Best Samsung Phones for Seniors

SeniorLiving.org Rating 4.0

Ease of use	Equipment	Service & Response	Features & Tech	Pricing
above average	above average	above average	excellent	below average

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G

Overview

If you want more phone for your money, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is a great choice. This unique phone opens up into a 7.6-inch touchscreen tablet. It will give you more usable screen space than almost any other standard smartphone, even those with large screens like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5. This means you can see what’s on your phone more easily, perfect for those with vision loss. You’ll also have more space to play games and watch movies.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Studies show that smartphone use can improve quality of life by making it easier to connect with family, friends, doctors, social media, shopping, and more.1

One caveat with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5: It’s the most expensive phone on our list by a long shot at $1,800. However, if you want a tablet-style phone, it might be worth the splurge. We’d recommend pairing this smartphone with an AT&T plan for senior discounts and solid financing options (more on that later).

» You Might Like: The best senior phone plans

You have the option to add a stylus (sold separately) to the Z Fold5. If you have trouble selecting small icons on the screen, the stylus might help. The Z Fold5 also presents a unique concept among “flip” phones, letting you open the screen to reveal a larger, wider screen. This makes the Z Fold5 an excellent phone if you love to stream videos or play games or just need a bigger screen to read on your phone.

Pricing

The Z Fold5 will set you back about $1,800, significantly more than budget-friendly phones like the Samsung Galaxy A03s. Even more robust Samsung phones like the Galaxy S24+ don’t cost as much. However, there aren’t really any other folding phones to compare this one to. There are a few phones on the market, like the Galaxy Z Flip5, that flip open vertically, but they still don’t give you the gigantic, tablet-esque screen of the horizontally folding Z Fold5. So, even though it’s costly, the Z Fold5 is one-of-a-kind!

Pro Tip: Have a hard time seeing things on a tiny screen? Check out our guide to the best cell phones for seniors with visual loss.

AT&T offers a discounted Unlimited 55+ plan available for older adults (only in Florida) to help with costs. This plan features unlimited talk, text, and data starting at $60 per month. If you have an eligible phone to trade in, you can also finance the Z Fold5 for as little as $22.23 per month. Just make sure that it fits your budget. Since the Z Fold5 is larger than the average phone, you’ll want to make sure that it can fit in your pocket or purse, too!

» Learn More: AT&T cell phone plans for seniors 2024

Usability

We sat down with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 to see how well it worked for seniors. After a few days of testing it out, we were surprised at just how easy it was to use. It ran on the Android 13 operating system, which felt very fast and intuitive. Android 13 comes with tons of accessibility features, which are easy to set up from the settings menu.

The flipping mechanism was durable and felt natural to open and close, which was something we had been concerned about before we unboxed the phone. We were impressed with the screen size and thought it made web browsing both easy and fun. It combined the portability of a smartphone (it can fit in a larger pocket when folded up) with the screen size of a small tablet.

» Another Senior-Friendly Tablet: Consumer Cellular GrandPad review

Unfortunately, the oversized screen works as both an advantage and a drawback. To fit so much screen onto the Z Fold5, Samsung had to create a pretty heavy, chunky phone. This meant that holding the phone up for extended periods (like when snapping photos or videos) took a toll on our hands and wrists. Weighing in at 8.92 ounces, the Z Fold5 is a heavyweight smartphone. If you struggle with arthritis or have difficulty holding heavier devices, perhaps choose a lighter phone like the Galaxy A14 5G (7.13 ounces) or the Jitterbug Smart4 (6.7 ounces).

Battery Life

In theory, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 has great battery life. It’s designed to last for up to two days with moderate usage. However, our definition of “moderate usage” must be different, because we needed to grab the charging cable after about 15 hours of texting, video calling, video streaming, web browsing, and even several hours of leaving the phone in standby mode. We understand it takes more power to keep the larger screen up and running, but we wish the battery would have lasted closer to 24 hours like the Galaxy Z Flip5.

SeniorLiving.org Rating 3.8

Ease of use	Equipment	Service & Response	Features & Tech	Pricing
excellent	average	above average	average	excellent

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Samsung Galaxy A03s

Overview

If your budget is tight, the Samsung Galaxy A03s from Consumer Cellular might be a great choice. Compared to other Galaxy models, even pretty affordable smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, this phone is a real deal at $159. The A03s is a no-frills phone — if you just want a cheap phone with a long battery life for texting and phone calls, it’s a good option. It’s easy to use, easy to see, and relatively durable.

» For Bargain Shoppers: Cheapest cell phones for seniors

The A03s has a long battery life, so you won’t need to charge it throughout the day. It offers vivid colors on a 6.5-inch HD LCD screen, making it easy to read. It’s also a very simple phone to use. However, we noticed the response times while switching between apps, trying to watch a video, or playing a game weren’t the fastest. The cameras aren’t the highest quality compared to Samsung phones like the Galaxy S24+, but they’re still solid.

Pricing

At just $159, the Samsung Galaxy A03s is one of the least expensive Samsung smartphones around. You can get a more advanced phone by spending about $20 extra for the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, and you can even get the senior-friendly Jitterbug Smart4 for $149.99. However, if you want a modern Samsung smartphone with a few bells and whistles, the A03s from Consumer Cellular is a cost-effective option.

» For Phone Plans: Consumer Cellular cell phone plans and pricing

Consumer Cellular’s plans are also very inexpensive, starting at $20 per month with no activation fees or contracts. That’s one of the best prices you’ll find from any carrier! Not only are the plans affordable, but we found that you can get an additional 5 percent AARP discount during online checkout. All we had to do was check the box that we were an AARP member to save. Score!

» Dive Deeper: 2024 Consumer Cellular review

Usability

Though the Galaxy A03s is certainly more advanced than the Jitterbug Smart4, it’s a no-frills cell phone. While testing it out, we could do pretty much everything we wanted — make video calls, text, use Google, check Facebook, download apps, listen to music, and even connect to Bluetooth hearing aids.

» For Hearing Loss: Best Bluetooth hearing aids of 2024

However, the interface was noticeably sluggish. It would take a few seconds to switch from Facebook to YouTube, and even typing out messages was slightly delayed. We ended up making some typos because the phone wasn’t displaying letters at the same speed we were pressing them.

We also weren’t blown away by the 13 MP camera; it took decent photos in optimal lighting conditions, but videos and photos in low-light environments were not as high quality. While the A03s is a solid phone for the price, you shouldn’t expect the same fast speeds, processing power, and advanced camera systems you can get with the Z Fold5, Z Flip5, or the S24+.

Battery Life

What the Galaxy A03s lacks in processing power, it more than makes up for in battery life. We used the phone consistently for more than 36 hours before it needed a charge. With lighter usage, we could have gotten nearly two days of battery life. Even with very heavy usage (playing games, streaming movies, and downloading large files), the battery lasted a full day. This was a big improvement over the comparatively short-lived battery of the Samsung Z Fold5. So, if you hate having to plug your phone in constantly and don’t want to spend a fortune on a quality Samsung phone, the Galaxy A03s is our top pick.

SeniorLiving.org Rating 4.5

Ease of use	Equipment	Service & Response	Features & Tech	Pricing
excellent	excellent	excellent	excellent	excellent

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The Jitterbug Smart4 home screen

Overview

The Jitterbug Smart4 is a smartphone from Lively designed with seniors in mind. It features a large, 6.75-inch screen (even larger than the Galaxy A03s) with a simple, list-style menu that makes calling and sending messages easy. The Jitterbug (made by Samsung) has a robust and clear speaker that makes hearing conversations a breeze. It also has a built-in Google Assistant, which we use to send messages and navigate the phone without typing. It’s a great feature for those with arthritis, vision loss, or other conditions that make typing difficult.

Using Jitterbug Smart4’s voice navigation feature

Our favorite thing about the Jitterbug Smart4 is that it doubles as a medical alert device with a Preferred or Premium phone plan. With the press of a button, we could connect to Lively’s Urgent Response team during an emergency. If you sign up for the Premium plan, you also get access to a care advocate and an on-call nurse to help you with all your medical questions.

Overall, the Jitterbug Smart4 is a terrific cell phone if you are new to smartphones or want health and safety features.

» Related Reading: Best medical alert systems of 2024

Pricing

The Jitterbug Smart4 costs $149.99. Lively regularly runs sales that could lower the price further, so keep your eyes peeled! The Smart4 is technically cheaper than the Galaxy A03s, but if you want to get the most out of the phone, you’ll want to upgrade to one of the higher-tier Lively plans. This means you could still end up saving by choosing the A03s and pairing it with a more affordable Consumer Cellular plan.

» Further Reading: Lively phone review

Lively plans start at $19.99 for unlimited talk and text, but you’re required to add a data plan with the Smart4. Data plans range from $5 (1 GB) to $30 (unlimited) monthly. The best part about this phone is being able to connect to Lively’s medical alert system features. It cuts out the need for both a phone and an alert system, saving you money and simplifying your technology. To access these features, you’ll need to upgrade to the Preferred plan ($39.99 per month) or the Premium plan ($49.99 per month).

Usability

The Jitterbug Smart4 really stands out from other Samsung phones because it was made just for seniors. The simple, list-style menu is extremely easy to navigate. We had no trouble figuring out how to make calls, send texts, take photos, and browse the internet.

» Get the Inside Scoop: Jitterbug Smart4 review

Since we upgraded to the Preferred plan, we could also utilize the bright red Urgent Response icon at the top of the screen. This is one of the best features of the Smart4, as it allows you to use your smartphone as an emergency response device. When we pressed the button, we were connected in just 15 seconds with an agent who could send whatever help we needed.

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

We’re also big fans of Lively Link, a mobile app for caregivers and loved ones. Through the app, we could track the Jitterbug Smart4’s location, see the phone’s status, and receive alerts if any Urgent Response calls were placed.

Tracking my grandmas location using the Lively Link mobile app

The only downside is that the Jitterbug Smart4 may be too simple for some seniors. While we still enjoyed using it, we missed some of the more advanced features of the Galaxy S24+, like a high-end camera and ample storage space. Like the Galaxy A03s, the Smart4 also shows some sluggishness, despite the super-simple interface. While testing it out, we noticed that the touchscreen wasn’t quite as fast to respond as we hoped, and the phone would often take a second or two to respond when we clicked on certain icons.

Battery Life

The Jitterbug Smart4 has pretty solid battery life. We were able to get around 28 hours of mixed-usage time (talk, text, and web browsing) without plugging it in. The phone performed even better on standby, lasting up to a whopping four days. This means that light phone users can generally expect to get a solid two or three days out of the Jitterbug Smart4 before needing to charge it. Even if you’re constantly on your phone, you probably won’t have to pull out the charging cable more than once per day (if that).

SeniorLiving.org Rating 3.8

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a budget-friendly 5G phone, priced at $179. When you pair it with a Mint Mobile plan, you’ll get a solid bang for your buck. This no-frills smartphone has fast service without extra stuff to weigh you down. It features a large, 6.5-inch screen and a 50 MP camera that you would expect to see with a more expensive phone like the Galaxy Z Fold5. Aside from the amazing camera system, this phone keeps things pretty basic. It’s a reliable smartphone with a good battery life and a large screen.

Pricing

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G costs $179, only $20 more than the Samsung A03s. Bundling the Galaxy A14 5G with a Mint Mobile plan is where you really get the most value. If you prepay for 12 months of Mint Mobile service, you can score $50 off the retail price of the phone. While paying for an entire year upfront is a commitment, Mint Mobile offers excellent service.

Plus, the carrier offers a senior plan called Mint 55+, which costs $15 per month. It features unlimited talk and text, 5G speeds, and 5 GB of data per month. You’ll also receive a year of technical support and help switching from your old carrier. This is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable, senior-friendly plan.

» Check Out: Mint Mobile senior phone plan review

Usability

While the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is technically a step up from the Galaxy A03s, we didn’t notice much of a difference. Both phones worked well enough and had the features we expected, though they both were a little slow when opening and closing apps. The A14 5G only has 4 GB of RAM, which means that it’s not well-equipped to handle a lot of different tasks at once.

It’s also important to note that this smartphone only comes with 64 GB of storage, some of which gets taken up with the operating system. You can add up to 1 TB of storage with a microSD card, but you’ll be paying more for the storage you need. If you like to take many pictures and videos like we do, you’ll find that the built-in storage gets used up pretty quickly. As we used more and more storage, we noticed that the phone slowed down even more. Still, if you don’t mind paying for extra storage or you use a cloud-based service to store your photos and videos off the device, the Galaxy A14 5G is a dependable and budget-friendly option.

Battery Life

Samsung claims that you can get up to two days of use on one charge, and we were happy to see that this was pretty accurate. We made video calls, sent texts, and downloaded various apps while testing the Galaxy A14 5G, and we didn’t need to charge it until we’d been using it for 40 hours. It’s far better than the battery life on the Galaxy Z Fold5.

The only downside is that the phone charges pretty slowly. It took about an hour and a half to get the battery from 5 percent to 100 percent. That said, if you just like to plug in your phone at night or when you don’t plan to use it for a few hours, the slow charging isn’t a huge issue.

SeniorLiving.org Rating N/A

Samsung Galaxy S24+

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S24+ from T-Mobile is a well-rounded 5G phone with a great mix of size, battery life, and power. You can see what you’re doing easily, thanks to the extra-bright screen – a huge perk. The phone is durable and is a good investment if you plan to keep it for a while. It even has good weather resistance and a pretty advanced camera system.

» Useful Resource: Best 5G phones for seniors

The Galaxy S24+ has accessibility features that we love, such as increasing the contrast for easier reading, adaptive color contrast, and a display with a vision booster. The audio is clear and easy to hear. And, in our experience, the phone has excellent reception when paired with a T-Mobile plan.

It also features Galaxy AI, which is Samsung’s artificial intelligence system for mobile devices. This feature can help you translate text, adjust photos, get quick answers to questions, and plenty more. These voice-activated features are great for those with arthritis or other health issues that could make navigating a phone challenging. It’s also great for those who are new to smartphone tech and could use a helping hand.

Pricing

The Samsung Galaxy S24+ costs about $1,000 (the same as the Galaxy Z Flip5), while other similar phones are closer to $800. Although it may be more expensive, the extra features and larger size might make it worth every penny. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-read screen and lots of voice-activated features via Galaxy AI.

» Related Reading: Best voice-activated cell phones for seniors

T-Mobile offers three different Unlimited 55+ plans you can pair with the S24+. T-Mobile’s least expensive 55+ plan starts at $45 monthly for one line and increases for higher-tier plans. These plans come packed with perks, like unlimited talk, text, data, in-flight WiFi, streaming bundles, and more. Another benefit of getting the Samsung Galaxy S24+ through T-Mobile is that you could knock down the price when you trade in an eligible phone. Plus, you can get zero-interest financing with no money down for as little as $41.67 monthly.

» Learn More: T-Mobile Unlimited 55+ plan review

Check out the video below to learn more about T-Mobile’s phone plans for seniors.

Usability

The Samsung Galaxy S24+ boasts 12 GB of RAM — and it shows. We were blown away by just how fast and smooth everything felt on the S24+. From pulling up the AI chat assistant to scrolling through social media posts, the Galaxy S24+ never showed signs of slowing down or faltering. Even though it costs about $800 less than the Galaxy Z Fold5, we felt like the Galaxy S24+ provided a smoother and more user-friendly experience.

The only thing that we thought could have been better was the implementation of the AI system. While Galaxy AI works really well, it’s turned on for most things by default. This meant that if we just wanted to jot down a note or send a text the “old-fashioned way,” we had to go into the settings and disable the AI. If you’re not interested in voice-activated features, you might find that the Galaxy S24+ is overly reliant on them. But again, you can turn these features off and on as you see fit.

Battery Life

Like the Galaxy Z Fold5, you get a lot of power and speed at the expense of battery life. That said, the Galaxy S24+ still outperformed the Fold5 and the Flip5, as we were able to get a full 24 hours with moderate usage. However, if you use your phone a lot for streaming or other high-energy activities, you may have to bring out the charger more than once per day.