numerical buttons for dialing phone numbers and T9 texting, as well as a green Start Call button and a red End Call button. Four directional keys surround the OK button. The downside is that they are not clearly marked. I could only navigate the phone using those buttons, but they do not have any symbols to let you know they’re there. You may have to break out the manual or watch a video when using the phone for the first time.

The two buttons at the top help you to go back or forward through screens. It allows you to pull up settings and other menus. There are three additional buttons above the numerical keys: one to see your favorite contacts, one to view text messages, and one to delete text or return to the previous screen. I like that the TCL Flip Go keeps its buttons to a minimum for ease of use, but I wish the directional keys were labeled more clearly.

Ease of Use

The bright screen and Android-based operating system make the TCL Flip Go easy to use. My grandma had no trouble going from music and apps to text messages and contacts. Everything flows smoothly. But, once again, if you don’t already know the directional keys are there, you may be a little confused about how to navigate menus. Once my grandma got the hang of it, she had no issues.

Another drawback is that, like the Iris Flip, the TCL Flip Go has only 1 GB of RAM. That means you can expect fairly slow processing speeds. While testing the device, I had relatively few issues, but there were some delays when using the internet browser. I had to wait over a minute to open Google Maps through the built-in browser. It won’t be an issue if you’re more patient than me, but it’s something to note.

Pricing

The TCL Flip Go is just $96, making it the second cheapest phone on this list behind the Iris Flip. I recommend pairing the TCL Flip Go with T-Mobile since the flip phone is compatible with T-Mobile's Unlimited 55+ plans. The plans offer several perks, including in-flight Wi-Fi, hotspot data, and service abroad. Plans start at $40 per month for one line, which is fairly reasonable compared to other major carriers. AT&T’s 55+ plan, for example, starts at $60 per month. Plus, T-Mobile’s 55+ plans are available nationwide. Some carriers, such as AT&T and Verizon, offer their senior phone plans only in Florida, a limitation I don’t appreciate.

» Learn About: 2024 T-Mobile Review 

You can finance the TCL Flip Go through T-Mobile for as little as $4 per month without interest. If you have an old phone to trade in, you could lower the purchase price even more!

Snapfon ezFlip 4G

Why It’s One of Our Top Picks

Snapfon’s ezFlip 4G made our list thanks to its easy-to-use and easy-to-see design. It has large backlit buttons and a bright, clear screen paired with emergency-response features. Not only does the phone have an SOS button, but it’s also equipped with fall-detection capabilities. In the event of a fall, the phone will notify your programmed emergency contacts and dispatch help if needed. Fall detection is rare for a cell phone, so the feature is a big bonus! Even Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2 doesn’t offer fall detection. The ezFlip 4G also has preprogrammed emergency text messages and a siren for added protection.

» Related Reading: Fall-Prevention Tips for Seniors

One thing I like about the Snapfon ezFlip 4G is the speech-to-text feature. It’s easy to make calls or send texts with just your voice. It’s also a great bonus for people with vision loss or hand-dexterity issues.

Button Layout

The Snapfon ezFlip 4G’s button layout could not be simpler. You have all your numerical keys at the bottom, with ample space between each key. Above the numbers are three keys with images for the calculator, camera, and flashlight. That makes getting to the function you want without navigating several menus simple. The phone features the standard Start Call and End Call keys, a menu button, and a return or delete text button at the very top.

Like the TCL Flip Go, the Snapfon ezFlip 4G doesn’t clearly label its directional keys on the keypad. The central button used to select apps or menu items is surrounded by a square design. I pressed the square’s sides to go up, down, left, or right. It was easy once I knew what to do, but it’s not the best layout if you’re brand new to flip phones.

The sosPlus button located on the back of the phone is large and red. I liked the design since the button was easy to find and use even when folded closed. For comparison, the Jitterbug Flip2’s Urgent Response button is located on the keypad, so the phone has to be open to use it.

Snapfon makes it as easy as possible to call for help. The only drawback is that if you tend to hold your phone tightly, you could press the Urgent Response button by mistake. I quickly learned how to hold the phone to avoid false alarms and didn’t have any issues. I held down the SOS button and connected to an sosPlus response agent in around 30 seconds. The agent was helpful and efficient. It gave me peace of mind knowing help was just one button away!

Ease of Use

Once you know how to use the directional keys, the Snapfon ezFlip 4G is easy. It has extra features, including GPS navigation, internet browsing, and mobile apps. I tried the speech-to-text function to send some texts and found it incredibly intuitive. I’m a big fan of phones with voice assistants since they’re useful for people with arthritis or vision loss. My grandma liked the interface for navigating from one screen or app to another. We also both agreed that browsing the internet on the ezFlip 4G was easier and faster than on the TCL Flip Go.

Pricing

The Snapfon ezFlip 4G costs $99.95. It’s about the same price as the Jitterbug Flip2 and TCL Flip Go. The ezFlip 4G packs a lot of great features into a pretty simple-looking package. Snapfon lacks trade-in or financing deals, but you can get unlimited talk and text for as little as $15 monthly. Plans with high-speed data start at $20 per month.

If you want your phone to double as an emergency response and fall detection device, you’ll need to add sosPlus to your plan, which costs an additional $10 monthly. That may sound like a lot compared to the cost of a standard plan, but it’s cheaper than most mobile medical alert systems with fall detection. For comparison, Medical Guardian’s MGMini system, a mobile medical alert device, costs $49.95 monthly when you add fall detection.

» Also Check Out: Best Medical Alert Systems With Fall Detection