Best Unlocked Phones for Seniors

Motorola Moto G Power 5G

Overview

The Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 is my pick for seniors with low vision. This powerful Android smartphone delivers a simple and easy-to-see design. I could make calls or send texts with just my voice thanks to the phone’s speech-to-text capabilities, an excellent feature for those with vision loss.

» Related Reading: Smartphone apps and resources for people with vision loss

The large 6.5-inch screen made reading texts, searching the internet, and following directions on the built-in GPS a breeze. Charging your phone won’t be a chore, as the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 boasts an impressive two-day battery life (even with heavy usage). This is perfect for those who forget to charge their phones (like me)!

Specs and Features

Pricing

Like most unlocked phones, how much you pay for the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 will depend on where you buy it. Many third-party retailers sell the Motorola Moto G 5G for prices ranging between $179 and $249. Since this model is technically a year old already (as of this writing), you could spend even less as newer models emerge. While you may have to temporarily give up having your phone unlocked to purchase through a carrier, this option often makes it easier to finance your phone with zero interest.

The great thing about buying an unlocked Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 phone is that you can use it with just about any carrier. That includes the nation’s largest mobile carriers, like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. However, we recommend Consumer Cellular, as it offers simple, no-nonsense plans starting at $20 per month. You can also buy the unlocked phone beforehand at a third-party retailer and bring it to Consumer Cellular when you’re ready for a phone plan. You can sign up online and get the SIM card shipped to your door. Or, you can head to a Consumer Cellular location and have someone set everything up for you. I’ve found that Consumer Cellular’s online sign-up process is quick and simple. Plus, I could score a 5 percent discount on service at checkout just for being an AARP member!

» Dive Deeper: Consumer Cellular’s plan pricing

In addition to its senior-friendly phone plans, Consumer Cellular offers some great deals on new phones — especially if you don’t want to spend a fortune upfront. If you finance a new Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 through Consumer Cellular, you can pay as little as $7 per month with a down payment of $11 and no interest. But here’s the catch — financing through Consumer Cellular also means that you’re pretty much stuck with them until you pay off the phone. You can always pay it off early and switch to a new carrier. But you’ll still need to contact Consumer Cellular’s customer support and request that they unlock your phone. Even if your phone is paid in full, Consumer Cellular requires you to use their service for 30 days continuously before the phone can be unlocked.

Usability

I sat down with the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 to see how it compares to other smartphones. The first thing that struck me was the size and brightness of the screen. The 6.5-inch, 120Hz display makes everything look crystal clear, a huge plus for seniors with diminished vision. I had no issues navigating the phone, using apps, and making calls in different lighting environments.

I loved how dedicated the system is to helping seniors with vision loss. With just a few clicks in the settings menu, I enabled all the features for low-vision users. The best feature was the utilization of gestures. I could use certain gestures to do specific tasks rather than manually navigating the phone. For example, I doubled-tapped the back of the phone with my finger to initiate a preset action. This could range from opening an app to playing music and just about everything in between. Some of the more complex gestures, however, were harder to manage. The phone lets you open the camera by twisting your wrist twice, but you must do it quickly. If you struggle with arthritis (like my grandma does), you may find it difficult or uncomfortable to take advantage of these kinds of gestures.

» Related reading: Best smartphones for seniors

While the 4 GB of RAM is the same as you would get with the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation), it pales in comparison to the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s 12 GB RAM. That said, I only had minor issues with the phone running slowly. Sometimes, when multiple apps were running in the background, loading a webpage or YouTube video took a few seconds. Still, for a mid-tier smartphone, the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 offers a lot of value.

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Overview

Google’s Pixel 8 Pro fits the bill nicely for Android lovers who want an unlocked, senior-friendly smartphone. The Android operating system is among the most widely available in the smartphone industry, so you’ll have no problem finding compatible apps. It certainly offers more than what you’ll get with the TCL FLIP Go’s KaiOS app store. Plus, Android is known for being user-friendly, so the learning curve might not be as steep for older adults. I also love that the Google Pixel 8 Pro comes with free automatic robocall filters, helping avoid spam calls. Many scams target older adults specifically, so I’m a big fan of security features like this.

» Check Out: Common scams that target the elderly

With several camera resolution options, the Pixel 8 Pro takes high-quality pictures of your grandkids or granddogs (we don’t judge)! Even though the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 boasts a great camera, the photos and videos on the Google Pixel 8 Pro still come out clearer and more vibrant. The phone’s large, bright screen is easy to see for older eyes, even if its size isn’t always easy to grip for older hands. This phone isn’t cheap, but it’s more affordable than many of the leading smartphones on the market. So, it’s great for older adults who want best-in-class tech and features.

Specs and Features

Pricing

The Google Pixel 8 Pro currently retails for $1,039.99 from AT&T. That’s more than double the retail price of the iPhone SE ($429) and nearly six times the price of the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 ($179). This is by far its biggest drawback. Many seniors may not want to spend that much money on a phone. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get the high-tech smartphone you want without spending a fortune.

» Helpful Resource: AT&T cell phone plans for seniors 2024

If you purchase your Google Pixel 8 Pro through AT&T and trade in an eligible phone, you can get the phone for free or at a greatly reduced cost. Like Consumer Cellular, AT&T will also let you finance the phone free of interest, with monthly payments as low as $28.89. Plus, AT&T offers some decent discounts for AARP members. Once again, purchasing a phone through AT&T means it will be locked — at first. Once the phone is fully paid off and you’ve used it with an AT&T plan for at least 60 days, you can ask AT&T to unlock the phone. This will allow you to switch to another carrier. But if you’re opposed to owning a locked phone for any period, you can also buy the phone from a third-party retailer.

Usability

The Google Pixel 8 Pro gets two thumbs-up from me for its fast, 12 GB RAM system. Navigating the phone was easy, as its highly responsive touch screen reacts without delays. Even when I tried to push the phone to its limits — playing games, downloading multiple apps simultaneously, and streaming HD content — the phone didn’t show signs of slowing down! Even the iPhone SE wasn’t as fast as the Google Pixel 8 Pro. That’s saying a lot since iPhones are very fast, in my experience.

» Related Reading: The best iPhones for seniors

The one (potential) downside of the Google Pixel 8 Pro is that it can feel like a lot of phone to handle. There are tons of features hidden behind menus and complicated screens. It wasn’t always easy to figure out how to adjust settings or access safety features. I recommend the Google Pixel 8 Pro for seniors who have used an Android phone before and aren’t intimidated by high-tech devices. One great thing about the Google Pixel 8 Pro is that it has crash detection if you get into a collision while driving. If the phone detects a crash, it immediately contacts emergency responders for help. It could be a lifesaving feature, particularly for seniors who haven’t invested in an on-the-go medical alert system.

» Learn About: Senior driving statistics

One thing to keep in mind is that the Google Pixel 8 Pro is pretty big. If you hold your phone with both hands, it’s not much of an issue. However, the Google Pixel 8 Pro weighs 7.7 ounces, more than an ounce heavier than the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023. It might not sound like a huge difference, but I noticed the weight when I held the phone up to take photos or record videos. If you have arthritis or simply don’t want to carry a larger, heavier phone around, you may prefer the comparatively light TCL FLIP Go or iPhone SE.

TCL FLIP Go from T-Mobile

Overview

The TCL FLIP Go is the most affordable phone on our list, priced at just $96. That makes it a great option if you’re on a tight budget. It’s also one of the best unlocked phones for seniors with hearing loss. The top-notch accessibility features impressed me. With an M4/T4 hearing aid rating, Bluetooth capability, 3.5mm headphone jack, and improved screen brightness and clarity, the TCL FLIP Go ensures those with hearing loss can easily stay connected.

If you’re looking for an affordable, easy-to-use phone compatible with your hearing aids, look no further. The TCL FLIP Go has the highest hearing aid compatibility rating possible. Another plus is that the flip phone’s dual displays make using the phone very simple. With the external display, I didn’t have to open the phone to see who was calling. At the same time, the internal display is excellent for reading text messages and emails.

Specs and Features

Pricing

At just $96, the TCL FLIP Go is a great option for seniors who want a simple, reliable phone that won’t break the bank. Since it doesn’t have a high price tag (unlike the Google Pixel 8 Pro), it’s easier to buy without financing it through a carrier. This means you can buy your phone from a third-party retailer and switch carriers whenever. That said, T-Mobile sells the TCL FLIP Go and is a great all-around mobile carrier for seniors.

If you buy your TCL FLIP Go from T-Mobile, you can finance it with zero down and zero interest for as little as $4 per month. That’s a great deal for seniors on a tight budget. Plus, T-Mobile offers three 55+ unlimited phone plans with great perks and pricing for seniors, starting at $45 per month. I’m a big fan of T-Mobile’s features for travelers, like in-flight Wi-Fi, data and texting abroad, and plenty of hot spot data.

» Learn More: T-Mobile 55+ cell phone plans review

Usability

It’s difficult to get much simpler or more user-friendly than the TCL FLIP Go. It’s a big-button flip phone with a large internal and smaller external screen. My grandma had no issues flipping the phone open and figuring out how to use most features in minutes. I also love that the TCL FLIP Go combines features of more traditional flip phones with some of the perks of modern smartphones (including 4G LTE internet access and Wi-Fi connectivity).

» For Flip Phone Users: Best flip phones for seniors in 2024

For example, the TCL FLIP Go comes preinstalled with apps like Google Search, Google Maps, KaiNews, and KaiWeather. The flip phone uses the KaiOS operating system, which means that you can also download hundreds of different apps from the KaiOS app store, including popular apps like Facebook and YouTube. However, the phone is quite limited compared to every other phone on this list. You won’t find nearly as many apps in the KaiOS app store as you could in the Google Play Store or the Apple iOS app store. Still, the TCL FLIP Go works surprisingly well and has more features than I would’ve expected. From the loud speaker to the excellent hearing aid compatibility, the TCL FLIP Go is especially great for seniors with hearing loss.

Apple iPhone SE

Overview

The iPhone SE offers the right blend of affordability and modern tech. It’s an excellent option for older adults who want a smartphone with a little extra “oomph” and advanced features. It has high-quality cameras for family photos, a water-resistant design (accidents happen!), and a fingerprint passcode scanner for extra security.

It’s the least expensive (new) iPhone on the market. So, if you’re sold on an iPhone, it won’t break the bank. If you are already familiar with Apple products, the iPhone SE transition will be a breeze. However, users new to the iOS operating system may face a bit of a learning curve. But don’t fret! My grandma got her first iPhone a few years ago and got the hang of things pretty quickly. She is comfortable with her iPhone now. And if she ever has a question, she can just ask me, her personal tech expert!

If you’re worried about pairing the iPhone SE with your favorite carrier, don’t be. iPhones are some of the easiest phones to use unlocked, as they’re accepted by nearly all carriers in the U.S. No matter what network you choose, you’ll likely be able to use your iPhone with it. For instance, I use my iPhone on AT&T, my grandma uses hers on T-Mobile, and my sister uses hers on Verizon!

Specs and Features

Pricing

The third iteration of the iPhone SE currently retails for $429. The price you pay will vary based on the storage option you choose. 64 GB of internal storage costs $429, but upgrading to 128 GB or 256 GB increases the price to $479 or $579, respectively. I’d recommend taking some time to consider how much storage you want. For context, I have a 128 GB iPhone, and my storage is almost full. My phone is packed with thousands of photos and videos, plus some data-hogging apps. If you’re big on taking photos and using mobile apps, consider upgrading to an option with higher storage.

» Related Reading: Best phone plans for seniors in 2024

If you buy directly from Apple, you may be able to finance your unlocked phone with zero interest for as little as $17.87 per month. I really like that Apple makes buying any of its products online or in person at an Apple Store simple. That way, you can take advantage of financing without being locked down by a specific carrier. If you want to visit an Apple Store to buy your iPhone, I’d highly recommend making an appointment in advance! They can get pretty busy, especially during the evening and on weekends.

Even if you buy your unlocked iPhone SE directly from Apple, we recommend pairing it with one of Verizon’s competitively-priced plans. You can also finance your iPhone through Verizon with no money down, but you’ll need to wait 60 days from the date of purchase for Verizon to unlock it. They also won’t unlock it until you’ve paid for the phone in full.

» Learn More: Verizon senior cell phone plan review 2024

I’ve found that Verizon offers very reliable coverage, especially in more remote or rural areas. I’ve used my iPhone on AT&T’s network during several trips with my sister, a Verizon user. She always seems to have service in areas where I don’t. So, if you travel or spend a lot of time outside of big cities, Verizon is a great choice.

Usability

Apple is among the best in the business regarding making senior-friendly devices. The interface isn’t overly complicated. Even if you don’t have experience with Apple devices, the iPhone SE is easy to pick up and learn. My grandma had very few issues learning to use her iPhone (with a little help from me). It’s not quite as fast as the more expensive iPhones, but it’s well-balanced between affordability and advanced features.

For example, the iPhone SE is great for seniors with vision loss. You can easily increase text size, zoom in, and even tinker with transparency reduction. The iPhone SE is also compatible with most hearing aids and has plenty of features for seniors with hearing loss. One thing that we would’ve liked was a headphone jack like the TCL FLIP Go has. If you want to listen to music or stream content on the iPhone SE with greater privacy, you’ll need to use Bluetooth headphones.

» Useful Guide: Best iPhone-compatible hearing aids