The 6 Best Cheap Phones for Seniors │The Senior List (2024)

Our Top Picks

Cost: $99.99 from Lively

Overview

If you’re looking for a flip phone with some surprisingly advanced features – including 24/7 urgent response calling and dedicated nurse hotlines – then the Jitterbug Flip2 is an ideal option. Additionally, with the device costing $100 and plans starting at $19.99 per month, it’s also highly affordable.

>> Read more: The Best Flip Phones

Performance

For starters, the Jitterbug Flip2 had crystal clear call quality. Each of our test calls – from a crowded cafe to a nearby park – came in clearly on both ends. We were also impressed by the volume of the Flip2’s speakerphone, which made for easy hands-free calling.

Another feature we appreciated with the Flip2 was its Alexa-enabled voice commands. Using these voice commands, we could ask the phone to make calls, send messages, or look up certain information online. For example, when we asked the phone to Call Amie, it initiated with Amie from our contacts.

Plans

Unlike many other phones on this list, the Jitterbug Flip2 is only compatible with Lively’s network, so if you were hoping to pair a phone with a major carrier, then you might consider the TCL Classic, instead. Fortunately, Lively’s plans are affordable.

Lively’s plans start at $19.99 per month for unlimited talk and text. If, however, you want to add Urgent Response calling features or the dedicated nurse hotline, then you’ll have to pay extra. To learn more about the features of Lively’s plans, read our full guide to Lively phones and plans for seniors.

Drawbacks

The Jitterbug Flip2 is a true flip phone. That means that, while it had a front and rear camera, there was very little I could do on the phone aside from making calls and texts. If that’s enough for you, you may appreciate the simplicity. However, if you’re looking for a phone that can browse the web or utilize apps, then we’d recommend the CAT S22 or the Alcatel Go Flip.

To learn more about this phone, read our full Jitterbug Flip2 review.

Cost: $69 from Consumer Cellular

Overview

At $69, the Iris Flip is one of the most affordable devices on this list, and with Consumer Cellular’s plans starting as low as $15 per month, the Iris Flip is a solid option for anyone looking to save. Additionally, despite being a flip phone, it has some smart features like voice commands that make it even easier to use.

>> Learn more: Consumer Cellular Review

Performance

In our tests, the Iris Flip’s call quality was top-notch. While we did notice more wind noise on this phone when making calls outside, it performed well overall. We also appreciated that this phone had a dedicated speaker button, which made it easy for us to toggle this feature on and off during calls.

Additionally, we appreciated this phone’s inclusion of voice commands. These came particularly in handy when sending text messages. Rather than manually typing out text messages, we could send messages by dictating them. For example, when I wanted to dictate a message to my mother, I simply held down the center button and dictated, “How are you?” The phone then transcribed this message perfectly.

Plans

While the Iris Flip can be paired with most major networks, we’d recommend purchasing the phone from Consumer Cellular. When paired with a Consumer Cellular plan, you can get 300 minutes for $15 per month or, for $20 per month, unlimited talk, text, and 1GB of data. Sure, Consumer Cellular also offers unlimited data plans; however, since the data features of this phone are somewhat limited (not to mention it also supports Wi-Fi), you likely won’t need much data.

Drawbacks

Unlike the Jitterbug Flip2, the Iris Flip only has one rear-facing camera and no front-facing camera for selfies. On top of this, the Iris Flip’s 5MP camera left something to be desired, with most of our images coming out grainy and (in the case of outdoor images) washed out. If a high-quality camera is of concern, then we’d recommend checking out the Jitterbug Smart4.

To learn more about this phone, read our full Iris Flip review.

Cost: $74.99 from AT&T or $49.99 from Cricket Wireless

Overview

If you want a regular flip phone without any extras, the TCL Classic is a good choice, retailing for just $49.99 from Cricket Wireless or $74.99 for AT&T. Regardless of the provider you choose, you’ll have access to a 4G LTE network with a high-quality flip phone.

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Performance

What I appreciated the most about the TCL Classic was its large buttons. According to the American Foundation for the Blind, 12% of people ages 65 to 74 have vision loss, which worsens with age. If you fall into this category, I recommend this phone, not only for its large buttons but also for its large 2.8-inch internal display. I had no issue reading texts or calling my contacts, and I even had access to my web browser, email inbox, and calculator.

Plans

I purchased the TCL Classic from AT&T, which has plans ranging from $50 to $85 a month, all of which include unlimited data. However, with the Value Plus plan, the lowest-cost option, I had slower speeds when the network was busy. I also missed out on some mobile security features like a VPN, which encrypts web traffic on public Wi-Fi networks, and identity monitoring. Still, this pricing is average across the industry, so I was happy with my choices.

If I had purchased the device from Cricket Wireless, unlimited data would have cost the same amount – $50, if I had autopay turned on. I could have also saved money with a 5GB or 10GB plan, costing $30 and $35 a month with autopay. If I wanted a 15GB mobile hotspot, I could’ve paid $55 per month (again, with autopay turned on.)

To learn more about Cricket’s plans, read our guide to Cricket Wireless senior plans.

Drawbacks

Like the Alcatel GO FLIP 4, the TCL Classic has a 2MP camera, while others, like the Cat S22 Flip and the Iris Flip, have 5MP, and the Jitterbug Flip2 goes up to 8MP on its rear camera. If you are interested in taking high-quality photos with your phone, I would not recommend the TCL Classic. Even the “best” photos I took were considerably grainy.

Cost: $149.99 from Lively

Overview

The big advantage of the Jitterbug Smart4 is that it combines emergency and medical features with smartphone capabilities. Not only will you get apps, but you’ll also get three rear cameras, allowing for video and photos at a clear 8MP. While the device costs $149.99, the highest price on this list, that’s still a fraction of the cost of similar smartphones from Apple (the iPhone SE, for example, starts at $429.)

Performance

One really cool feature of the Jitterbug Smart4 was the on-call nurse, who I could contact at any time if I wasn’t feeling well, needed a refill, or simply had a medical question. For example, when I was having a persistent headache, I called the nurse and she gave me medical advice, in this case, to take an Advil and a nap. I didn’t have to pay a co-pay, as this feature isn’t related to insurance. Rather, it’s a huge benefit that I only got with the Jitterbug phones, making them a great choice for anyone who wants medical advice.

One of the most useful things about having a smartphone like the Jitterbug Smart4, if you’re anything like me, is using it to map directions. When I was lost on a trip to Philadelphia, I used the Smart4 to enter my destination; it gave me clear directions and a live map, showing me different route options to make it to City Hall. Even the most tech-averse customer would benefit from this user-friendly navigation.

Plans

The Jitterbug Smart4 has the exact same medical and safety plans as the Jitterbug Flip2, as I purchased both devices from Lively. But the biggest difference between the two phones is that with the Smart4, I also had to pay for data. In other words, the plan is in two parts. I chose from the Basic, Preferred, or Premium packages, ranging from $19.99 to $49.99.

• Basic: All plans, including Basic, feature unlimited talking and texting, plus the ability to ask the company if you need help with directions, your phone, etc, and the ability to order a Lyft from Lively’s team over the phone. The Basic Plan is $19.99 per month.
• Preferred: The Preferred Plan lets you set up a circle of people who Lively can notify if you’re in an emergency through smartphone alerts. Additionally, there’s an urgent response button if you need help and can’t manage to do a 911 call. This plan is $39.99 per month.
• Premium: Lastly, the Premium plan includes all the features of the Preferred Plan, plus a 24/7 on-call nurse for medical advice, and the opportunity to work with health experts to create a plan in order to meet your wellness goals. This plan costs $49.99 per month.

Unlike the Flip2, with the Smart4, you’ll also pay a monthly fee for data – $5 for 1GB, $10 for 5GB, or $30 for unlimited data. Considering the industry standard for unlimited data is $50 a month, this is a good deal from Lively.

Drawbacks

Being a true smartphone, the only one of its kind on this list, the Jitterbug Smart4 is also the most expensive item. The device alone costs $149.99, which is about $59 more than the second-most-expensive item, the $99.99 Jitterbug Flip2.

Additionally, if you were looking for a phone you could hold in the palm of your hand, the Smart4 may not be for you, as it is the largest phone on this list, at a height of 6.6 inches and a width of around 3 inches. On average, phones are typically about 4.74 inches high and 2.67 inches wide, so it’s certainly not the sleekest device I’ve ever dealt with.

Cost: $79 from Mint Mobile

Overview

For most of the flip phones on this list, the main selling points are affordability and simplicity. While the CAT S22, is certainly affordable and easy to use, what impressed us most was its durability. It’s rated IP68 in terms of water resistance, and it can withstand drops of 6 feet without incurring damage. There’s a reason it’s the only phone on this list that has obtained a military standard certification for durability.

Performance

To test this phone, we first started with durability. After dropping the S22 into a glass of water, we were able to pull it out and make calls as though nothing had happened. Elsewhere, when we dropped the phone on the sidewalk, we noticed no cracks, damage, or noticeable impacts on its performance.

Speaking of performance, this phone impressed us with its long-lasting battery. In our tests, it gave us 12 hours of talk time and roughly three days on standby. In each of our test calls, we also noticed crystal-clear audio.

Another unique feature of this phone was its Android operating system. This makes it the only fully functional Android flip phone on this list. And while we have to say that using a flip phone keypad to browse the web was not the smoothest experience, we appreciated the ability to utilize apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Gmail.

Plans

The CAT S22 is compatible with a variety of networks, including T-Mobile; however, we think that it pairs best with a plan from Mint Mobile. For seniors, Mint offers a special discounted plan that gives you unlimited talk and text with 5GB of data for $15 per month. While Mint’s unlimited data plans can get expensive, we think that 5GB will be enough for many users, especially since this phone can connect to Wi-Fi, preventing you from using up data while at home.

Drawbacks

Clunky apps aside, the biggest drawback to this phone would have to be its size. Compared to compact phones like the Alcatel Go Flip, this phone is somewhat large and heavy. That said, this is the price you pay for durability.

Cost: $54 from Amazon

Overview

The Alcatel Go Flip 4 is an affordable flip phone compatible with T-Mobile, among other networks. Similar to the other flip phones on this list, its main strength is its simple design; however, it also features the KaiOS operating system, giving it access to an array of useful apps.

Performance

The Go Flip 4 is rated M4/T4 in terms of hearing aid compatibility, the highest rating on this list. In our tests, we found the call quality worked exceptionally, even while we used hearing aids. Even without hearing aids, we noticed that the call quality was particularly good here, likely due to this phone’s HD Voice capabilities.

Elsewhere, the Go Flip 4 has the same operating system as the Iris Flip – KaiOS, which has fewer apps compared to the Google Play store and Android operating system of the CAT S22 Flip. Still, I used the flip phone to check my email, update my calendar, and of course, call and text. One thing I really appreciated was the size of the buttons, which would be a great help to those who are wary of touch screens

Plans

Although I bought my Alcatel Go Flip 4 from Amazon, it’s only compatible with T-Mobile (and networks that use their network, like Mint Mobile). Luckily, T-Mobile has some of our favorite phone plans for seniors, starting at $27.50 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 5G data. While this phone only supports 4G data, we still think one of these plans would be a worthwhile option.

>> Read more: T-Mobile Senior Plans

Drawbacks

The biggest drawback of this phone would have to be its camera. Save for the TCL Classic, the Go Flip’s 2MP camera takes images with an abysmal quality. If you’re looking for a better camera, then we’d recommend the Jitterbug Smart4.

To learn more about this phone, read our full Alcatel Go Flip review.