If you are someone who is looking for a smartphone for an elderly relative, or an elderly person in the market for a new device, there are a lot of factors to consider when making the right choice. As capable as our smartphones are, there are admittedly some that aren’t the most intuitive to use, and that can be a big problem for anyone not already familiar with the ecosystem. Luckily, there are options, albeit limited, when it comes to devices intended for seniors, and of course, there is always the option of picking up any current smartphone, and downloading a third-party launcher that significantly tones things down.
Here is a roundup of some of the best devices and apps that are made to help the elderly. Let’s take a look!
Smartphones built specifically for seniors
Jitterbug Smart
Jitterbug is a brand created by GreatCall that is intended to help the elderly with their smartphone needs, by not only providing an interface that is easy to see and navigate, but also offering medical and emergency services that are easily accessible from the device. The company recently released a new smartphone that offers all this and more, called the Jitterbug Smart.
The Jitterbug Smart boasts a large 5.5-inch display, which may make for a slightly awkward handling experience for some, but with the larger screen, the icons and other elements on the screen are much easier to see. There is a simple menu that is organized as a single list, allowing for all your important information to be within easy reach, and with an affordable monthly subscription, you get access to a slew of useful medical and emergency services right at your fingertips. The device is also hearing aid compatible, and comes with 4G LTE connectivity. If you are looking for a device for an elderly person, the Jitterbug Smart is the ideal choice. The Jitterbug Smart is available from Amazon, and currently priced at just $112.49. You can find out more about this device here.
Specifications:
- 5.5-inch display with HD resolution
- 8 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD card up to 32 GB
- 5 MP rear camera, 2 MP front-facing camera
- 2,500 mAh battery
- 4G LTE
- hearing aid compatible – M4/T4 rating
Jitterbug Touch3
If you feel like the 5.5-inch display of the Jitterbug Smart is too big, a great alternative from the same company is available to you as well. The Samsung-made Jitterbug Touch3 features a small 4-inch display, making the device very easy to handle, comes with a 5 MP rear camera, and is hearing-aid compatible. The user interface is very easy to navigate, with contacts and apps within easy reach, and you also have the option to take advantage of great medical and emergency services with an affordable monthly subscription. If you are in the market for a smartphone built specifically with the elderly in mind, the Jitterbug Touch3 should definitely be considered. The Jitterbug Touch3 is available from Amazon, currently priced at $149.
Specifications:
- 4-inch display with a 480 x 800 resolution
- 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
- 1 GB RAM
- 4 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD card up to 64 GB
- 5 MP rear camera, VGA front-facing camera
- 1,500 mAh battery
- Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with Google Play services (can switch to TouchWiz)
- hearing aid compatible
Emporia Smart
The Emporia Smart is a device that offers the best of both worlds, with it being a full fledged Android touchscreen smartphone, that also comes with a keypad cover for those prefer dialing numbers and writing texts using a physical keypad. Of course, if required, the keypad cover can be removed completely as well. The user interface, based on Android 4.4.2 Kitkat, comes with large buttons and a simple menu for easy navigation, and the device also comes with a stylus, for those not entirely comfortable with a touch interface. There is an emergency call button, that will automatically send out calls to up to 5 preset numbers. This is a European device, and priced a touch high if you are planning to ship the device to the US, but may be worth it for the ease of use that it has to offer. You can find out more about the Emporia Smart here.
Specifications:
- 4.5-inch display with a 960 x 540 resolution
- 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
- 1 GB RAM
- 4 GB internal storage, further 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
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Doro Liberto 825
The Doro Liberto 825 is another great smartphone built for the elderly, with its intuitive and easy to navigate user interface. The device offers everything you’d expect from a new smartphone, including Google Play support and 4G LTE connectivity, and its 5-inch display is great for content consumption. The Doro Liberto 825 is one of the newer devices on the list, and running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on the software side of things.
The Liberto 825 comes pre-loaded with an app called My Doro Manager, which allows friends or relatives to monitor the handset, tinker with settings and even share apps remotely. There is also a special assistance key on the back, which users can press to send an emergency message to up to five pre-specified contacts. Like the Emporia Smart, the Doro Liberto 825 is a European device, and priced quite steeply if you are looking to import the device to the US, but is possibly worth it for all that it has to offer.
Specifications:
- 5-inch display with a 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
Launchers that useful for seniors
The beauty of Android is that you’re not only limited to the devices above. You always have the option of picking up any Android smartphone, depending on your needs and budget, and you can then download a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store that fits your requirements. You can find a few such launchers listed below.
Large Launcher
Large Launcher provides a big, eyesight-friendly interface for seniors and people with vision problems, making the phone much easier to use. Simple navigation and easy to use menus means that there are no complications or confusion when using the device, and the large font and color-coded icons help to easily differentiate between items. Features of the launcher include a big phone dialer, big message text, smart contacts and quick dialing, and a programmable SOS button on the screen that will send out a message or call to a contact of your choice. Regardless of which Android smartphone you have, downloading the Large Launcher will give you a senior-friendly device.
Download from the Google Play Store
BIG Launcher
Like the one above, BIG Launcher also provides a fast and simple Android interface for seniors and people with vision problems. BIG Launcher makes the smartphone suitable for seniors, children, and people with eye diseases, motor problems, or the legally blind. Visually impaired and technically challenged users can use the simple and easy-to-read interface with ease. There is no fear of making a mistake and losing everything with stress-free navigation, and it also features an SOS button. Large texts and color coded icons make everything easy to use, and leaves no room for errors, and the app comes with multiple language support as well. There is also a free version of the app with some limitations, but if you like the launcher, the paid version is very affordable.
Download from the Google Play Store
As mentioned, you always have the option of downloading any of the above launchers on any Android smartphone to make the device senior-friendly and this is often the cheapest route as opposed to going with a phone specifically designed with senior citizens in mind. To help you find the right smartphone, don’t forget to check out our roundups of the best devices available based on price, features, and network carrier below.
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