Alcatel Go Flip : Best For Budgets
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The Alcatel Go Flip 3 is a workhorse of a flip phone that handles all the basics and more. Along with calling, texting, and email, it has Google Assistant built in to answer questions and provide directions.
It also has some basic accessibility features like Real Time Text for live captioning and Text Telephone for hearing impaired users. And its 7.9 hour battery may make other phones jealous.
One of the biggest complaints we saw about the Go Flip 3 was its camera. If you arent planning on snapping a lot of pictures, its not a problem. But the photos a 2 MP camera produces will look grainy and unclear compared to those from phones with 13 MP cameras.
Alcatel Go Flip 3 cell phone plans
This flip phone for seniors is available through T-Mobile or Metro by T-Mobile, so prices may vary. But when we checked, the phone is about $97 from T-Mobile.
If youre looking for a simple mobile phone, the Alcatel Go Flip 3 is a cheap option for just calling and texting. Reviewers on T-Mobile said navigation takes practice and the camera was a big drawback for them. That said, its great for the ultra-minimalist in your life who prefers short phone calls and a way to check emails on the go.
Find The Best Carrier And Cell Plan For Senior Citizens
- University of Houston
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Best Overall:T-Mobile
“T-Mobile’s Magenta Unlimited 55+ line is a standout deal offering unlimited talk, text, and LTE data for $70 a month for two lines.”
Best Emergency Plan:Lively
“Lively offers rate plans starting at $14.99 for 300 minutes, and offers package add-ons that include emergency help.”
Best Basic:Consumer Cellular
“Consumer Cellular starts with rates as low as $20 per month for unlimited talk and text and 1 GB of data.”
Best Flexible:US Mobile
“Customers should look to US Mobile for a wireless carrier that provides a wide selection of buckets to help piece together the right plan.”
Best Data:Boost Mobile
“Boost Mobile offers an attractive solution that is no-frills and includes taxes and fees directly in the rate plan.”
The best cellphone plan for senior citizens is right at your fingertips. No matter your age or cellphone type, there is a plan that is perfect for you out there. The things you need to keep in mind while looking for your dream cellular service are the following: Will you be using a basic or smart device? Will you be traveling internationally? Would you prefer a contract, prepaid, or no-contract system? Lastly, what is a comfortable price range?
Here is our list of the best cellphone plans for seniors.
Best Cell Phone Plan Options For Seniors
As most cell usage is unlimited, seniors should focus on the data usage when comparing phone plans . Keep in mind that wearable devices, such as an Apple Watch, use data so that must be taken into account when thinking about where data usage fits into the plan you choose.
Budget is also a key factor when seniors look at the amount of data their cell phone plan provides. As a rule of thumb, you shouldnt spend more than $25 a month per line if you’re a light user. Note that some senior phone plans will include 24/7 emergency response.
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Best Emergency Plan: Lively
Formerly known as GreatCall, Lively is an excellent option for older customers looking for a cellphone plan that’s good for low monthly use, and its emergency features will put users’ and family members’ minds at ease.
Lively offers a Value Talk & Text plan for $14.99 for 300 minutes and 10 cents per text, and an Unlimited Talk & Text Plan for $19.99 per month with unlimited minutes and unlimited texts.
To complete your phone plan, you’ll choose a data option: 100 MB for $2.49 per month, 500 MB for $5 per month, 3 GB for $10 per month, 5 GB for $15 per month, and unlimited for $30 per month.
But Lively really shines with its urgent response offerings, known as Lively Health and Safety packages, which let users immediately access emergency assistance, ask medical questions, summon a locksmith, and more.
The Basic Lively Health and Safety package is $19.99 and includes an urgent response service, while the $24.99 Preferred package adds a “Lively Link,” which alerts designated loved ones when you access the urgent response service. A $34.99 Ultimate package also includes access to a live operator.
Qualify Through National Verifier Application Website
Seniors may also determine their eligibility through the National Verifier application website and fill out the required fields.
Once you have filled out all the fields you will be provided with a list of service providers in your area. You will then contact one of these providers to apply to receive your Lifeline benefits program.
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Blu Joy Cell Phone For Seniors
Award:BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: This cell phone for seniors is an extra-affordable option that works well for most applications. With a large keypad and slim profile, youll get a streamlined product thats easy to use for most seniors.
Pros
- Only compatible on 2G networks
- Not as durable as other options
The Blu Joy is the best budget cell phone for seniors while still offering a ton of helpful functionality. For starters, the phones design is streamlined, slim, and lightweight. This makes it easier to pack around with you, either in your pocket or in a bag. Unfortunately, this does make for some durability issues, but nothing that should overly concern you. This isnt a flip phone, so the display is also exposed to the outside elements. However, this means you wont have to flip it open and closed every time you want to use it.
The Blu Joy cell phone is also very easy to use. It features an extra-large keypad with big numbers that are easy to read. It even features separate arrow buttons for easier overall navigation through the phones menus. The Blu Joy also gives you an SOS button on the back of the phone for emergency situations. We were also impressed to find an integrated flashlight that is controlled by a single button on the side of the phone. You might also be interested in our best tablets for seniors buying guide.
Best Prepaid: Metro By T
The Metro By T-Mobile logo.
For a no-frills solution on prepaid, look to Metro by T-Mobile for a one-stop plan that offers a $40 monthly rate that includes unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data.
Piggybacking off T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network, Metro by T-Mobile customers can rest easy knowing that all taxes and regulatory fees are already included in the bill, so $40 is the same rate each and every month.
The most expensive plan$60/monthadds plenty of extras like 15 GB of hotspot data and an Amazon Prime membership.
As a prepaid carrier, customers do have to purchase the device outright, with prices varying depending on the device, though Metro by T-Mobile does offer a bring-your-own-device solution to skip past the upfront cost of a new phone.
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What Is The Best Cell Phone Service For Seniors
There are million seniors in America who own a cell and if youre in the market for a new or upgraded phone, we can help! If youve ever shopped for a phone, you know just how many options there are on the market it can feel endless. To make it easier for you, our team started by narrowing down the search to many phones by cutting out the options that didnt meet our standard criteria.
After over many times of research, online shopping, conversations with customer service, and hands-on testing of more than phones, we arrived at eight finalists that were calling the best cell phones for seniors. Each phone was ranked using over 30 metrics including price, senior-friendly features, battery life, durability, sound quality, appearance, ease of use, provider perks, and the list goes on. There are aarp cell phones for seniors options for your evaluation.
Seniors cell phone price
We know that every seniors budget is different. While some of the cell phones on our list are more expensive than others, weve only included phones where we believe the quality either matches or surpasses the price. Weve made sure to include highly affordable basic options on our list, along with somewhat pricier high-tech devices so you can find the phone thats right for both your wallet and your needs.
Apple service for senior
Jitterbug Smart2 service for seniors
Final verdict
Reduce Eye Strain With A Large Screen Or Add
Changes in vision also often accompany aging, and for that there are two solutions: a smartphone with a larger screen or a magnifying device used in tandem with a phone. The former offers more surface area to view emails, texts and web pages the latter is like a magnifying glass but sized proportionately for smartphones.
Take a look at:The Motorola edge+ features a unique display that bends around the phones sides for even more viewing space.
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Unlimited Cell Phone Plans
For heavier cell phone users, particularly smartphone users, an unlimited plan is ideal. These plans put no limits on the monthly usage of talk, text, or data. Some of our favorite unlimited plans come from T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Cricket Wireless.
With that said, the name Unlimited is often a bit misleading, as most of these plans do place limits on data. However, you wont be charged with overage fees rather, your data speeds will be slowed or throttled.
The Best Cell Phone Plans For Seniors
If youre a senior whos wondered if your age merits you a deal or if youre just tired of paying too much for cell phone service youll be pleased to learn there are several options for switching to a cheaper provider without sacrificing service. In fact, some major wireless providers offer affordable plans specifically for people who are 55 and older. But which service offers the best cell phone plan for seniors?
Ive researched more than 70 phone plans to find the best phone plans, prices, key features and discounts on reliable networks that offer talk, text and data. In this article, Ill share my picks for the best cell phone plans for seniors.
- Low prices on limited data plans
- Discounts available for AARP members
- Phones are specifically designed for seniors
- Health and safety packages are available for an additional charge
- Best price for high-speed data that never slows
- 40GB of hotspot data
- Unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data
- Cheapest pre-built plan available
- 35GB data cap before reduced speeds
- Prepay three months in advance when you sign up.
- Although the contract changes, the plan price stays the same after three months.
- Unlimited talk, text and data with 5-12 Mbps speeds
- Unlimited mobile hotspot with 5 Mbps speeds
- One of the cheapest prices for unlimited data
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Where Can You Get Cheap Landline Phone Service For Seniors
Community Phone provide the cheapest landline phone service for seniors. It is 31-35% cheaper than traditional and digital landlines, 20-25% cheaper than VoIP, and a whopping 73% cheaper than a cell phone.âCommunity Phoneâs landline service can save you hundreds of dollars on installation costs, setup, and maintenance. Call our landline specialists at -593-5333.
Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
Seniors who only need to use their phones for emergencies will benefit from prepaid plans. You only purchase a specific number of minutes, messages, and data, then replenish when theyâre consumed. There are no monthly contracts or monthly payments.
Lively and Consumer Cellular offer limited phone plans that can be upgraded to unlimited plans.
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How Do You Apply For A Free Government Landline
To apply for a free government landline you need to have documentation to prove you are eligible. This can include tax returns, payroll, a letter to provide social security benefits, retirement, or unemployment benefits depending on the program being applied for. Call your preferred landline service provider and request an application. The application will have all the details you need on what to provide.Itâll ask you to provide evidence of membership in one or more of the above programs that give eligibility for a free landline. Once youâve filled it out and submitted it, youâll find out if youâre eligible for a free landline.
Prepaid Phones Without Plans
For the most independent, free-spirited souls, itâs possible to purchase a cellular phone and pay as you go, without plans. Prepaid phones are more popular than many people realize. And while we wouldnât naturally be inclined to think of seniors as the types to fly without a net, a surprising number of consumers over the age of 55 choose phones without a monthly contract, opting to purchase their voice, text, and data on a per-month basis with the option to switch to another carrier, without penalty.
Freedom of choice is powerful. Tomâs Guide, a respected voice in consumer advocacy, rounds up many mobile virtual network operators –including several that offer senior discountsâoffering a full and honest evaluation of the full spectrum of options.
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Phone Plans With Senior Discounts
Some phone plans offer discounts specifically to people who are over a certain age and/or have an AARP membership. Unfortunately, these plans arent always the best choice, even with the discount. Many plans with senior discounts have very limited minutes, no texting and no data. Still, there is one plan that offers a great senior discount with truly unlimited data.
- Best Unlimited Data Plan for Seniors:T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+
Best Cell Phone Plans For Seniors In 2022
Let’s compare the best cell phone plans for seniors and how they let you save on wireless service
1. Best overall value – Mint Mobile 2. Best unlimited plan for seniors – T-Mobile 3. Best exclusive senior discount – AT& T 4. The cheapest senior plan – Ultra Mobile
To find the best cell phone plans for seniors, you don’t necessarily need to restrict yourself to plans specifically designed for older users though those options do exist. But if you look beyond seniors-only plans, you can find options that balance data, price and perks for an appealing package open to shoppers of every age.
After all, that’s the point of tracking down the best cell phone plans for seniors you want good value from a plan that’s not going to take a big chunk out of your budget. With costs rising all around us, getting your monthly cell phone bill under control can help keep expenses down. And senior-focused cell phone plans certainly can tackle the high cost of talk, text and data.
That brings us back to the options at your disposal, starting with senior-friendly plans from the best phone carriers. But the pool of options expands if you’re open to exploring the best prepaid phone plans. All you need to do is figure out how much data you need from the best cell phone plans for seniors and what you’re willing to pay.
Other plans we’ve looked at have no age or residency requirements, though Consumer Cellular does offer a discount off its normal rates to AARP members.
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Samsung Galaxy Note : Tech Pick
It has all the key features you may want in a smartphone like apps, internet browsing, a voice assistant, and social media. We also like Google Fit, Androids built-in health monitoring app. And because its a newer phone, it can sync with other health and safety wearables like a Galaxy smartwatch or FitBit.
You can find an unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 8 online, but youll need to take it to your cellular carrier to get it working. So prices may vary depending on where you buy. The good news is most major carriers like Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and AT& T support this smartphone.
The Galaxy Note 8 is great for seniors who like tinkering with home automation, new devices, and surfing the web. It can connect to smart home devices and control your home security system.
The Android operating system on your Galaxy Note works with smart devices too. Here are just a few goodies you can control from your phone:
The Palm Phone is aptly named because its small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Its 3.3-inch screen keeps everything simple but may be tough to see for some older adults.
But it does have a dual speaker for better audio. And its face-unlock feature means you wont have to remember any codes to use your phone.
Palm Phone service plan
The Palm Phone works independently or with major carriers like Verizon, AT& T, T-Mobile, and US Mobile. If you dont go with a carrier, you can use a SIM card of your own or the one Palm includes with the phone.
Blu Zoey Flex Cell Phone For Seniors
Award:BEST PORTABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need a cell phone that is slim, lightweight, and extra portable, then this is the option for you. It even features a unique shell design with a visibility window in the external cover so you can quickly check your notifications without opening the phone.
Pros
- Not as durable as other flip phones
- Disappointing battery life
The Blu Zoey Flex offers one of the most unique and portable designs in this category. At first glance, it appears to be a flip phone, but it doesnt separate the display and keyboard into the upper and bottom portions, like most flip phones. Instead, this features more of a shell design that protects the display and keypad. The earpiece still resides on the shell portion though. However, our favorite feature here was the notification window, which allows you to check for missed text messages and calls without needing to open the phone.
We were impressed with the overall portability here. The Blu Zoey Flex cell phone for seniors is lightweight and offers a slim profile that fits better into pockets. However, it doesnt sacrifice usability and readability to do so. The buttons are still large and the numbers on those buttons are still easy to see. We do wish the phone included some additional features geared specifically toward the elderly like an SOS button but the overall value is still high here. Be sure to pair with the best phone cases for added security.
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