The 6 Best Cell Phones for Seniors to Stay Connected

ProsCrash Detection, satellite Emergency SOS, and Check InDeep accessibility optionsYears of software and security updatesCons6.3-inch screen may feel small for low-vision usersThe iPhone 17 has a number of features that work in the background to make it a top choice for older adults. Crash Detection calls for help after a car accident if you can't, and Emergency SOS reaches 911 over satellite even with no cell signal and no Wi-Fi. There's also Check In, which can tell a family member when you've made it home or to an appointment. Apple's accessibility settings remain some of the most in-depth around, offering adjustable text and zoom, Voice Control, hearing-aid support, and live captions that turn speech into on-screen text during a call.The 6.3-inch screen is bright enough to read in direct sunlight and scrolls smoothly at 120Hz. The A19 chip is quick, and the battery lasts up to 30 hours of video playback on a single charge. Two 48MP cameras handle everything from a day at the park to a group selfie. With Find My, a family member can check a parent's location with permission or help track down a misplaced phone. Apple also provides years of software updates, so your iPhone should stay current for longer.The iPhone 17's 6.3-inch display may feel slightly small for low-vision users. That said, Apple sells two roomier options — the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with a 6.9-inch screen, and the iPhone Air, at 6.5 inches — though they're both hundreds of dollars more. For most older adults, the standard iPhone 17 hits the right balance of screen size, price, and everything else that makes it our top pick.Key SpecsScreen6.3-inch Super Retina XDRStorage256/512GBBattery Life3,692 mAh, up to 30 hoursCarrier CompatabilityUnlockedProsSix years of major OS and security updatesSharp 6.7-inch Super AMOLED displayFor about $75 more than the Moto G Power, the Galaxy A37 5G offers a sharper screen and six years of OS and security updates instead of three. That means Samsung's device will stay current and be the safer option for longer. Plus, it has a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display that runs at a smooth 120Hz.The Galaxy A37 5G has a smaller battery than the G Power — 5,000 mAh versus 5,200 mAh — but it still lasts all day, and the more efficient AMOLED screen helps close the gap. It fast-charges to 60 percent in about half an hour, too. Elsewhere, it features an IP68 rating and Gorilla Glass Victus+, a 50MP main camera, and a setting that simplifies the home screen for anyone who finds the standard Android layout too complicated.Samsung devices are among the most popular on the market, and the balance of features and software support make the Galaxy A37 5G the best value around for seniors.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsDedicated Help button with 24/7 Urgent ResponseBig backlit buttons and high-contrast screenConsLocked to Lively serviceNot everybody wants a smartphone, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on safety. The Jitterbug Flip3 keeps things simple, while adding a Help button that connects to a live agent, 24/7. It’s a proper old-school flip phone, with big backlight buttons, a high-contrast 3.2-inch screen, and a simple interface. Simply flip it open and make a call.Like Jitterbug’s Smart5, the Flip3 offers access to Lively’s Urgent Response service, and there’s a help button that reaches a trained agent who can confirm your location and send help. Meanwhile, there’s one-touch speed dial, support for Wi-Fi calling, and battery life that’s rated for about 12 hours of talk. You can also add services like Nurse On-Call for medical questions and the Lively Link app, which can alert family members if you contact Urgent Response.The Flip3 runs only on Lively’s service, so you can’t switch carriers later. And some of the more advanced features aren’t included in Lively’s cheapest plan. A talk-and-text plan is affordable at $14.99/month, but Urgent Response is on the $34.99 plan.Key SpecsScreen3.2 inchesStorage64GBBattery Life3,000 mAhCarrier CompatabilityLively service onlyProsSimple list-based UI24/7 Urgent Response buttonConsLocked to Lively serviceThe Jitterbug Smart5 is the perfect option for older adults who want a smartphone but find a standard one overwhelming. Instead of a grid of tiny icons, the home screen is a plain, top-to-bottom list of typical apps — phone, text, camera, email — in large type, making it easy to understand. The 6.75-inch screen is nice and spacious, and real-time call captioning displays the other person's words as text, so nothing gets missed on a call.One of the things that sets the Smart5 apart is an Urgent Response button that can connect users to a trained agent 24/7, and for an added fee you can add services to the plan — Nurse On-Call for medical questions, and the Lively Link app, which lets a family member get alerts and check the user's location.The Smart5 runs only on Lively's service, so you can't move it to another carrier later. And if simplicity is the main draw, know that the iPhone 17 or Pixel 10a can be set up with the same kind of big icon, pared-down interface, while offering carrier flexibility and built-in safety features. The Smart5's real advantage is the all-in-one simplicity and a live agent a button-press away, with nothing to configure.Key SpecsScreen 6.75 inchesStorage128GBBattery Life5,010 mAhCarrier CompatabilityLively service onlyAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsBuilt-in crash detection and Satellite SOSSeven years of major OS and security updatesConsSomewhat smaller starting storage of 128GBThe Pixel 10a is the Android phone for an older adult who doesn't want an iPhone. Like the iPhone, it has built-in Car Crash Detection and Satellite SOS, so if there's no cell signal or Wi-Fi, it connects to emergency services by satellite and shares your location with your contacts. And Google guarantees seven years of major OS and security updates, so the device will stay current through the early 2030s.It has a slightly smaller 6.3-inch screen, but it can hit 3,000 nits, making it easy to read in direct sunlight. The battery lasts 30-plus hours on a single charge and can stretch to 120 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode. It also has Gorilla Glass 7i and an IP68 rating to protect against drops and spills. In addition to accessibility features like enlarging text, screen magnification, and voice control, the built-in Gemini assistant can screen spam calls and translate in-person conversations.At under $500, the Pixel 10a is relatively affordable too. It's worth noting that the Satellite SOS feature is available at no additional cost for the first two years. After that, you'll have to pay a fee, though Google hasn't shared pricing for the feature.Key SpecsScreen6.3-inch Actua pOLED, 120HzStorage128/256GBBattery Life5,100 mAh, up to 30 hoursCarrier CompatabilityUnlockedProsNearly two-day battery lifeLarge, bright 6.8-inch 120Hz screenDurable with Gorilla Glass 7i and IP68/IP69 water and dust resistanceConsOnly three years of security updatesFor someone who wants a simple, dependable Android device without spending iPhone money, we recommend the newest Motorola Moto G Power. The 5,200 mAh battery is rated for nearly two full days, so a phone left off the charger overnight should still work the next morning. When it does run down, a fast-charging feature gets you hours of battery life in just minutes.The Moto G Power has a large 6.8-inch screen that runs at a smooth 120Hz and gets bright enough to comfortably read outdoors. Gorilla Glass 7i plus IP68/IP69 ratings mean it can handle drops and spills, and a fingerprint sensor on the side unlocks it quickly. There's even a microSD slot for extra photo storage, which most phones no longer support. Meanwhile, Android offers accessibility settings like enlarging text, screen magnification, and voice control.Motorola supports the G Power with just three years of security updates, so keep that in mind if you plan to stick with the device for several years. Motorola phones also tend to come with more preinstalled apps, so you may have to spend time deleting stuff after setup.Key SpecsScreen6.8-inch FHD+ LCD, 120HzStorage128GB (expandable via microSD)Battery Life5,200 mAh, up to 49 hoursCarrier CompatabilityUnlockedBrandon Russell is a freelance writer covering gear and technology. He started his journey as a news writer at a small newspaper and later began reviewing smartphones, movies, and video games. In his free time, he enjoys the slower, more intentional experience of using a 35mm film camera and making short videos about movies he grew up watching.Amber is a Reviews Editor with bylines on Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Best Products sites. Specializing in kitchen gadgets, small appliances, lifestyle, and consumer tech, she brings hands-on testing and a detail-oriented approach to every review. In her free time you can likely find her trading trinkets at an EDM festival, searching for hidden gems at thrift stores, or cuddling with her two cats.