The Best Android Phones for Seniors, Tested and Reviewed in 2025

Testing out the IRIS Easy Flip from Consumer Cellular

The Consumer Cellular IRIS Easy Flip is one of the most stripped-down cell phones on this list, making it a good choice for older adults just starting with cell phones. At $59, it’s also the cheapest option. You get an average 5 MP front-facing camera to capture videos and photos. What you’re mostly paying for with the Cellular IRIS Easy Flip, however, is a device that allows you to talk and text with friends and family without the complexity of a smartphone.

I was delighted to see how Consumer Cellular has improved upon the features of its previous flip phone model, the Verve Snap. Both the internal and external screens are oversized. It also includes features that make it similar to a smartphone, like the Sonim XP10. I could download apps via the built-in app store, browse the internet, and use GPS navigation. The features can help bridge the gap between old-school flip phones and high-end smartphones, making the IRIS Easy Flip feel more advanced than the comparatively simplistic Jitterbug Flip2.

Using the Kai Virtual Assistant on Consumer Cellular's IRIS Flip

Senior-Friendly Experience

My grandma and I are very comfortable using flip phones, and we found that the IRIS Easy Flip was a welcome change from other models we’ve tested. The IRIS Easy Flip feels like a good middle ground between a flip phone and a smartphone, even if its “advanced” features are sparse. My grandma was excited to enjoy the comfort of a flip phone with access to mobile apps, but the lack of familiar apps disappointed her. We could still download apps like Facebook and YouTube, but the wider selection was limited.

» Related Reading: 2025 Consumer Cellular Review

We agreed that the IRIS Easy Flip works well as a flip phone, with large buttons and an easy-to-read screen, but we don’t consider it a worthy replacement for a smartphone. The 1 GB of RAM means browsing the internet or using GPS navigation was pretty slow, even when we had strong 4G LTE coverage or fast Wi-Fi.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Consumer Cellular’s previous flip phone model, the IRIS Flip, had a built-in voice assistant. I was disappointed that the IRIS Easy Flip doesn’t offer voice navigation, as this is a fantastic feature for those with arthritis or mobility issues. If that feature is vital to you, I’d recommend checking out Lively’s senior-friendly phones.

Best Carrier to Pair It With

The IRIS Easy Flip is available only through Consumer Cellular. For older adults on a budget, that may be a blessing in disguise. Consumer Cellular’s plans offer budget talk, text, and data plans starting at $20 per month. (You can take another 5 percent off your monthly bill as an AARP member.) There are also no contracts or cancellation fees. Not only does the IRIS Easy Flip cost just $59, but you can also finance your purchase for $11 down and $2 per month for 24 months by using EasyPay at checkout.

The IRIS Easy Flip offers only 4G speeds, while some of the smartphones on our list are 5G-ready. I still experienced reliable coverage while using the IRIS Easy Flip at home and on vacation with my friends, so the 4G speeds were sufficient.

Consumer Cellular uses both AT&T and T-Mobile networks to offer more widespread coverage. Still, if you’re looking for the fastest speeds, you may want to consider a 5G smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G.

My grandma trying out the Jitterbug Smart4

Lively’s Jitterbug Smart4 is a solid starter cell phone for seniors ready to take the smartphone plunge. It’s got an even bigger screen (6.6 inches) than Lively’s previous models, making reading small text and watching videos effortless. I used the phone’s voice assistant to text, make calls, and browse the web. The Smart4 also comes with GPS, email, browsers, and Lively’s trademark Urgent Response button for medical emergencies.

» Learn More: Best Cell Phones for Seniors With Hearing Loss

At $119.99 ($71.99 with current promotion!), the Jitterbug Smart4 has an affordable price tag for a smartphone. That’s more than $300 cheaper than the Sonim XP Pro. You can save even more when you pair your Smart4 with a Basic plan, which offers unlimited talk and text for $14.99 per month. The Basic plan comes with 1 GB of data, which is enough for light usage. If you need more, Lively offers 5 GB of data for $5 more per month, 10 GB of data for $15 more per month, and unlimited data for $30 more per month.

Senior-Friendly Experience

The Jitterbug Smart4 is one of the most senior-friendly smartphones on the market. My grandma liked that she could pick up the phone and easily navigate the simple, list-style menu. It’s easy to use, but has the perks of a large touchscreen, voice typing, video chat, mobile apps, and internet browsing.

» Related Reading: Jitterbug Phone Review

We noticed a difference between the Jitterbug Smart4 and the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G regarding speed and processing. The Galaxy A16 is not the fastest smartphone, yet it’s substantially faster than the Jitterbug Smart4. The Smart4’s interface can feel clunky and slow. My grandma and I agreed that the phone takes too long to react when clicking an app icon or menu item.

While not terrible, the camera didn’t fully deliver on image quality. The 13 MP main camera is still good enough to take relatively clear photos and videos, especially in good lighting.

Photo taken on the Jitterbug Smart4

The beauty of the Jitterbug Smart4 is the potential to use it as an emergency response system. You get an all-in-one, emergency-response device if you’re willing to splurge for the Preferred or Premium plan.

The Smart4 has a large, red Urgent Response button you can press at any time to receive help after a fall or other emergency. We tested the Urgent Response button and connected with an agent in less than 20 seconds.

Lively's Urgent Response button is clearly displayed on the home and lock screen

The phone offers other health and safety features, like on-call nurses, a caregiver mobile app, and scheduled Lyft rides. The features are unique — you won’t find them with most other phones. The caregiver mobile app was one of my favorite features. It offered updates on the Smart4 and allowed me to track my grandma’s location, whether at home, out shopping, or at her book club.

» Learn More: Best Medical Alert Systems

Best Carrier to Pair It With

If you choose a Jitterbug Smart4, you can’t use it with, for example, AT&T. You’ll have to pair it with a Lively plan. Is that a problem? I don’t think so. Like Consumer Cellular, Lively’s cell phone plans are designed for older folks on fixed incomes. If a simple unlimited-talk-and-text plan is enough for you, you can get started for as little as $19.99 per month. If you want to take advantage of Lively’s health and safety features, try upgrading to the Preferred ($39.99 per month) or Premium ($49.99 per month) plans. Lively is a good bargain for data, with packages starting at $5 per month.

» For Unlimited Data: Best Senior Unlimited Cell Phone Plans

Sonim XP Pro

At $429.99, the Sonim XP Pro is a 5G smartphone for older adults who want a rugged workhorse without all the extra gadgets. You can drop it, spill liquid on it, or cover it in sand, and it will keep ticking. That makes it a great companion for older folks with unstable grips or a house full of grandkids. I am prone to dropping my phone at the worst times — while in the bathroom, for example — so I’m a big fan of these rugged features!

The touchscreen is even designed to work with gloved or wet hands. During testing, I could answer a call while washing my hands without drying them first. I also took the phone on a cold walk while wearing gloves, and I could still navigate without issue! That’s unique since most smartphones I’ve tested aren’t designed that way.

» You Might Like: Best 5G Phones for Seniors

Ruggedness aside, the Sonim XP Pro has great HD calling quality and excellent coverage via AT&T or T-Mobile. It also comes with a generous three-year warranty.

Senior-Friendly Experience

The Sonim XP Pro is all about rugged durability. It’s great if you occasionally drop your phone, but it also has a few noticeable drawbacks for seniors. My grandma doesn’t like holding heavy phones because of her arthritis. The Sonim XP Pro weighs just under 10 ounces, more than an ounce less than the previous model, the XP10.

That may not sound like much — it’s still less than a pound — but it’s surprisingly hefty. Compared to the Jitterbug Smart4 (6.75 ounces) or the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G (7.05 ounces), the Sonim XP Pro can feel like a brick. My grandma preferred resting the phone in her lap while browsing or texting. She held it up just to answer calls or take photos. That may be a drawback for seniors who struggle to hold heavier objects for extended periods.

» Learn About: Highest-Ranked Identity Theft Protection for Seniors

The Sonim XP Pro’s interface looks and operates similarly to the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G. The XP Pro uses Android 14 (the XP10 had the Android 12 operating system), the same operating system as the Galaxy A16. That means that compared with previous models, the Sonim XP Pro smartphone should be less susceptible to cybersecurity risks that could lead to identity theft.

At  6.47 inches, the XP Pro has a considerably larger screen than the XP10, which was 5.5 inches. And it’s much larger than the screens on flip phones like the IRIS Easy Flip and Jitterbug Flip2. The Sonim XP Pro also has a 50 MP rear camera and very loud dual speakers — 100dB+ — with echo- and noise-cancellation technology. That makes this phone an excellent choice for older adults with mild hearing loss.

Best Carrier to Pair It With

You can use your Sonim XP Pro with most major cellular carriers. I recommend pairing it with AT&T’s senior-friendly plans. If you’re 55 or older, you can sign up for the AT&T 55+ plan, which starts at $40 per month for one line and $35 per line if you order two.

If this plan doesn’t fit your needs, there are other great plans, such as the basic AT&T Unlimited Starter plan, which starts at $65.99 monthly for one line. If you have multiple people in your household, keep in mind that the Unlimited Starter plan is just $35.99 per line if you order service for four phone lines. If you finance your phone through AT&T, you can pay as little as $15.84 monthly with no interest.

» For Couples: Best 2-Line Cell Phone Plans for Seniors

I’ve been an AT&T customer since I purchased my first cell phone eons ago, and I’m a big fan of the service. It’s reliable, and I’ve had great experience with customer service, both in person and over the phone.

One drawback is that AT&T has less reliable coverage in rural or remote areas. I went camping with some friends who had Verizon, and they had coverage in places where I had no service. It won’t be an issue for people living in or near cities, but it’s something to note.

Testing out the Jitterbug Flip2

Smartphones aren’t for everyone. If you prefer a big-button flip phone, the Jitterbug Flip2 is a fabulous choice. At $79.99 ($47.99 with current promotion), the affordable Flip2 keeps things easy with a convenient list-based menu, a large screen, and a magnifier for enlarging text.

Voice navigation with Amazon Alexa will also be a relief for older folks whose fingers tire easily. I could send texts and make calls with just the sound of my voice. The 8 MP camera was slightly better than the IRIS Easy Flip’s 5 MP camera, but it’s nothing to write home about. The phone also has a heavy-duty speaker, catered to older ears.

The Flip2 doubles as a medical emergency device. Like the Smart4, I pressed the red Urgent Response button at the bottom to connect with Lively’s board-certified medical staff. They’re available 24/7 to assist with emergencies. I found they were always patient and kind! The service is available only with the Preferred and Premium phone plans, which cost $34.99 and $44.99 per month, respectively.

» Also Check Out: Jitterbug Flip2 Phone Review

Senior-Friendly Experience

The Jitterbug Flip2 is one of the easiest cell phones we’ve tested, and it didn’t get that way by accident. A lot of thought went into the Flip2’s easy-to-use menu and buttons. Much like the Smart4, it has a simple list-based menu that was a no-brainer for my grandma and me to navigate.

The phone’s keypad has large buttons that are easy to see and press. The Flip2 has less than half the talk time (12 hours) of the Sonim XP Pro (27 hours), which might make it a bit less convenient for older adults who are out and about and away from a phone charger for extended periods.

» Related Reading: Best Flip Phones for Seniors

The Jitterbug Flip2’s Urgent Response button, however, is a lifesaver for older adults with chronic medical conditions, giving instant access to certified health care professionals 24/7. Lively’s health and safety features, including on-call nurses and caregiver tracking, gave me extra peace of mind.

My grandma was also thankful that she could call for help with one press of a button, something you can’t do with most other phones on our list. Considering the affordable $79.99 price tag, it’s among the most popular phones for older adults who want to keep things simple.

The Lively Flip keypad and Urgent Response button

My grandma and I sat down with the Jitterbug Flip2 and compared it, apples to apples, with the only other flip phone on this list: the IRIS Easy Flip. The IRIS Easy Flip is $21 cheaper, has internet access, and offers access to mobile apps.

The Jitterbug Flip2 has a simpler list-style menu and emergency-response features (with select plans). The IRIS Easy Flip has more bang for your buck, but the Jitterbug Flip2 is easier to use and stellar for seniors who want 24/7 medical alert protection.

Best Carrier to Pair It With

You won’t get the leeway to choose your carrier for the Flip2 like you would with a Sonim XP Pro or a Samsung Galaxy A16 5G. But you get the benefit of an affordable monthly bill and a bargain phone made for seniors.

The Jitterbug Flip2 is only $79.99, and Lively phone plans start at $14.99 per month, cheaper than Consumer Cellular. Lively’s health and safety services set it apart from other carriers. If you’re interested in that, I highly recommend going with Lively.

Samsung Galaxy A16 5G

If you’re looking for a mid-to-high-end smartphone on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G. I found it extremely easy to use during my testing. I could access all the apps in the Google Play Store and features smartphone users have grown accustomed to, such as a high-end camera, responsive touchscreen, large display, and face recognition to unlock your phone.

I like the Galaxy A16 5G’s oversized, brightly lit display and long battery life. Even when using the phone regularly throughout the day (with the brightness turned way up), the phone kept chugging along without needing a fresh charge. The Galaxy A16 5G boasts up to 47 hours of talk time and up to 16 days of battery life in standby mode (for example, when it’s turned on but you’re not actively using it). It can also charge to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

If you’re already comfortable using an Android phone, the Galaxy A16 5G is like a breath of fresh air. As the name implies, it’s 5G-ready. You can enjoy lightning-fast speeds, especially if you choose a nationwide carrier like T-Mobile. It has a 50 MP rear-facing camera and a 13 MP front-facing camera. In simpler terms, I could easily take crisp, clear, high-definition photos and videos. It’s the best camera on our list by a long shot!

Senior-Friendly Experience

My grandma and I tested the Galaxy A16 5G together to get hands-on experience with how it feels in senior hands. Right off the bat, she loved the big, bright screen. Even when she held the phone at arm’s length, she could read average-size text, which surprised us both. This phone is a great pick if you have vision loss. I also liked that the Galaxy A16 5G offers wireless charging.

» Also Check Out: Smartphone Apps and Resources for People With Vision Loss

The Android 14 operating system felt like a big step up from some of its predecessors, and it’s certainly faster than Jitterbug Smart4’s operating system. That said, the phone has only 4 GB of RAM. That’s about half as much as in most mid- to high-tier Samsung phones.

That means the phone gets sluggish if you do too much at once. Switching between data- or energy-heavy apps made the experience a bit frustrating. We had to wait a few seconds for the screen to change. Despite that issue, my grandma and I loved taking photos and videos with the exceptional camera.

Best Carrier to Pair It With

T-Mobile’s Unlimited 55+ phone plans are one of my top picks for seniors, and I recommend pairing your Samsung Galaxy A16 5G with one. They’re all contract-free and offer unlimited talk, text, and data for as little as $50 per month for one line and $70 for two. I could get the Galaxy A16 5G for free with a two-year service agreement or by trading in an eligible phone. That’s why the phone also made our list of the best free phones for seniors!

» Even More Info: T-Mobile 55+ Cell Phone Plans Review

Even if you don’t want to use T-Mobile, the Galaxy A16 5G is a good midrange option at $228.00. Some retailers may carry it for even less.

If you’re looking for a bargain-basement prepaid plan, I recommend checking out Mint Mobile. Mint’s no-nonsense cellular plans start at $15 a month if you pay annually. You won’t get many of my favorite perks offered by T-Mobile, though, such as in-flight Wi-Fi and international data.