Best Phones (and Plans!) for Seniors

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile is a relatively new option, but boasts some pretty cool features for seniors. With three-, six-, and twelve-month plans, you can decide your level of commitment. All plans come with unlimited nationwide talk and text in addition to 4G LTE data. 

You also have the option to bring your phone and keep your phone number, along with access to WiFi calling and texting — a great option for saving data. Their best-seller is a three-month plan for $20 per month that comes with 8GB of 4G LTE data. For reference, 8 GB of data allows you to browse the internet for around 96 hours, to stream 1,600 songs or to watch 16 hours of standard-definition video. After your plan is up, you can easily renew to continue service or opt out if you don’t love it.

Phones to consider: 

• Entry-level: Samsung Galaxy J2 - Under $100 with all the capabilities of a more expensive smartphone, easily accessible side buttons, and exceptionally long battery life

• Advanced: Apple iPhone SE - All the benefits of the latest iPhone with a smaller, easy-to-handle screen and much more affordable price tag

Visible

Visible’s approach is simple: $40 a month for unlimited everything and no annual contracts. Unlimited everything includes data, messages and minutes with WiFi calling available on select devices. You can keep your existing phone if it’s compatible, and there’s also Party Pay if you want to share a line with a spouse or friend. 

Phones to consider:

• Entry-level: LG Stylo 5 - Sturdy design, included stylus for easier navigation and two-day battery life (depending on use)

• Advanced: Google Pixel 4 XL - Studio quality camera, Google Assistant, durable construction and large screen with Face Unlock

T-Mobile Unlimited 55+ 

T-Mobile is one of the more popular cell service providers, but most people don’t know they have special plans for seniors. Their Unlimited 55+ plans are shared between two people, with the most affordable plan being $55 a month for both lines. 

All three of their plans include contract-free unlimited talk, text and data on the T-Mobile network. For more data, HD streaming and international options, the Magenta® Plus Unlimited 55 might be something to try.

Phones to consider:

• Entry-level: Alcatel GO FLIP™ 3 - Classic flip-phone with familiar handling that can still surf the web, Google Assistant, almost eight hours of talk time, and supports smartphone apps like WhatsApp and GoogleMaps

• Advanced: LG V60 ThinQ™ 5G Dual Screen - Larger dual screen for easy reading, exceptional audio-quality, 5G capabilities, 8K video recording

GreatCall

GreatCall is unique because its mobile phone service is designed especially for seniors. Their talk and text plans start at $14.99 and boast service on “the nation’s largest and most dependable wireless network.” 

Because this is a plan created just for seniors, there are also add-ons for urgent response aid, urgent care access and the GreatCall app that connects you to your caregiver. Not only can you get phone service — you can also get peace of mind.
 

Phones to consider:

• Entry-level: Jitterbug Flip - Classic flip-phone styling, easy-to-press buttons, and voice-dialing

• Advanced: Jitterbug Smart2 - Simple, list-based menu on an easy-to-read screen, 5Star Urgent Response button, talk-to-text, long-lasting battery, maps and directions

   

Want more senior-friendly tech advice? Take a look at our Tech for Seniors blog posts and give us a call at 844-337-6059 to learn more about Brookdale Senior Living.