The Best Cell Phones for Visually Impaired Seniors
The iPhone 15 Plus is our top pick for visually impaired seniors due to its large screen and extensive accessibility features.
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- 6.69-inch Super Retina XDR display
- Advanced smartphone
- Unique features: Dozens of ways to customize brightness, color, and accessibility features
- Large 8-inch screen
- Tablet with large icons
- Unique features: Features to keep caregivers and family members in the loop
- Ultra-wide 6.5-inch HD+ display
- Affordable smartphone
- Unique features: Built-in Braille keyboard and Google TalkBack accessibility feature
- TalkBack screen reader
- Built-in Braille keyboard
- Lookout computer vision
- Voice Assistant
- Built-in Braille keyboard
- Lookout camera identification
After hours of hands-on testing and research, our tech experts put together a list of the best phones for those with vision loss on the market.
After hours of hands-on testing and research, our tech experts put together a list of the best phones for those with vision loss on the market.
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Vision loss doesn’t have to put a damper on cell phone use. As SeniorLiving.org’s senior tech expert, I’ve tested dozens of cell phones that include accessibility features. I’ve found that more and more older adults with low vision are tapping into this assistive tech.
To create this guide, I tested some of the best cell phones for seniors with accessibility features. From there, I narrowed down the list to my top picks for those with vision loss or impairments. I’ll cover my experience and the key features to consider with each phone below. Since choosing the right service provider is also a high priority, I’ll review plan pricing, perks, and availability for multiple carriers.
Our Top 5 Cell Phones for Blind or Visually Impaired Seniors
Our Methodology: How We Tested and Chose the Best Cell Phones for Blind or Visually Impaired Seniors
Using the GrandPad tablet from Consumer Cellular
I spent over 100 hours researching and testing the best cell phones for blind seniors and those with vision impairments. To select my top picks, I researched the accessibility needs of people with vision impairment and the phones that are most useful to them. Then, I conducted hands-on testing to help narrow down the list. I used each phone for several days to get a feel for the ins and outs. I took notes on my experience, evaluating everything from ease of use and accessibility features to battery life and speaker quality. My grandma also helped me test out the phones whenever possible so I could get insights from an older adult.
I used the criteria below to determine the best cell phones for visually impaired seniors.
- Accessibility features: Every phone on this list has features that make it more accessible to visually impaired adults. Some common accessibility features I looked for include virtual assistants, text magnification, Braille keyboards, and voice-to-text functionality.
- Price: Since many seniors live on a fixed budget, it’s important to find cell phones and mobile devices that work for the visually impaired without breaking the bank. I included cell phones for just about every budget and tried to pair each phone with mobile carriers that offer additional financing and trade-in offers.
- Ease of use: Even if you’re a tech-savvy senior, you probably don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out your phone. I ensured each phone wasn’t overly complicated to start using right out of the box. My grandma also helped me with testing whenever possible and provided feedback on ease of use.
- Screen size: Even without visual impairments, squinting at a tiny screen is no fun. Having visual loss makes a large screen less of a convenience and more of a necessity. Each phone on this list features a large, bright screen that makes it easier to read text and see images.
- Battery life: Long battery life should be expected with any quality phone, but it is an especially important feature for seniors who may forget to charge their phones from time to time. Those few extra hours of battery life can give you more time to enjoy your phone without being near an outlet. Plus, accessibility features can use up battery life more quickly, so you’ll want a solid battery.
Your cell phone is only as good as the network it’s on, so I also paired each phone with one of the best phone plans for seniors.
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1. iPhone 15 Plus - Best Apple smartphone
What we like most
- 6.69-inch Super Retina XDR display
- Advanced smartphone
- Unique features: Dozens of ways to customize brightness, color, and accessibility features
iPhone 15 PlusOverview:
The iPhone 15 Plus has a large screen, a slim design, and the largest battery of any iPhone on the market.
Overview
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus outshines its tough competition. It earned our pick for the best Apple smartphone for visually impaired seniors. For an advanced smartphone, the user interface is straightforward. I found that setting up (and using) the iPhone was a stress-free experience, similar to Apple’s other models. My grandma has been an iPhone owner for years. It was her very first smartphone, and she uses it like a pro! The 15 Plus’ crystal-clear 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, accessibility features, and integration with other Apple products make it a great choice for both newbie and tech-savvy smartphone users.
» You Might Like: The best iPhones for seniors
Apple certainly has its finger on the pulse of individuals with vision loss. I found that the company has an impressive number of resources, including accessibility support communities, AppleVis (an online resource for blind and low-vision Apple users), and technical help dedicated to accessibility assistance. Apple guides users through customizing accessibility features based on their individual needs. Talk about top-notch customer service and support!
Pros & Cons:Pros About iPhone 15 Plus
- Siri digital assistant
- VoiceOver screen reader
- Large, 6.7-inch screen
- Display and text size adjustment
- Magnifier and zoom
- Speak Screen
- Sensory alerts
- Dictation text entry
- Contrast and color customization
- FaceTime
- Built-in Braille keyboard
Cons About iPhone 15 Plus
- No headphone jack
- More expensive than the competition
Summary:Accessibility Features
It’s hard to compete with Apple when it comes to accessibility features. In addition to a plethora of features for hearing-impaired adults, the iPhone 15 Plus offers many accessibility features for people with vision loss. I tested them out and found that they are easy to enable or disable right from the settings menu.
» Useful Resource: Best cell phones for seniors with hearing loss
First, my grandma and I tried out the VoiceOver and Spoken Content screen readers. We were blown away by how well they worked. While my grandma doesn’t have significant vision loss, she does struggle to read smaller text on smartphone screens. With VoiceOver, every menu item she selected was spoken out loud through the iPhone’s speaker. There were also many additional accessibility settings to manage within VoiceOver. We could speed up or slow down the speech, change the pitch and style of the voice, customize pronunciation, enable image descriptions, and add multilingual speech.
Adjusting the iPhone's VoiceOver settings
Spoken Content worked similarly to VoiceOver but for general text content like articles or messages. I just had to enable the feature in the settings menu and select the text I wanted to hear. If I wanted to hear everything written on the screen, I swiped down from the top of the screen with two fingers. My grandma took a little time to get adjusted to the swiping down. After a few tries, she used Spoken Content with ease.
Using the iPhone's Spoken Content feature on SeniorLiving.org
Based on our testing, VoiceOver and Spoken Content offered enough on their own to justify the iPhone 15 Plus’s price and make it one of the best smartphones for seniors with vision loss. But the features didn’t stop there. I could also enable a built-in Braille keyboard, automatic audio descriptions, increase the size of text, and zoom in on particular parts of the screen. We found all of these features very helpful and easy to use with a little practice.
Screen Size and Brightness
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus boasts a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display. Not only does it have a big screen with larger icons and imagery, but it’s also extremely clear and bright. The screen gets up to 820 nits (unit of brightness), which is roughly 64 percent brighter than the 500 nits of the Google Pixel 7a. While my grandma and I used the iPhone 15 Plus, we both found the colors were vibrant and the brightness was more than sufficient. Even when using the phone in direct sunlight, we experienced minimal glare.
Inside Tip: Do you have low vision and hearing loss? Apple works with top hearing aid manufacturers to create what it calls “Made for iPhone,” or MFi, hearing aids. This makes pairing your hearing aids with an iPhone oh so simple!
Pricing
The biggest drawback to buying an iPhone is often the price. The Apple iPhone 15 Plus retails for $929.99, making it nearly $800 more expensive than the Motorola G Play. This may be outside your budget. But, if you get your iPhone 15 Plus through AT&T, you can finance it for as little as $25.84 per month. Taking advantage of AT&T’s deals can really help reduce the upfront cost. Plus, AT&T has a variety of competitively priced plans to choose from. The cheapest prepaid plan starts at just $25 per month, while no-contract unlimited plans start at $65.99 per month for one line.
» Related Reading: AT&T cell phone plans for seniors 2024
I’ve personally been an AT&T customer for years. I can attest that AT&T has affordable plans and perks, a wide variety of cell phone models, and a smooth buying experience. Residents of Florida aged 55 can also sign up for AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan. I wish this plan was available nationwide, as T-Mobile’s 55+ plans are. Still, AT&T’s other phone plans are great options for those outside of Florida.
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2. Consumer Cellular GrandPad - Best tablet
What we like most
- Large 8-inch screen
- Tablet with large icons
- Unique features: Features to keep caregivers and family members in the loop
Consumer Cellular GrandPadOverview:
Unboxing Consumer Cellular's GrandPad
Overview
The next product on our list might come as a surprise. It’s not a cell phone — it’s a tablet! The GrandPad made our list because it has many of the same functions as a cell phone and was designed for older adults. I found the GrandPad’s icons and screen to be large and easier to read. Plus, it limits the number of things you can do on each screen, making it easier to navigate for those with some visual impairments.
» Learn More: Consumer Cellular GrandPad review
The GrandPad has pretty much all the features you could ask for from a tablet or laptop, with added portability thanks to its 4G LTE connection. That means I didn’t have to connect my GrandPad to Wi-Fi to get online; I could make calls, surf the web, and watch videos anywhere I went! You’ll get your own unique GrandPad phone number that friends and loved ones can message, call, video call, share photos and videos with, and more.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Consumer Cellular GrandPad
- Large, 8-inch touch screen
- Can send and receive texts, calls, and video chats from people in a trusted network (meaning no scams or spam)
- 24/7 year-round customer support
- Lifetime insurance included
- Wireless cradle charger
- Family-member administrator
- All-in-one product
Cons About Consumer Cellular GrandPad
- Can’t make 911 calls
- Large size makes it less portable
Summary:Accessibility Features
The GrandPad may not have the nuanced accessibility features of the iPhone 15 Plus, but it has a few key features that make it easier to use with vision loss. The menus are extremely simple with giant icons for the camera, photos, email, phone, and more. It also has a strong speaker with adjustable volume. I was really impressed with the speaker volume when listening to a jazz radio station or making calls on the GrandPad. Tech support is also available 24/7 if you need help adjusting your accessibility settings. All I had to do was open the customer support app. I could press the “Call Support” button to speak to a representative right away or watch a variety of training videos.
Viewing the GrandPad's customer support options
One thing I didn’t love was that the volume I set did not carry over when I switched between different applications. So, when I turned up the volume for a call, I had to turn the volume back up again when I switched over to a different application. It’s also important to note that the volume does not go to its maximum by default, which means that you may have to contact tech support for assistance.
Pro Tip: Your Content Here
The user-friendly interface is a big part of what makes this device so accessible to visually impaired seniors. There aren’t many icons on the screen, and navigation is extremely simple. It would have been nice to have some kind of voice command feature. But, as long as you can see the brightly colored icons, you can easily chat with family and friends or surf the web.
The device also requires a family administrator, which reduces the risk of falling prey to scams by clicking the wrong button or answering a suspicious call. That said, this may be a drawback for more independent seniors. You’ll need permission from a family administrator before you can call or message new numbers.
Screen Size and Brightness
The GrandPad screen measures 8 inches from corner to corner, making it substantially larger than any other device on this list. While 8 inches is on the smaller side for a tablet, it’s very large for a device that can make phone calls, send texts, and do all of the basic things you would expect from a cell phone.
Comparing the large size of Consumer Cellular's GrandPad to my iPhone
The GrandPad also has a very bright 1920 x 1200-pixel display. Like the volume, there’s no easy way to make adjustments to the master setting. The GrandPad is set to full brightness by default. I thought this brightness was very powerful in just about any lighting environment. If I wanted to adjust the brightness in any way, I had to contact tech support.
Pricing
Consumer Cellular’s prices for the GrandPad are fairly affordable for the industry; the tablet costs $299 with a $40 monthly fee for unlimited data. This may not be as cheap as the $149 Motorola G Play, but it’s much more affordable than the iPhone 15 Plus ($929.99) or the Google Pixel 7a ($549.99). You can also finance your GrandPad through Consumer Cellular with a downpayment of $11 and a recurring charge of $12 per month.
» Also Check Out: 2024 Consumer Cellular cell review
Watch our GrandPad video review below for a closer look at our experience with this tablet.
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3. Motorola G Play from Mint Mobile - Best value
What we like most
- Ultra-wide 6.5-inch HD+ display
- Affordable smartphone
- Unique features: Built-in Braille keyboard and Google TalkBack accessibility feature
Motorola G Play from Mint MobileOverview:
Motorola G Play
Overview
The Motorola G Play from Mint Mobile offers excellent value. This smartphone is just $149, making it the least expensive phone on our list. It’s a solid choice for older adults looking for accessibility features without breaking the bank. Don’t want to be locked into a cell phone contract? You’re in luck. The Motorola G Play is unlocked and can be set up with a plan from any major carrier.
» You Might Like: Best unlocked phones for seniors
During testing, I found that the ultra-wide 6.5-inch HD+ screen was easy on the eyes. It made reading texts, sending emails, and video chatting a breeze. I was impressed with the Motorola G Play’s intuitive design and built-in accessibility assistance. This Android phone comes with Google TalkBack, an accessibility feature with voice control and audio descriptions. Speaking of power, the Motorola G Play’s battery can go up to three days on a single charge! As someone who always forgets to plug in my phone, I’m a big fan of this long battery life.
One major drawback to the Motorola G Play is that it’s very slow. When I tapped an app or moved to a different screen, the phone’s response was sluggish and I often experienced lag. This was frustrating, to me. I’m used to the fast speeds of my iPhone. Still, if you’re looking for a cheap phone and you’re more patient than me, it’s worth considering.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Motorola G Play from Mint Mobile
- Google TalkBack
- Screen magnification
- Brightly backlit displays and high-contrast
- Voice dialing
- Keypad depression feedback (haptics for touch screen)
- Built-in Braille keyboard
Cons About Motorola G Play from Mint Mobile
- No traditional headphone jack
- Sound quality could be improved
- Slow response times
Summary:Accessibility Features
The Motorola G Play is a pretty basic smartphone, but it offers a surprisingly robust array of accessibility features. My personal favorite is Google TalkBack. When I had this feature enabled, my phone automatically highlighted different interactive items on the screen so that they were easier to see. It also provided audio that told me exactly what was on screen. This visual and audio system made it easier to use the Motorola G Play, even if you have limited experience with Android phones.
» Related Reading: Best Android phones for seniors
The Motorola G Play comes with a built-in Braille keyboard. It offers a six-finger system so that people with little or no vision can type using Braille directly on their phones. This is a major step forward for Android phones and a feature that is surprising to see on such an affordable device.
While I didn’t need to use the Braille keyboard, I benefited from the magnification feature. It made it much easier to zoom in on anything. I used it to see images more closely and read fine print on web pages. I found the feature intuitive and a perfect fit for people with minor to moderate vision loss.
Screen Size and Brightness
The 6.5-inch screen on the Motorola G Play is a little bit smaller than the iPhone 15 Plus, but I didn’t notice a major difference. If anything, the smaller size made the Motorola G Play a little more comfortable to hold without taking away from the accessibility features. With a maximum of 442 nits, the Motorola G Play offers decent brightness, but it doesn’t perform as well in direct sunlight or similarly bright settings.
I struggled with glare when I tried to use the phone outside, so this phone might be better for seniors who mostly use the phone at home or in other controlled lighting environments. Moreover, it has a screen resolution of 1480 x 720, which means that the image quality is not quite as clear as it is on the GrandPad. That said, I felt the screen brightness and overall image quality were more than sufficient for normal lighting environments.
Pricing
The Motorola G Play retails for $149, making it the most budget-friendly phone on this list. When you purchase the Motorola G Play through Mint Mobile, you can pair it with the Mint 55+ plan that starts at just $15 per month. If you’re looking for a smartphone with accessibility features that won’t cost a fortune, the Motorola G Play from Mint Mobile is a great choice.
» Dive Deeper: Mint Mobile review
While Mint Mobile doesn’t offer trade-in deals on phones, there are still ways to reduce the cost. You can save $50 by choosing a 12-month plan. Additionally, you can get zero-interest financing via a third-party app (Affirm) and pay as little as $13 per month for your Motorola G Play.
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4. Google Pixel 7a from Verizon - Best technology
What we like most
- TalkBack screen reader
- Built-in Braille keyboard
- Lookout computer vision
Overview:
Google Pixel 7a
Overview
I awarded the Google Pixel 7a the best technology accolade for good reason. The Pixel 7a’s virtual assistant, screen reader, and adjustable font size make this phone excellent for visually impaired seniors. In an emergency, such as a fall, the Pixel can call for help automatically, record a video, or share your location. Those with low vision are twice as likely to experience a fall, so I’m a big fan of these emergency features. 2
» Fall Prevention Resource: A 2024 guide to medical alert systems
The Google Pixel 7a can also detect if you may have been in a car accident and call for help if you’re unable to respond.3 Those with vision loss are at a much higher risk of getting in a car accident, so this feature is essential.4 If you’re experiencing new or worsening vision loss, make sure to consult with your doctor before driving.
I found that the full-screen 6.1-inch FHD+ smooth display was large and minimized constant scrolling. Accidental cell phone drops happen to everyone (including me), so I’m a huge fan of the Pixel 7a’s scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. You also don’t have to worry about constantly charging your battery with this smartphone. It has a 24-hour-plus battery life that I could extend up to 48 hours by using “extreme battery saver” mode.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Google Pixel 7a from Verizon
- TalkBack screen reader
- Adjustable display and font size
- Magnification mode
- Contrast and color options
- Select to Speak
- Lookout computer vision
- Voice Access
- Built-in Braille keyboard
- Google Assistant
Cons About Google Pixel 7a from Verizon
- Limited storage
- Will not pair with Apple products
Summary:Accessibility Features
Like the Motorola G Play, the Google Pixel 7a comes with Google TalkBack. I used this feature to highlight interactive elements and get audio descriptions of my screen at the same time. The Google Pixel 7a also comes with similar magnification features, which makes it easier to read small text. Even if I didn’t want to use the magnifier, I could easily adjust font sizes and my display to make every element on the screen easier to see.
I loved the Select to Speak and Voice Access features. Select to Speak works a lot like Google TalkBack. I just swiped two fingers up from the bottom of the screen and selected individual items on the screen to get audio descriptions. With Voice Access enabled, I could use voice commands to open apps, make calls, send text messages, and more. This was my favorite feature by far, as it felt more intuitive on the Google Pixel 7a’s fast operating system than on the Samsung Galaxy S24+.
Screen Size and Brightness
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Google Pixel 7a is the screen size. While it’s certainly not as small as a smartphone like the iPhone SE (4.7 inches), the 6.1-inch screen is smaller than any other phone on this list. Fortunately, I still felt that the screen was large enough to read text and watch videos without any issues. It’s also easy to forgive the size of the screen because it offers up to 500 nits of brightness and a fantastic 2400 x 1080 resolution. Despite some minor glare issues in brighter environments, the image quality on the Google Pixel 7a always looked superb.
Pricing
The Google Pixel 7a retails for $549.99, which puts it in the territory of a “mid-range” smartphone. Though this is certainly more expensive than the Motorola G Play, it costs far less than the iPhone 15 Plus or the Samsung Galaxy S24+ ($999.99). Fortunately, signing up for select plans can net you savings of $150 on the Google Pixel 7a.
» You Might Also Like: Best free phones for seniors
You can even snag unlimited talk, text, and data with a Verizon 55+ Unlimited plan. Verizon is one of the largest wireless carriers, and it offers reliable network coverage. From my experience, Verizon offers service where many other carriers like AT&T don’t, especially in rural areas. You can learn more in our Verizon senior cell phone plan review.
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5. Samsung Galaxy S24+ From T-Mobile - Best voice commands
What we like most
- Voice Assistant
- Built-in Braille keyboard
- Lookout camera identification
Samsung Galaxy S24+ From T-MobileOverview:
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy S24+ from T-Mobile is an excellent choice for tech-savvy older adults with vision impairment who don’t mind splurging on a high-end smartphone. This Android device provides accessibility features and voice commands to help users with limited vision make the most out of their phone (just like the Motorola G Play).
Samsung’s Voice Assistant can act as your eyes when you’re using your phone. For example, it described what I touched, selected, and activated. I used the TalkBack screen reader to hear notifications, check my battery life, and receive texts. With lightning-fast charging (wireless and plug-in) and a large 6.7-inch infinity display screen, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ doesn’t disappoint.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Samsung Galaxy S24+ From T-Mobile
- Voice Assistant
- Google TalkBack
- Text and icon magnification
- Color contrast correction
- Lookout camera identification
- Built-in Braille keyboard
Cons About Samsung Galaxy S24+ From T-Mobile
- Pretty expensive
- Lacking internal storage space
- No traditional headphone jack
Summary:Accessibility Features
As a high-end smartphone, you can expect a lot of extra perks that double as accessibility features for those with vision loss. For example, I really enjoyed using the built-in voice assistant to help with internet searches, general questions, and navigating the phone. It also made it easier for my grandma, who didn’t feel as comfortable using the Samsung Galaxy’s system as she did using the iPhone 15 Plus or the Google Pixel 7a. Like the Motorola G Play, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ comes with Google TalkBack, which is one of the best all-around features for seniors with vision loss. And like the Google Pixel 7a and iPhone 15 Plus, the Samsung Galaxy 24+ comes with a built-in Braille keyboard.
The coolest feature my grandma and I discovered was the lookout camera identification. Using the phone’s camera, we could point the phone at different text, images, or objects. The phone used AI tech to help us identify what the phone was seeing. This could be extremely beneficial to seniors who want a second set of eyes to help identify things around them.
Screen Size and Brightness
At 6.7 inches, the Samsung Galaxy S24+’s screen is the same size as the iPhone 15 Plus. This means the phone can be a little bit bulky, but it has a large screen that is easy on the eyes. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ also has some of the best brightness specs of any phone on this list. The screen offers 2,400 nits, which means you can really crank up the brightness. That’s nearly five times more nits than the Google Pixel 7a! I noticed a huge difference between the maximum brightness on the Galaxy S24+ and every other phone I tested. It was much easier to use in direct sunlight without glare, especially with excellent 2340 x 1080 resolution.
Pricing
The Samsung Galaxy S24+ costs $999.99. If you want to upgrade from the standard 256 GB of internal storage to 512 GB, the price jumps up to $1,119.99. Needless to say, either price is a lot to pay for a phone. If you get the phone through T-Mobile, you can get zero-interest financing for as little as $41.67 per month for 24 months (in addition to the cost of a T-Mobile plan). Fortunately, T-Mobile’s plans and pricing are competitive, with customer discounts and perks. If you’re 55 or older, check out our review of T-Mobile’s Unlimited 55+ plans.
The Challenges of Using Phones With Vision Loss
If you don’t have vision loss, it’s hard to understand exactly how much your daily routine changes. Daily tasks like using a phone can become very frustrating, as it’s hard to see things clearly. It’s important to find a phone with the right accessibility features to meet your unique needs.
If you or a loved one have a visual impairment, here are just a few challenges you can expect when using a phone:
- Minimal tactile feedback: Swiping or pressing on a touch screen often provides little or no tactile feedback unless the phone has special settings enabled. This can make it difficult to know if your touch gestures are actually doing what you want them to do.
- Small icons and text: Whether you’re using a flip phone or a touch screen smartphone, small text is a reality that we all have to deal with. Having vision issues can make it nearly impossible to read small text without some kind of assistive magnification.
- Multi-tiered menus: Complex interfaces and multi-tiered menus are much harder to navigate when you have vision issues. Many modern phones have interfaces that are simply not designed to be easy to use for people with vision loss.
- Battery life consumption: Even if your phone has accessibility features like screen readers or automatic contrast correction, you’ll have to deal with the increased pressure it puts on your battery. Accessibility features tend to use a lot of energy, which means you’ll need to charge your phone more often.
Luckily, a phone with the right accessibility features, like the ones we’ve covered in this article, can help alleviate those challenges.
A Guide to Choosing a Cell Phone for Visually Impaired Seniors
Now that I’ve covered the best cell phone models (and carriers) for visually impaired older adults, let’s dive into accessibility features. Since everyone’s vision limitations and needs are unique, we’ve compiled the top accessibility options to consider to optimize your cell phone experience.
- Screen reader: Users hear what is on their smartphone screen through an intuitive screen reader. The synthesized voice reads the content and any elements found on the screen.
- Voice to text: There’s no need to contend with a hard-to-see keyboard. Send a text, make a call, or write a note through voice commands instead of typing.
- Audible alerts: Audio alerts for missed calls, text messages, and low battery help reduce difficult-to-view on-screen notifications.
- Backlit keypad: Bright, backlit buttons make it easier to see in an environment with dim lighting. Backlit buttons can be found on some of the best flip phones and brick-style cell phones.
- Built-in accessibility features: Preloaded accessibility features such as screen contrast, text size, and magnification help streamline the setup process so users can focus on getting comfortable with their phone.
- Big buttons: Large tactile buttons help users navigate their cell phones without the frustration of pushing the wrong keys when making calls or sending texts. Check out our list of the best big-button cell phones for more details.
- Audio descriptions: Video streaming may be a struggle for those with vision impairments. Audio description provides a narration of the video’s key visual elements.
- Emergency SOS or integrated help service: Cell phones with health and safety features add an extra level of protection for older adults with low vision. For example, Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2 with 24/7 emergency response received high marks in our Jitterbug cell phone review.
- Large screen: Cell phones with a generous screen size provide visually impaired seniors with a larger viewing area when browsing and making video calls.
- Vision aid app capability: In addition to built-in accessibility features, there is a wide range of downloadable apps (including text and facial recognition) to assist people with visual impairment.
Quick Tip: Think about the type of phone you’ll be most comfortable using. Even the best smartphones for seniors will fall short if you’d prefer a no-frills, easy-to-use cell phone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cell Phones for Visually Impaired Seniors
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Are there cell phone apps for people with poor vision?
There are a wealth of resources and apps for the visually impaired or blind. Our in-depth smartphone accessibility guide includes details on real-time apps for scene description, objects, and faces.
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Which cell phones have a built-in Braille keyboard?
Android and Apple smartphones include an on-screen Braille keyboard so you can type Braille directly onto your phone. Both offer Grade One (six dots) and Grade Two (contracted) Braille keyboards.
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Can a cell phone help visually impaired seniors live independently?
Individuals with low vision or blindness are at risk of injury in the home, especially from dangerous falls. Help is just a button push away with health and safety plans providing 24/7 protection.
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Are there free cell phones for blind people?
If you or your loved one is a low-income individual with significant vision and hearing loss, the Federal Communications Commission’s National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also known as iCanConnect, may be an option. iCanConnect provides equipment including mobile devices and accessories to make telecommunications accessible.5
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). About Vision Impairment and Falls Among Older Adults.
NIH. (2022). Visual impairment and falls among older adults and elderly: evidence from longitudinal study of ageing in India.
Google. (2024). Pixel. The only phone engineered by Google.
AAO. (2023). How Much Vision Loss is Too Much When it Comes to Driving?.
iCanConnect. (2024). Equipment and Technology.