Best Phones for Seniors

Everyone needs a phone and when it comes to finding the best senior phone, you want to make sure it will allow you to do what you want – whether that’s taking pictures, making video calls, sending text messages, or setting up location sharing. A phone is an important lifeline between seniors and the rest of the family, so you want to find a phone that’s reliable and easy to use. Although most phones aren’t made to be senior-specific, certain features like the ones below help make the experience simpler:

• Voice dialing
• Voice-to-text capabilities
• Emergency button
• Powerful speaker
• Large display
• Hearing aid capabilities
• Large buttons

What are the best cell phones for seniors in Canada?

There are tons of great phones for seniors on the market today. Previously, options like flip phones were your only choice. Flip phones are still viable options, but they might be too basic, depending on what you need out of a phone.

When deciding what will be the best cell phone for you or a loved one, first consider what the phone will be primarily used for. Do you love taking and sharing photos to connect with family and friends? If so, you might be more interested in a phone with a nicer lens and more storage space. Do you want to a phone that can easily connect to social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? If so, look for a phone that feels comfortable to hold and type with so you can easily communicate with family. The best way for seniors to learn is to get a phone, experiment, and have fun.

Alcatel GoFLIP

Remember flip phones? They’re fun to open and close, but that’s not the only thing that makes them special. Alcatel’s GoFLIP has Google Maps, Google Assistant, YouTube, and even old built-in games like chess and snake. Think of this as a smart flip phone.

PC Mobile, Videotron, Freedom, and others offer plans for the Alcatel GoFLIP starting as low as $15/month. There’s a speaker on the back that you can use to listen to the radio. The phone has a headphone jack, camera, and even social media apps like Twitter.

Alcatel GoFLIP overview:

• Cost: $69 – $99
• 2.8” display
• 2.0 MP camera
• WiFi and Bluetooth
• Hearing aid compatible
• Large, tactile keys

To compare phone plans with the Alcatel GoFlip, check out our comparison tool below.

Doro 824C

Doro 824C aims to provide a straightforward user experience. It is a phone designed for accessibility and offered exclusively through Bell. This phone has a tactile keyboard designed for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Users can dictate emails and texts, browse the web, and the screen reader can read aloud text on the phone. This device makes for easy texting with text-to-speech functions. It is an affordable choice with an emergency contact on the frame if you need to call someone quick. The internal storage capacity is limited on this device. Bell offers Doro through a 2-year contract starting at $75/month.

• 5-inch screen
• Tactile keyboard overlay
• Text-to-speech capabilities
• Hearing aid compatible

iPhone XR

Although not senior-specific, the iPhone XR is a great smartphone for younger or tech-savvy seniors. At 6.1 inches, the screen is a nice size but the phone isn’t so large that it’s difficult to carry around. The iPhone XR boasts an impressive 12 megapixel rear camera, same as the iPhone XS, and a 7 megapixel TrueDepth front-facing camera with features such as, Portrait Mode and Depth Control. Your kids and grandkids will be wondering how your selfie game got so strong. If the price of the iPhone XR is too high, you may want to consider an older model, such as the iPhone 7 or iPhone 8. The great thing is that no matter which iPhone you use, it will generally work for a long time. The display on an iPhone is extremely clear and easy to read, and any of the iPhones can be a great place to start if it’s your first time using a smartphone. Apple offers robust forms of support through live chat and Apple support. iPhone XR overview:

• 6.1-inch LCD display
• 11.5 hours of battery life
• Water-resistant
• Hearing aid compatible
• Face ID for easy unlocking
• 12 MP rear camera
• 7 MP True Depth front-facing camera

The iPhone XR is available at over a dozen carriers in Canada, including both major and small carriers alike.

Google Pixel 4

The Google Pixel 4, which is another smartphone for tech-savvy seniors, has a 5.7-inch screen (fairly good size), a bright, clear display, and a sophisticated camera system. Google Pixels offer free, unlimited online storage of your photos and videos using Google Photos so you don’t have to worry about storing, finding, or sharing your memories. The new Google Assistant makes it easy to ask your phone to help with things like finding a recipe on YouTube, getting directions, or sharing photos. The Google Pixel 4 has a new feature called Quick Gestures that allows you to ask Google for help without having to touch your phone. This is great for seniors to multi-task while eating your favorite meal, enjoying some rest, or knitting. The Google Pixel 4 overview:

• Cost: $839.99 – $1,129
• 5.7-inch OLED display
• Voice dialing
• Voice commands
• Google Assistant
• Quick Gestures
• Hearing aid compatible
• 12 MP dual lens
• 16 MP telephoto lens

LG Q70

Because seniors are typically on a fixed income, it’s important to find a phone that’s not only reliable but fits your budget. The LG Q70 phone is a good choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly device that has a good user experience. This phone features a massive interface that’s easy on the eyes. Seriously, the LG Q70 features one of the largest screens of any smartphone on the Canadian market. This simplifies reading hard-to-read text, making this an excellent choice for someone with visual challenges. The LG Q70 offers a home screen replacement called “EasyHome,” which enlarges icons on the home screen and in all apps. This simplifies the user experience for seniors who are switching between calls and other phone functions. LG Q70 overview:

• Cost: $519.99
• 6.4-inch screen
• Water and shock resistant
• 32 MP rear camera
• 5 MP front-facing camera
• 16 MP selfie camera
• EasyHome
• Hearing aid compatible
• Long-lasting battery

You can browse through plans with the LG Q70 using our friendly comparison tool.

Samsung Galaxy S10e

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S10e, which is Samsung’s budget version of the S10, is a compact, powerhouse phone. Lightweight, the easy mode allows for home screen and icon customization. This phone offers a slightly smaller display which may make it easier to hold but more frustrating to type on if you have large fingers. If you’re looking for a cheaper model, try the Samsung Galaxy S9. Samsung Galaxy S10e overview:

• Cost: $790
• 5.8-inch AMOLED display
• Beautiful, clear display
• Easy to hold
• All-day intelligent battery
• 16 MP and 12 MP rear cameras
• 10 MP front-facing camera

What is the easiest phone for seniors to use?

The easiest phone for seniors to use will always be the phone they feel the most comfortable with. Every senior has a different perspective and comfort level when it comes to technology. It may feel natural to use a smartphone for some, while others may feel overwhelmed by all of the capabilities. When choosing a phone that feels right for you and your needs, you’ll want to consider what you’re primarily using your phone for—if you want to simply call or message your loved ones, a flip phone will suffice, while social media and video calling will require a smartphone.

If you’re interested in buying and testing out one of these phones, you can do so without ever leaving your house. Most carriers make it easy to buy a phone online. While every carrier has a different return and exchange policy, most will allow you to return your phone free of charge if you decide that you don’t like it or it’s too difficult to use. You just have to make sure to check out what the specific return window is; for example, Bell gives you 60 days to return your device in “like new” condition.