Best Smartphones for Seniors in 2025
Like a computer in the palm of your hand, a solid smartphone can do just about anything you can do with your desktop or laptop. From surfing the web to capturing professional-quality photographs, these devices continually impress us with their wide range of functionality.
Despite their various features, modern smartphones often have simple menus and easy-to-read screens, so even if you’re accustomed to the cell phones of yore, transitioning to a smartphone can be a simple process.
This brings us to this question: What is the best smartphone for seniors? More importantly, which one is best for you? We’ve tested out dozens of smartphones to find out.
FYI: With a smartphone comes the need for data plans. To find unlimited plans for under $30 per month, read our guide to the best senior phone plans.
The Best Smartphones for Seniors in 2025
- Samsung Galaxy S25 : Best AI Features
- Jitterbug Smart4 : Best Safety Features
- Apple iPhone SE : Best iPhone
- Samsung Galaxy S24 : Best Camera
- Google Pixel 8 : Best Android
1. Samsung Galaxy S25 - Best AI Features
View Packages
Links to Consumer Cellular
What We Like Most:
- 6.2-inch screen
- AI help with photo editing, web browsing, phone calling and more
- 50MP camera
- Digital wallet
Overview
Price: $799 when purchased through Consumer Cellular
You may have heard of this newfangled technology called artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as AI, but you may have chalked it up to something too complicated to help you in your daily life. But AI can make it easier to use devices such as smartphones. Samsung is a leader in the AI space, and its line of Galaxy S25 phones has Galaxy AI, which can help with many daily tasks.
Standout Features
We used Galaxy AI to:
- Search for things on Google by drawing a circle around an image, like when we saw a skirt we liked in a photo of a friend and wanted a link to buy it
- Correct our text messages and prompt us when we were typing on social media
- Translate content from other languages and summarize content when we didn’t have time to read a large block of text
Check out all of Galaxy AI’s features, which range from photo editing to health insights.1
Our Plan Recommendation
We bought the S25 from Consumer Cellular, an affordable provider that offers the following prices based on the amount of data available per month:
- 1GB: $20
- 5GB: $25
- 10GB: $35
- Unlimited data: $50
All plans include unlimited talk and text. If you go over your allotted amount of data per month, however, you’ll be automatically upgraded to the next level. That means you’ll have to pay for the data you use.
Drawbacks
With a $799 price tag, the Galaxy S25 is far from cheap. You can finance it for 0 percent interest and pay $23 a month for two years, with only a $31 down payment required.
Our Verdict
If you’re interested in using AI to make your life easier, Samsung offers the best technology on the market. The S25 is one of the more entry-level options with Galaxy AI.
Pros
- AI features
- Large screen
- Easy access to information about weather, traffic, etc.
- Quality camera
Cons
- Price tag
2. Jitterbug Smart4 - Best Safety Features
What We Like Most:
- Large, bright screen
- Easy menu navigation
- Medical alert features
- Affordable price
Overview
Price: $59.99 when purchased through Lively
The Jitterbug Smart4 combines everything you’d want in a smartphone with some key safety features like an urgent response button and healthcare hotlines.
Standout Features
If you want a smartphone with some of the benefits of a medical alert system, you’ll love the safety features of the Jitterbug Smart4. A dedicated urgent response button is at the top of this phone’s touchscreen. By pressing this, we were quickly connected to an urgent response agent who, in the event of an emergency, could have connected us to help.
>>Read more: The Best Medical Alert Systems
Safety features aside, we also appreciated this phone’s simplified menus. If your loved one is new to smartphones, they’ll appreciate how everything on the Jitterbug Smart4 is in streamlined, list-based menus. This made it one of the easiest phones we’ve tested. Despite these streamlined features, the Smart4 is a fully featured Android smartphone, meaning we could download any app available on the Google Play store, from Facebook to Skype.
Our Plan Recommendation
Unlike the other phones on this list, the Jitterbug Smart4 is only compatible with Lively. With Lively, you’ll have a choice of three plans, ranging from $19.99 to $79.99 per month. All of the plans include unlimited talk and text and the ability to call a Lively member for help ordering a Lyft, getting directions or looking up numbers. However, the more expensive plans include unlimited data, the urgent response team we mentioned and emergency alerts for your friends and family, to name a few benefits. To learn more about how Lively’s plans work, read our guide to Jitterbug phone plans.
Drawbacks
The Jitterbug Smart4’s cameras were disappointing, particularly when compared to the Google Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S24. It has three rear cameras of 13, 2 and 2 MP, plus one 8 MP front camera. When I compared those photos to the ones I’d taken on 50 MP cameras, they looked significantly less clear.
Our Verdict
If safety and simplicity are essential to you, then the Jitterbug Smart4 is sure to please. For a more in-depth look at this device, check out our Jitterbug Smart4 review. Additionally, be sure to check out our other Jitterbug phone reviews.
Pros
- 37-hour talk time
- Simplified menus
- Dedicated urgent response button
- M3/T4 hearing aid compatibility
Cons
- Lower-quality cameras
- No biometric authentication
3. Apple iPhone SE - Best iPhone
What We Like Most:
- Intuitive design and voice commands
- Water- and dust-resistant
- Great camera quality
- Thousands of free apps
Overview
Cost: $829 when purchased from Consumer Cellular
Even if you don’t consider yourself tech-savvy, the iPhone is the easiest smartphone to use, not to mention the most helpful, in the real world. We used it to listen to music, pay for items at stores and have Siri answer each and every question.
Standout Features
One of the reasons we recommend the iPhone 16 to seniors is its accessibility features. We could magnify text, making it easier to read on the 5.81-inch screen. Two, we could use VoiceOver to get audio descriptions of on-screen text, which is ideal for someone with visual impairments. And for those with hearing loss, the iPhone SE is rated ANSI 2019 in terms of hearing aid compatibility. On top of that, the phone transcribed audio from real life, FaceTime and phone calls, so we could always understand whoever we were speaking to, regardless of the medium.
Another helpful feature is Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. We didn’t even touch our phones to get directions, hear about the weather or look something up on Google. This meant less screen time for us while still getting to benefit from the wealth of information that a smartphone brings. It’s a win-win!
Additionally, you can make the iPhone 16 even easier with Assistive Access mode. To learn more about this feature, read our guide to iPhone Senior Mode.
Our Plan Recommendation
We chose Consumer Cellular as our provider because it offers low prices ranging from $20 to $50 a month for anywhere from 1 GB to unlimited data. All of the plans included unlimited talk and text as well as 5G access, which let us stream videos on the iPhone SE to our hearts’ delight without the annoying buffering. Plus, AARP members can get a 5 percent discount, making prices even lower.
To learn more about Consumer Cellular’s plans and their costs, read our guide to Consumer Cellular plans for seniors.
Drawbacks
The iPhone 16 lacks the urgent response button of the Jitterbug Smart4. And at $829 for the device itself, which only includes 128GB of data, it’s not the cheapest option on the list. That being said, it is cheap for an iPhone, as the newest models, like the iPhone 16 Pro, start at $999.
Our Verdict
While the iPhone 16 certainly isn’t cheap, it’s easy to use, with a large screen and Siri built in for voice commands. To learn more about iPhones, be sure to check out our guide to the best iPhones for seniors.
Pros
- Thousands of free apps
- Siri voice commands
- Intuitive interface
- Loud speaker and clear audio
Cons
- No urgent response button
- High price tag
4. Samsung Galaxy S24 - Best Camera
What We Like Most:
- 50 MP camera
- AI features
- Long battery life
- Conversational gains with and without hearing aids
Overview
Cost: $299.99 when purchased through Cricket Wireless
Not only does the Samsung Galaxy S24 have a 50 MP camera, one of its four cameras, but it also has a ton of awesome artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that make our photos and videos look better than ever.
Standout Features
Aside from the Google Pixel 8, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is the only phone on this list with a 50 MP camera, which is many times better than the cameras of the iPhone SE (12 MP) or even the Iris Connect (13 MP). But it wasn’t just about the quality of the camera we liked; it was also about the AI that let us edit the photos, making them look better than they ever could in the “real world.”
What do we mean by that, exactly? Well, let’s take nighttime photos, for instance, which tend to look significantly worse than photos we took during the day. But that wasn’t the case with the Samsung Galaxy S24. Our photos were still as bright and detailed as if we had taken them during the day. We could even zoom in without losing that clarity. If taking amazing photos is really important to you, you’ll love the photographer you turn into with the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Our Plan Recommendation
Although the Samsung Galaxy S24 works with many providers like T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon, we chose Cricket Wireless because of its affordable, prepaid plans. If you only need 5 or 10 GB of data, the cost is only $30 or $40 a month and includes 5G access and 2 GB of cloud storage. Unlimited data plans are $40 to $60 a month, although all plans include unlimited talk and text.
The top-tier plan gave us a 15 GB mobile hotspot, a subscription to Max with ads, 150 GB of cloud storage, plus unlimited texting from the U.S. to more than 200 countries, and usage in Canada and Mexico. That’s a lot of bang for our buck. To learn more about this phone and its affordable plans, check out our rundown of Cricket Wireless for seniors.
Drawbacks
At $299.99, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is far from the cheapest option, costing over three times as much as the Iris Connect and over five times as much as the Jitterbug Smart4. Additionally, it only allows for 128 GB of local storage. If having a ton of local storage is important to you, the Google Pixel 8 has up to 256 GB.
Our Verdict
People who appreciate photography and AI will love the advanced features of the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Pros
- Great battery life
- 5G compatible
- High-definition screen
- Speedy performance
Cons
- Higher cost
- Only 128 GB of cloud storage
5. Google Pixel 8 - Best Android
View Packages
Links to Mint Mobile
What We Like Most:
- Advanced cameras up to 50 MP
- AI features
- High-powered photo editing
- Built-in voice commands
Overview
Price: $589 when purchased from Amazon
If you want an Android phone, you’ll love the Google Pixel 8 Pro, which combines Google’s apps and the latest AI capabilities.
Standout Features
The Google Pixel 8 offered us everything we love about Androids. From making voice commands with Google Assistant to organizing every aspect of our lives with Google Maps, Gmail and Google Calendar, this phone simplified our lives.
But like the Samsung Galaxy S24, the Google Pixel 8 had some pretty incredible AI capabilities. For example, it lets us remove details from photos easily, like if someone had gotten in the background. No Photoshop skills were necessary in the making of this photo! Additionally, when we were taking group pics for work, we combined multiple photos to create a new photo where no one blinked, looked away or sneezed. And even when we were editing video, the Audio Magic Eraser made it easy to take out background noise, so all we could hear were our own voices.
Our Plan Recommendation
The Google Pixel 8 works with a variety of networks: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Spectrum and Mint Mobile, to name a few. But we chose Mint Mobile due to its senior discounts. For people 55 and over, Mint offers a prepaid plan: $45 for three months of unlimited talk and text and 5 GB of high-speed data. Plus the plan includes a mobile hotspot. This is an incredibly good deal, so if you’re over 55, consider Mint Mobile’s senior plans for your smartphone.
Drawbacks
Like the Samsung Galaxy S24, the Google Pixel 8 is expensive, ringing in at $589 when we bought it from Amazon. That’s about $290 more than the Galaxy S24, $530 more than the Jitterbug Smart4 and around $440 more than the iPhone SE. If affordability is top of mind, you can spend less than $80 with the $77 Iris Connect.
Our Verdict
The Google Pixel 8 could be worth it for you if you want the best AI features on your Android OS.
Pros
- 50 MP camera quality
- Voice commands through Google Assistant
- Solid battery life
- Impressive AI capabilities
Cons
- Higher price
- Steeper learning curve entailed
What Is a Smartphone?
For the uninitiated, the term “smartphone” might have many different meanings. Touchscreens, web browsing, video streaming — these are all likely features you associate with smartphones. Generally speaking, a smartphone is any mobile device with functionality beyond simply making phone calls and sending text messages.
With each of the phones on this list, you can surf the web, send emails, listen to music, share photos and play games. Additionally, many of these phones give you access to an app store, a digital marketplace where you can download additional features and tools, many of which are free.
Even if you want a phone for simple functions only, a smartphone can fit the bill. Especially now, with the advent of 5G technology, a network primarily available on the latest smartphones, you’ll gain access to more reliable signals and faster data speeds. No matter your cellular needs, there’s a smartphone for you on this list.
Benefits of Smartphones for Seniors
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, right? Wrong. As of 2021 data from the Pew Research Center, 61 percent of U.S. adults own smartphones, a huge increase from only 13 percent in 2012.2 Although a flip phone may be closer to the landline you’re familiar with, these days, smartphones are so easy to use that we think it’s worth the initial unfamiliarity. Compared to flip phones, smartphones have a ton of benefits for seniors, including:
- Internet access: While some flip phones have internet access, it’s typically so slow that it’s not worth using. But that’s not the case with smartphones, which give you high-speed internet just like a computer, but wherever you go.
- Video chatting: Video chat with friends and family, which is so much better than just a phone call.
- Streaming: You can stream movies and TV shows on your smartphone, getting entertained with the push of a button.
- More storage: From videos to pictures to music to contacts, smartphones have storage capacities of anywhere from 32 to 256 GB or more.
- Voice assistants: Whether it’s Apple’s Siri or Google’s Google Assistant, voice assistants let you access information, send emails and text messages, and control smart home devices using your voice alone.
- Helpful apps: Navigation apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps help you find where you’re going, while music apps like Spotify or Apple Music let you have fun as you’re getting there. There are millions of useful and fun apps in the Google Play or Apple stores, which you’ll be able to download easily onto your smartphone.
- 5G: These days, most smartphones work with 5G, which allows faster speeds necessary for streaming, video chatting and downloading files. You can kiss buffering goodbye!
How to Simplify a Smartphone for a Loved One
That being said, if a smartphone isn’t easy enough for someone to use, all of its benefits become a moot point. However, there are ways to make smartphones more accessible for loved ones, whether it’s an Android or an iPhone.
- Androids: Google has a list of things you can do to make your Android more accessible.3 For example, it’s possible to make items on the home screen bigger or increase the font size. You can also teach your loved one how to magnify their screen, make the text higher contrast or use Select to Speak. This feature allows them to point their camera at something to hear it read out loud. In addition, they can have items on their screen read out loud, as well.
- iPhones: Similarly, Apple offers a list of accessibility features.4 For example, we could make the text bigger, magnify text, get audio descriptions of what was happening on our screens or use Siri to get things done. For those with hearing issues, it’s possible to turn speech to text or have your phone alert you by vibrating instead of playing a ringtone. We could also make the pointer (the arrow symbol that’s used to click on items) bigger and increase the contrast to make it easier to see.
Bottom Line
Now more than ever, smartphones are being designed with simplicity in mind. Their advanced features are being presented through intuitive menus, making them a great option for seniors.
To learn more about our favorite phones and providers, be sure to check out our helpful guides:
How We Chose the Best Smartphones
When choosing the best smartphones for seniors, we looked at the following criteria:
- Ease of use: A smartphone should simplify your life, not complicate it. In our testing, we paid close attention to the actual process of using each phone, how we could navigate its features and how smoothly it operated.
- Large screens: More than just a way to watch videos, a large and high-resolution screen can simplify using smartphones. A solid screen makes it easy to read text and view photos.
- Speakers: Many older adults experience hearing loss, so a phone needs to have speakers that relay audio both loudly and clearly. Additionally, all of the phones on this list are compatible with hearing aids.
- Battery life: Each phone on this list has a battery that’s powerful enough to get you through one day (and often more) on a single charge.
- Cost: While the latest smartphones from Apple and Samsung can easily cost upward of $1,000, we looked for phones that were significantly less expensive.
Read more: Explore the best Samsung phones for seniors.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Is there a smartphone made specifically for seniors?
The Jitterbug Smart4 is a smartphone made with seniors in mind; however, iPhones are another great option, due to their intuitive design and access to the Apple App Store.
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What is the best smartphone for a 70-year-old?
The Jitterbug Smart4 is a great, simplified option with built-in safety features. Alternatively, the iPhone SE has an intuitive interface that many older adults can pick up quickly.
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Can a smartphone be a medical alert system?
Due to a lack of fall detection and waterproofing, no smartphone can completely replace a medical alert system; however, the Jitterbug Smart4 has a dedicated urgent response button that can contact monitoring agents in an emergency.
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Which smartphones have voice commands?
The Jitterbug Smart 4, iPhone SE and Iris Connect all have built-in voice assistants that allow you to compose messages, make calls and browse the web with your voice.
