Best Voice-Activated Cell Phones for Seniors

Pricing

The Jitterbug Flip2 costs $99.99, while Lively phone plans cost $19.99 to $49.99 per month. All plans come with unlimited talk and text. You’ll need the Preferred or Premium package if you want access to the health and safety features. While they’re more expensive, I think they’re well worth the peace of mind that their features offer.

I’ve noticed that Lively occasionally runs sales that could help you save even more. The only downside to a Jitterbug phone is that you can’t use it with another carrier. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone SE can be unlocked and paired with most major carriers. With the Jitterbug Flip2 or Jitterbug Smart4, you can only choose one of Lively’s plans. Still, Lively is a great option if you just want a simple phone to stay connected and protected.

» Related Reading: Best Unlocked Phones for Seniors

Voice Activation

Since it’s a flip phone, I knew the Jitterbug Flip2 wouldn’t be as advanced as the smartphones on this list. And that’s not a bad thing! It keeps things simple on purpose. I found that the voice-activated features were easy to use. You can use the built-in Amazon Alexa assistant with an Amazon account (which is free to set up).

However, the phone does not have internet access. So, if you want to ask who won the Super Bowl last year, you’re out of luck. If you want to do more with voice commands, like send emails or ask for directions, I’d recommend Lively’s Jitterbug Smart4 (more on this phone later!).

» Home Internet Help: Best Internet Service for Seniors in 2024

My grandma was a little disappointed with the lack of voice command features on the Jitterbug Flip2, but we were both happy with the performance. I used the simple, list-style menu to find the “Ask Alexa” icon to activate the voice assistant. When I clicked on this icon, I was prompted to ask a question or say a command. While Alexa understood me with a few issues, I realized I needed to keep my requests simple to get the desired results.

Health and Safety Features

Health and safety features set the Jitterbug Flip2 apart from most other flip phones — if you’re willing to pay more. With the Basic plan ($19.99 monthly), the Flip2 acts like a regular cell phone. If you upgrade to the Preferred plan ($39.99 per month), you get 24/7 Urgent Response monitoring (activated by clicking the big red button) and the Lively Link app for caregivers and loved ones. The Premium plan ($49.99 per month) has the same features as the Preferred plan, plus a personalized care advocate and an on-call nurse who can answer your medical questions.

» Learn More: Jitterbug Flip2 Review

I tested out the Urgent Response feature by pressing the large red button at the bottom of the phone’s keyboard. In about 30 seconds, I was connected to a live agent who asked if I needed help. This feature is ideal for emergencies, whether you experience a fall, get lost, or have a flat tire. It can offer peace of mind for both the user and their loved ones.

Pricing

At $1,039.99, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is not cheap; it’s over $200 more than the second-most-expensive phone on this list (Samsung Galaxy S23). That said, it packs a lot of features into one device. So, if you’re a tech-savvy senior who wants an advanced smartphone, it’s worth the price. There are also plenty of ways to save with AT&T, one of my favorite phone carriers for seniors. If you have an eligible phone to trade in and don’t mind committing to a three-year plan, you can get your Google Pixel 8 Pro for free.

If you don’t want to trade in your phone, you can also finance the Google Pixel 8 Pro with zero interest for as little as $28.89 monthly. I recommend pairing this smartphone with AT&T's Unlimited 55+ plan if you live in Florida. It starts at $60 monthly for one line and offers unlimited talk, text, and data. While I’m bummed that this plan is available only in the Sunshine State, AT&T still has great deals on its standard unlimited plans outside of Florida.

Voice Activation

Google Voice Assistant makes it easy to search the web, get directions, and send text messages without typing. In my experience, using the voice assistant was simple. When the phone was turned on, I could either hold down the power button or say, “Hey, Google,” for the assistant icon to appear. Then, I could make my request. For example, I asked the phone to text a friend. I was then prompted to say what I wanted the text to say. Then, Google sent the text. I was able to do it all without pressing a single button!

» Shopping Tip: The Best Android Phones for Seniors

I also tried setting timers, setting reminders, requesting directions, and asking the phone to take photos. For instance, I could say, “Take a selfie photo in 10 seconds.” The phone would confirm it had heard the command and open the camera app. Then, it displayed a large countdown timer to let me know how much time was left until it snapped the photo. I was impressed with how advanced Google Voice Assistant was. It outperformed the comparatively simple voice commands on the Jitterbug Flip2.

There were only a few times when the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s voice assistant let me down. For instance, I wanted to see how complex I could make my requests. I tried planning my dream vacation to Europe using Google Voice Assistant alone. It was just able to provide information about flight and hotel prices. When I pressed it for more information about flight routes or hotel room amenities, it couldn’t help me. So, while Google Voice Assistant can do a lot for you, it can’t do everything.

Health and Safety Features

The Google Pixel 8 Pro includes a preloaded Personal Safety app featuring an SOS button. That is great for seniors. I opened the app and held down the SOS button for three seconds. Then, my phone called 911, shared my location with my emergency contacts, and even began recording a video. While it may not always be easy to open the app and hold down the button during an emergency, this feature can give seniors peace of mind.

If you drive (or are a passenger), the Google Pixel 8 Pro can detect collisions. If a crash is detected, the phone will immediately call 911. While it doesn’t have built-in fall detection, you can get this feature if you combine your Google Pixel 8 Pro with a Google Pixel Watch. These features are pretty solid, considering they don’t cost extra, like Lively’s health and safety features.

» Related Resource: Best Medical Alert Watches of 2024

Pricing

The Moto G 5G costs just $179, and Consumer Cellular plans start at $20 monthly. That will save you a bundle if you want a smartphone that isn’t too fancy. Plus, if you finance your phone through Consumer Cellular, you can pay as little as $7 monthly with $11 down and no interest. It’s a great mid-tier option if you don’t want the more advanced features of the Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 8 Pro.

» For More Information: Consumer Cellular Cell Phone Plan Review 2024

Voice Activation

Since the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 uses Google Voice Assistant, it's powered by the same software I experienced on the Google Pixel 8 Pro. The Moto G 5G 2023 isn’t as powerful as the Google Pixel 8 Pro. The former has only 4 GB of RAM (the same as the iPhone SE), while the latter boasts 12 GB of RAM. That means that making voice commands and getting accurate responses is a bit slower on the Moto G 5G 2023.

To start a voice command, I just said, “Hey, Google” (even when the phone was on the lock screen). Then, I asked questions or made requests. Alternatively, I could hit the speaker icon on the home screen. Either way, Google Voice Assistant was easy to use, even though it took a few seconds longer to respond than the Google Pixel 8 Pro. If you want a more advanced phone with Google Voice Assistant and you have room for it in your budget, I’d recommend upgrading to the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Health and Safety Features

Unlike the iPhone SE or Lively’s phones, there aren’t many health and safety features built into the Motorola Moto G 5G. There are tons of apps on Google Play for tracking steps, monitoring sleep patterns, and even helping you keep up with your medication schedule, I had to find those on my own.

» App Guide: Social Distancing: Apps for Seniors (Tech-Savvy or Not)

The Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 can still double as an emergency response device — if you know where to look. I could contact emergency responders by either swiping up on the lock screen and pressing the Emergency icon or holding the power button and pressing the same icon. While these are useful features, they aren’t much better than just picking up your phone and dialing 911.

Pricing

The Jitterbug Smart4 costs $149.99, making it the most affordable smartphone on this list. And like the Flip2, the Smart4 is frequently on sale, so keep your eyes peeled. You’ll need to pair the Smart4 with a Lively plan, as it's not compatible with any other carriers. Phone plans range from $19.99 to $49.99 per month.

» Related Reading: Lively Pricing Guide

One difference between the Smart4 and Flip2 is that the Smart4 requires a data plan. All three of Lively’s plans include unlimited text and calling, but you’ll need to add a separate data plan since the phone has internet access. These data plans range from $5 per month (1 GB) to $30 per month (unlimited data).

Voice Activation

While the Jitterbug Flip2 uses a limited version of Amazon Alexa, the Jitterbug Smart4 uses Google Voice Assistant (my favorite). I held the phone near me and said, “Hey, Google,” to ask questions, set alarms, change settings, and more. I could also navigate to the Google Assistant app in the phone’s list-style menu.

Using Jitterbug Smart4's voice navigation feature

The downside is that the Smart4 is a relatively simple and pared-down smartphone, especially compared to the Google Pixel 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23. It runs pretty slow, with or without voice commands. As a result, my grandma and I often had to wait for 10 seconds or longer when we asked a question or made a request. For example, my grandma asked for GPS directions to the nearest pharmacy. It took the phone nearly 30 seconds to bring up the results. This was far slower than what we experienced with the other smartphones on this list.

» Check Out: Jitterbug Smart4 Review

The downside is that the Smart4 is a simple and pared-down smartphone, especially compared to the Google Pixel 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23. It runs fairly slow, with or without voice commands. My grandma and I often had to wait for 10 seconds or longer when we asked a question or made a request. For example, my grandma asked for GPS directions to the nearest pharmacy. It took the phone nearly 30 seconds to bring up the results. That was far slower than we experienced with the other smartphones on this list.

Health and Safety Features

Like the Jitterbug Flip2, the Smart4 is packed with health and safety features if you upgrade to Lively’s Preferred or Premium plan. I could use the phone’s Urgent Response button to call for help, share my activity and location with loved ones via the Lively Link app, and even get medical advice from a care advocate or on-call nurse. I tested the big Urgent Response icon on the Smart4 home screen and was connected to a Lively agent in less than 15 seconds. Talk about peace of mind!

I’m a big fan of the Lively Link mobile app. I tested it out while my grandma was on a walk. I could see her location on a map, the phone’s status, and updates from the past week. That is great for caregivers or family members who want to check in without nagging their older loved one.

Tracking my grandmas location using the Lively Link mobile app

Pricing

If you love iPhones but don’t want the bulk or the cost of a more expensive model, the SE is a great option. It’s pretty affordable at only $429. If you buy one through Apple, you can score zero-interest financing for as little as $17.87 monthly. The iPhone SE also pairs well with Mint Mobile’s 55+ plan, which starts at $15 per month. It features 5G service, unlimited talk and text, and 5 GB of data per month. For comparison, Lively charges $29.99 monthly for 5 GB of data and a Basic plan. In other words, you could cut your bill in half with Mint Mobile.

» Learn More: Mint Mobile Senior Phone Plan Review 2024

You can buy your phone through Mint Mobile and finance it via a third-party provider like Affirm. This would allow you to get zero-interest financing on your iPhone SE starting at $18 per month. This is a solid option for those on a tight budget.

Voice Activation

Using voice commands on the iPhone SE is very simple. You can say, “Hey, Siri,” or hold the home button to bring up the voice assistant. From there, you can make calls, compose and send texts, check the weather, or ask whatever is on your mind. My grandma and I enjoyed asking questions on a variety of topics. I even asked Siri to tell me a joke, and it did!

Asking Siri a joke on the iPhone SE

One thing I liked about using Siri was that it was easy to turn off and on. There’s nothing more annoying than accidentally saying something that Siri picks up on and then having your phone open an app or make a call you didn’t want. With the iPhone SE, I could tell Siri to “go to sleep.” When I was ready to use voice commands again, I asked Siri to “wake up.” This is a useful feature that you can’t get with simpler phones like the Jitterbug Smart4.

Health and Safety Features

Apple makes its devices useful to many users. There are features to track and monitor health, keep you safe in an emergency, and make the device more accessible. The preloaded Health app kept track of my mobility and sleep patterns. I could also contact emergency services by holding the volume and power button and then swiping the SOS icon to the right. If you have an Apple Watch, you can even keep track of your heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, and other health data.

» Learn About: The Best Smartwatches for Seniors

If you have vision or hearing loss, the iPhone SE has tons of accessibility features. For instance, the VoiceOver feature allowed me to hear everything that was displayed on the screen. This is great if you struggle to read text or see images on the 4.7-inch screen. You can also pair most hearing aids with the iPhone SE or use the RTT call feature to read what’s being said.

Using the iPhone's accessibility features for those with hearing loss

I would have liked to see a headphone jack, especially since this used to be standard with smartphones. My grandma enjoys listening to music using wired headphones but couldn’t do this with the iPhone SE since the phone works with Bluetooth headphones only. If you want a phone with a wired headphone jack, I’d recommend the Motorola Moto G 5G 2023.

Pricing

If you want to use your voice to control your phone and other smart home devices, the Samsung Galaxy S23 can do it all. Imagine using your phone to make calls, change the TV channel, or start the washing machine — all with your voice. However, these conveniences come at a price.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 isn’t cheap, retailing for $799. But, if you can afford the phone itself, Visible phone plans start at just $30 per month, which is a great deal. Like Mint Mobile, you can get zero-interest financing via Affirm if you purchase your Galaxy S23 through Visible. This means you could pay as little as $22.19 per month for your phone.

Voice Activation

Even if you’re unfamiliar with Samsung devices, it’s pretty easy to use the Bixby personal voice assistant. All I had to do was pick up the phone and say, “Hi, Bixby.” While Google Voice Assistant on the Google Pixel 8 Pro was my favorite, Bixby on the Samsung Galaxy S23 is a close second. I didn’t encounter anything that Bixby couldn’t do, from standard commands like making calls and sending texts to more nuanced requests like adjusting screen brightness and controlling the camera’s zoom feature.

» For Samsung Users: Best Samsung Phones for Seniors

The only real downside of using Bixby to control compatible smart home devices is that it’s built to work with Samsung devices specifically. Google Voice Assistant has a larger ecosystem of compatible devices, even though it takes extra time to get all of them connected. The good news is that Bixby can work with non-Samsung devices (with a little extra effort). For example, I could get Bixby's voice commands on a Sony smart TV.

Health and Safety Features

Like the iPhone SE, the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a built-in health app for tracking your fitness and health goals. I could even download other Samsung apps to check my blood pressure. The Samsung Galaxy S23 also has an emergency SOS feature, though you need to set it up. To do this, I opened the settings app, tapped “Advanced features,” and pressed “Send SOS messages.” Then, I switched “Send SOS messages” on. The phone prompted me to select the recipients of SOS messages from my contacts.

Once I enabled the emergency SOS feature, I could tap the power button at least three times to send an SOS message to my emergency contacts. The message included my location, photos taken from the front and rear cameras, and a five-second audio clip. I tested this feature out, and it worked very quickly.