Smartphones, once a novelty especially for seniors, have become commonplace. With access to the internet, you have a wealth of information at the tip of your fingers. With social media, you can keep up with friends and family as well as make new friends. This is no less true for senior citizens who may have reduced mobility and fixed incomes that may prohibit seeing friends in person.
In the past, seniors, as a demographic, have been slow to embrace smartphone technology. This has changed recently, however, as increasingly more seniors are buying cell phones. The Pew Research Center reported that the percentage of adults 65 years or older that have a cell phone increased from 18% to 24% between 2013 and 2017.
Perhaps one aspect that has led to this growth is the development of smartphones that are better suited for seniors. This article discusses the top 5 smartphones for seniors on the market today.
Table of Contents
Best Smartphones for Seniors: Side By Side Comparison
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Motorola Moto G Power
- Carrier compatibility: AT&T: VoLTE, Verizon: VoLTE, T Mobile: VoLTE, WiFi Calling, Video Calling,...
- Up to 3 day battery. Go up to three days1 on a single charge thanks to a 5000 mAh battery.
- 16 MP triple camera system. Capture ultra-wide angle panoramas, sharper portraits, and super...
The Motorola Moto G Power, released on April 17, 2020, is first on this list. The Moto G Power works with all major US cell phone carriers and prepaid carriers.
Moto G Power Specs & Features
Here are the specs and features of the Moto G Power:
Display
This phone features a 6.4-inch LCD screen with a Full High Definition+ resolution (1080 x 2300 pixels). When you increase the display and font size of text, less is displayed on the screen at one time. However, the Moto G Power’s display has more real estate available so that you can see more.
Battery Life
The Moto G Power’s battery is rated at 5000 mAh. Motorola’s website claims the battery can last for up to 3 days of average use under ideal network conditions. When tested by PC Magazine, the battery lasted for just over 18 hours while streaming High Definition videos over Wi-Fi at full brightness continuously.
Volume
The earpiece volume peaks at 87dB, making it easy to hear; for reference, a running lawnmower’s sound is usually between 85 and 90 dB. The phone’s stereo speakers peak at 92 dB.
Hearing Aid Compatibility
The Moto G Power has a hearing aid compatibility rating of M3/T3; a rating of 3 indicates that this phone satisfies the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) standards for use with a hearing aid on the microphone (M) setting or telecoil (T) setting.
TalkBack
The Moto G Power features TalkBack, an accessibility service developed by Google. TalkBack reads the text on your phone screen out loud.
Google Assistant and Google Voice
With these, you can give your phone voice commands to call or send a text. You can also command your phone to create calendar entries, set reminders, and complete Google searches. The ability to command your phone with your voice makes it easier to use if you have difficulty typing on the touchscreen.
Triple Camera
16 MP main lens, 8 MP ultrawide lens, and 2 MP macro lens + a 16 MP selfie camera.
USB-C Port
The days of struggling with plugging the mini-USB cable into phones will not be missed. USB-C cables are reversible and much easier to use.
Unlocked
Since the phone is unlocked, it will work with all major US carriers.
You can hardly make an informed decision about which is the right phone for you if you don’t know the negative aspects as well, right?
Moto G Power Potential Issues
Some issues with the Moto G Power are:
- The camera performance was called “mediocre” in a PC Magazine review. The review states that daylight photos are good, but low light photos are merely okay. This is hardly a scathing review, and the camera will still allow you to capture memories with your family and friends.
- The display’s glass extends a bit past the phone’s frame, making it vulnerable to drops. However, you can use a case that protects the body and screen.
This phone is particularly great for seniors because of its large display, loud volume, and battery life. There are other phones with batteries that can compete with the Moto G Power, but not within its price range.
Sources: Moto G Power User Guide; TLC Direct; Windows; Cellcom; Springerplus;
Pros
- Loud volume for hearing impaired
- Long battery life
- Reasonably priced (good value)
Cons
- Basic camera features
- Vulnerable glass display
Samsung Galaxy A11
- CHARGE UP. POWER THROUGH: You need a phone you can rely on. Thanks to the long-lasting battery(Based...
- TAKE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT TO THE EDGE: A 6.4” Infinity-O Display(Measured diagonally, the screen...
- THREE LENSES. ENDLESS POTENTIAL: Getting a great photo and video is now easier with this versatile...
The Samsung Galaxy A11 was released on May 1, 2020. The Samsung Galaxy A series is more budget-friendly than higher-end Samsung phones. The Galaxy A11 works with all major US carriers.
Samsung Galaxy A11 Specs & Features
Here are the specs and features of the Samsung Galaxy A11:
Display
The Samsung Galaxy A11 features a 6.4-inch screen with a High Definition+ screen resolution (720×1560 pixels).
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A11’s battery is rated at 4000 mAh. A blogger with Ting.com reports they used the phone regularly for just over two days on a full charge.
Hearing Aid Compatibility
M3/T3.
Screen Reader
Samsung provides a screen reader that is not available with other Android brands. It works with Samsung’s Voice Assistant to provide audio of what’s on the screen for the blind and visually impaired.
TalkBack, Google Assistant, and Google Voice
As this is an Android product, Google’s accessibility features are also available for use.
Triple Camera
13 MP main lens, 5 MP ultrawide lens, 2 MP depth sensor lens + 8 MP selfie camera.
USB-C Port
Unlocked
Since the phone is unlocked, it will work with all major US carriers.
Samsung Galaxy A11 Potential Issues
One complaint about the Samsung Galaxy A11 is that it only has 2 GB of RAM. So, the phone is not as fast as some of the higher-end models and is not ideal for playing more advanced mobile games.
