Published: May 4, 2023
Updated: May 4, 2023
In this blog post, RAZ Mobility identifies and reviews some of the best cell phones for seniors. We examine the phones based on three criteria: (1) ease of use, (2) loudness of the audio, and (3) clarity and contrast of the text for individuals with vision loss. All three of these characteristics are important for seniors.
With respect to ease of use, we are looking for a simple menu system with as few “sub-menus” as possible, as well as easy-to-use apps, if apps are included.
The speakers should be loud, helping seniors hear as well as possible when calls are placed on speakerphone.
Many seniors are visually impaired. Accordingly, we are looking for a phone to have good contrast and large text.
The four cell phones reviewed in this article are the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, the Jitterbug Smart3, the Jitterbug Flip2, and the Consumer Cellular Link II. The Jitterbug Smart3 is intended to be an easy-to-use smartphone, and the Jitterbug Flip2 and Consumer Cellular Link II are traditional basic cell phones: they have large buttons and easy-to-use menu systems. The RAZ Memory Cell Phone, on the other hand, is unique in that it is designed primarily for seniors with cognitive decline.
Each cell phone is reviewed in turn. We hope that you find the reviews instructive!
Our four best cell phones are the following:
Because of its thoughtful characteristics and unique abilities, we consider RAZ Memory Cell Phone the best cell phone for seniors overall.
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone – Simplest and Best Cell Phone for Seniors Overall
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is sold by RAZ Mobility. RAZ Mobility specializes in mobile devices, including cell phones and applications for people with disabilities. The company sells to government agencies across the country, as well as directly to consumers.
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is unique. Unlike the other cell phones on this list, it is designed specifically for seniors with cognitive decline. There is no cell phone that is easier to use. The phone only supports voice and video calls. Text messaging, email, web browsing, and other capabilities are not available. Also, unlike the other phones, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone can be controlled remotely by family caregivers. This is particularly useful if the senior lives a good distance away from a son or daughter who wants their parent to have a cell phone.
Physical Description of RAZ Memory Cell Phone
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone looks like many other smartphones. It has a large 6.5-inch display with narrow bezels. Because it does not look different from other smartphones, seniors will not feel self-conscious that they have a “special” phone.
The top edge of the phone includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. The power button and volume rocker are on the right edge of the phone. On the left edge is the SIM card slot. There is a USB type-C port to charge the phone on the bottom edge of the device.
The display is bright and easy to see. To save battery power the phone dims slightly when it has not been used for 2 minutes. However, even when dimmed the screen contents are clearly visible. The screen brightens as soon as the user touches the dimmed display.
The battery cannot be removed or replaced, which is typical of smartphones these days.
Accessories that can be purchased separately include a protective case, a 6-ft coiled charger cable, a pouch with a belt clip, and an emergency contact information tag that attaches to the phone and includes basic information, such as name, an emergency contact number, and medical conditions. Importantly, also available are two options for wireless charging sets which are very helpful to seniors who have difficulty charging their cell phone with a cable.
One Primary Screen – Easy to Use
The menu system could not be simpler because there is no menu system! The RAZ Memory Cell Phone has one screen that shows contacts in the form of pictures with names underneath. That’s it. The senior has no additional options. The pictures assist individuals with memory loss. The senior taps & holds the picture of the person they wish to call, and the call is initiated.
By default, the screen accommodates up to six contacts (all six contacts appear on the same screen; no scrolling is required to reach a contact). But the number of contacts can be expanded to up to thirty. If this option is selected, the senior will need to scroll through the contacts until they see the picture of the person they wish to call.
The single screen also has a button to call 911, or the RAZ Emergency Service (the Emergency Service is described below). The senior does not have to dial the digits 9-1-1. They simply touch and hold the button. If activated, a pop-up appears that asks the senior if they really wish to contact emergency services. If they tap yes, the emergency call is initiated. If they press no, the emergency call is canceled.
To further simplify the phone, the volume button is disabled and is set to maximum so that seniors cannot inadvertently silence the phone. The screen does not lock or go to “sleep”. The power button can even be disabled in the event that the senior has difficulty turning the phone back on.
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone includes video calling. Contacts can video call the senior through the RAZ Care app. And video calls and voice calls are answered in exactly the same way, making it especially easy for seniors to participate in video calls.
The Phone is Managed by Caregivers through the RAZ Care App
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is managed from afar through a simple app.
The caregiver uses the app to add and edit contacts, including uploading pictures. The caregiver can also manage nine (9) unique settings designed specifically for seniors, including but not limited to the following:
- Limit incoming calls to contacts to prevent unwanted predatory calls.
- Disable the power button in case the senior has difficulty turning the phone on and off.
- Automatically answer calls – the senior doesn’t have to press the answer button.
- Caregiver(s) can receive a text message alert when the phone’s battery is below a specified level.
- Caregiver(s) can be notified by text message when the senior calls 911.
- Seniors can receive a reminder to charge when the battery is low.
- The phone will speak “phone charging” when the phone has started to charge.
- The display can be adjusted to make contacts, the answer button, and the hang-up button much larger for seniors with low vision or hand tremors.
The app and portal also provide caregivers access to the signal strength, remaining battery power, and the GPS location of the phone. This allows the caregiver to warn the senior that they are low on power and need to charge the phone. Also, if the caregiver cannot reach the senior, she can go into the app or portal and see if it is because the phone is out of power or there is poor signal strength. The ability to track the phone can be critical if the senior wanders and needs to be located.
Caregivers also have the ability to send the senior reminders and set up what are called, “quiet hours”. These are hours during which the senior cannot place calls to designated contacts. This feature can be important if the senior has dementia and has the habit of calling in the middle of the night.
In short, the app and portal provide the caregiver with complete control over the RAZ Memory Cell Phone from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. The senior, on the other hand, does not have any control or access to settings. This is done so that the complexity is assumed by the caregiver, while the senior experiences maximum simplicity.
Emergency Service for Seniors with Cognitive Decline
RAZ Mobility offers an optional emergency service. The service is designed for cases where users imagine emergencies and frequently call 911, needlessly tying up emergency resources. With the service, emergency calls are directed to a private emergency dispatch agent rather than 911. The agent knows that the caller has memory loss, or other medical conditions, and will determine whether to contact 911 guided by this knowledge. Also, when a senior calls the Emergency service, up to three caregivers will receive text messages, providing them with the opportunity to cancel the emergency alert, preventing unnecessary calls to 911. The service costs $99.99 annually. In the alternative, it costs $9.99 monthly with a one-time activation fee of $19.99.
Loudness of Audio for Hearing Loss
We tested the loudness of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone with a sound level meter. The loudness of the phone’s earpiece during a regular conversation was 77.4 db. This is consistent with the average smartphone.
The loudness of the speakerphone during a conversation was 103.9. This too is consistent with a typical smartphone.
Clarity and Contrast of Text for Vision Loss
By default, the background of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is black. Each picture is presented as a circle approximately 1 inch in diameter. So, the pictures are quite large for individuals with low vision. The names underneath the pictures are white, providing good contrast with the black background.
The caregiver can change the background to white in the event that the low-vision senior prefers black on white.
As a result of the large pictures and good contrast, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone works well for seniors who are visually impaired.
Price and Wireless Service
There are two versions of the phone. One version is priced at $309.00 and works on T-Mobile, as well as carriers that resell T-Mobile service, including Metro by T-Mobile, MINT Mobile, Simple Mobile and Ting. It does not work on Verizon, AT&T or wireless providers that resell Verizon or AT&T service. The phone comes with a free SIM card and three (3) free months of service from MINT Mobile. After the free service is used, the service costs as low as $15/month for unlimited service.
The other version of the phone is priced at $349.00 and works with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. In other words, the phone can be used with just about any wireless provider, including wireless resellers such as MINT Mobile, Ultra Mobile, Straight Talk, Net10, Cricket Wireless, Consumer Cellular, and Metro by T-Mobile. This phone also comes with a free SIM card and three (3) free months of service from Affinity Cellular, which operates on the Verizon network. After the free service, the cost is $25 per month. For more information click here or call 1-800-729-0083.
Jitterbug Smart3 – A Smartphone for Seniors
The Jitterbug Smart3 is sold by lively; it is designed to be a simplified smartphone.
Physical Description
The Jitterbug Smart3 has the appearance of a modern smartphone. The display has a “teardrop” at the top to accommodate the camera and is a generous 6.22”. On the right edge of the phone are the volume rocker and power button. The left edge includes a dedicated Google Assistant button and the SIM card tray. The top edge of the phone includes a microphone and audio jack, while the bottom edge includes the speaker, another microphone, and the USB charging port. The rear of the phone includes the camera set up.
Menu System and User Experience
The Jitterbug Smart3 is designed to be an easy-to-use smartphone. It tries to accomplish this primarily through a customized menu system. Rather than app icons organized on the display, there is a vertical list of apps. It seems questionable whether re-organizing the menu system in this manner resolves challenges faced by seniors. A safe assumption is that most seniors looking for a simple experience have difficulty operating the apps themselves, rather than difficulty with the manner in which the apps are organized. And, on the Jitterbug Smart3, the large majority of the apps themselves are standard android apps. For example, if the senior wants to surf the internet, they must use Google Chrome; if they wish to send or read an email, they must use an email client like Gmail; if they want to navigate while driving, the senior uses Google Maps; if they wish to place a video call, they must use a video calling app such as Google Meet; to view pictures, the senior uses Google Photos … etc. In fact, the only apps designed by lively are the Phone, Text Messages, Contacts, and Settings apps. Accordingly, if the senior has difficulty using standard apps, the Jitterbug Smart3 is not the solution.
The true “purpose” of the Jitterbug Smart3 seems to be to deliver lively’s health and safety features. Lively’s website explains that “[i]n emergencies big or small, just press the Urgent Response button and a certified Urgent Response Agent will get you the help you need. You can also speak to a board-certified doctor or registered nurse, enjoy affordable car service, and much more.” These services are priced between $19.99 and $34.99 each month and may have additional costs on top of that. Accordingly, the Jitterbug Smart3 may be a good option if the senior wants quick access to lively health and safety services (the phone includes an easy-to-find button for accessing the services). Otherwise, the cell phone does not offer the senior much advantage over a standard smartphone.
The battery of the Jitterbug Smart3 is 3,500 mAh. This is not bad, but it is on the small side these days. In contrast, the battery of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone is 4,000 mAh. Moreover, unlike the RAZ Memory Cell Phone, the Jitterbiug Smart3 does not offer a wireless charging option. This may be relevant if the senior has difficulty charging their cell phone.
Loudness of Audio for Hearing Loss
The decibel reading of the phone’s earpiece was 78.9, which is perhaps just a little louder than an average smartphone. On the other hand, the decibel reading of the speakerphone during a test conversation was 99.2; this is quite modest and probably not as loud as some seniors would prefer.
Clarity and Contrast for Vision Loss
In the menu system, the text size and contrast are very good. The characters are bolded and large, and the color contrast is black on white. In the standard applications (e.g., Google Maps), however, the text size and contrast are the same as on any smartphone.
Price and Wireless Service
Lively offers reasonably priced wireless service. It costs $19.99/month for unlimited talk and text; 3GB of data can be purchased for an additional $10/month, and 3GB is probably more than enough for most seniors. If more data is needed, 5GB can be purchased for $15/month, and unlimited data is priced at $30/month.
Watch a video of the Jitterbug Smart3 here.
The Jitterbug Flip2 – Best Basic Cell Phone for Seniors
Like the Jitterbug Smart3, the Jitterbug Flip2 is manufactured and sold by a wireless provider called lively. Lively specializes in serving seniors and offers a number of solutions, including cell phones, aimed at this demographic.
Physical Description
The Jitterbug Flip2 is a nice-looking flip phone that fits well in the hand. It has a plastic exterior and a red-metallic color. It is 4.3 inches high, 2.19 inches wide, and 0.75 inches thick. It feels solid and generates a nice-sounding thud when closed.
On the front panel of the exterior of the phone are a camera, an LED flash, and a notification LED that flashes to notify seniors of a voicemail or emergency alert. There is also an outside screen that displays the time, day, date, and some status information, such as the battery and signal strength.
The volume rocker is on the right edge. On the left edge are a 3.5 mm jack for headphones and the charging port. On the bottom edge are the microphone and the charging dock connectors. The speaker is on the back of the phone.
If you flip open the phone, the top half includes a 3.2-inch display and the earpiece speaker. The bottom half includes the keypad and urgent response button. Unfortunately, the keypad is not tactile, making it challenging for seniors with vision loss, who rely to some degree on feel.
The Jitterbug Flip2 includes a convenient charging station, which makes it especially easy for seniors to charge their cell phone. The charging station has a nice sturdy feel to it and the rubber on the bottom grips surfaces nicely.
The battery of the Jitterbug Flip2 is 1780 mAh and advertises up to 12 hours of talk time. On the other hand, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone has a battery with 4000 mAh and advertises up to 46 hours of talk time.
Menu System
The menu system consists of vertical lists, which are easy to navigate and well organized. The cell phone does not have many features, which makes it easy to use. However, the menu system does go three levels deep in places, which likely makes it too difficult for many seniors with dementia and other cognitive challenges. Moreover, the contacts do not include pictures, again making it challenging for seniors with dementia.
The main menu items consist of Phone, Text Messages, Contacts, Photos and Videos, Help Tools, Device Info and Settings, and Games. The Help Tools include a flashlight, magnifier, clock, calculator, FM Radio, and Mobile Support. As you can see, the phone is quite basic, which is generally a positive for seniors.
The Jitterbug Flip2 does not support video calls.
The magnifier is a nice feature for people with vision loss. The quality is not the best (i.e., images are a little fuzzy), but it is still useful.
There is also a feature called Amazon Alexa, which allows the user to perform various functions by voice. One word of caution: the senior will likely need assistance setting up.
Alexa did a good job answering basic questions like the time, weather, and the capital of Canada. It can even recite a joke. But it is more limited than an Alexa speaker. For example, it cannot play music.
Furthermore, the Alexa feature’s integration with the cell phone is very limited. Alexa cannot provide the battery strength, signal strength, adjust phone settings or provide a contact’s phone number. It can seemingly be used for only three tasks: (1) placing a call, (2) sending a text, and (3) finding out how many minutes are left in the seniors’ Lively account. In order to initiate any of these functions, the seniors must say the words “use Lively” before the command. For example, to send a text message, the seniors must say, “use Lively to send a message.” To place a call, the user must say “use Lively to make a call.” Some seniors may have difficulty remembering to preface requests with the words “use Lively.”
The Jitterbug Flip2 does not have a feature comparable to the RAZ Memory Cell Phone’s Remote Manage, where caregivers can manage all features of the phone from afar through an app. Accordingly, the senior must be able to operate the phone independently.
The battery of the Jitterbug Flip2 is 1,780 mAh. This is reasonable for a basic flip phone. Not surprisingly, it does not include wireless charging, which is offered only in certain smartphones.
Loudness of Audio for Hearing Loss
The decibel reading of the earpiece during a test conversation was 78.5. This is perhaps a little louder than a typical smartphone; but not materially louder.
On the other hand, the decibel reading of the speakerphone during a test conversation was 104.4; this too is somewhat louder than a typical smartphone.
Accordingly, lively’s claim that the Jitterbug Flip2 has powerful speakers is justified, although the supported volume level is certainly not exceptional. Moreover, we found the sound quality to be lower than on an average smartphone, which may be a problem for seniors with hearing loss who require clear sound.
The phone is compatible with hearing aids.
Clarity and Contrast for Vision Loss
The text is black on white and the contrast is very good. There is no option for switching the color scheme to white on black, although the text size can be set to either “regular” or “extra large”.
Price and Wireless Service
The regular price of the Jitterbug Flip2 is $99.99.
The phone can be used only with lively service, which operates on the Verizon network. Unlimited talk and text cost $19.99 per month, and lively charges a service activation fee of $35, as well. No data is required. The Alexa features use data, but this data is provided at no additional cost. Lively offers additional health and safety packages with the phone that are priced between $24.99 per month and $34.99 per month. The basic package of $24.99 per month includes Urgent Response: the user presses the Urgent Response button and the call is answered by Lively’s private dispatch agents.
Watch a video on the Jitterbug Flip2 here.
Consumer Cellular Link II – A Cell Phone that Tries to Please Everyone
As the name suggests, the Consumer Cellular Link II is sold by Consumer Cellular, a wireless provider that focuses on the senior segment. It is intended to be a simple cell phone for seniors. However, unlike the other devices in this article, it is not a senior cell phone in the sense that it is not designed with seniors in mind. For example, unlike the Jitterbug Flip2, it does not label buttons to enhance ease of use. Rather, it is a basic flip phone manufactured by ZTE, a Chinese manufacturer, and designed for the general public.
Physical Description and Battery
The Link II is very similar in size and appearance to the Jitterbug Flip II. It has a plastic exterior and is sold in either black or red. It is 4.28 inches high, 2.21 inches wide, and 0.78 inches thick. Like the Jitterbug Flip2, it feels solid and generates a nice-sounding thud when closed.
On the front panel of the exterior of the cell phone is a camera. Unlike the Jitterbug Flip2, the Link II does not have an LED flash or a notification LED to notify users of a voicemail or emergency alert, although you will hear a notification sound, as well as see the notification on the outside screen. The outside screen also displays the time, day, date, and status information, including the battery and signal strength.
The volume rocker and 3.5 mm jack for headphones are on the right edge. On the bottom edge are the microphone and the charging port. Unfortunately, the cell phone has a Micro-USB charging port, which means that the senior will need to insert the cable in the proper direction. The Jitterbug Flip2 and RAZ Memory Cell Phone, on the other hand, uses a USB type C, and is therefore directionless, which is definitely preferable for seniors. The speaker is on the back of the phone. There is no charging station.
If you flip open the phone, the top half includes a 2.8-inch display and the earpiece speaker. The bottom half includes the keypad.
The battery of the Link II is 1600 mAh and advertises up to 14 hours of talk time, two more hours than the Jitterbug Flip2. On the other hand, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone has a battery with 4000 mAh and advertises up to 46 hours of talk time.
Menu System
For two reasons, the menu system of the Link II is more complex than the menu system of the Jitterbug Flip2: (1) as mentioned, the buttons on the keypad are not labeled, so the senior must remember which buttons perform what functions, and (2) there are two “soft” keys which are each marked on the keypad with 3 horizontal dots. These soft keys perform different functions when using different apps and the senior must memorize when to use the respective keys. This user experience is arguably even more complex than that of a smartphone! If the senior has any cognitive decline, Link II is likely to be too complicated.
The available features include calling, text messages, contacts, a gallery, a basic media center, FM radio, a calendar, notifications, a camera, tools (calculator, alarm, stopwatch, timer, and world clock), and settings. These are basic features similar to what is available on the Jitterbug Flip2. The cell phone does not offer video calling.
Loudness of Audio for Hearing Loss
The decibel reading of the earpiece was 79, which is reasonable for a typical flip phone but not exceptional by any means.
On the other hand, the decibel reading of the speakerphone during a test conversation was 103; this is not quite as loud as the Jitterbug Flip2 or RAZ Memory Cell Phone.
Clarity and Contrast for Vision Loss
Text is presented as a combination of black on white and white on black. You can invert the color scheme, but it is still a mix of black on white and white on black, so the benefit is unclear. There is no option for other color schemes, such as yellow on black. The display does not appear to be quite as sharp, or bright, as that of the Jitterbug Flip2, and certainly not as sharp or bright as the RAZ Memory Cell Phone.
Font size can be enlarged, but it would help if it could be made even larger. The font size on a standard smartphone can be made larger than the font size on the Link II.
Price and Wireless Service
The regular price of the Consumer Cellular Link II is $59.
The phone is shipped with a Consumer Cellular SIM card inserted. Consumer Cellular operates on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks. A plan with unlimited talk and text with 1GB of data is priced at $20.00 per month. AARP members receive a discount of 5% on monthly service.
You can watch videos of the Consumer Cellular Link II here.
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