Cellphones are a staple of twenty-first century life, for higher or worse, and the rise of the smartphone within the final twenty years has meant most individuals now stroll round with a display of their pocket.
Understandably, smartphones can appear daunting to make use of to many individuals, maybe principally in older generations. These folks is probably not used to utilizing trendy know-how having not grown up with the mod cons we've at present, however that doesn't imply senior individuals shouldn't use cell phones.
There are easy smartphones that lend themselves to simpler use and are much less intimidating than different smartphones. There are additionally even less complicated telephones, generally generally known as characteristic telephones, which have primary options similar to calls and textual content messaging and never a lot else.
Both of those is usually a good selection for an older one that is both intimidated by smartphones or just doesn’t need all of the bells and whistles of recent tech. Some fashions accessible within the US that we’ve beneficial in our beneath checklist aren’t accessible within the UK and vice versa, however we’ve beneficial alternate options.
Then once more, you can be a senior studying this and considering that you simply do need a high-end smartphone – beneath we’ve additionally beneficial a few of these at a spread of costs.
Finest telephones for seniors 2023
Doro 6880
Execs
- Massive buttons
- 4G calls and texts
- Help button
- Multi-day battery life
When you have discovered this text since you need a smartphone, please don’t be offended by this telephone. It's made by Doro, an organization that solely produces tech merchandise aimed toward seniors. It's your decision an iPhone or Android telephone and plenty of of these are listed beneath!
However must you do need a easy telephone when you wrestle with trendy tech then this Doro 6880 is nice for calls and texts, and it makes use of 4G networks which means you might be assured it can proceed to work regardless of cell carriers turning off previous 2G and 3G networks.
It has a straightforward to learn display and huge, color contrasted buttons which might be easy to learn and press. The telephone has a loud, clear earpiece that’s listening to assist suitable so you possibly can hear callers with out a difficulty.
It additionally has an help button, a intelligent addition. You arrange a numbered checklist of individuals you'd wish to contact in an emergency, then if the button is pressed and held for 3 seconds it calls everybody beginning with the primary particular person within the checklist till somebody solutions. All recipients are additionally despatched a textual content message so you will get assist quick.
Hopefully you aren’t patronised by these options aimed on the aged – but when this telephone is simply too easy in your wants, then learn on.
Apple iPhone 13
Execs
- Easy interface
- Nice cameras
- High accessibility options
Cons
- Just one or two days of battery life
Worth When Reviewed:
$599 (was $799)
Our choose of Apple’s iPhone vary for seniors is the iPhone 13. Should you don’t thoughts not having the previous fashion residence button and may get used to Apple’s swipe gestures to go residence and flick between apps you can be wonderful.
The iPhone 13 got here out in 2021 however is virtually the identical because the iPhone 14 whereas costing £100/$100 much less. There’s no cause to spend extra.
The iPhone 13 has a big 6.1in display regardless of – for a contemporary smartphone no less than – being comparatively pocketable. We’ve picked this mannequin because it has a big sufficient display to alter the font to a bigger dimension must you want it, however not crowd the display with textual content like can occur once you enhance the dimensions on smaller telephones.
You additionally get Apple’s glorious accessibility options similar to VoiceOver display reader, AssistiveTouch it you may have bother with touchscreens or endure from arthritis, and different perks that you simply received’t get for a extra primary telephone.
With lengthy software program assist and tons of case choices, the iPhone 13 is a straightforward to make use of smartphone that ought to final a number of years.
In order for you the most important iPhone doable then go for the iPhone 14 Plus, or the iPhone 14 Professional Max in order for you the very best cameras and cash is not any object.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 13 overview
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Execs
- Small
- Has a house button
- Most cost-effective iPhone
Cons
- Display screen is small for textual content
- At some point battery life
Worth When Reviewed:
$429 (64GB) | $479 (128GB) | $579 (256GB)
Learn our full
Apple iPhone SE (2022) overview
Nokia 2660 Flip
Execs
- Massive buttons
- SOS characteristic
- Multi-day battery life
Worth When Reviewed:
$89.99
If a smartphone isn’t for you and all you need is a telephone for calls and texts, we suggest this flip telephone from Nokia. It actually does solely make and obtain calls and ship and obtain SMS messages, so there are not any apps right here such as you would get on an iPhone or Android telephone.
The telephone is a tiny bit smarter than the flip telephones of the 2000s although. It additionally has 4G and an emergency button to rapidly contact family and friends.
Within the field you get a microUSB wall charger, a detachable battery, and wired headphones to plug into the headphone jack to hearken to the built-in FM radio. There’s additionally 128MB on board storage if you wish to load on some MP3 music information (and a microSD card to develop the storage must you want).
It’s as shut as you’ll get to the simplicity of previous cell phones earlier than the smartphone revolution, however with the know-how to nonetheless work at present – not like that previous flip telephone in your drawer that received’t work anymore as 2G networks are closed down.
Should you’re within the US there’s a barely totally different model of the telephone accessible referred to as the Nokia 2780 Flip.
Nokia G60 5G
Execs
- Wonderful value
- Constituted of recycled supplies
- Massive display
- Two days of battery life
Cons
- Efficiency a little bit sluggish
Worth When Reviewed:
From $329.99
One other stable choose from the acquainted Nokia model is the Nokia G60. As its full identify suggests, it has 5G and regardless of its low value is a totally trendy and spectacular smartphone.
The telephone is made out of 60% recycled plastic and has a pleasant mottled grippy really feel to maintain it slipping out your hand. Its 120Hz clean show appears to be like nice for the value, and the battery can final for 2 days when you don’t use it an excessive amount of.
At below £250 it’s a stable deal, however you can even purchase the G60 on Nokia’s attention-grabbing Round subscription plan. It prices simply £12.50 a month with a £30 upfront cost, then you possibly can maintain the telephone so long as you need (you’ll have to purchase your personal SIM individually).
It’s not accessible within the US, however you possibly can nonetheless purchase the older Nokia G50 stateside.
Learn our full
Nokia G60 5G overview
Google Pixel 7a
Execs
- Nice value
- Superlative digital camera
- Wonderful accessibility options
Worth When Reviewed:
$499
In order for you a smartphone, there are a lot of causes you may favor an Android telephone over an iPhone. You like the design, you discover it simpler to make use of, you merely don’t need an Apple telephone. Get no matter you need!
An important Android telephone for seniors is the Google Pixel 7a, primarily because of the simplicity of its Android software program. We’re not saying you possibly can’t deal with different manufacturers, however Google retains Android easy out of the field and simple to make use of and perceive. It additionally has a simplified mode that enlarges residence display icons.
The Pixel 7a prices about the identical because the iPhone SE however has a greater digital camera – so if sending photographs to your family and friends is necessary then it’s an outstanding alternative. Google additionally affords software program assist of some years to maintain this telephone updated.
The big display is straightforward to learn, and you'll simply enhance the textual content dimension if wanted. Add to that Google’s glorious Dwell Caption characteristic that mechanically performs subtitles over movies you’re watching to simpler comply with alongside and also you’ve acquired a versatile smartphone that retains it easy if you want.
Learn our full
Google Pixel 7a overview
Emporia Simplicity
Execs
- Underneath £100
- Good construct high quality
- Very simple to make use of
Designed particularly for older generations, this sub-£100 telephone from European producer Emporia is as near a landline telephone you will get in a cell phone.
It comes with a mains charging cradle so that you cn maintain it charging in the identical place always such as you would a cordless landline, after which you possibly can choose it up and take it out with you once you want it.
The telephone has a nice-feeling rubberised casing and three assignable contact buttons to hurry dial your most contacted family and friends. You possibly can after all retailer many extra numbers within the telephone’s reminiscence.
Although it could ship and obtain texts, the display may be very small, so this isn't the only option for texting however is an exemplary voice telephone with simple to press buttons and 4G connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Execs
- Nice cameras
- 5 years of software program assist
- Good value for the options
Cons
- Like all smartphones, at some point of battery
Worth When Reviewed:
$449.99
One other nice Android telephone for seniors that’s accessible within the US, UK, and Europe, is the Samsung Galaxy A54. It’s an excellent midrange smartphone with an incredible display, excellent cameras, a slick design, and 5 years of software program assist to maintain its software program safe till no less than 2028.
It has stable battery life, is waterproof, and may obtain any app you possibly can consider, identical to the iPhones and different Android telephones on this checklist.
At below $449/£449 it's excellent worth for cash notably given it has 128GB storage with a microSD card slot to have extra if you want. In comparison with the Pixel 6a and the iPhones on this checklist, the A54 has a 120Hz display, which suggests it appears to be like smoother when scrolling via apps than these telephones.
Its stereo audio system are lots loud for watching movies or speaking on speakerphone, and you'll enlarge the textual content simply if wanted.
Learn our full
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G overview
Motorola Moto G62
Execs
- Reasonably priced
- Two to a few days of battery life
Cons
- Low cost construct
- Not absolutely waterproof
Worth When Reviewed:
Unavailable within the US
In order for you a stable reasonably priced smartphone with a headphone jack, that is our choose for UK readers. (Motorola makes glorious smartphones however it frustratingly doesn’t promote the identical fashions worldwide – bear with us for worldwide recommendations).
The G62 is an effective deal for £199. It has a lovely plastic construct, a big 120Hz display, 5G connectivity, and excellent battery life – cheaper, much less highly effective telephones than say an iPhone 13 may have higher battery life.
The cameras aren’t the very best, however they're wonderful for fast photographs or utilizing for video calls with family and friends. Nonetheless, it isn’t absolutely waterproof, so you'll have to spend extra in order for you peace of thoughts close to the pool or bathtub.
Learn our full
Motorola Moto G62 overview
Doro 8100
Execs
- Simplified smartphone
- Full Google app retailer
The Doro 8100 does one thing not many smartphones presently do: it runs the ‘Go’ model of Android with the Google Play Retailer that presents you with a simplified model of Android that will help you simpler navigate the fundamental capabilities of the telephone.
The house display might be set to have bigger icons to simpler and faster discover issues just like the digital camera or textual content message app, and it has an help button that connects to Doro’s Response app that’s particularly designed as a failsafe emergency app for aged customers to get involved with family and friends if pressing want arises. It’s additionally listening to assist suitable.
The telephone is effectively made and comes bundled with a charging cradle so you possibly can maintain it absolutely charged such as you may a cordless landline telephone. At an affordable £200, you additionally get triple cameras for taking photographs and movies, and a entrance going through digital camera to be used on video calling apps.
What's a smartphone?
A smartphone is in essence a web-connected cell phone. It has the power to ship and obtain emails, browse the net, and obtain and run apps: functions optimised for the smaller touchscreen expertise of a smartphone or
pill.
These supply easy accessibility to issues similar to information, sports activities and climate info, in addition to enjoyable
video games with which to waste an idle hour. All smartphones additionally double as media gamers, letting you take pleasure in music, movies and ebooks you already personal, in addition to having the ability to stream or obtain new content material from devoted shops, accessed instantly from the smartphone. All smartphones work as
compact cameras, too.
Smartphones have devoted working programs, with the overwhelming majority of units working both Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. They've a lot bigger screens than common cell phones (also referred to as primary telephones or characteristic telephones), often in extra of six inches.
They hook up with the web through both mobile (3G/4G/5G and so forth.) or WiFi know-how. Mobile know-how requires a SIM card with an information allowance, which you need to pay for in the identical method you pay for calls and textual content messages. However every time you might be in vary of a wi-fi community (WiFi) for which you recognize the password (or doesn’t require one), you possibly can swap to that and use data-based apps and options without spending a dime.
Mainly, you are able to do on a smartphone something you are able to do on a web-connected desktop laptop/laptop computer. Some issues – e mail, as an example – may very well be simpler to do on a cell gadget, though more often than not the smaller display can mitigate in opposition to extended use.
What to search for
Now that you're (hopefully) bought on the advantages of becoming a member of the smartphone world, listed below are a number of pointers as to what to search for. It’s all the time value making an attempt out a handset in-store, so you will get a really feel for the {hardware} and the consumer interface (the best way the telephone’s software program appears to be like and feels to make use of). The breadth of alternative might be off-putting, however don’t be afraid to take your time and check out as many handsets as you want earlier than making a alternative: it is a buy you’ll wish to make solely as soon as each two to a few years, so it pays to get it proper.
A easy interface
As a result of huge quantity of performance smartphones supply over characteristic telephones, they will appear difficult to make use of. Search for a smartphone with easy, simple to make use of, intuitive navigation. Assume of some key issues you'll wish to do – make a name, ship an e mail, discover a telephone quantity – and ask to attempt them out within the retailer. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendation, but when it takes a gross sales assistant a very long time to elucidate undertake such key duties, that is probably not the telephone for you.
Be sure you spend a while utilizing the onscreen keyboard, too. Most will reply to keypresses by making the letter or quantity involved greater, and even vibrating gently. This is usually a enormous assist in relation to usability, however not all interfaces are constructed the identical.
Apple merchandise are famed for his or her ease of use, and the
iPhone is usually a quite simple and intuitive gadget to familiarize yourself with. Selecting one does imply that you simply pay Apple’s costs although, that are sometimes increased than most alternate options.
Most smartphones in the marketplace, nonetheless, use Google’s Android OS.
Android telephones supply better selection and are available in a wider array of shapes, sizes and costs. It’s necessary to notice that totally different producers might costume the underlying Android expertise in their very own ‘pores and skin’ or ‘launcher’. Attempting before you purchase will assist give a way of how simple to make use of every producer’s launcher is and whether or not it’s best for you.
Should you discover {that a} touchscreen interface is simply too troublesome to make use of successfully (and research have proven that points with hand-eye coordination accompany ageing), it could be {that a} gadget that additionally comes with a {hardware} keyboard or helps a suitable accent is the best way to go.
A big display
Nearly all smartphones have no less than a 5.5in show, today. Excessive-end units, such because the Android-based
Samsung Galaxy S21, have shows that transfer previous 6in.
The larger the display, the dearer a telephone tends to be (though not all the time) and a big display will drain battery life barely sooner. It’s, additionally value remembering that not all screens are created equal: the show on a comparatively small gadget might be sharper than that of some bigger telephones. So as soon as once more, making an attempt earlier than shopping for is necessary.
Take a look at our charts for finest small telephones and finest massive telephones for some high suggestions that worth display dimension above all else.
One thing simple to hold about
Just because smartphones include so many options, they've to incorporate an enormous battery and a strong processor. Add within the giant display and a smartphone can rapidly turn into cumbersome within the eyes of some customers. Once more, that is the place it's value making an attempt out a telephone earlier than you commit. The smartphone with the massive display could also be simple to take a look at, however whether it is too heavy to hold about it isn’t going to be of a lot use.