Most current technology is marketed towards younger consumers, so it can be hard to find a cell phone for seniors. Thankfully, there are some senior citizen phones out there to help those in need of it.

Here are the best phones and smartphones for seniors who want to stay up-to-date no matter where they are.

Premium pick

1. Nokia 220

8.20 / 10
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Though not specifically designed for seniors, the Nokia 220 has many features that will appeal to them.

It's a simple, basic phone with an easy to use layout. It doesn't have large keys or a display that only uses large text, but it offers more functionality. Unlike the senior phones included elsewhere in this list, this one has a camera, can use apps, and can even access the internet if you pay for a mobile data package.

The Nokia 220 also nails the basics. It gets good reception, and it is relatively loud, while the call quality is excellent. Bluetooth works well, and basic text messaging is easy to use and navigate. In other words, the Nokia 220 is a good phone---a much better one, in fact, than many smartphones costing two or three times as much.

It's a GSM phone, so that it will work with many carriers worldwide. It's a great senior citizen cell phone for those who aren't tech-savvy but are otherwise mobile. It's also a good choice for people who don't need oversized buttons or text to use their phone.

Key Features
  • Unlocked and compatible with GSM carriers
  • Comes with a camera
  • Features 2G internet connectivity
Specifications
  • Brand: Nokia
  • Display: 2.4-inch
  • Storage: Up to 32GB with microSD card (not included)
  • Battery: Up to seven days
  • Camera (Rear, Front): Rear only
Pros
  • Amazing battery life
  • Great call audio quality
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Can only store 50 SMS messages at once
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If you want a phone that sits between a cell phone and a smartphone, be sure to check out the UNIWA Unlocked Senior Cell Phone. It features large numbered buttons like a regular cell phone, but a crystal-clear color touchscreen like a smartphone.

The main shortcut buttons are on the side of the phone and are easy to press. One of them turns on and off the flashlight feature to prevent night-time spills, while the other locks and unlocks the keyboard to avoid accidental SOS calls.

For those who are hard of hearing, the phone sports a loudspeaker that amplifies the sounds it makes. This means you'll never miss a call again!

Key Features
  • Features an easy-to-activate flashlight
  • Has a loudspeaker for those who are hard of hearing
  • Comes with a charging dock, but can be charged with just a wire as well
Specifications
  • Brand: UNIWA
  • Storage: 128MB
  • Battery: 10 days
  • Operating System: Bespoke
  • Camera (Rear, Front): Rear: 0.3MP
Pros
  • The charging base is easy to use
  • Responsive touchscreen
Cons
  • Can be a little tricky to learn how to use
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UNIWA Unlocked Senior Cell Phone

While smartphones may be the modern-day must-have, flip phones are by no means gone. If you like a phone you can flip down and easily pocket, try the Tracfone Alcatel MyFlip.

This phone is great for people who don't need the latest technology and just want something that can make calls and receive text messages. The phone also features large buttons, which are easy to see what you're pressing, and the loud phone speaker means you'll never miss a call again.

It has some impressive capabilities at this price point. For instance, it can store up to 1,000 entries in its phone book, have an MP3 player, and take photos using its two megapixel camera.

Key Features
  • Features a flip design for easy portability
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility
Specifications
  • Brand: Tracfone
  • Display: 2.8-inch
  • Storage: 4GB
  • Battery: 6.5 hours talk time
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 2MP
Pros
  • Good battery life
  • Large, easy-to-read buttons
Cons
  • Can be complex to use, so be sure to read the included instructions
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Tracfone Alcatel MyFlip

If you want a sleek flip phone, look no further than the artfone 3G Unlocked Flip Phone. The phone certainly looks the part, with an elegant silver body and a stylish charging dock to boot.

It's not just a good-looker, however. It has a large SOS button on the back, which can be pre-loaded with phone numbers, allowing quick emergency calls if something happens.

The phone is designed from the ground-up to assist the elderly in making phone calls. The loudspeaker on the back ensures every sound is heard. Similarly, the phone can be used hands-free without needing to be held up to the ear. The phone will also clearly state each number as you dial it, so you can be sure you pressed the right one.

Key Features
  • Features an SOS button that supports five different numbers
  • Supports a 3G connection
  • Features a loudspeaker for those that are hard of hearing
Specifications
  • Brand: artfone
  • Display: 2.4-inch
  • RAM: 128MB
  • Storage: 64MB
  • Battery: Four hours talk time, 200 hours standby
  • Operating System: Linux
  • Camera (Rear, Front): Rear: 2MP
Pros
  • Easy to hold
  • Portable
Cons
  • Can be tricky to find a network that works on it
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artfone 3G Unlocked Flip Phone

If you like the idea of a smartphone, but you find regular phones a little tricky to use, try the Jitterbug Smart2. It's a smartphone designed entirely around seniors, so you can be sure that your every need is met.

This phone has a large screen to help people with limited eyesight read what's being displayed. For people with arthritis or weak hands, the phone supports voice typing to reduce the strain on their fingers. It even includes a 13-megapixel camera for those snapshot moments.

The phone features a responsive touchscreen that's easy to navigate. The buttons are large and labeled with a bold font to help those with poor eyesight navigate and use their phones.

Key Features
  • Features voice typing
  • Uses a simple menu design that's easy to read
Specifications
  • Brand: Jitterbug
  • Display: 5.5-inch
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Battery: 24 hours
  • Operating System: Android
  • Camera (Rear, Front): Rear: 13MP
Pros
  • Excellent call clarity
  • Sending texts is easy and quick to do
Cons
  • Poor battery life
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Jitterbug Smart2

If you always forget to charge your phone at the end of the day, it's good to give it a single area where you place it once you're finished. It also means you won't lose your phone as often; every time you need it, it's there in its designated spot.

If this sounds like a good idea to you, be sure to take a look at the Easyfone Prime A1. This phone comes with its own charging dock, which you can place it in when you're not using it. While it's in its dock, the phone will charge its batteries, ready for the next trip out. This makes it the best phone for seniors who easily forget to charge them up.

Its core design keeps seniors in mind. It has big buttons, a simple-to-use operating system, and an SOS button if you find yourself in trouble. It even has Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) for those who are hard of hearing. This makes the Easyfone the best all-rounder cell phone for seniors.

Key Features
  • Works with hearing aids
  • Features 3G connectivity
Specifications
  • Display: 2.4-inch
  • RAM: 64MB
  • Storage: 128MB
  • Battery: Up to seven days
  • Operating System: Nucleus OS
  • Camera (Rear, Front): Rear: 2MP
Pros
  • Great battery life
  • Big, easy-to-read buttons
Cons
  • Some users report of faulty batteries in new phones
  • The SOS call button is in a place where it can be accidentally pressed
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Easyfone Prime A1

If you want an easy-to-use cell phone for older adults, but you'd also like a 3G connection, try the Ushining 3G. It uses the T-Mobile network or any carrier that uses it.

Not only are the buttons large, but the phone can output at a loud volume so you can catch every word. You can set five different numbers as an SOS number, then quickly call them using the SOS button when trouble arises.

When it's time to charge, you can place the phone in its handy charging cradle. This means you don't have to fiddle around with charging cables and makes it easier to remember to top up your phone's battery.

Key Features
  • Can store five SOS numbers for speed dialing
  • Has 3G compatibility
Specifications
  • Brand: Ushining
  • Display: 2.8-inch
  • RAM: 64MB
  • Storage: 128MB
  • Battery: 200 hours on standby
  • Operating System: Android
  • Camera (Rear, Front): Rear: 0.3MP
Pros
  • Features large, easy-to-read numbers
  • Loud and clear audio quality for calls
Cons
  • Can be finnicky with connecting to network providers
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Ushining 3G

FAQ

Q: What Is a Good Cell Phone for an Elderly Person?

Not all cell phones for senior citizens are the same. As such, it's best if you take some time to consider what you want from the cell phone and what challenges you want to overcome.

For instance, some phones are designed for arthritic people in mind. Others will include an SOS button for emergencies. Take some time to think about the difficulties you have with regular phones, and get one that tackles that problem.

Q: Are There Cell Phones for the Visually Impaired?

Yes! There are phones specifically designed for people with reduced eyesight. These include models with large numbered buttons, so you know what you're pressing. Some phones will speak out the numbers you press to verify that you dialed the right number.

You can also get phones with larger screens and fonts. These means less peering at what's on the screen and more getting things done!

Q: How Can I Hear Better on My Phone?

If you're using a regular cell phone, you can try bumping its volume up. Most modern-day smartphones have separate volume sliders for both in-call and notification volumes, so be sure both are maxed out.

If this doesn't help, you can try a special hearing-impaired cellphone instead. These have a loudspeaker on the back so you can hear every notification, and they amplify the call audio so you can listen to what the caller is saying.