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 screen of their pocket.
Understandably, smartphones can appear daunting to make use of to many individuals, maybe principally in older generations. These people is probably not used to utilizing fashionable expertise having not grown up with the mod cons we have now at this time, 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 easier telephones, typically referred to as characteristic telephones, which have fundamental options corresponding to calls and textual content messaging and never a lot else.
Both of those is usually a good choice 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 obtainable within the US that we’ve advisable in our under record aren’t obtainable within the UK and vice versa, however we’ve advisable alternate options.
Then once more, you possibly can be a senior studying this and pondering that you just do need a high-end smartphone – under we’ve additionally advisable 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. You might have considered trying an iPhone or Android telephone and lots of of these are listed under!
However must you do need a easy telephone in the event you battle with fashionable tech then this Doro 6880 is nice for calls and texts, and it makes use of 4G networks which means you will be assured it’ll proceed to work regardless of cell carriers turning off outdated 2G and 3G networks.
It has a straightforward to learn display screen and huge, color contrasted buttons which can be easy to learn and press. The telephone has a loud, clear earpiece that’s listening to support appropriate so you possibly can hear callers with out a difficulty.
It additionally has an help button, a intelligent addition. You arrange a numbered record of individuals you’ll need to contact in an emergency, then if the button is pressed and held for 3 seconds it calls everybody beginning with the primary individual within the record 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 just 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. For those who don’t thoughts not having the outdated fashion residence button and might get used to Apple’s swipe gestures to go residence and flick between apps you can be high quality.
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 purpose to spend extra.
The iPhone 13 has a big 6.1in display screen regardless of – for a contemporary smartphone a minimum of – being comparatively pocketable. We’ve picked this mannequin because it has a big sufficient display screen to alter the font to a bigger dimension must you want it, however not crowd the display screen with textual content like can occur whenever you increase the scale on smaller telephones.
You additionally get Apple’s wonderful accessibility options corresponding to VoiceOver display screen reader, AssistiveTouch it you have got hassle with touchscreens or endure from arthritis, and different perks that you just gained’t get for a extra fundamental telephone.
With lengthy software program help and tons of case choices, the iPhone 13 is a straightforward to make use of smartphone that ought to final a number of years.
If you would like the most important iPhone attainable then go for the iPhone 14 Plus, or the iPhone 14 Professional Max if you need the most effective cameras and cash is not any object.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 13 overview
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Execs
- Small
- Has a house button
- Least expensive 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 advocate this flip telephone from Nokia. It actually does solely make and obtain calls and ship and obtain SMS messages, so there aren’t 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 shortly 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 recordsdata (and a microSD card to develop the storage must you want).
It’s as shut as you’ll get to the simplicity of outdated cell phones earlier than the smartphone revolution, however with the expertise to nonetheless work at this time – in contrast to that outdated flip telephone in your drawer that gained’t work anymore as 2G networks are closed down.
For those who’re within the US there’s a barely totally different model of the telephone obtainable referred to as the Nokia 2780 Flip.
Nokia G60 5G
Execs
- Wonderful value
- Constituted of recycled supplies
- Massive display screen
- Two days of battery life
Cons
- Efficiency somewhat gradual
Worth When Reviewed:
From $329.99
One other strong 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 completely fashionable and spectacular smartphone.
The telephone is comprised of 60% recycled plastic and has a pleasant mottled grippy really feel to maintain it slipping out your hand. Its 120Hz easy show appears nice for the value, and the battery can final for 2 days in the event you don’t use it an excessive amount of.
At underneath £250 it’s a strong 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 individual SIM individually).
It’s not obtainable 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 digicam
- Wonderful accessibility options
Worth When Reviewed:
$499
If you would like a smartphone, there are various causes you may desire an Android telephone over an iPhone. You favor the design, you discover it simpler to make use of, you merely don’t need an Apple telephone. Get no matter you need!
A terrific Android telephone for seniors is the Google Pixel 7a, primarily as a result of 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 straightforward to make use of and perceive. It additionally has a simplified mode that enlarges residence display screen icons.
The Pixel 7a prices about the identical because the iPhone SE however has a greater digicam – so if sending pictures to your family and friends is vital then it’s an outstanding alternative. Google additionally gives software program help of some years to maintain this telephone updated.
The big display screen is simple to learn, and you may simply increase the textual content dimension if wanted. Add to that Google’s wonderful Reside Caption characteristic that robotically performs subtitles over movies you’re watching to simpler observe 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
- Below £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 whenever 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 might probably ship and obtain texts, the display screen 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 help
- Good value for the options
Cons
- Like all smartphones, sooner or later of battery
Worth When Reviewed:
$449.99
One other nice Android telephone for seniors that’s obtainable within the US, UK, and Europe, is the Samsung Galaxy A54. It’s an excellent midrange smartphone with an amazing display screen, excellent cameras, a slick design, and 5 years of software program help to maintain its software program safe till a minimum of 2028.
It has strong battery life, is waterproof, and might obtain any app you possibly can consider, identical to the iPhones and different Android telephones on this record.
At underneath $449/£449 it’s excellent worth for cash significantly 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 record, the A54 has a 120Hz display screen, which implies it appears smoother when scrolling by way of apps than these telephones.
Its stereo audio system are loads loud for watching movies or speaking on speakerphone, and you may 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
If you would like a strong inexpensive smartphone with a headphone jack, that is our choose for UK readers. (Motorola makes wonderful smartphones nevertheless it frustratingly doesn’t promote the identical fashions worldwide – bear with us for worldwide ideas).
The G62 is an efficient deal for £199. It has a gorgeous plastic construct, a big 120Hz display screen, 5G connectivity, and superb battery life – cheaper, much less highly effective telephones than say an iPhone 13 could have higher battery life.
The cameras aren’t the most effective, however they’re high quality for fast pictures or utilizing for video calls with family and friends. Nonetheless, it isn’t absolutely waterproof, so you’ll have to spend extra if you need peace of thoughts close to the pool or tub.
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 at the moment do: it runs the ‘Go’ model of Android with the Google Play Retailer that presents you with a simplified model of Android that can assist you simpler navigate the fundamental features of the telephone.
The house display screen will be set to have bigger icons to simpler and faster discover issues just like the digicam 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 in touch with family and friends if pressing want arises. It’s additionally listening to support appropriate.
The telephone is nicely 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 pictures and movies, and a entrance going through digicam 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: purposes optimised for the smaller touchscreen expertise of a smartphone or
pill.
These provide easy accessibility to issues corresponding 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 get pleasure from music, movies and ebooks you already personal, in addition to with the ability to stream or obtain new content material from devoted shops, accessed straight from the smartphone. All smartphones work as
compact cameras, too.
Smartphones have devoted working methods, with the overwhelming majority of gadgets operating both Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. They’ve a lot bigger screens than common cell phones (also referred to as fundamental telephones or characteristic telephones), normally in extra of six inches.
They hook up with the web through both mobile (3G/4G/5G and many others.) or WiFi expertise. Mobile expertise requires a SIM card with a knowledge allowance, which you must pay for in the identical means you pay for calls and textual content messages. However at any time when you might be in vary of a wi-fi community (WiFi) for which you realize the password (or doesn’t require one), you possibly can swap to that and use data-based apps and options free of charge.
Principally, you are able to do on a smartphone something you are able to do on a web-connected desktop laptop/laptop computer. Some issues – electronic mail, as an example – may very well be simpler to do on a cell machine, though more often than not the smaller display screen can mitigate in opposition to extended use.
What to search for
Now that you’re (hopefully) offered on the advantages of becoming a member of the smartphone world, listed below are a couple of pointers as to what to search for. It’s all the time price making an attempt out a handset in-store, so you will get a really feel for the {hardware} and the person interface (the way in which the telephone’s software program appears and feels to make use of). The breadth of alternative will 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 need to make solely as soon as each two to a few years, so it pays to get it proper.
A easy interface
Because of the large quantity of performance smartphones provide over characteristic telephones, they’ll appear sophisticated to make use of. Search for a smartphone with easy, simple to make use of, intuitive navigation. Assume of some key issues you’re going to need to do – make a name, ship an electronic 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 tips on how to 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 large support relating 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 machine to familiarize yourself with. Selecting one does imply that you just pay Apple’s costs although, that are sometimes greater than most alternate options.
Most smartphones available on the market, nevertheless, use Google’s Android OS.
Android telephones provide better selection and are available a wider array of shapes, sizes and costs. It’s vital to notice that totally different producers could 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.
For those who discover {that a} touchscreen interface is just too troublesome to make use of successfully (and research have proven that points with hand-eye coordination accompany ageing), it could be {that a} machine that additionally comes with a {hardware} keyboard or helps a appropriate accent is the way in which to go.
A big display screen
Just about all smartphones have a minimum of a 5.5in show, nowadays. Excessive-end gadgets, such because the Android-based
Samsung Galaxy S21, have shows that transfer previous 6in.
The larger the display screen, the costlier a telephone tends to be (though not all the time) and a big display screen will drain battery life barely quicker. It’s, additionally price remembering that not all screens are created equal: the show on a comparatively small machine will be sharper than that of some bigger telephones. So as soon as once more, making an attempt earlier than shopping for is vital.
Try our charts for finest small telephones and finest huge telephones for some high suggestions that worth display screen 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 massive display screen and a smartphone can shortly develop into cumbersome within the eyes of some customers. Once more, that is the place it’s price making an attempt out a telephone earlier than you commit. The smartphone with the large display screen could also be simple to have a look at, however whether it is too heavy to hold about it isn’t going to be of a lot use.