The Best Free Phones for Seniors

SeniorLiving.org Rating 4.5

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

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Samsung Galaxy A03

Overview

During testing, I found that the Samsung Galaxy A03 smartphone delivers cutting-edge tech with a senior-friendly design. As we move toward our golden years, some of us may experience age-related eye disorders. Around 12 million people in the U.S. ages 40 or older have a vision impairment.1 My grandma and I didn’t have to squint at a small screen with the A03. Its large edge-to-edge display is easy on the eyes. Not tech-savvy? No worries. Samsung’s Setup Wizard guided us through the basics of setting up the device.

» You Might Like: Best Android Phones for Seniors

Even if you’re not interested in a Samsung Galaxy A03, shopping for a free phone at Cricket Wireless is a breeze because there’s more than one model to choose from. My choices included a Samsung and Apple phone, as well as a device from Cricket’s own line. In addition, Cricket also requires no annual contracts, credit checks, or hidden fees. That makes Cricket a great choice for people on a low or fixed income.

Buyer’s Tip:

Buyer’s Tip: Budget-conscious shoppers will love Cricket’s multiline discount. Get the facts in our Cricket Wireless review.

Cricket uses AT&T’s network to deliver service, covering over 99 percent of Americans. I live in an area with strong AT&T coverage, and my Cricket Wireless service was reliable while I was running errands, visiting friends, and hanging out at home.

A free phone is just one of Cricket’s many perks. I saved even more with a $25 credit for referring a friend. Don’t forget to sign up for autopay (like I almost did) to save up to $60 a year. Your wallet will thank you!

How to Get a Free Samsung Galaxy A03

Getting a free phone from Cricket Wireless was simple. All I had to do was bring my phone number and select one of the eligible monthly plans, which start at $55 per month. You’ll need to have an existing number to catch that deal. If you want Cricket Wireless to give you a new number, you’ll pay $39.99. The price isn’t for the Samsung Galaxy A03 itself, but for adding a new number.

» Related Reading: Best Samsung Phones for Seniors

There is an important caveat: The type of plan you need to purchase to avoid paying $119.99 for a Samsung Galaxy A03 varies. If you bring in an existing number, for example, you’ll need to sign up for a new Cricket Wireless voice plan starting at $55 per month. If you pay $39.99 for a new number, you can get a free phone by signing up for a new voice plan starting at $30 per month. That means you could save more in the long run by getting a new phone number through Cricket Wireless. You’ll just have to pay a bit more up front.

The plan you have to purchase to get a free phone also varies by the phone you choose. Some phones require only the purchase of a $40 plan when you bring your own number. I’m not a huge fan of those caveats, but Cricket Wireless clearly displays the details on its website so there are no surprises at checkout. Learning the details can help you get the best deal with Cricket, which is worth it!

Usability

The Samsung Galaxy A03 is excellent for older adults who want a user-friendly smartphone with a large enough screen to combat eye strain or fatigue. Individuals struggling with low vision or arthritis can make the most of the virtual assistant feature. With a simple voice command, the assistant could read my texts and notifications, send messages, and set appointment reminders. Cricket’s network is 5G, but the Samsung A03 is not. That means you won’t have the fastest speeds. You’ll need a 5G-capable phone to make the most of a 5G network. Still, I had reliable 4G coverage during testing.

» Learn More: Best 5G Phones for Seniors

My grandma and I sat down with the Samsung Galaxy A03 to see if it was a good fit for seniors. It passed all our tests with flying colors! We both were blown away by how bright and clear the screen was, especially for a free phone. My grandma found it easy to use for texting and receiving calls, and she liked the main screen’s simple layout. The Google search bar is right in the middle of the display, so she could easily browse the web without opening a separate app. The home screen also features large icons for calling, texting, camera, and the Google Play Store. As an added bonus, the Galaxy A03 has a long battery life, with more than 19 hours of video playback on a single charge. I spent a day watching videos, taking photos, making calls, and sending texts, and the battery held strong through it all. It still can’t beat the 72-hour battery life of the Google Pixel 7a though.

Camera Quality

Even if you’re willing to shell out a few hundred dollars on a smartphone, it’s hard to find one with a camera as good as the Samsung Galaxy A03. The rear-facing camera is 48 MP, which is four times as powerful as the iPhone 13’s camera. My grandma and I really enjoyed taking pictures and recording 1080p videos. We shot photos in the backyard, on a walk, and in the house. They always looked crystal clear, and we had virtually no issues using the camera even in low-light environments.

SeniorLiving.org Rating 4.5

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

Please scroll to the right for more info.

Testing out the iPhone 13

Overview

The iPhone 13 is a pocket-size powerhouse. With its top-notch camera and ample storage, I could take thousands of photos and still have plenty of space! I’m all about technology that supports the needs of older adults, and the iPhone 13 doesn’t disappoint. Its straightforward accessibility features are useful for people with vision or hearing loss. With an M3/T4 hearing-aid compatibility rating, it’s no surprise the iPhone made it onto our list of best cell phones for seniors with hearing loss.

» Also Check Out: The Best iPhones for Seniors

We scored a free iPhone 13 with T-Mobile. What makes T-Mobile’s coverage stand out? It’s America’s leader in 5G. The carrier covers nearly twice the area of AT&T and four times the area of Verizon.1 If you have the need for speed, T-Mobile has you covered. It also has competitive plan pricing and perks. The carrier offers some of the best phone plans for seniors, starting at $40 per month for one line. They come packed with useful features such as in-flight Wi-Fi, free hotspot data, and international coverage. If you’re a frequent traveler, the extras are a huge plus!

FYI:

FYI: We awarded T-Mobile’s 55-plus phone plans 4.7 out of 5 stars. For more details, check out our T-Mobile Unlimited 55-plus review.

How to Get a Free Apple iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 normally retails for $629.99, but T-Mobile offers several ways to get a completely free iPhone 13 — or at least a heavily discounted one. You can get up to $730 off a phone when you trade in an eligible device and add a new voice line to an existing plan. You can also get a free iPhone 13 by trading in your old phone and switching to T-Mobile from another carrier. Either way, you’ll get 24 monthly bill credits for your trade-in, along with a free year of Apple TV+. I love the added perk of Apple TV+, which normally costs $9.99 per month. That adds up to a savings of around $120 for the year!

Since the credits are spread out over two years, it essentially locks you into a two-year deal with T-Mobile. If you cancel your plan before the 24 months have passed, you’ll have to pay the difference for your phone. I’m not a big fan of deals that lock you in long term. It’s not technically a contract, but it still limits your freedom to leave for another carrier without major costs. Those deals are pretty standard when you purchase a new phone though.

If you don’t have a device to trade in, you can get 50 percent off your purchase by adding a new line. You can also get a $700 credit on a second device when you purchase an eligible smartphone through T-Mobile.

Usability

The iPhone 13 offers state-of-the-art features, a durable design, and stellar storage capacity (starting at 128 GB). It earns bonus points for seamlessly integrating with other Apple products, such as the Apple Watch. The iPhone is a high-tech smartphone. It’s best for people who want extra features and are OK with a learning curve. My grandma has been an iPhone user for years, and she loves it! It just takes a little patience. Older adults who don’t need all the bells and whistles may want to consider a flip phone or a big-button cell phone.

» Learn More: Best Flip Phones for Seniors

When my grandma and I tested the iPhone 13, she already had experience with her own iPhone. At first, she was confused by the lack of a home button. That may throw off people who are accustomed to older iPhones or the iPhone SE’s fingerprint scanner. Once she realized she could sign in to the iPhone by simply looking at it — the iPhone 13 has a built-in face scanner — she felt more at ease.

The iPhone 13’s and Samsung Galaxy A03’s interfaces were equally easy to use, but my grandma preferred the speed and familiarity of an Apple phone. She saw it as a small step up from the comparatively slow Google Pixel 7a. The iPhone operating system is notoriously user friendly, so it’s ideal for seniors who want an advanced smartphone without getting overwhelmed by confusing menus.

Camera Quality

The iPhone 13’s camera doesn’t quite measure up to the camera on the Samsung Galaxy A03, but I still took beautiful photos and crisp, clear videos. It has a dual 12 MP rear camera and 12 MP front camera for selfies. The ample storage and easy integration with iCloud mean you can store lots of photos and videos. You won’t have to delete some of your favorite memories just to make room for new ones. The front-facing camera isn’t quite as good as the rear-facing camera, but my grandma and I were still able to take some great selfies and excellent photos using both. We took photos of pups, nature, and family. They all turned out great!

A photo taken using the iPhone 13 camera

How to Get a Free Google Pixel 7a

Both new and current customers can cash in on Verizon’s free phone offer. I could get a free phone by switching to Verizon, adding a new line, or upgrading an existing line. Verizon keeps it uncomplicated, with no trade-in required. Like Cricket Wireless, Verizon offers a variety of free phones from Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Google, and Orbic. Now that’s what I call a deal!

Usability

The Google Pixel 7a is a solid smartphone choice. The battery is mighty, and the advanced dual-camera system and virtual assistant tech won’t cause significant battery drain. Android lovers will enjoy the Google interface featuring voice assistance and control. As you shop for your free phone, consider how and where you’ll use it. If you’re looking for a phone with a lightning-fast interface, the Google Pixel 7a may not be the best fit. Its processing power is not quite as good as the iPhone 13 or other high-end smartphones.

My grandma and I enjoyed using the Google Pixel 7a. We found the Android system easy to use and similar to other models we’ve tried, like the Galaxy A03. That said, we couldn’t help but notice a little bit of lag when opening apps and trying to run more than two applications at once. The phone also felt very warm when we wanted to multitask, and the battery life wasn’t quite as good if we wanted to use it for watching HD videos or other high-energy-consumption activities. With a little patience, however, we both found the Pixel 7a easy and fun to use.

Camera Quality

The Pixel 7a features an impressive 64 MP main camera and 13 MP ultrawide lens, which is a major upgrade from the iPhone 13 and Galaxy 03. The quality of the photos was incredible, but the slow operating system sometimes affected our ability to get the perfect shot. The phone would sometimes experience a very slight delay when taking the picture, so we’d have to remain still for a second afterward to ensure it wasn’t blurry or unfocused.