Do You Need a Smartphone Targeted to Older Adults?

Figure out your needs

Phones come in all shapes and sizes with different features and different prices. The first step is to assess your specific needs, says Ramon T. Llamas, research director for devices and displays at IDC, a research firm based in Framingham, Massachusetts.

"For example, what are you going to use the phone for? Do you need all the new bells and whistles, like 5G and augmented reality, or are the tried-and-true features enough for you, such as phone calls, texting and a camera?” Llamas asks.

If you don't need the latest iPhone or souped-up Android device and are simply looking at an emergency communication device to keep in your glove compartment, then a regular cellphone may be right for you.

The same can be said for budget: If you have only a few hundred dollars to spend, it will rule out the latest premium devices, such as iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, both starting at $799. More affordable devices exist, says Siddharth Lal, vice president of customer acquisition marketing at T-Mobile.

"For example, there's the well-loved Samsung Galaxy A32 5G [for $282] or the [$239.99] OnePlus Nord N200, which features a large display with triple rear cameras and a front-facing camera,” he says.

In addition to the cost of the phone itself, consider your budget for monthly service costs for voice calls, text messages and data, he says. You use data for web browsing, accessing email, downloading apps and other online activity.

Lal says his company's research found the 55-plus segment tends to be more “value conscious” than other consumers, which helped T-Mobile design more appropriate plans for the age group.

Consider accessibility, ease of use

The next consideration should be any accessibility features worth considering, whether tied to using the device, seeing the text or hearing the person you're talking with.

"Many senior citizens can use a mainstream smartphone with little to no issue, while others may benefit from additional features, such as bigger buttons, a larger screen and louder speaker,” Llamos says. “Since needs vary from one senior to the next, assess whether your needs merit a smartphone designed especially for seniors."

For example, some phones offer high-definition voice for those who are hard of hearing and speech-to-text features for those with arthritis, Parkinson's disease and other medical conditions that may make using a cellphone more difficult.

Virtual assistants, such as Google Assistant, are ideal to have in a smartphone since talking can be faster and more accurate than typing. And you don't need to break the bank for this feature: The $100 Alcatel GO FLIP 3 is a basic flip phone with large buttons, hearing aid compatibility and long battery life — nearly 22 days on standby — plus Google's integrated personal assistant.

Look for scam protection

"Also important is scam protection,” Lal says. “We know that older Americans are often being ‘gamed,’ and we offer a great service to prevent that with Scam Shield, which is included in all 55+ plans."

Other major phone carriers, such as T-Mobile and AT&T, offer similar services to help customers ward off robocallers and scammers, plus apps such as Nomorobo and YouMail work with any carrier.