RAZ Mobility Cell Phone Review 2024
RAZ offers senior-friendly phones designed for people with memory and vision loss.
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RAZ Mobility is dedicated to positively impacting the lives of older adults and people with disabilities through its innovative, mobile solutions. Whether you have memory loss, experience hearing or visual impairments, or simply want a phone catered to older adults, RAZ Mobility offers award-winning products that will make managing your technology easier.
Unlike a normal phone carrier, RAZ Mobility offers only phones, not phone plans. Its phones, however, are compatible with the country’s largest carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Mint Mobile, and others. It also offers promotions with some carriers, such as Affinity Cellular. Read on to learn about our experience with RAZ mobility.
Pros About RAZ Mobility
- One-touch-dial picture: The one-touch-dial picture feature is simplicity at its best. For older Americans with memory loss, the one-touch dial removes all the regular smartphone distractions to create a minimal, simple interface.
- Three months free: If your RAZ phone is compatible with Affinity Cellular, you can get three months free on your phone plan.
- Safety tracking features: Select users can keep an eye on the battery life, location, and usage of a RAZ Mobility phone, which can help you and your loved ones stay safe and receive the assistance you need.
- Remote management assistance: If you have a tendency to forget events or important dates, a friend or loved one can directly send you reminders and notifications from a remote app.
Cons About RAZ Mobility
- No text messages or voicemails on some models: The popular RAZ Memory Cell Phone doesn’t allow texting; you can send text messages to a caregiver only when the battery is low. There is also no voicemail feature.
- Limited capabilities on some models: You can’t browse the web, download apps, or take photos with some RAZ Mobility phones.
The Buying Experience With RAZ Mobility
Chatting With Customer Service
I spoke to a RAZ Mobility representative to learn more about the company’s phones. It took only about 30 seconds to get someone on the line. They were very helpful, cordial, and polite, and they were well-equipped to answer all my questions and explain the buying process.
I learned, for example, that RAZ Mobility doesn’t have any physical storefronts, and you have to purchase your phone online to receive your device. When I realized I forgot to ask about shipping fees and shipping times, I decided to try the customer-service live chat feature on the company’s website. The experience was very similar. Within two minutes, I was chatting with Angela and learned that all RAZ shipping is done through FedEx. Purchases come with a $14.99 shipping fee, and it typically takes two to three days to receive your package.
Choosing a Cell Phone
RAZ Mobility has a few phones that offer unique features for older adults and people with hearing loss, memory loss, or visual impairments. Each phone has its own set of key features. Below we’ll look at two of the company’s top phones for seniors: the RAZ Memory Cell Phone and MiniVision2+.
RAZ Memory Cell Phone
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is incredibly simple and easy to use. It helps individuals with memory loss stay connected to their loved ones by limiting the number of things you can do on the phone. The phone features a list of contacts with photos of each person, making it easy to know who you’re calling. There are no apps, web search features, text messages, or voicemails — just click-and-call options. If you want a simple phone without any frills, this is the pick.
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone starts at $349, which falls in the middle of the price range for popular touchscreen phones. The phone lacks many of the advanced features other smartphones and touchscreen devices offer, but that’s exactly the point. It’s as easy to use as it gets, so it’s an excellent choice for people with memory loss.
MiniVision2+ Cell Phone
The MiniVision2+ is a big-button cell phone for blind or visually impaired people. The phone is capable of several basic telecommunication features, such as making calls, sending texts, taking photos, setting an alarm, and more.
Quick Tip: Not sure what kind of cell phone is best for you or a loved one? Have a look at our guides on cell phones for seniors and the best cell phones for seniors in 2024.
The best part? You can do all those things through the MiniVision2+’s voice-command system. Like Alexa or Google Assistant, you just speak your command and the phone will do the rest. The MiniVision+2 also vocalizes responses back to you, so you don’t feel like you’re talking to yourself when you navigate your phone. It will verbally notify you of things like caller ID and battery level, and repeat whatever you click on.
At $329, the MiniVision2+ is pretty pricey for a big-button phone, but it offers excellent features for people with vision loss that may be worth the price.
Contracts and Warranty
Contracts
RAZ Mobility sells only phones, not phone plans. That means you won’t have to sign the year-long contract you would normally expect with a service provider. RAZ does, however, have its own terms and conditions.
One important term is its refund policy. When you order a phone, you have 20 days to return it if you don’t like it, and you will pay a $75 restocking fee as part of the return. If you keep the phone for more than 20 days, you cannot get a refund.
Warranty
The RAZ Mobility warranty protects your device from any “defects in materials or workmanship under ordinary consumer use” for one year from the date of your purchase.1 As long as you don’t damage your phone or need a replacement or repair due to wear and tear, you’ll be covered under RAZ’s warranty.
If you damage the phone yourself or experience a malfunction outside the warranty period, expect to pay the full price for replacement or repair costs. Also, expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $45 in shipping and service fees.
RAZ Mobility Phones at a Glance
Phone | RAZ Memory Cell Phone | MiniVision 2+ |
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Price | $349 | $329 |
Battery life | About 15 hours talk time | 200 hours standby, 7 hours talk time |
Hearing aid compatibility | Yes | Yes |
Features |
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Best for |
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FYI: There are also voice-activated phones made for seniors! If you or a loved one prefers voice-activated devices, we’ve reviewed the best voice-activated cell phones.
Choosing a Cell Phone Carrier
RAZ doesn’t offer its own phone plans, but it works with many of the largest carriers in the country, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Cricket Wireless. Depending on the phone and carrier you choose, you can earn big savings on your plan. To get the most out of your compatible cell phone carrier, we recommend Consumer Cellular, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Mint Mobile.
We’ll break down each provider below.
Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular cell phone plans are affordable and flexible, and they come with many perks for seniors. Some Consumer Cellular highlights include plans starting as low as $15, a 30-day risk-free trial, no contracts, AARP member discounts, and award-winning U.S.-based customer service. Consumer Cellular uses AT&T and T-Mobile networks, which means you’ll have reliable nationwide coverage. The average customer at Consumer Cellular is in their 60s, and the carrier’s plans are tailored to older adults and their needs.
Pro Tip: For more information on what phone plan is best for you, check out our guide to the best senior phone plans in 2024.
Plan prices range from $15 to $55 per month. To learn more about Consumer Cellular, read our Consumer Cellular phone plan review.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile is one of the largest and most reliable carriers in the country. In 2020, the company added 5.5 million new customers and continues to grow.2 Some T-Mobile perks include the fastest 5G nationwide coverage, 5G and 4G data in Mexico and Canada, no contracts, and flexible plans catered to adults over age 55. If you want a RAZ phone that can download apps and access the internet, T-Mobile has a few unlimited data options that may appeal to you. T-Mobile has three unlimited plans for people 55 and older, the cheapest of which comes with unlimited texts and minutes, as well as data with rates starting at $40 for one line.
To learn more about pricing, perks, and services, check out our T-Mobile 55+ cell phone plan review.
AT&T
AT&T is another nationwide provider with some exciting perks and discounts for older adults. AT&T offers a plan for people ages 55 and older, a 10 percent AARP discount, a 25 percent veterans discount, and an unlimited plan for seniors living in Florida. AT&T has contracts and activation fees, but you may be able to save on fees when the carrier runs promotions.
AT&T’s unlimited senior plan starts at $60 for one line or $80 for two lines. Check out our guide to AT&T cell phone plans for seniors to learn more about its service options.
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is a newer phone carrier that offers flexible, no-nonsense phone plans. The Mint plan for people 55 and older is just $15 per month, and it comes with unlimited texts and calls, as well as 4GB of data and 4G LTE coverage.
Fun Fact: There’s a reason you may have seen Ryan Reynolds in Mint Mobile commercials. The company, founded in 2016, is owned by the Canadian movie star.
With no hidden fees and extra perks like free mobile hotspots, Mint Mobile is a great provider for older Americans looking for clear calls and access to 5G speeds. Check out our Mint Mobile senior phone plan review to learn more about Mint’s plans and pricing.
RAZ Mobility Emergency Service
At $99.99 a year, you can get RAZ Mobility’s emergency service. Older Americans with Alzheimer's, dementia, or memory loss may be more likely to imagine emergencies and call 911 out of habit. The RAZ Memory Cell Phone can help solve this problem with an integrated emergency service that directs 911 calls to an emergency dispatch agent who will determine whether it’s a false call or an actual emergency. Text messages will also be automatically sent to an appointed caregiver, allowing the caregiver to cancel the emergency call.
According to RAZ, RAZ Mobility Emergency Service prevents 95 percent of unnecessary 911 calls, making it a reliable false-alarm solution for people living with memory loss.
FYI: If you’re looking for a separate medical alert system to keep yourself or a loved one safe, check out our guide to the best medical alert systems.
The Bottom Line on RAZ Mobility
RAZ Mobility offers some of the most innovative cell phones for older Americans who have hearing, vision, or memory loss. RAZ offers simple, minimalist phones that remove distractions and make navigating your phone easier than a typical smartphone. With prices starting at around $300, RAZ phones aren’t the least expensive on the market, but they offer excellent value. We love these devices’ durability, battery life, button size, and compatibility with top carriers.
RAZ does not have any physical store locations, however, which means you won’t be able to try a new phone before buying it. Look at each device carefully on RAZ’s website to decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About RAZ Mobility
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Can I use my existing SIM card on a RAZ Mobility phone?
Yes! If you already have a SIM card and plan ready to go, you can insert your old SIM card into your new RAZ device.
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Does RAZ help protect its users from scams or spam?
Yes. RAZ has a blocking feature that allows you to block calls from anyone who is not on your contact list.
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How can I track and manage my loved one’s RAZ phone usage?
As a caregiver or appointed remote manager, you can download the RAZ remote-management app or track usage through the online portal. Remote management allows you to create and edit contacts, send reminders, and manage other key features.
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Can I listen to music on a RAZ cell phone?
Some phones, like the MiniVision2+, have FM radio you can listen to music with. Other models, like the Memory Phone, do not have any music features.
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Can I take photos on a RAZ phone?
Similar to music and other features, only select RAZ phones have camera and photo capabilities. The MiniVision2+ and Synapptic Smartphone have cameras, but the RAZ Memory does not.
RAZ Mobility. (2022). TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
T-Mobile. (2021). 2021 Annual Report.