Finding the right phone for parents or even grandparents requires a lot of consideration. Mobile phones for the elderly range from phones with a simple interface to fully-loaded smartphones with the latest features.
The main purpose of a mobile phone is voice calling. Some elderly people may prefer voice phones over smartphones for their ease of use and simplicity. These big numbered mobile phones offer the familiarity of landline phones, which makes it more comfortable for them to use.
On the other hand, some may have a taste for the latest technology with effortless touchscreen features. With the right setup, the latest tech can transform into an easy mobile phone for the elderly. Mobile phones also come with options of being SIM-free. These phones might be a more practical choice for seniors who do not want to deal with the hassle of SIM cards.
So, what is the best mobile phone for the elderly? Let us help you find out.
Choosing the Right Mobile Phone for Elderly People
When buying a phone for the elderly you must have asked yourself, “What is the easiest mobile phone for seniors?” In this section, we provide you with some features and specifications to look for when making your purchase.
Accessibility Features for Easy Use
Whether it’s poor eyesight or hard of hearing, mobile phones for the elderly need to have features that will accommodate such common conditions. A smartphone for elderly people is a great choice for its software-based features like adjustable text sizes and voice assistance.
Connectivity and Compatibility with Other Devices
The compatibility of wearables, such as a hearing aid or even a fitness smartwatch, with a smartphone, is a good feature to look for to help improve the quality of life for an elderly person.
Large Screen for a Great Viewing Experience
Many elderly people tend to have poor eyesight or might struggle with reading fonts that are too small. That issue can be resolved with large mobile phones. A bigger screen size also makes it easy to navigate the different applications and features on the screen, such as having a better view of incoming calls and texts from friends and family.
Buttons vs. Touchscreens
If they are not tech-savvy, then simple mobile phones for seniors is the way you should go. Choose a large button mobile phone, since these are easy to use, especially for text messages. On the other hand, if you want the best mobile phone for the elderly with WhatsApp, touchscreens are a better choice.
Emergency Features to Keep Them Safe
Look for emergency features usually presented with a dedicated and distinctive large button. Phones like these can be life-saving for an old person. Mobile phones with an SOS button that alerts set contacts can help them receive the assistance needed and even send their location. You can also look for the ICE (In Case of Emergency) feature that helps professionals easily access medical details even when the screen is locked.
Simple Mobile Phones for the Elderly
Nothing beats the simplicity of a basic mobile phone when it comes to accessibility and ease of use. These are our top two cheap, easy to use mobile phones for the elderly. Combined with their charging docks, these act as big button cordless phones for the elderly.
Artfone C1+, a Big Button Phone
The Artfone C1+ is a big button mobile phone for seniors! It features a user-friendly interface that is easy and simple to navigate. Despite its simplicity, phone users can enjoy the calendar, calculator, alarms, timer, and voice recording applications on it.
Its powerful speaker also makes it one of the best mobile phones for elderly people with impaired hearing. The phone also comes with an integrated FM radio and MP3 Player to enjoy music on the go. Additionally, the SOS button on the back is helpful in emergencies.
Features that make this a good mobile for the elderly:
- The phone comes with a 1400mAh lithium-ion battery and a charging dock for all the power needs.
- With the SOS button, up to 5 numbers can be stored and dialled when the button is pressed for 1.5 seconds.
- It comes with a speed-dial feature, an integrated flashlight, and an easy-to-use user interface.
- The mobile is pre-installed with English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Polish languages.
Doro 2424 to Avoid Accidental Calls
The Doro 2424 has a flip-phone design that helps prevent accidental dialling while also looking great. The phone comes with an external display that shows the caller ID and the time. Additionally, it also has a camera to snap your favourite moments.
These Doro phones for the elderly come with a dedicated emergency button on the back which alerts emergency contacts when pressed. Other useful features include an alarm, FM radio, and flashlight.
Features that make this a good mobile for the elderly:
- The phone comes with its charging dock that allows hassle-free charging.
- You can store up to 300 contacts in your phonebook.
- The emergency button is a life-saving feature and is designed to be easily accessible.
- In addition to the internal 2.4” LCD, it also comes with an external display to view incoming calls.
Stay Connected with Nokia Mobile Phones for Elderly People
Nokia’s tagline of connecting people continues to be true with these mobile phones. We have chosen a simple mobile and a basic smartphone from this brilliant brand.
Nokia 3310, Big and Bold
Nokia 3310 is one of the top easy-to-use mobile phones for the elderly. The phone has an ergonomic design that fits perfectly in the hand. The large TFT screen features an easily navigable user interface.
This simple phone comes with a removable 1200mAh battery that offers up to 21 hours of talk-time. Additionally, it has a dedicated microSD card slot that enables you to expand the memory by up to 32GB.
Features that make this a good mobile for the elderly:
- Its speaker makes this one of the louder mobile phones for the elderly.
- The screen has a polarised layer for better readability in sunlight.
- The battery life lasts for up to 22 hours of talk-time and up to 51 hours of music playback.
- It supports Bluetooth 3.0 and A2DP, MicroUSB 2.0, and has a 3.5mm headphone connector.
Nokia 3.4 for a Fresh Start
Look no further than the Nokia 3.4 as the best smartphone for the elderly if you have a tight budget. Available in classy Blue and Charcoal colours, this is a great introductory smartphone for your parents or grandparents.
The mobile features a 4000mAh lithium-polymer battery that allows all-day usage. The GPS, Bluetooth, and WLAN communication features allow you to take full advantage of all communication channels.
Features that make this a good mobile for elderly:
- Its large IPS LCD offers a great viewing experience, perfect for video calls and watching your favourite movies.
- Enjoy excellent performance with its Snapdragon 460 chipset, octa-core CPU, and Adreno 610 GPU.
- It comes with a triple camera system for capturing the perfect shot every time.
- It supports vibration, MP3, and WAV ringtones as alert times so you never miss a call or notification.
Stylish Xiaomi Smartphones for Seniors
Something fun and unique, these are the best touch screen mobile phones for the elderly from Xiaomi. The brand has been growing in popularity for its feature-rich mobile phones at great, competitive prices.
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro for the Stylish
The cool design of the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro will set you apart from the crowd. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner improves security and makes unlocking the phone a hassle-free task.
The phone features a triple camera system with wide, macro, and depth lenses as well as PDAF and gyro-EIS features. And with its 5000mAh lithium polymer battery and fast charging feature, you can enjoy the entire day on a single charge.
Features that make this a good mobile for the elderly:
- The large IPS LCD comes with the protection of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and has a 90Hz refresh rate.
- It supports WLAN (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot), Bluetooth (5.1, A2DP, LE), and Infrared port communication.
- In addition to A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS features it also supports NFC (market/region dependent).
- The phone comes with a 3.5mm audio port, FM radio, and an 8MP secondary camera.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 with a Powerful Battery
The 5000mAh lithium polymer battery of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 will let you make the most of this handy device. The large display and bezel-less design, give this mobile a sophisticated look while enhancing the viewing experience.
The mobile comes equipped with a MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 chipset with support for 5G connectivity for efficient functioning. The included sensors like the accelerometer, gyro, proximity and compass expand on the device’s applications.
Features that make this a good mobile for the elderly:
- The mobile comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for easy unlocking.
- Its range of communication channel support allows you to enjoy reliable and efficient connections.
- The triple camera system ensures amazing photos and videos every time.
- With Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, the display can handle everyday wear and tear with ease.
Best Mobile Phones for the Elderly with NFC
These mobile phones for seniors are sure to be a hit for tech-savvy parents and grandparents. Despite the plethora of features, these are still easy to use smartphones for the elderly.
Samsung Galaxy A32 for a Brilliant HD Experience
Samsung Galaxy A32 brilliant HD display with a thin bezel allows you to enjoy high-quality videos and photos. Experience terrific camera experiences with its quad-camera system that features wide, ultra-wide, depth, and macro lenses.
With a 5000mAh battery and 5G connectivity, this smartphone will always keep you one step ahead. The phone also supports NFC, allowing you to go cashless on all your shopping sprees. This smart gadget can also be easily tailored for seniors with options like Easy Mode.
Features that make this a good mobile for the elderly:
- The phone supports Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) and GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G networks.
- The lithium-ion battery can be fast-charged to extend the battery life quickly.
- It features a 13MP secondary camera that supports 1080p@30fps.
- The A32 comes with MediaTek MT6853 Dimensity 720 5G chipset, octa-core CPU, Mali-G57 MC3 GPU, and supports Android 11 and One UI 3.0 operating systems.
Realme 8 for Dazzling Design
The glamourous design of the Realme 8 will wow everybody. Its slim and lightweight design makes it the best phone for elderly people. And with the fast MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 5G (7 nm), a powerful performance can be expected.
Another great feature of the phone is its 6.5-inch screen which has a 90Hz refresh rate. Combined with the quad-camera system, the experience of using this phone is delightful. Stay connected with all your loved ones with its Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) and GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G network support.
Features that make this a good mobile for the elderly:
- Enjoy a long-lasting battery with its 5000mAh lithium polymer battery and fast charging feature.
- It comes with fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass sensors.
- In addition to the secondary 16MP camera, it features a quad-camera system with a 48MP primary camera.
- It supports USB On-The-Go, GPS, Bluetooth, and NFC communications.
Best Mobile Phone for the Elderly with a Camera
Snap! Snap! Who doesn’t love preserving memories? These smartphones for the elderly come with great camera systems that will capture every moment with amazing clarity. Here are our favourites from Android and iOS phones for the elderly.
Google Pixel 6, an All-rounder Phone
The Google Pixel 6 is the perfect Android phone for seniors. The regular software updates ensure the smartphone is always delivering peak performance. The device features a Google Tensor chipset for efficient performance and lag-free usability.
The smartphone can be tailored to the needs of the elderly and includes helpful features like emergency assistance and displaying emergency info on the lock screen. The rear-camera system is one of the best with features like dual pixel PDAF, OIS, gyro-EIS, and Auto-HDR.
Features that make this a good mobile for the elderly:
- The Pixel 6 comes with a non-removable lithium-polymer battery with a fast charging feature.
- The vibrant OLED always-on-display offers 16M colours, HDR10+, and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- It supports both nano-SIM and e-SIM making it one of the best SIM-free mobile phones for the elderly.
- The phone comes with a fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer sensors, and M3/T3 hearing aid compatibility (HAC).
iPhone SE (2020), a Reliable Choice
The iPhone SE comes with an IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) and ion-strengthened glass with an oleophobic coating display, making it a durable phone for the elderly. The sleek and minimal design with a big screen is a great choice for seniors that love sophistication.
In addition to fast charging capabilities, you can easily charge it wirelessly with a Qi wireless charger. The support for both Nano-SIM and e-SIM also make this a great choice.
Features that make this a good mobile for the elderly:
- The phone supports NFC, allowing you to use Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) for cashless payments.
- The camera system features PDAF, OIS, HDR, stereo sound recording, face detection, and gyro-EIS.
- Its active noise cancellation with dedicated mic features ensures crystal clear audio quality.
- It comes with a front-mounted fingerprint sensor for easy and enhanced security.
Enhance the Experience
Now that you have your answer to what is the easiest and best mobile phone for seniors, it is time to make sure they get the most out of it.
While many large key mobile phones for the elderly are designed to be tough and handle everyday usage, smartphones may need a little more care. Investing in a phone case (try our Design Your Own Case!) and screen protectors will enhance the durability of the device.
Mobile phone accessories are also a great way to enhance the experience. You can find these and many other great products at amazing prices at MyTrendyPhone. Get in touch with us, and we will help you make the right choices!