Best Unlocked Phones for Seniors in 2025

I sat down with the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 to see how it compares to other smartphones. The first thing that struck me was the size and brightness of the screen. The 6.5-inch, 120Hz display makes everything look crystal clear, which is a huge plus for seniors with diminished vision. I had no issues navigating the phone, using apps, and making calls in different lighting environments.

I loved how dedicated the system is to helping seniors with vision loss. With just a few clicks in the settings menu, I enabled all the features for low-vision users. The best feature was the utilization of gestures. I could use certain gestures to do specific tasks rather than manually navigating the phone. For example, I doubled-tapped the back of the phone with my finger to initiate a preset action. It could range from opening an app to playing music and everything in between. Some of the more complex gestures, however, were harder to manage. The phone lets you open the camera by twisting your wrist twice, but you must do it quickly. If you struggle with arthritis (like my grandma does), you may find it difficult or uncomfortable to take advantage of these kinds of gestures.

» Related reading: Best Smartphones for Seniors

The 4 GB of RAM is the same as you would get with the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation), but it pales in comparison to the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s 12 GB RAM. That said, I had only minor issues with the phone running slowly. Sometimes, when multiple apps were running in the background, loading a webpage or YouTube video took a few seconds. Still, the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 offers value for a midtier smartphone.

Specs and Features

Pricing

Like most unlocked phones, how much you pay for the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 will depend on where you buy it. Many third-party retailers sell the Motorola Moto G 5G for between $149 and $249. Since the model is technically a year old already (as of this writing), you could spend even less as newer models emerge. You may have to temporarily give up having your phone unlocked to purchase through a carrier, but that option often makes it easier to finance your phone with zero interest.

The great thing about buying an unlocked Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 phone is that you can use it with most carriers. That includes the nation’s largest mobile carriers, such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. We recommend Consumer Cellular, however, because it offers simple, no-nonsense plans starting at $20 monthly.

You can also buy the unlocked phone at a third-party retailer and bring it to Consumer Cellular when you’re ready for a phone plan. You can sign up online and get the SIM card shipped to your door or you can head to a Consumer Cellular location and have someone set up everything for you. I’ve found that Consumer Cellular’s online sign-up process is quick and simple. Plus, I could score a 5 percent discount on service at checkout just for being an AARP member!

» Dive Deeper: Consumer Cellular’s Plan Pricing

In addition to its senior-friendly phone plans, Consumer Cellular offers some great deals on new phones — especially if you don’t want to spend a fortune up front. If you finance a new Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 through Consumer Cellular, you can pay as little as $7 per month with a down payment of $11 and no interest. But here’s the catch: Financing through Consumer Cellular means you’re pretty much stuck with them until you pay off the phone. You can always pay it off early and switch to a new carrier, but you’ll still need to contact Consumer Cellular’s customer support and request that they unlock your phone. Even if your phone is paid in full, Consumer Cellular requires you to use their service for 30 continuous days before unlocking the phone.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro gets two thumbs up from me for its fast, 12 GB RAM system. Navigating the phone was easy, because its highly responsive touch screen reacts without delays. Even when I tried to push the phone to its limits — playing games, downloading multiple apps simultaneously, and streaming HD content — the phone didn’t show signs of slowing down! Even the iPhone SE wasn’t as fast as the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

» Related Reading: The Best iPhones for Seniors

The one (potential) downside of the Google Pixel 8 Pro is that it can feel like a lot of phone to handle. There are tons of features hidden behind menus and complicated screens. It wasn’t always easy to figure out how to adjust settings or access safety features. I recommend the Google Pixel 8 Pro for seniors who have used an Android phone before and aren’t intimidated by high-tech devices. One great thing about the Google Pixel 8 Pro is its crash detection if you get into a collision while driving. If the phone detects a crash, it immediately contacts emergency responders for help. It could be a lifesaving feature, particularly for seniors who haven’t invested in an on-the-go medical alert system.

» Learn About: Senior Driving Statistics

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

I’m a big fan of phones that come with extra safety or medical alert features. Many older adults don’t want a stand-alone medical alert system because they’re not very discreet, so a phone with built-in safety features is a huge plus. One of my favorite medical alert phones for seniors is Lively’s Jitterbug Smart4. If you don’t mind being locked in with one carrier, check our Jitterbug Smart4 review.

Specs and Features

Pricing

The Google Pixel 8 Pro currently retails for $999 from AT&T. That’s more than double the retail price of the iPhone SE ($429) and more than six times the price of the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 ($149). That is by far its biggest drawback. Many seniors may not want to spend that much money on a phone. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get the high-tech smartphone you want without spending a fortune.

» Helpful Resource: AT&T Cell Phone Plans for Seniors 2025

If you purchase your Google Pixel 8 Pro through AT&T and trade in an eligible phone, you can get the phone for free or at a greatly reduced cost. Like Consumer Cellular, AT&T will also let you finance the phone free of interest, with monthly payments as low as $27.75. Plus, AT&T offers some decent discounts for AARP members. Once again, purchasing a phone through AT&T means it will be locked — at first. Once the phone is fully paid off and you’ve used it with an AT&T plan for at least 60 days, you can ask AT&T to unlock it. That will allow you to switch to another carrier. If you’re opposed to owning a locked phone for any period, you can also buy the phone from a third-party retailer.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Google Pixel 8 Pro is pretty big. If you hold your phone with both hands, it’s not much of an issue. The Google Pixel 8 Pro weighs 7.7 ounces, however, which is more than an ounce heavier than the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023. It may not sound like a huge difference, but I noticed the weight when I held up the phone to take photos or record videos. If you have arthritis or don’t want to carry around a larger, heavier phone, you may prefer the comparatively light TCL Flip Go or iPhone SE.

It’s difficult to get much simpler or more user-friendly than the TCL Flip Go. It’s a big-button flip phone with a large internal and smaller external screen. My grandma had no issues flipping open the phone and figuring out how to use most features in minutes. I also love that the TCL Flip Go combines features of more traditional flip phones with some of the perks of modern smartphones, including 4G LTE internet access and Wi-Fi connectivity.

» For Flip Phone Users: Best Flip Phones for Seniors in 2025

The TCL Flip Go, for example, comes preinstalled with apps such as Google Search, Google Maps, KaiNews, and KaiWeather. The flip phone uses the KaiOS operating system, which means you can also download hundreds of apps from the KaiOS app store, including popular apps such as Facebook and YouTube. The phone, however, is quite limited compared to every other option on this list. You won’t find nearly as many apps in the KaiOS app store as you could in the Google Play Store or the Apple iOS app store. Still, the TCL Flip Go works surprisingly well and has more features than I would’ve expected. From the loud speaker to the excellent hearing aid compatibility, the TCL Flip Go is especially great for seniors with hearing loss.

Specs and Features

Pricing

At just $96, the TCL Flip Go is a great option for seniors who want a simple, reliable phone that won’t break the bank. Since it doesn’t have a high price tag (unlike the Google Pixel 8 Pro), it’s easier to buy without financing it through a carrier. You can buy your phone from a third-party retailer and switch carriers whenever. That said, T-Mobile sells the TCL Flip Go, and it’s a great all-around mobile carrier for seniors.

If you buy your TCL Flip Go from T-Mobile, you can finance it with zero down and zero interest for as little as $4 per month. That’s a great deal for seniors on a tight budget. Plus, T-Mobile offers three 55-plus unlimited phone plans with spectacular perks and pricing for seniors, starting at $45 monthly. I’m a big fan of T-Mobile’s features for travelers, such as in-flight Wi-Fi, data and texting abroad, and plenty of hot spot data.

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

Apple is among the best in the business at creating senior-friendly devices. The interface isn’t overly complicated. Even if you don’t have experience with Apple devices, the iPhone SE is easy to pick up and learn. It’s not quite as fast as the more expensive iPhones, but it’s well balanced between affordability and advanced features.

The iPhone SE, for example, is great for seniors with vision loss. You can easily increase text size, zoom in, and even tinker with transparency reduction. The iPhone SE is also compatible with most hearing aids and has plenty of features for seniors with hearing loss. One thing that we would’ve liked was a headphone jack like the TCL Flip Go has. If you want to listen to music or stream content on the iPhone SE with greater privacy, you must use Bluetooth headphones.

» Useful Guide: Best iPhone-Compatible Hearing Aids

Specs and Features

Pricing

The third iteration of the iPhone SE retails for $429. The price you pay will vary based on the storage option you choose. It costs $429 for 64 GB of internal storage, but upgrading to 128 GB or 256 GB increases the price to $479 or $579, respectively. I’d recommend taking some time to consider how much storage you want. For context, I have a 128 GB iPhone, and my storage is almost full. My phone is packed with thousands of photos and videos, plus some data-hogging apps. If you’re big on taking photos and using mobile apps, consider upgrading to an option with higher storage.

» Related Reading: Best Phone Plans for Seniors in 2025

If you buy directly from Apple, you can finance your unlocked phone with zero interest for as little as $17.87 monthly. I like that Apple makes buying any of its products online or in person at an Apple Store simple. That way, you can take advantage of financing without being locked down by a specific carrier. If you want to visit an Apple Store to buy your iPhone, I’d recommend making an appointment in advance. They get busy, especially during the evening and on weekends.

Even if you buy your unlocked iPhone SE directly from Apple, we recommend pairing it with one of Verizon’s competitively priced plans. You can also finance your iPhone through Verizon with no money down, but you’ll need to wait 60 days from the date of purchase for Verizon to unlock it. They also won’t unlock it until you’ve paid for the phone in full.

» Learn More: Verizon senior cell phone plan review 2025

I’ve found that Verizon offers very reliable coverage, especially in remote or rural areas. I’ve used my iPhone on AT&T’s network during several trips with my sister, a Verizon user. She always seems to have service in areas where I don’t. If you travel or spend a lot of time outside of big cities, Verizon is a great choice.