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The Best Smartphones for Seniors in 2023

Mobile devices have mostly taken over our daily lives for many of us.

Beyond keeping in touch with loved ones, cell phones also assist us with various tasks, such as providing directions in unfamiliar regions, updating us on the weather, and even tracking our daily exercise.

However, they are sometimes the easiest to utilize. The sheer number of options and apps presently accessible on most smartphones makes their user interfaces busy, challenging to navigate, and frequently lacking instructions.

Most significantly for senior citizens. However, several smartphones are very much easy to use for older people. 

And so, here’s a list of the top smartphones for seniors from reputable manufacturers like Samsung, Apple, Nokia, and Motorola.

It is essential to note that everyone will have slightly different priorities when picking a smartphone. 

Your phone choice will ultimately depend on how you want to use it, how regularly you’ll use it, and how much you may spend.

When looking for a smartphone for older users, a few general aspects are essential to consider. These consist of a sizable, bright, and vibrant display, a user-friendly user interface, and a good selection of accessibility settings.

Things to Note when Picking the Best Smartphone for Senior Citizens

Here are some things to note when picking the best smartphone for senior citizens;

Consider features that are age-friendly

This is very important. You should check whether Google, Siri, or another virtual assistant is available. Older folks with trouble with their hands or eyes may prefer to give orders verbally.

A pleasant user-friendly interface is also essential. The two most familiar user interfaces are Android and iOS (Apple). 

Only iPhones were intended for use with Apple’s iOS. Thus, crucial iPhone apps like those for calls, Safari (Apple’s web browser), and iMessage are frequently placed across the bottom of the screen. 

However, if there is an app you feel you use more frequently, you can replace these and download other apps from the App Store.

The most popular interface is Android, available in phones from companies like Google, Samsung, Nokia, and Oppo. 

Although each manufacturer may tweak the home screen to offer its distinctive design, the fundamentals will be the same across all these products.

For instance, Google Play, through which you may download new apps, is available on all Android smartphones.

Price and quality 

The brand, version, and features that a phone has determined its cost and level of quality. While less well-known cell phones can be far more reasonable, an Apple iPhone can cost anywhere from $399 to over $1,000.

Certain glass phones are more prone to break and must be replaced. In contrast, a cheaper, more ergonomic alternative may be better. 

Using a phone case and screen protector is also an excellent method to protect a valuable investment. 

It should be noted that service providers may also provide phone bargains to entice customers to sign up for the service or sign a contract. Phones can also be leased rather than purchased outright.

Larger and vibrant screen

The size of cell phones has undoubtedly increased over the past ten years. While most cell phones have overgrown our pockets, as a result, this does mean they are getting more extensive and more detailed. 

The goal is to strike a good compromise between the two: to achieve the most prominent, highest-quality display possible without making the smartphone too heavy to carry around.

Battery power

The battery life of a smartphone should last 12 hours, ideally 24 to 48. As a battery is charged and discharged over time, battery life decreases, and setting a phone as regularly as possible is typical.

A phone’s brand, version, and features affect its cost and level of quality. For example, although lesser-known telephones can be much more affordable, an Apple iPhone can cost anywhere between $399 and over $1,000.

Smartphone screen sizes can now range from 4.7 inches to 6.7 inches.

Accessible options

Modern smartphones for seniors should come with the bare minimum of accessibility options. However, the specifics will vary from brand to brand.

Most offer speech-to-text capabilities, assistance for hearing aids, and they can change the font size for easy reading. 

In addition, many now allow you to record brief messages comparable to voicemails and send them by text or messenger rather than typing them out.

There are also specialized companies who design mobile phones with older people in mind, like Doro. 

These often have the broadest range of capabilities. 

For instance, the Doro 8050 has extra-large symbols for those with vision impairments, support for hearing aids, and a “Response” button that, when pressed, immediately alerts chosen “responders.”

Although not everyone will require all of these capabilities, they differ between models, so it is essential to think about which if any, additional settings you prefer before making a purchase.

Read Also: Top 8 Trends in Mobile App Development for 2023

The best smartphones for seniors to buy in 2023

All these features will only be necessary for some. Still, they vary between brands, so considering which additional settings you may like before purchasing is worth considering.

The best smartphones for seniors to buy in 2023 are;

1. Nokia 3.4, £114.99

Key features

  • 39-inch 1560 x 720 IPS LCD screen
  • 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm
  • 180g
  • Android 10
  • 13/5/2MP rear cameras
  • 8-megapixel selfie camera
  • Snapdragon 460 CPU
  • 32GB storage
  • 3GB RAM
  • 4000mAh battery

The Nokia 3.4 is the kind of low-cost, straightforward phone that Nokia has built a reputation for producing. Additionally, it includes a wired headphone jack.

There are several restrictions, just like with every smartphone in this price range.

However, the significant difference is that while it is over £1,000 cheaper, the cameras don’t exceptionally provide the 108MP of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Pros

  • Low cost
  • Clean software

Cons

  • Slow performance
  • Limited storage
  • Uninspiring camera quality

2. Google Pixel 7, £465

Key features

  • Google Tensor G2 chip
  • 6.3-inch AMOLED display
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
  • Android 13
  • IP68 dust/water resistant
  • 90Hz AMOLED display
  • 8GB of RAM
  • 128GB or 256GB of storage

Google Pixel 7 is also suitable for senior users and those needing more smartphone experience. It offers one of the best straightforward user interfaces, a clutter-free home screen, and an alphabetical list of apps in the pull-up menu.

Beyond this, the Google Pixel 7’s camera is its strongest selling feature. Even if you are unfamiliar with smartphone cameras, Google’s image processing software makes it simple to capture excellent photos.

Additionally, the IP68 designation for water and dust protection provides assurance.

Pros

  • Amazing camera
  • Speedy new processor
  • Brilliant value
  • Google software and Google hardware combine with great results
  • Slick interface and user experience
  • Accessible and easy to use

Cons

  • Display only 90Hz
  • No optical zoom
  • Unremarkable fast-charging

3. iPhone SE, £499

Key features

  • Glass and aluminum design
  • 4.7-inch retina display
  • A13 Bionic chip
  • 12MP wide camera
  • Portrait Mode and depth control on the camera
  • 4K video
  • QuickTake – this means you can start recording by just holding down on the shutter
  • Touch ID
  • 1,821mAh battery
  • Water-resistant up to 1 meter for 30 mins
  • Apple Pay

The iPhone SE, marketed as the ‘cheap’ iPhone, is smaller than models like the iPhone 14 Pro.

As a result, the iPhone SE, which has a 4.7-inch display, doesn’t quite have all the features of the flagship model, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored either.

The user experience is still excellent. For example, you can access the same Apple-only apps like iMessage and FaceTime because it uses the same A13 Bionic CPU as the iPhone 11 Pro.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Access the App store to plunder
  • iOS experience is seamless
  • Camera results excellent

Cons

  • Fairly short battery life
  • It uses some old screen tech
  • Portrait mode does not work on pets and objects

4. Oppo A54 5G, £149

Key features

  • Snapdragon 480 CPU
  • 4GB RAM
  • 64GB storage
  • 6.5 in 1080p 90Hz screen
  • 162.9 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm
  • 190g
  • 48/8/2/2MP rear cameras
  • 16MP selfie camera
  • 5000mAh battery

A full day of errands may be quickly completed on the Oppo A54 5 G’s battery, with some juice left over.

Because of this, the A54 is an attractive choice if you prefer to avoid recharging throughout the day or forget to charge your phone at night (we hate it when that happens).

The HD screen measures a respectable 6.5 inches. The phone features five cameras in total, but the primary 48MP camera is the one that deserves attention because it responds so quickly and doesn’t lag when you hit the shutter button or when focussing.

Although the design is somewhat plasticky, a 5G phone at this price point often has a surface that is less prone to scratch or wears down significantly than a glass or metallic one.

Pros

  • Low price for a 5G phone
  • Nice sharp screen
  • Long battery life
  • Solid primary camera

Cons

  • Plastic build – typical in this class
  • Weak secondary cameras
  • Mono speaker

Read Also: The Impact of app store optimization on mobile app success

5. Moto G50, £174.97

Key features

  • 64GB storage
  • 6.5-inch
  • 192g
  • 5000mAh battery
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G CPU
  • 5G mobile internet
  • Android 11
  • 4GB RAM
  • 13MP front camera
  • 48/5/2MP rear cameras
  • 164.9 x 74.9 x 9 mm

The Motorola Moto G50 is a budget-friendly smartphone that excels at the essentials. Although none of the features are revolutionary, it offers dependability and simplicity.

The phone’s 6.5-inch screen is large enough for video chats or watching TV and has a primary, transparent silicone case. 

Another smartphone that quickly has a battery life of a day and a half. Our reviewer frequently found that they still had 40% of their battery life.

Pros

  • Decent, if mono, speaker
  • Low price for 5G
  • Excellent battery life

Cons

  • Basic camera array
  • Low-resolution screen
  • It’s not a gaming powerhouse

6. Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, £239.99

Key features

  • 5G
  • 6.5-inch LCD
  • 48/8MP rear camera
  • 13MP front camera
  • 4K video
  • 64GB storage
  • MicroSD card for expandable storage
  • 5000mAh battery
  • Headphone port

Consider considering a Samsung Galaxy phone if you already own Samsung gadgets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus or Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.

Since you’re already familiar with the software Samsung utilizes, and there will frequently be an overlap in layout or design aspects, it should be a little easier for you to become acclimated to it.

A member of Samsung’s more cheap A-series, the Galaxy A32 5G has a 6.5-inch LCD screen, a 4K video camera, and a sizable 5000mAh battery.

Pros

  • 3.5mm headphone port
  • Large display
  • Big battery
  • 5G ready

Cons

  • It might be a little hefty.

Read Also: The Impact of app store optimization on mobile app success

7. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, £180.23

Key features

  • Curved toughened glass back panel
  • 6.67 in 120Hz OLED screen
  • Snapdragon 732G CPU
  • 128GB storage
  • 108MP/8/5/2MP rear cameras
  • 16MP selfie camera

It’s still possible to purchase everything for a shockingly reasonable £180.23.

The smartphone is a terrific tool for watching videos or making video chats. Still, the 6.67-inch display does make it a bit bulkier. Although not for everyone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is an excellent low-cost smartphone.

Pros

  • Large OLED screen
  • Classy glass back
  • Macro camera
  • Good primary camera
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • No 5G
  • Maybe a little big for some 

8. Realme 8 Pro, £279

Key features

  • Four rear cameras, including a 108MP sensor
  • Mid-size 6.4-inch OLED screen
  • 4500mAh battery with ultra-fast 50W charging
  • It has a headphone jack

Some features of the Realme 8 Pro, which costs less than £300, are frequently found in smartphones that cost twice as much. These include a 108 MP back camera and a quad-camera array with a full HD OLED display.

It has a vivid 6.4-inch screen and charges completely from zero in less than an hour. 

The latter is crucial if you have to quickly leave the house or remember to plug your phone in to charge at the end of the day.

The large ‘dare to leap’ phrase on the phone’s back is the only thing someone might find offensive.

Pros

  • The primary camera takes good photos
  • Competitively priced
  • Fairly long battery life
  • Bright display

Cons

  • Three out of the four rear cameras are weak
  • Plus-size rear slogan won’t suit all tastes
  • Mostly plastic build

9. Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G, £199.99

Key features

  • Future-proofed with 5G connectivity
  • 161.81mm x 75.34mm x 8.92mm
  • 6.5-inch FHD+ LCD(2400 x 1080)
  • 90Hz screen refresh rate
  • MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset
  • 5,000 mAh battery
  • 48 MP main camera, 8MP selfie camera
  • Side fingerprint sensor and face unlock
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • 3.5mm headphone jack on top

It is another smartphone with respectable battery life to start. The phone may be used throughout the day and still have 50% of its charge the next morning.

The Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro is an excellent option to ensure your phone won’t die on you in the middle of the day.

Second, the big 6.5-inch Full HD screen is a standout. The Poco M3 Pro has a “reading mode” that lowers blue light and adapts colors to warmer tones—an excellent choice for more subdued lighting.

Pros

  • Great value for money
  • 5G connectivity
  • Smooth 90 Hz display
  • Long-lasting battery
  • UI is nice once tidied up

Cons

  • Large logo on the back
  • Too much pre-installed software
  • The battery charges slowly

10. Doro 8050, £159

Key features

  • 5.5-inch screen
  • Android
  • 13MP rear camera
  • 5MP front camera
  • Dedicated home button
  • Assistance button to call friends/family quickly
  • 16GB storage
  • MicroSD card slot

Doro specializes in producing cell phones for senior consumers who might have more specialized accessibility requirements.

The phone includes built-in screen protection to withstand a few bumps and falls in addition to a “Response” button that, when pushed, alerts specified “responders.”

While not in use, the Doro 8050 has a standby time of up to 330 hours (or 13 days). 

This is a better option for an emergency device or if you know you’ll only use it for calls or brief outings.

The Doro 8050’s 5.5-inch screen has a tiny size. Compared to most other items listed above, it has differing camera specifications. Even so, it is hearing aid compatible, and it has one of the user-friendly and most straightforward interfaces.

 Pros

  • Long battery life
  • Easy to navigate
  • Built-in screen protection

Cons

  • Bulky compared to competitors
  • Poor camera quality

 

Robin Okwanma
Robin Okwanmahttps://justrobin.dev
Hi, I'm Robin Okwanma. Software Engineer || Django, Python || React, React Native || Blogger. Technical Writer.
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