9 Best Cellphones & Plans for Seniors

two older women holding a smartphone and talking

Are you looking for a new phone but don’t know where to start? 

 

There are so many different phones on the market these days, it can be tricky to figure out which one is right for you. 

 

Whether you’re looking for a basic phone that just makes calls and texts, or a more advanced model with features like GPS and internet access, we’ve got you covered. 

 

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best cellphones and accompanying plans for seniors. 

 

5 Best Cellphones for Seniors

There are a lot of phones out there that require you to use a specific carrier and that’s why we haven’t included them on the list of our top picks of cellphones for seniors. The following can be used under any carrier:

 

#1 Moto G Stylus

moto g stylus is a great budget friendly smartphone with a 6.8 inch screen, 15.5 hours of battery, and a great camera

With its slim, sleek design and affordable price tag, the Moto G Stylus is a well-balanced budget phone. As the name suggests, it has a stylus and that’s its biggest selling point. 

 

It has a very long battery life that can last up to two days of daily usage. And it has a ridiculously great camera. Best of all, its max volume is extremely loud which means you’ll definitely hear the ringtone — even if you have a hearing impairment.

 

Best for: If you’re budget-conscious and need a loud and reliable phone

 

Price: $259.99

 

Purchase it here

#2 iPhone SE

iphone se is the best iphone for seniors because of its price tag and simplicity, but it has a smaller screen

The iPhone SE has all the features of the newer iPhones that Apple fans have come to love, but it’s simpler and easier to use. And it’s a lot less expensive than the latest models, which are generally priced upwards of $600. 

 

If you need reading glasses, the downside is that it’s quite small compared to the latest models. But, like other iPhones, you can enlarge the text size.

 

Plus, it comes in a range of fun colors.

 

Best for: If you’re looking for an affordable and powerful iPhone

 

Price: $291.99

 

Purchase it here

 

#3 Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

samsung galaxy a52 is one of the best cellphones for tech savvy seniors that are heavy mobile users

Some people would argue that Samsung Galaxies are the best cellphones out there. Great battery life, large screens, and loads of features. 

 

The drawback is — being featured-packed means it’s not easy to use.

 

They do however have an “easy mode” to help you, as you learn how to use this monster of a phone. So if you’re up for a technology challenge consider this cellphone.

 

Price: $499.99

 

Best for: If you’re tech-savvy 

 

Purchase it here

#4 Alcatel QUICKFLIP 4044C

alcatel quickflip 4404 is one of the best flip cellphones for seniors

It seems like every day a new phone comes out with all sorts of bells and whistles – features that are supposed to make your life easier. But for older adults, sometimes simplicity is key. 

 

That’s why the Alcatel QUICKFLIP is one of the best phones for seniors. With its large buttons and simple interface, it’s easy to use. And it’s a flip phone — I think we all miss those. 

 

Best for: If you’re looking for a durable, basic, and cheap phone

 

Price: $89.99

 

Purchase it here

#5 Google Pixel 4

google's pixel cellphone is durable and large making it perfect for seniors

With its (almost) 6-inch screen, it’s the largest phone on our list. And it has an amazing camera.

 

It also has a durable plastic body that will stand up against scratches better than some newer models — not bad for a fairly affordable price.

 

However, the battery life isn’t as long as we’d like, so if you’re a heavy user, steer clear of the Google’s Pixel 4.

 

Overall, though, the Google Pixel is a great phone for its quality camera, durability, and large size.

 

Best for: If you enjoy taking pictures

 

Price: $369.00

 

Purchase it here

 

4 Best Cellphone Plans for Seniors

Getting to a certain age has its perks — senior discounts for one. In particular, discounts on senior cellphone plans.

We’ve done the research for you and here are the four best cellphone plans out there in 2022 categorized by carrier:

best cellphone providers and their plans for seniors - at&t, consumer cellular, t-mobile, and verizon

#1 AT&T

Senior Nation

If you’re looking for a cheap option and having a contract isn’t a deal-breaker for you, then AT&T’s Senior Nation plan might be right up your alley. With hundreds of minutes available per month, you can chat away to your heart’s desire.

 

The downside? The plan doesn’t offer any data. 

 

Best for: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly minutes option with no data plan

 

Check it out here

#2 Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular has plans ranging from $14.25 for talk-only to $60 for unlimited plans. With over a dozen plans, you’re bound to find one that best suits your needs.

 

They also give a 5% discount to AARP members. As an added bonus, Consumer Cellular offers roadside assistance for $3/month. 

 

Best for: If you want a flexible plan based on your call volume

 

Check it out here

#3 T-Mobile 

Unlimited 55

T-Mobile’s Unlimited 55 plan has three options — the Essentials, Magenta, and the Magenta MAX.

 

Each of these has better features than the previous and it’s a great option if you’re a power user.  And you get an additional discount when you sign up with extra lines on your account. 

 

Not to mention T-Mobile claims to have the best coverage.

 

Best for: If you’re a heavy mobile user

 

Check it out here

PayGo

Alternatively, this T-Mobile plan include 100 of everything — minutes, texts, and MB of data. It’s as basic and as inexpensive as it gets with only $3 a month.

 

Best for: If you want a pay-as-you-go plan

 

Check it out here

#4 Verizon 

The Verizon 55+ plan is $60 per month for 1 line or $80 per month for 2 lines. This steep price is well-warranted.

 

Not only do you get unlimited mobile hotspot data, DVD-quality streaming, talk, and text, but it also extends to Canada and Mexico.

 

Check it out here

Stay Connected With a Phone That Suits Your Needs

We hope that this guide has helped you find the best cellphone and plan for your needs.

 

To recap the best cellphones and plans for seniors:

 

  • Best cheap phone — Alcatel QUICKFLIP 4044C
  • Best smartphone — Moto G Stylus
  • Cheapest cellphone plan — Consumer Cellular
  • Best unlimited cellphone plan — T-Mobile’s Unlimited 55

 

Hopefully, this information will help make the decision-making process a little bit easier.

 

Here’s to staying connected with those who matter most.

portrait of Cyn Meyer, founder of Second Wind Movement and a certified retirement life coach

Cyn Meyer 

Retirement Life Coach

As a certified retirement life coach since 2018, Cyn has helped thousands of older adults turn their retirement years into remarkable years full of growth, purpose, and passion (beyond the stereotypical financial planning side of retirement). 

She combines specific life coaching tools, neuroscience, and her extensive background in marketing (spanning 17 years) to make a powerful impact with Second Wind Movement – an organization dedicated to providing educational resources and coaching for seniors.

With meticulous research, insight, and passion, Cyn’s mission is to usher in a new wave of positive experiences for generations of retirees.

portrait of Cyn Meyer, founder of Second Wind Movement and a certified retirement life coach

Cyn Meyer 

Retirement Life Coach

As a certified retirement life coach since 2018, Cyn has helped thousands of older adults turn their retirement years into remarkable years full of growth, purpose, and passion (beyond the stereotypical financial planning side of retirement). 

She combines specific life coaching tools, neuroscience, and her extensive background in marketing (spanning 17 years) to make a powerful impact with Second Wind Movement – an organization dedicated to providing educational resources and coaching for seniors.

With meticulous research, insight, and passion, Cyn’s mission is to usher in a new wave of positive experiences for generations of retirees.