Best Unlocked Cell Phones for Seniors in 2024
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April 3, 2024
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If you’re overwhelmed by the restrictions of major cellular carriers, then you might want to consider an unlocked cell phone. While they come in many shapes and sizes, unlocked phones are defined by their ability to be used on a plethora of networks. Not only does this mean you can avoid long-term contracts, but you can also change networks without buying a new phone.
In this guide to the best unlocked phones for seniors, we’ll take a closer look at five phones that are not only compatible with a wide range of networks, but also highly affordable.
FYI: Looking for an affordable network for your unlocked phone? Then read our guide to the best senior phone plans to find options from $15 per month.
Top Unlocked Cell Phones for Seniors
- Alcatel Go Flip 4 : Best Flip Phone
- CAT S22 Flip : Most Affordable
- Nokia 2780 : Best With Big Buttons
- Apple iPhone SE : Best Smartphone
- Snapfon ezFLIP 4G : Best Safety Features
How We Chose Our Favorites
Much like a traditional, locked phone, there are some key attributes you should consider when looking for an unlocked phone. Here’s what we looked for when it came to testing out these phones.
- Variety of carriers: The primary draw of an unlocked phone is that you can use it on the network of your choice — no strings attached. With this in mind, we looked for phones that had a wide range of carrier compatibility.
- Affordability: With unlocked phones, you won’t have the benefit of device discounts that often accompany long-term contracts. So, we looked for devices that are not only affordable, but also worth the relatively higher cost of entry.
- Smart features: These days, a no-contract phone doesn’t have to have the feature set of simple flip phones. We chose devices that have advanced capabilities, including voice assistants, Bluetooth, and even emergency monitoring.
- Manufacturer warranties: Despite the burden of long-term contracts, they often come with access to 24/7 support and protection for your devices. We looked for unlocked phones that offer stellar customer service and warranties, ensuring a degree of longevity for your cell phone.
Buying an Unlocked Phone: Due to their lack of commitment to specific networks, unlocked phones can be purchased just about anywhere, from online retailers to brick-and-mortar stores. We got most of ours from Amazon.
1. Alcatel Go Flip 4 - Best Flip Phone
What We Like Most:
- Large buttons
- Bluetooth compatibility
- GPS
- Nearly 13 hours of talk time on 4G networks
Overview
Device cost: $79 when purchased through Amazon
If you want a simple flip phone you can use with any network, meet the Alcatel GO FLIP 4. With large, tactile buttons and internet access, it combines the best parts of a flip phone and a smartphone, for an incredibly low price.
Standout Features
Typically, flip phones let us send and receive calls and text messages only, but that wasn’t the case for the Alcatel GO FLIP 4. Rather, we could use the internet through KaiOS, allowing us to check emails, change our calendars, and watch YouTube videos on the go. Everything was clearly visible through the phone’s 2.8-inch screen, and calls came in loud and clear on the GO FLIP’s speakerphone.
We were also impressed with how long we could use the Alcatel GO FLIP 4 before it required a charge. It lasted us nearly 13 hours of talk time. That’s almost twice the battery life of the Nokia 2780, and beyond talk time, it lasted for 37 hours of standby time. If you have trouble remembering to charge your phone, you’ll appreciate the Alcatel GO FLIP 4’s long battery life.
Our Plan Recommendation
While the unlocked Alcatel GO FLIP 4 works with a variety of networks, we chose T-Mobile due to its senior plans, which offer people age 55 and up two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for $60 per month. The more expensive plans offered us some great extras, like 50 GB of mobile hotspot data, a subscription to Apple TV, and device upgrades. To learn more about these plans, read our guide to T-Mobile’s senior plans.
Drawbacks
Unfortunately, the Alcatel GO FLIP 4 is not compatible with 5G. So while you can stream video and download files with this phone, it won’t do those things as quickly as a phone with 5G.
Our Verdict
If you need an affordable phone with basic internet access, the Alcatel GO FLIP 4 could be a great option.
Pros
- Affordable
- KaiOS app store compatibility
- Hearing aid-compatible
- Big buttons
Cons
- Not 5G compatible
- No video chat
2. CAT S22 Flip - Most Affordable
What We Like Most:
- Android 11 operating system
- Google Play access
- Priced under $65
- IP68 water resistant
Overview
Device cost: $63.46 when purchased from Amazon
The CAT S22 Flip phone may be incredibly affordable, but it doesn’t skimp out on features, with the same access to Google Play you’d get from any Android smartphone.
Standout Features
Rather than the KaiOS of the Alcatel GO FLIP 4, the CAT S22 Flip had the Android 11 operating system, giving us access to Google Play. While KaiOS has some strange approximations of popular apps, Google Play has all the apps that we’re used to using: Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive, and Google Maps. Like the Alcatel GO FLIP 4, the CAT S22 Flip is a flip phone with the capabilities of a smartphone, from internet access to voice commands.
Another feature we appreciated about the CAT S22 Flip is its resistance to solids and liquids. The phone has an IP68 rating, meaning it is dust-tight and can be immersed in water without any harmful effects. To test this, we dropped it in a sink full of water, and we were amazed to see that our phone functioned the exact same way as before. If you’ve ever dropped your phone in the toilet, run to buy the CAT S22 Flip.
Our Plan Recommendation
For the CAT S22 Flip we’d recommend one of Mint Mobile’s senior plans. The company offers people age 55 and up a plan with unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 5GB of data for $15 per month. Since Mint Mobile is a prepaid provider, you’ll have to pay the $45 upfront for three months of service. To learn more about these plans, you can read our guide to Mint Mobile’s senior plans.
Drawbacks
The Cat S22 Flip has only 16 GB of storage capacity, the least amount of storage on this list. If you want to store all of your favorite pictures and texts from your grandkids, for example, you may not have enough storage on your flip phone. Additionally, at 7.9 ounces, the Cat S22 Flip is a bit bulky, the heaviest on this list by far.
Our Verdict
Particularly for those already familiar with the Android ecosystem, the CAT S22 Flip lets you access the Android operating system for an affordable price.
Pros
- Low price tag
- M3/T3 hearing aid compatibility
- IP68 water resistant
- Google Play access
Cons
- Lack of storage
- Heavy
3. Nokia 2780 - Best With Big Buttons
What We Like Most:
- Low price tag
- Large, tactile buttons
- M4/T4 Hearing aid compatibility
- Storage capacity of up to 256 GB
Overview
Device cost: $89.99 when purchased on Amazon
If you want a simple flip phone without all of the confusing bells and whistles, you might like the Nokia 2780. Not only does it work with a variety of networks, like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, but its large, tactile buttons make it easy to operate.
Standout Features
Similarly to the Alcatel GO FLIP 4, the Nokia 2780 is a flip phone that lets us access the internet through the same operating system: KaiOS. That meant exploring familiar apps like Google Maps and other apps that use the internet, all on the phone’s 4G LTE network. The phone also uses Voice over LTE (VoLTE), which makes our calls loud and clear.
Not only is there a screen on the inside of the phone, but there’s also a small screen on the outside that displays the time. This was useful to us, as we could easily access the time without having to push any buttons or open any apps. But still, the Nokia 2780 wasn’t like the flip phones we had in the early 2000s, as it has a 5 MP camera along with the aforementioned internet access.
Finally, we love the fact that this phone works with so many networks. Aside from Verizon, which we used, it also works with:
- AT&T
- Cricket Wireless
- Mint Mobile
- Simple Mobile
- Ting Mobile
- T-Mobile
- Total by Verizon (Verizon’s prepaid cell phone option)
- Tracfone
Our Plan Recommendation
We decided to use Verizon as our carrier. All of its plans have unlimited talk, text, and data for $65 to $100 per month. More expensive plans tacked on mobile hotspots and tons of subscription options, including:
- AppleOne, which contains Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud
- A Disney bundle that includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+
- Netflix
- Max (with ads)
- Walmart+
There were preset bundles, but we also had the option to customize our bundles, choosing data and our subscriptions separately for $10 more per month each. While Verizon isn’t the cheapest of the carriers, the extras made it worthwhile, in our opinion. If you’d like to know more, we recommend reading our guide to Verizon’s senior cell phone plans.
Drawbacks
In terms of design, the Nokia 2780 is pretty basic. Its camera is only 5 MP, so its photos won’t be nearly as crisp as those of a costlier phone like the iPhone SE. There’s no headphone jack, which may make this phone a poor choice for those with hearing loss or vision impairments.
Our Verdict
People with visual impairments will appreciate the utility of the Nokia 2780, which doesn’t make you squint to see tiny apps. Instead, you can make calls and send texts using tactile buttons in no time.
Pros
- Large buttons
- Up to 256 GB of storage
- Low price
- Internet access through KaiOS
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Low-quality camera
4. Apple iPhone SE - Best Smartphone
What We Like Most:
- 12 MP camera
- M3/T4 hearing aid compatibility
- Video chatting through FaceTime
- Siri voice assistant
Overview
Device cost: $224 when purchased on Amazon
With so many unlocked flip phones on our list, you may be wondering if an unlocked smartphone exists. The answer is yes. Meet the iPhone SE, which provides everything we love about Apple, from Siri to FaceTime, with some accessibility features that make it an option for all.
Standout Features
First, let’s talk about the features we love about the iPhone SE generally. One, we love that it has two cameras — one 12 MP and one 7 MP — that let us zoom in digitally up to five times, capturing those tiny details, and use Portrait Mode, blurring the background to make our photos nicer. The iPhone SE’s cameras are much better quality than the others on this list, the best of which is only 5 MP.
We also used Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, when we didn’t feel like typing on the iPhone SE’s digital keyboard. We asked Siri to give directions using Apple Maps, tell us the weather, and even Google stuff we were wondering about, like if glass could be repaired after we accidentally broke a picture frame. Siri is great for those with vision impairments, as it requires only the touch of a button before this helpful voice assistant responds.
Our Plan Recommendation
We powered our iPhone SE using Consumer Cellular, which has plans that offer 1 GB to unlimited data from $20 to $50 per month. All of the plans included unlimited talk and text, access to 5G, and coverage throughout the U.S. Plus, Consumer Cellular doesn’t require a long-term contract, which meant that we were “unlocked” in every sense of the word.
To learn more about this carrier’s plans, read our guide to Consumer Cellular senior plans.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of the iPhone SE is its price. At $224 on Amazon or a whopping $429 if we had purchased it directly from Consumer Cellular, it’s the most expensive unlocked phone on this list. That being said, it has way more capabilities than any of the other flip phones, so if you use your phone a lot, it’s worth the cost.
Our Verdict
If you are a diehard Apple fan and can’t live without Siri, FaceTime, ApplePay, and the rest of the iPhone’s many perks, then $224 for an iPhone is quite the steal.
Pros
- Voice commands through Siri
- FaceTime
- Apple Pay
- 12 MP camera with Portrait Mode
Cons
- Expensive
- No headphone jack
For the older adult not intimidated by the latest in cellular capabilities, the iPhone SE offers a highly intuitive entry point. And with no long-term contracts required, we think it’s a great place to start.
5. Snapfon ezFLIP 4G - Best Safety Features
What We Like Most:
- Emergency SOS button
- Fall detection
- Compatibility with T3/M3 hearing aids
- Eight speed dial keys
Overview
Device cost: $99.95 when purchased from Snapfon
Similar to the Jitterbug phones from Lively, the Snapfon ezFlip 4G offered us amazing safety features, from fall detection to an emergency SOS button.
Standout Features
The Snapfon ezFlip 4G may look like a flip phone, but it’s more than that. It’s also a medical alert system with fall detection. Let’s say we had the phone in our pocket when we took a tumble. All we would have to do to alert five contacts we’ve selected is push the big red button on the outside of the phone. Automatically, they’ll be alerted that we need help via calls and text, and the phone will go to speakerphone, with an optional siren. Plus, this phone requires a subscription to SOS Plus, meaning we’d get connected to an agent 24/7.
Aside from its helpful safety features, we love the fact that this phone is designed for seniors, with large, illuminated buttons; a simplified, bright home screen; and eight numbers for speed dial. This phone was really intuitive for us to use, but it still had the features we’d want in a phone, like web browsing, a camera, and various applications, like Facebook and Gmail.
Our Plan Recommendation
We used the plans from Snapfon, which range from $20 to $75 per month for 1 GB to 20 GB of high-speed data. Note that qualifier: “high-speed.” With the 10 GB and 20 GB data plans, we got unlimited data, but only 10 GB and 20 GB of it was high-speed. The rest was throttled, which was not ideal in terms of the speeds we got. There’s also a $15-per-month plan with just unlimited talk and text — no data included. If you want to use your phone for talking and texting only, this is an incredibly cost-effective option.
To learn more about this provider, read our guide to Snapfon senior plans.
Drawbacks
The cameras on the Snapfon ezFlip 4G didn’t produce great photos, with only 5 MP on the main camera and 2 MP on the selfie camera. Additionally, this phone is 4G LTE and VoLTE only, not 5G, which meant that its speeds weren’t as fast as we would’ve wanted.
Our Verdict
The Snapfon ezFlip 4G combines the safety of a medical alert system with the ease of a flip phone — the best of both worlds.
Pros
- SOS button
- Fall detection
- T3/M3 hearing aid compatibility
- Internet access
Cons
- Low-quality cameras
- No 5G access
Unlocked Phones vs. Traditional Phones
Traditional phones are linked to specific providers, networks like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, as well as Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) like Straight Talk, Boost Mobile, and Mint Mobile. If you buy these phones, you can use them only with a finite number of cellular providers, which may require signing a contract.
With unlocked phones, they’re not tied to any specific carriers, so you may buy the phone and its service separately. Additionally, unlocked phones don’t come with the same preloaded apps as traditional phones, leaving you more storage space.
The Benefits of Unlocked Phones
Using an unlocked phone has many benefits, such as:
- More carrier options: While some unlocked phones work only with GSM networks like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Tracfone, along with many foreign carriers, others work with all major U.S. and international carriers. That gives you even more options, like Boost Mobile, Total Wireless, and Metro by T-Mobile. More options mean more opportunities to save, as you can shop around for the lowest prices.
- More storage: Because these phones don’t come with preinstalled apps, you have more space to store files and add the apps you want.
- Good for traveling internationally: While most U.S. carriers charge a lot for international service, having an unlocked phone lets you pay the same rates the locals do. Just purchase a SIM card in the country you’re visiting and voilá: international service.
What You Should Consider With Unlocked Phones
Before you choose an unlocked phone, make sure you’re taking into account these factors:
- Compatible carriers: Find out which carriers your phone uses and whether or not they have plans you can afford.
- Operating system: If you’re used to using iOS or Android OS, it’s best to stay within that ecosystem. However, some flip phones use KaiOS, which fewer people are familiar with.
- Network compatibility: Does your phone work with 5G, which provides the fastest internet speeds, or only 4G LTE? If you don’t want to use your phone for high-bandwidth activities, like streaming movies and TV shows, video chatting, or downloading files, you could save money with a 4G phone.
- Price of device: Unlocked phones tend to be cheaper than locked phones, ranging from about $60 to $225. Figure out your budget before you start shopping.
- Features: From the amount of storage the phone has to the maximum time you can use it without needing to charge it to its cameras, make a list of non-negotiables you want in a phone before you start looking. More expensive unlocked phones like the iPhone SE have many more features than cheaper, unlocked flip phones like the CAT S22 Flip, for example.
Bottom Line
With an unlocked device, you don’t have to make much of a commitment. After you purchase your phone and SIM card, you’ll be able to change carriers at will, allowing you the time and space to find the correct fit for your needs.
To start your journey, we’d recommend checking out options online, such as Amazon and Walmart, as these retailers have ample device options, including those listed here. From there, you’ll have no trouble finding the right phone for you.
To learn more about our favorite phones for seniors, be sure to check out our helpful guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do unlocked phones work on all networks?
Some unlocked phones work on all networks. However, some work only on foreign and U.S. GSM networks, which include:
- AT&T
- Cricket
- MetroPCS
- Simple Mobile
- T-Mobile
- Tracfone
However, universal unlocked phones will work with most major U.S. and overseas carriers.
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Where do you buy unlocked phones?
You can buy unlocked phones from cellular service providers like Mint Mobile and Consumer Cellular or from websites like Amazon.
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How do I know if my phone is CDMA or GSM?
You can find out if your phone is CDMA or GSM by Googling the phone’s model number. Or, if you have an iPhone:
- Go to Settings.
- Click on General.
- Click on About.
- If you see an MEID or an ESN number only, your device uses CDMA. If you see an IMEI number only, your device uses GSM. If you see either a combination of an MEID and IMEI or ESN and IMEI number, it supports both.
Android users can access this information by following these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Click on About Phone.
- Scroll to Status.
- Look for the MEID, ESN, or IMEI numbers.
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What is a SIM card, and what does it do?
A SIM card, which stands for subscriber identity module card, is a card that identifies a device to its mobile network. Physically, it is a small plastic card that goes into your phone. Typically, your carrier will provide you with a SIM card, but you can move it to different phones if you want to retain your phone number, network, and messages. It’s the SIM card that lets you connect to your carrier and text, call, and access the internet.