Easiest Cell Phones for Seniors to Use, Tested and Reviewed by Tech Experts

Senior-Friendly Design

The IRIS Easy Flip features a 2.8-inch internal screen for easy texting and browsing, as well as a smaller external screen to easily read notifications or check the time or battery life. I found the screen easy to read, and it’s larger than some of Consumer Cellular’s old flip phone models, including the Verve Snap.

The external screen on Consumer Cellular's IRIS Easy Flip is large and easy to see

What really sets the IRIS Easy Flip apart from many other budget-friendly flip phones is its durability. For just $59, you get a 5.47-ounce flip phone that’s easy and comfortable to hold. It features reinforced hinges so you can open and close your phone without worrying about unnecessary wear and tear. The rubberized keys are textured, which reduced the risk of my fingers slipping to the wrong buttons while I was texting or navigating the phone. The keys have an automatic backlight feature and large letters to make the phone easier to use in low-light environments. This is a big plus for seniors who struggle with poor vision. I didn’t have any issues using the phone in dark environments, but I noticed a fair amount of screen glare when I used the phone in bright sunlight while spending time in my backyard.

» Related Reading: Smartphone Apps and Resources for People With Vision Loss

Senior-Friendly Interface

As great as the IRIS Easy Flip looks and feels on the outside, it packs even more power on the inside. It comes with KaiOS, an operating system designed specifically for phones with keypads. I was able to download apps, browse the internet, check email, and use live maps like I would with a smartphone. It’s perfect for seniors who want both a flip phone’s ease of use and some of the more advanced features of a smartphone.

» Learn About: Best Smartphones for Seniors

The IRIS Easy Flip’s 8 GB of storage also gives you a decent amount of space to store photos and videos. It has been a while since the KaiOS has seen an update, however, so my primary concern is the potential for security threats and deteriorating usability in the future. That could be fixed with an update, so it’s not something to worry about just yet!

Who Is IRIS Flip Best For?

• Seniors looking for a simple phone at an affordable price
• People on a budget who want unlimited talk and text
• Older adults who just want a basic flip phone without a medical alert system
• Older adults who want a simple flip phone, but with some of the basic features of a smartphone

What to Know Before Purchasing

For talk, text, and data, Consumer Cellular’s monthly rates per line decrease as you add more lines. If you want just one line, you’ll pay a slightly higher rate per line. We recommend adding one or two other people to your plan to get the most savings. Rates for one line with Consumer Cellular are still affordable compared to other major carriers, though, starting at $20 per month.

» Useful Resource: Best prepaid phone plans for seniors

Senior-Friendly Design

The Jitterbug Flip2 features a classic flip-phone design that is slim and easy to hold. At just 4.8 ounces, it’s even lighter than Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Easy Flip. My grandma loved the light feel, since it made it much easier to hold up the phone when taking photos and recording videos. The internal screen is 3.2 inches, which is fairly large for a flip phone.

The Jitterbug Flip2 makes it easy to access help when you need it. The Urgent Response button is bright red and located at the bottom of the keypad, so you can’t miss it. My grandma and I tested the urgent-response features, and we were able to get on the phone with an agent in less than 30 seconds. The representative was kind and patient, and it gave me peace of mind knowing my grandma could rely on them in an emergency!

The Lively Flip keypad

Senior-Friendly Interface

The Jitterbug Flip2 is extremely simple to use. When I turned on the phone, I was presented with a list-style menu that gave me access to texts, contacts, photos, Amazon Alexa, and more. It was easy to navigate up and down using the arrows on the keypad, and my grandma knew how to use it without referencing the manual or asking any questions. It really is for people of all ages, especially those who just want a low-tech phone to stay connected. That also means, however, that it lacks some features you may expect from a modern phone, such as internet access and mobile apps.

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We also tested the Lively Link app, which allowed me to keep track of my grandma while she was on a walk, running errands, or at home with her Jitterbug Flip2. It showed her location, sent messages through the app, and even received updates when we tested the urgent-response feature. It’s easy to connect using the free Lively Link app. We loved how easy it was for older adults and their family members to enjoy the health and safety features without spending a lot of time getting set up.

Testing out the Lively Link app's location tracking feature

Who Is Jitterbug Flip2 Best For?

• Seniors who don’t want a smartphone
• Older adults who need extra safety features
• Families who want the Lively Link app to keep track of their loved one
• People looking for voice control

What to Know Before Purchasing

Lively uses the Verizon network, so it’s best for people who have reliable Verizon service in their area. Make sure you explore all the Lively plans and pricing so you don’t pay for more (or less) than you need. The Jitterbug Flip2 offers three phone plans, and they all come with unlimited talk and text, plus additional health and safety features. Prices range from $19.99 to $49.99 per month. Take some time to consider how much you plan to use the phone and what you will use it for. If you’re not interested in health and safety features, you can opt for the Basic package for $19.99 per month and use your Lively phone to simply text, call, and use the standard features.

You can read our Jitterbug Flip2 review for a closer look at our experience.

Senior-Friendly Design

The Jitterbug Smart4 has a standard smartphone design, which also means it’s a bit larger than most flip phones. My grandma and I found that the 6.75-inch screen is large, bright, and easy to read. My grandma is an iPhone owner, and she felt like the screen size and readability were pretty comparable. The size also means, however, that it’s a bit heavier (6.7 ounces). The weight shouldn’t be an issue for most older adults, but my grandma definitely noticed a difference when holding up the phone for more than a few minutes at a time.

My grandma trying out the Jitterbug Smart4

It’s definitely not the heaviest smartphone on the market, though, and the slim design is both comfortable to store in your pocket or handbag and durable enough to withstand minor falls. Speaking of falls, although the Smart4 is strong enough to withstand wear and tear, it does not have fall detection. If you want something with fall detection, consider the Lively Mobile+ device or another medical alert system.

» Learn More: Best Medical Alert Systems With Fall Detection

Senior-Friendly Interface

Even if you don’t feel entirely comfortable with a smartphone, the Jitterbug Smart4 is an easy-to-learn phone. My grandma and I are both accustomed to touch screens, so navigating Lively’s standard list-style menu felt even easier and more fluid to use than it does on the Jitterbug Flip2. Since you only have to scroll up and down and press the menu item you want, it’s very simple to pick up and start using in a matter of minutes.

Just like the Jitterbug Flip2, the Smart4 is compatible with Lively Link to make it easy for family members to stay in touch and track the health and safety of their loved ones. The smartphone also has the best camera quality on our list, with a triple rear camera system and front selfie camera. My iPhone takes higher-quality photos, but the Smart4’s quality was still decent.

Photo taken on the Jitterbug Smart4

One drawback to note: The Jitterbug Smart4 can be pretty laggy. There were many instances when I had to press a button several times before the phone responded. If you’re looking for something fast, I recommend considering a different smartphone.

Who Is Jitterbug Smart4 Best For?

• Seniors looking for an easy-to-use smartphone
• Seniors who want a hybrid phone and personal safety device
• Families who want the Lively Link app to keep an eye on their loved one
• Older adults who want internet access and voice-typing capabilities

What to Know Before Purchasing

Check Verizon coverage in your area before you choose the Jitterbug Smart4, since Lively uses Verizon’s network. Also make sure a touch screen smartphone is really what you want. Priced at $119.99, the smartphone costs more than the Jitterbug Flip2 and could be a bit of a jump for older adults who have never used a touch screen device. If using your mobile phone exclusively for texting and calling is more your style, there’s no need to spend the extra money on a smartphone with features you won’t use. On the other hand, if you want a simple smartphone that’s more affordable than others on the market, it may be the right choice.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Lively recently reduced costs for their phones and data plans. For example, the Jitterbug Smart4 used to cost $149.99. And, the 1 GB data plan used to cost $5 per month, but it’s now offered for free with the Jitterbug Smart4. I appreciate these cost reductions as Lively strives to meet the needs of their customers.

Senior-Friendly Design

The GrandPad’s large screen (8 inches) makes it ideal for people who enjoy the convenience of big screens. My grandma liked the added touch of a stylus, since it felt like using a pen to press the large icons and navigate between screens.

Navigating Consumer Cellular's GrandPad with the stylus

She often used the GrandPad on her lap, on a table, or propped up on the charging stand, though, because it was too heavy for her to hold up for more than a few minutes. At 2.2 pounds, the GrandPad is definitely a chunky device. It’s meant to be held with two hands and comes with a stand, though, so it’s manageable for seniors who are accustomed to holding tablets. If you want a much larger screen and you don’t mind a device that requires two hands, the GrandPad is a great option with a sleek, modern, and durable design.

Senior-Friendly Interface

I loved how easy it was to navigate the GrandPad’s menus. The icons for email, photos, and more were enormous, and they could easily be tapped or navigated with the stylus. The one aspect of the GrandPad that my grandma didn’t like was the need for an administrator. Having a loved one approve contacts can help keep you safe from scammers, but it can also greatly limit who you can contact. It’s perfect for older adults who just want to video chat with the grandkids or stay updated with a few friends, but it’s not the device for you if you want to make calls and send texts to anyone at your leisure. You can visit our full GrandPad review to learn more about the easy-to-use tablet.

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

Who Is GrandPad Best For?

• Users who want a senior-friendly tablet
• Older adults who spend a lot of time at home
• Families concerned about internet safety for seniors
• Seniors who feel isolated and are looking for a way to stay connected with family

What to Know Before Purchasing

The GrandPad isn’t a cell phone; it’s a tablet. You can’t use it to send SMS messages or make calls to phone numbers that aren’t on your approved contacts list. With the GrandPad, you just get unlimited data use, ad-free music streaming, video calling, secure internet browsing, and mobile access with the smartphone app. That won’t be an issue if you just want to communicate with close friends and family, but it’s important to note.

Wondering how Consumer Cellular ranks as a carrier? Our Consumer Cellular review covers the important details.

Senior-Friendly Design

Like the IRIS Easy Flip, the TCL FLIP Go is a small but durable flip phone that can handle the wear and tear of daily usage. It’s easy to open and close, and the large buttons are clearly marked. The 2.8-inch internal screen is on the small side, which made it slightly difficult for my grandma to read texts without moving the phone a few inches from her face. The external screen is also just 1.44 inches, but since it serves only to provide basic information and notifications, the size was not a major issue for either of us.

The biggest flaw in the design is the low-resolution camera. I was not impressed with the quality of photos, which came out fairly grainy. Compared to phones like the Jitterbug Smart4, its camera is nothing to write home about.

Senior-Friendly Interface

The TCL FLIP Go is easy to use. It does, however, have a small learning curve, since you have to set up shortcut keys to bring up your most-used contacts with the push of a button. Otherwise, I thought the phone was a breeze to use and pretty fast and responsive for a budget-friendly flip phone. The downside is that it doesn’t have many extra features. I could send and receive texts, make calls, check my email, and use it as a hotspot for my computer or tablet, but that’s about it. The TCL FLIP Go is designed for people who just want a simple flip phone that doesn’t tack on extras.

Who Is TCL FLIP Go Best For?

• Seniors who want a flip phone with some modern capabilities
• Older adults on a budget
• Couples who want the benefits of T-Mobile’s 55-plus plans
• Seniors with diminished eyesight
• People who mainly use their mobile phone for texting and calling

What to Know Before Purchasing

The TCL FLIP Go doesn’t have the best camera. You’ll be able to take photos of your sweet grandkids or furry friends, but they won’t be very high quality. For seniors who plan to use their mobile device primarily for texting and phone calls, the TCL FLIP Go will be sufficient.

To get the most bang for your buck with any T-Mobile phone, I recommend adding an extra line to your plan. T-Mobile gives a significant discount when you add a second line, and I love a good discount! On T-Mobile’s Essentials Choice 55 plan, one line is $45 per month and two lines are $60 per month ($30 per line). T-Mobile charges some extra taxes and fees, so factor that in when you’re considering monthly charges.

» For Couples: Best 2-line cell phone plans for seniors