Jitterbug Smart4 Review, Hands-On Test
For those new to smartphones, the Jitterbug Smart4 is an intuitive entry point. Its simplified menus, voice commands, and optional safety features make it one of our favorite smartphones for older adults.
In this Jitterbug Smart4 review, we'll examine this smartphone made specifically for seniors. We'll test its service and features and compare it to other popular smartphones.
FYI: While powered by Verizon’s wireless network, you can only use Lively’s phones with Lively's service. Keep in mind that data costs can add up quickly with this provider. If you're looking for affordable unlimited data plans, read our guide to the best senior phone plans.
Jitterbug Smart4 Pros and Cons
Pros
- A smartphone, simplified: With its bright screen, large text, and streamlined menus, the Jitterbug Smart4 makes its advanced features accessible and intuitive. Even the most technology-averse person can use this phone with ease.
- Ample voice commands: Like any Android phone, the Smart4 supports Google Assistant voice commands, allowing you to make calls, dictate messages, or ask questions with your voice.
- Urgent response features: In addition to minutes and data, Lively offers urgent response features, turning your phone into a personal safety device.
- Powerful cellular network: Although the Jitterbug Smart4 is only compatible with Lively's plans, the carrier offers coverage for everything I'd need.
- Affordable device: The Jitterbug Smart4 is competitively priced at $119.99, making it more affordable than most smartphones. Check Lively's website for the latest pricing and current promotions.
Cons
- Costly overage charges: Unlike Consumer Cellular, which automatically upgrades your service when you go over your allotted data, Lively charges $0.02 per megabyte, which can quickly add up.
- Only 20 GB of high-speed data: Even with the unlimited plan, you'll only get 20 GB of high-speed data per month. After you've reached that allotment, your speeds will be throttled for the remainder of the billing period.
- No 5G compatibility: The Smart4 is only 4G-compatible, meaning it may have slower internet speeds than other modern phones.
Our Methodology: How We Tested the Jitterbug Smart4
We spent two weeks researching and testing Lively’s Jitterbug Smart4. Our process included setting up and using our Smart4 at home and while out and about to test connection, speeds, and feature functionality. Here’s more about the criteria we used to evaluate this phone.
- Setup and activation: We bought our Jitterbug Smart4 directly from the Lively website. We then activated it over the phone, taking thorough notes during the onboarding process from unboxing to initial setup.
- Value: We weighed the retail price of phones we reviewed against the speeds, functions, and features they offered to assess overall value for older adults.
- Daily use: For several weeks, the Smart4 served as our main device for all calls, texting, and internet browsing. We assessed the ease of navigating the phone's interface and call clarity across diverse environments. Additionally, we verified compatibility with common applications such as Google Maps, Facebook, and Gmail via the Google Play Store.
- Features: We thoroughly tested Lively's optional services, including the Urgent Response button, Nurse On-Call consultations, and the Lively Link caregiver app. We rated camera quality in different lighting conditions and measured battery performance during typical daily use.
- Network performance: Since the Smart4 operates exclusively on Lively's network, we tested coverage and data speeds across multiple locations to evaluate real-world connectivity and compared the experience to other major carriers.
- Customer service: Third-party online ratings for Lively are fairly low, as they are for most phone carriers. But most of the complaints concern billing and the responsiveness of customer service agents. Some reviews complained of long wait times and email queries that took days to receive a response. Generally, we experienced wait times of under 20 minutes and found agents were helpful and patient once we connected.
Jitterbug Smart4 Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.75 inches |
| Battery life (talk time) | 37 hours |
| Battery life (standby) | 4 days |
| Cameras |
|
| Hearing aid compatibility | M3/T4 |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Internal storage | 32 GB |
Purchasing the Jitterbug Smart4
You can purchase the Jitterbug Smart4 over the phone, online, or in stores such as Best Buy or Target. We bought our device directly from Lively's website.
Our Jitterbug Smart4 cost $119.99, plus monthly plan costs. There’s also a $35 one-time fee to activate the device over the phone with an agent. If you activate the device online, however, you’ll only pay $25 for activation.
Jitterbug Smart4 Plans
You can’t choose your carrier with a Jitterbug phone, unlike other cell phone brands. The Jitterbug Smart4 only works with a service plan from Lively. Luckily, since Lively piggybacks off Verizon's cellular network, most Americans will fall within its service area. But note that even though Verizon offers 5G Ultra Wideband, Lively is supported by Verizon’s 4G LTE service for nationwide coverage.
Lively offers three different plans for the Jitterbug Smart4 that range from $19.99 to $49.99 per month. While these plans include unlimited talk and text, some features are only available with the more expensive plans.
Additionally, these plans only include 1 GB of data per month. Additional data costs extra: 5 GB of monthly data costs $5, 10 GB costs $15, and unlimited data costs $30 per month. We must note, however, that with Lively's “Unlimited” data plan, you'll receive 20 GB per month of high-speed data, after which time your data speeds will be throttled until the next billing period.
FYI: Read our comparison review to see how Lively stacks up against Consumer Cellular.
Jitterbug Smart4 Plan Comparison
| Feature | Basic | Preferred | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $19.99 | $39.99 | $49.99 |
| Lively Rides | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Urgent Response | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lively Link App | No | Yes | Yes |
| Care Advocate | No | No | Yes |
| Nurse on Call | No | No | Yes |
Here is an overview of each feature of Lively's plans.
Urgent Response
In the event of any emergency, medical or otherwise, the Urgent Response feature can come in handy. By pressing the dedicated button on the top of the Smart4's screen, Lively connected us to a trained agent who could trace our location and send help if necessary.
Essentially, this gave our phone the capabilities of a medical alert system.
Tip: Many medical alert systems are waterproof, can be worn around the neck, and feature automatic fall detection. With falls being the leading cause of injury death among adults 65 and older,1 we think of fall detection as an essential feature of any bona fide medical alert system.
Lively Rides
Ride-share app use among people over 50 increased from just under one-quarter in 2018 to nearly half of older adults by 2024.2 With Lively Rides, Jitterbug Smart4 users can bypass ride-share apps altogether by calling an operator who will arrange the ride for you. Lively will add the cost of these Lyft rides to your monthly bill.
Lively Link
The Lively Link app is a great way for caregivers to keep tabs on their loved ones. Using this app on his smartphone, one of our partners received notifications each time we pressed the Urgent Response button. He could also check on our location and the battery level of our Smart4.
Care Advocate
This feature connects users with professionals who conduct an initial screening and help them create a “Care Plan” that encompasses health, financial planning, and personal care. Based upon our experience, we viewed them as more care coaches than health advocates.
Nurse On-Call
One of our favorite wellness features, Nurse On-Call, allowed us to speak directly with registered nurses and doctors who provided us with medical advice and guidance for next steps; in some cases, a physician may be able to prescribe common medications depending on the situation and state regulations. Available 24/7, we found this feature to be much more useful than the care advocates.
We think that Nurse On-Call is a great way for seniors to answer nonemergency medical questions promptly. It definitely beats standing in line for urgent care or waiting several weeks to schedule a primary care visit.
Using Our Jitterbug Smart4
We recount our experience below using the Jitterbug Smart4, from installation to daily use.
What’s Included
Upon unboxing the Jitterbug Smart4, we found the following:
- 1 Jitterbug Smart4 phone
- 1 USB-C charging cable
- 1 wall plug
- 1 instruction manual
Activation
If you purchase your phone online, you can either activate it online or over the phone. During this time, you'll choose your plan and any extra features. Lively charges a $35 activation fee, plus applicable regulatory fees that may vary by location and plan.
If you purchase and activate the phone in store, you'll still have to pay an activation fee, but note the universal service fee for phone or online activation.
Phone
The Smart4 home screen is intuitive and easy to read, with a list-based menu that makes it easy to access its features. Additionally, the phone has dedicated Home and Back buttons on the bottom of the screen to help users avoid getting lost in various features and menus.
In terms of call quality, each of our phone calls came in crisp and clear. Even while wearing hearing aids, we noticed a clarity to each of our phone calls. Additionally, browsing the internet was a breeze with the Smart4's large touch screen.
Overall, the Smart4 delivered on its promise of simplifying the smartphone experience. The phone is easy to use, and its battery life was more than enough to last throughout the day.
For a closer look at our experience with the Jitterbug Smart4, watch our video below.
Smart4 Android Features
Remember, despite the Smart4's simplified design, it's a fully featured Android phone. This means that it can use any app available on the Google Play Store, including Facebook, Google Maps, WhatsApp, and Gmail, among others.
Similar to the Jitterbug Flip2, the Smart4 also features voice commands, although the Smart4 works with Google Assistant, while the Flip2 works with Alexa. Voice commands allow you to activate just about any feature of your Smart4 by using your voice. All you have to do is say, “Hey Google,” and then state your command. This makes the Smart4 even easier to use, particularly for adults with mobility or dexterity challenges.
Cameras
The Smart4 has three rear cameras (13MP, 2MP, and 2MP) and a 5MP selfie camera.
The colors are crisp and, for the most part, accurately represented. The one exception would be in sunny conditions; in these cases, photos tended to be washed out.
So, while you could certainly find a better camera on any number of our favorite iPhones for seniors, the Jitterbug Smart4's camera will certainly do the job. Just don't expect to print and frame any of these photos.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
Because Lively Jitterbug phones can only be used with a Lively phone plan, they may not be the best choice if you live with someone else and want to hop on their phone plan with an alternate carrier. That also means you can’t switch carriers if you’re unhappy with your service but want to keep using your Smart4. So you would have to buy a new phone in case you wanted to switch carriers.
>> You might like: Mint Mobile Plans for Seniors in 2026
The Smart4 also doesn’t have as many apps available, compared with most Android phones. And since it runs on 4G LTE, it may not support heavy app use, such as social media, banking, and streaming. Tech-savvy older adults who tend to be glued to their phones might find the Smart4 a bit lacking.
Lastly, while we love the health and safety features Lively offers, the overage charges may be challenging for older adults on fixed budgets.
Compare Jitterbug to Other Brands
Bottom Line
While a smartphone can’t replace a full-fledged medical alert system, in terms of affordability, ease of use, and simple navigation, as well as other health and safety features, Lively’s Jitterbug Smart4 phone is tough to beat.
Further, it offers a bridge between older adults and the modern smartphone. With its intuitive controls and added safety features, this smartphone is sure to be a valuable asset for any aging adult, but particularly those who don’t spend a ton of time on their phone or may be less than technically inclined.
To learn more about our favorite cell phones and providers, be sure to check out our helpful guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the Jitterbug Smart4 compatible with hearing aids?
The Jitterbug Smart4 has a hearing aid compatibility score of M3/T3, meaning that it complies with FCC guidelines and will work with most hearing aids.
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How much storage is available on the Jitterbug Smart4?
The Jitterbug Smart4 has 32 GB of internal memory, which is enough to store about 3,200 songs, 6,000 photos, or several hours of video. Additionally, you can add up to 32 GB of external storage through a micro SD card.
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Which operating system is used on the Jitterbug Smart4?
The Jitterbug Smart4 runs on Android 13.
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How is Urgent Response on my Jitterbug Smart4 different from a traditional medical alert system?
Like a traditional medical alert service, Lively’s Urgent Response offers users who have activated the service a direct line of communication with a monitoring center that can call for emergency assistance.
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Does the Jitterbug Smart4 require a data plan?
While calls and texts don’t require data, most Jitterbug Smart4 features (apps, internet, email, and GPS) do. All Lively plans currently include 1 GB of data. Additional data is available for $5 per month for 5 GB, $15 for 10 GB, or $30 for unlimited data, and note that Lively throttles speeds after 20 GB of data is used.
