What makes a phone work better for someone over 65

A good phone for an older adult has a larger screen, louder volume, bigger buttons, and a simpler menu. It should also have a long battery life, good reception, and customer service you can reach by phone — not just chat or email. The best choice depends on whether you want a smartphone (like an iPhone or Android) or a basic phone that only calls and texts.

Smartphones let you video call grandchildren, read email, and use apps like weather or maps. Basic phones do one thing well: they make calls and send texts. Neither is wrong — it comes down to what you actually want to do and how much time you want to spend learning new technology.

Price matters too. A basic phone costs $30 to $100 outright. A smartphone costs $200 to $1,000 new, though you can find older models used for less. Monthly plans range from $15 to $80 depending on how much data and calling you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Basic phones with large buttons and loud speakers work well for people who mainly call and text, and they cost less upfront and per month.
  • Smartphones have bigger screens than they used to and can be set to use larger text, but they take longer to learn and have more features you may never use.
  • The phone itself is only half the choice — you also pick a carrier (like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) and a monthly plan.
  • Many carriers offer plans for seniors that cost less than standard plans, and some phones come with emergency buttons that call a monitoring service.
  • You can try a phone in a store before you buy it, and most carriers let you return it within 14 days if it does not work for you.

Basic phones: calls, texts, and nothing else

A basic phone (also called a feature phone) has physical buttons, a small screen, and a straightforward menu. You press numbers to dial, press a button to answer, and that is it. The battery lasts three to five days between charges. Reception is usually good because basic phones use older technology that works almost everywhere.

Popular basic phones include the Jitterbug (made by Lively), the Alcatel Go Flip, and the Samsung B550. All have large buttons, loud speakers, and menus you can navigate without a touchscreen. Some come with an emergency button on the back that calls a monitoring center or a family member when you press it.

Basic phones cost $40 to $150 to buy. Monthly plans start at $15 to $20 for calling and texting only. If you add a monitoring service (like Life Alert or Medical Guardian), that costs $20 to $60 more per month.

The downside: you cannot check email, look up directions, or use apps. If someone sends you a photo or a link, you cannot see it. You are limited to what the phone was designed to do when it was made.

Smartphones: larger screens and simpler settings

Modern smartphones have screens that are 6 to 6.7 inches across — much larger than phones from ten years ago. You can make the text bigger, turn up the volume, and add a button to the home screen that calls 911 or a family member. Many older adults find they can use a smartphone once they spend time learning it.

The iPhone (made by Apple) and phones running Android (made by Samsung, Google, Motorola, and others) both offer ways to make the screen easier to read. On an iPhone, you go to Settings, then Accessibility, and turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes. On Android, you go to Settings, then Display, and increase the font size. Both let you add a large Emergency SOS button to your home screen.

Good smartphones for older adults include the iPhone 14 or 15 (around $800 new, or $300 to $500 used), the Samsung Galaxy A15 (around $150), and the Google Pixel 8a (around $350). All have large screens, good cameras, and long software support — meaning they will get security updates for years.

Smartphones cost more upfront, but monthly plans are similar to basic phones: $20 to $50 for calling, texting, and data. The data lets you use email, maps, and video calls. You will need to charge the phone every day or every other day.

Carriers and plans for older adults

The three largest carriers are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. All have good coverage in most places, though coverage varies by where you live. You can check coverage on their websites by entering your address.

Verizon offers a plan called Verizon Senior Discount that costs less than standard plans if you are 55 or older. AT&T has a similar program. T-Mobile does not have an age-based discount, but its plans are often cheaper to start with. Smaller carriers like Mint Mobile and Visible (owned by Verizon) offer lower prices but less in-person customer service.

Before you choose a carrier, ask friends and family what they use in your area. Reception depends on where you live and work, not just on the carrier's national map. If you travel a lot, ask about coverage in the places you go.

Most carriers let you bring your own phone or buy one from them. If you buy from the carrier, you can pay upfront or spread the cost over 24 months. If you bring your own, you save money but you have to find the phone yourself.

Emergency buttons and monitoring services

Some phones come with a physical emergency button. When you press it, the phone calls a monitoring center or a family member. This is useful if you fall or feel unwell and cannot reach a phone normally.

The Jitterbug phones include an emergency button and a year of monitoring service for free. After that, monitoring costs $20 to $30 per month. Medical Guardian and Life Alert sell wearable buttons (like a pendant or a wristband) that work with any phone and cost $25 to $60 per month.

If you do not want to pay for monitoring, you can set up a smartphone to call 911 or a family member when you press and hold the power button. This is free, but it requires you to remember the gesture and to have the phone with you.

Monitoring services are worth the cost if you live alone, have health problems, or are worried about falling. They are not necessary if you have family nearby or if you are in good health.

Where to buy and how to test before you commit

You can buy a phone at a carrier store (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile), a big-box retailer (Best Buy, Walmart, Target), or online. Carrier stores are best if you want help setting it up and want to return it easily. Online is cheapest but you have to set it up yourself.

Before you buy, ask to hold the phone in the store. Check whether the buttons are straightforward to press, whether you can hear the speaker, and whether the screen is bright enough. If you wear glasses, try using the phone with and without them. If the text is too small even at the largest setting, the phone may not work for you.

Most carriers let you return a phone within 14 days if you change your mind. Some charge a restocking fee of $15 to $50. Ask about the return policy before you buy.

If you are not sure whether you want a smartphone or a basic phone, ask a family member or a friend to let you try theirs for a day. That is the best way to know what will actually work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old phone if I switch carriers?

Maybe. If your old phone is from the same carrier, you can usually use it on the new plan right away. If it is from a different carrier, you may need to unlock it first — call the old carrier and ask. Some very old phones do not work on newer networks, so ask the new carrier whether your phone will work before you switch.

What if I drop my phone and break the screen?

Screen repair costs $100 to $300 at a carrier store or a repair shop. Phone insurance (usually $5 to $15 per month) covers accidental damage and costs $50 to $200 when you file a claim. For a basic phone, insurance may not be worth it because the phone itself costs less than the deductible. For a smartphone, insurance makes sense if you are worried about drops.

Do I need data if I only want to call and text?

No. A basic phone plan with calling and texting only costs $15 to $25 per month. A smartphone without data is possible but unusual — most plans bundle data in. If you want a smartphone without data, you will pay almost as much as a plan with data, so you might as well add it.

What if I cannot figure out how to use the phone?

Carrier stores offer free in-person help. You can also call customer service, though phone support can be slow. Many libraries and senior centers offer free classes on how to use smartphones. Ask your local library whether they have a tech class for older adults.

Can I get a phone without a contract?

Yes. Most carriers now use month-to-month plans instead of contracts. You can cancel anytime, though you may owe money if you are paying off the phone over time. Prepaid plans (where you pay upfront for a month of service) have no contract at all.