Choosing the right cell phone can be a daunting task for the average user, and it’s even harder for senior citizens who aren’t up to date with modern technology.
Even if you know what a phone is, it can still be hard to understand which ones are reliable, or the models that are best for your lifestyle. Luckily, with a little bit of help, anyone can find the phone for them.
This guide will do a lot of heavy lifting by exploring the best Verizon cell phone options for senior citizens. Each one is simple to grasp, sturdy, and intuitive.
Contents
Who Should Get This
While this article is a guide for seniors looking to upgrade or replace their phone, it can also be used by friends and family members who want to get their loved ones a newer device.
In addition, the phones are also great options for someone trying to simplify their cell phone usage and practice a more minimalist approach to mobile communication.
If top-notch cameras and face recognition security aren’t a must for you, then these models may be a good fit.
Best Verizon Phone for Seniors: Our Picks
This section analyzes several top senior Verizon cell phones by looking at their premium characteristics and the niches they fill.
1. Kyocera DuraXV LTE
- Best For: Overall
- Key Features: HD voice compatibility. Waterproof exterior. WiFi for emergency internet access. Quick setup.
- Memory Storage Capacity: 16GB
- Screen Size: 2.6 inches
- Weight: 6.24 ounces
This Verizon cell phone from Kyocera has a slew of useful characteristics that all seniors will be able to enjoy. That includes HD voice compatibility, WiFi for any emergency calls, as well as a slick interface that’s easy to both grasp and navigate. You’ll have no issues using this.
In addition, the phone is quite tough. Not only does it have a sturdy shell that naturally resists any bumps, scrapes, or drops, but the exterior is also waterproof. That provides an extra layer of protection and gives you even more security.
This phone has a lot of great senior-related traits, but it doesn’t come with an included SIM card. That can make setup a little trickier than it has to be, even if you can slot in a card from a previous Verizon phone.
2. Jitterbug Smart2
- Best For: Usability
- Key Features: Bright, glossy touchscreen. LED flash camera. Reliable coverage. Streamlined design. No contracts or cancellation fees.
- Memory Storage Capacity: 32GB
- Screen Size: 5.5 inches
- Weight: 4.64 ounces
Equipped with a large, glossy touch screen as well as a powerful 13.0 megapixel camera, the Jitterbug Smart2 is a senior smartphone with a large focus on usability. This has one of the easiest-to-grasp interfaces on the market. That makes it perfect for even the newest tech users.
The font and icons are also both large and easy to see. Those concerned about plans will enjoy that this phone comes with no contracts or cancellation fees without giving up traits. You still get nationwide coverage with voice-controlled typing, mobile access, and a gorgeous display.
If this phone has a weak point, it’s the volume. Though hearing the speakers at normal volume isn’t tough, those with hearing trouble may not be able to catch them all of the time.
3. Moto E5
- Best For: Advanced
- Key Features: Good display and resolution. 16GB ROM. 2GB RAM. Rear and front camera. Expansive screen. All-day battery.
- Memory Storage Capacity: 16GB
- Screen Size: 5.7 inches
- Weight: 14 ounces
Most senior phones, even the best ones, tend to be on the basic side. The Moto E5 breaks that mold by delivering a strong senior option with ample features. This phone comes with what you’d see in more traditional models, including a bright display and strong internal processor.
It also has a strong 4000mAh battery, rear and front cameras, as well as a tough exterior shell. You can use simple gestures to open the apps, while the large screen is easy to see and use. It’s a great blend of usability and premium traits.
For some, this phone’s biggest bonus may also be its largest drawback. There’s a lot going on with this model, which can be too overwhelming or confusing for those not familiar with cell phones.
4. Jethro SC490
- Best For: Battery Life
- Key Features: Charging dock with battery. Speed dial options. Large screen with big, easy-to-press buttons. Good support.
- Memory Storage Capacity: 8GB
- Screen Size: 2.8 inches
- Weight: 3.88 ounces
This Jethro model is an easy-to-use phone with a senior focus. The buttons are large and tactile, making all of the menus simple to navigate. It also comes with an extremely loud speaker that’s easy to hear regardless if you’re near or far from the phone.
Another excellent feature here is the charging dock. The battery holds a long charge, but it also regains juice quite quickly. It’s hard to lose the phone too, as you’ll always have a place to store it. If you do have an issue, the customer support is helpful as well.
This senior phone has one of the smaller screens on this list, which can be an issue for users with weaker eyes. However, the large buttons mostly make up for that.
5. Tianhoo Cell Phone
- Best For: Durability
- Key Features: Charger cradle with speaker. Long battery. Strong construction. Powerful flashlight. Bright screen.
- Memory Storage Capacity: 64GB
- Screen Size: 3.5 inches
- Weight: 1.14 pounds
If you’re someone who’s worried about accidents, the Tianhoo Cell Phone is a great choice. It’s a tough phone with strong, long-lasting construction. It can take any fall, bump, or scrape without breaking. The shell and screen are surprisingly scratch-proof as well.
That’s backed by a 2000mAh battery, Bluetooth compatibility, hands-free calling, and a charging dock speaker. You get a lot of functionality from those traits. There’s also an SOS button, which you can use in the case of an emergency. The 3.5-inch screen looks great too.
This phone, while not terribly heavy, weighs more than other options on this list. It’s still portable, but be aware that it has a bit of heft when you’re using it or carrying it around.
6. Alcatel Go
- Best For: Flip
- Key Features: Tough, compact design. Easy-to-navigate features. Large backlit keys. Lightweight.
- Memory Storage Capacity: 8GB
- Screen Size: 1.4 inches
- Weight: 4.6 ounces
The Alcatel Go is a strong Verizon flip phone with a lot of durability on top of a useful interface. This model is particularly great for seniors because it has a bright screen, backlit keys, as well as a loud speaker. That combination makes it easy to use in any environment.
While the screen isn’t the largest, it stays bright. In addition, the phone is quite portable and easy to put in your pocket. Despite the lighter design, you get a good amount of toughness and scratch protection too. The network is reliable as well.
That being said, this phone isn’t the simplest to first set up. There are a few steps you need to go through to get everything up and running. Once that’s done, however, you’ll be satisfied.
How to Choose a Verizon Cell Phone for Seniors
A phone geared toward a senior needs to fit very specific criteria, and they don’t need the bells and whistles that most envision when purchasing a new phone.
Below are some key aspects that should be considered before getting a cell phone for older adults.
Reliability
It doesn’t matter if you have a landline, use your cell phone while running errands, or if your mobile device is your sole method of communication, you want your phone to work on a consistent basis.
Verizon is well known for having one of the most reliable networks around, and you want a phone to match. That is especially true if social media, email, and streaming aren’t priorities for you.
Ensuring quality calls and service should always be at the top of your list.
User Friendly
While senior citizens may not utilize new technology at the rate of younger generations, a cell phone is still an essential part of their everyday life.
If you plan on using something with high frequency, it must be relatively easy to use and shouldn’t take too long to master.
Navigation between screens and different features should be achieved with relative ease.
Battery Life
A long-lasting battery will give senior citizens a deeper sense of security. The cell phone isn’t as much a part of a senior’s life as a sixteen-year-old who can’t live without refreshing their Instagram feed every ten minutes.
As such, they can easily forget their phone for long periods of time or set it down and not come back to it for hours. If the battery isn’t good, it will die during those stretches. Get a model that drains at an extremely slow pace.
Useful Tips and Resources
Just because the cell phones we reviewed seem easy for most to use, they could still be confusing for seniors that are brand new to the cell phone world or to those used to an old discontinued cell phone model.
Luckily, there are options out there for those seniors hesitant to jump into the mobile era.
Senior Planet, a website and educational resource dedicated to empowering senior citizens through learning new technology, offers online and in-person classes to teach senior citizens technology basics.
It helps senior citizens stay up to date and connected with both friends and family, as well as the world around them.
If you are not sure which Verizon plan to select, check out this video:
Final Words
For senior citizens, cell phones can be a lot to understand. However, there are many easy-to-use models out there with great interfaces and simple designs.
Verizon’s service is highly rated as well, giving seniors and their loved ones a secure sense that all of their connections are only a phone call away.
Have you had any luck with the phones we reviewed today? Let us know about it in the comments section below!
