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5 of the Best Smartphones for Seniors

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5 of the Best Smartphones for Seniors

It’s unfortunate but true: technology tends to leave seniors behind. Older folks find it more difficult to adopt new technologies, and with the cell phone industry on the forefront of emerging tech, some seniors find them simply too difficult to use.
Do Grandma and Grandpa seem flabbergasted by the latest iPhone? Do they think an Android is the metal trashcan from “Lost In Space?” It’s time to take them under the arm and guide them into the modern age. The phones listed below should be enough to convince them that smartphone technology isn’t all that scary.

1. Jitterbug Smart2

best-smartphones-for-seniors-jitterbug-smart2
The upgraded version of the Jitterbug Smart continues in the vein of its predecessor, with a sizable 5.5-inch 720p screen and big, bold interface elements making it easy to use for those whose fingers aren’t as graceful as they used to be. It’s not the fastest of phones, but the GreatCall UI is designed for accessibility rather than gaming, and in that it does its job very well.
There are various subscriptions you can get that add extra services such as nurse contact lines, the option for family members to track you by your phone’s locations, and more. The camera is pretty decent for a phone like this too, so your grandpa will be able to dabble in the joys of photography and maybe social sharing without pictures looking like they were processed through a 90s games console.
Specifications:
  • 5.5-inch display with HD resolution
  • 16 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD card up to 128 GB
  • 13 MP rear camera, 5 MP front-facing camera
  • 3,000 mAh battery
  • 4G LTE
  • Hearing aid-compatible – M4/T4 rating

2. Samsung Galaxy Note 5

best-smartphones-for-senior-users-samsung-galaxy-note-5
While this list features plenty of phones dedicated to those unfamiliar with phones, there’s no reason why the older generation shouldn’t own a regular powerful handset like the rest of us.
While splashing out on the latest Samsung flagship might be a bit much, the Galaxy Note 5 remains an excellent smartphone that can be picked up for around $200 – $300 these days. Crucially, it features a large, vibrant 5.7-inch screen and a stylus. (After all, everyone over the age of 60 is probably more comfortable with a pen than a touchscreen).
In addition, the Galaxy Note 5 has an “Easy Mode” which makes everything on the screen bigger and clearer, cutting out many of the more intricate UI features and letting you customize it.
Specifications:
  • 5.7-inch display
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 32/64/128 GB internal storage
  • 16 MP rear camera, 5 MP front-facing camera
  • 3000 mAh battery
  • Android 5.1.1
  • 4G LTE
  • ‘Easy Mode’ which makes UI more accessible

3. PowerTel M9500

powertel-m9500
This 5″ smartphone is made by a company called Amplicomms whose motto is “Loud and Clear.” As you may have guessed, the PowerTel M9500 is super loud. The phone’s ringtone can go as high as 90 dB, which is similar to a train whistle or an oncoming subway train.
The phone also features a volume boost key that can enhance the speaker volume by an additional 40 dB. It’s safe to say that with that level of amplification, you won’t have to ask “Can you hear me now?” when talking to Nana ever again. In addition to being really loud, the PowerTel M9500 has a retooled user interface with clearly-labelled large buttons.
Specifications:
  • 5-inch display
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 8 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32 GB
  • 8 MP rear camera, 2 MP front-facing camera
  • 3,200 mAh battery
  • Android 5.1
  • 4G LTE
  • Hearing aid-compatible – M4/T4 rating

4. Emporia Smart

emporia-smart
The Emporia Smart features a unique marriage of old and new. The Android smartphone has a touchscreen that can be overlaid with a keypad cover. This cover allows those who prefer a more tactile experience to dial and text while using a physical keypad. If at a later date the user warms up to the touchscreen, the keypad cover can be completely removed.
The Emporia Smart’s user interface has large buttons and a simple menu for easy navigation. Finally, the phone comes with a stylus for those uncomfortable with touch-based navigation. Despite some interesting features that we don’t normally associate with modern smartphones, the Emporia Smart doesn’t have the best specs. That being said, ease of use is the major draw with this one.
Specifications:
  • 4.5-inch display with a 960 x 540 resolution
  • 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 4 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 64 GB
  • 8 MP rear camera, 1 MP front-facing camera
  • 2,600 mAh battery
  • Android 4.4.2 Kitkat
  • Hearing aid-compatible – M4/T4 rating

5. Doro Liberto 825

doro-liberto-825
The main selling point of the Doro Liberto 825 is its ease of use, so naturally it features an easy-to-use UI with large icons and clear text. When users first fire it up, a comprehensive tutorial walks through the basics of smartphone operation. It can be skipped, but the tutorial is ideal for anyone who hasn’t used a smartphone before.
In addition to the tutorial, there are also interactive tips that guide users through the process of sending text messages, emails, etc. If Pop Pop is still struggling, there is an online help center featuring videos that walk him through step by step.
One of the more interesting features of the Liberto 825 is remote access. Users can nominate trusted contacts who can remotely control the Liberto 825. So instead of pulling your hair out trying to explain how to install apps or set up a contact list, you can do it for them. Be aware that the Liberto 825 isn’t available in the US, so double check what bands your cell provider operates on before importing.
Specifications:
  • 5-inch display with HD resolution
  • 1.1 GHz quad-core processor
  • 8 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32 GB
  • 8 MP rear camera, 2 MP front-facing camera
  • 2,000 mAh battery
  • Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
  • Hearing aid-compatible
Do you know of any other senior-friendly smartphones? Do you have any strategies for helping an older person embrace smartphone technology? Let us know in the comments!

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