For older adults, choosing a cell phone is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. We spoke with people in their 70s and 80s who couldn’t wait to try out the latest smartphones with high-megapixel cameras. We also spoke with people in their 60s who favored the simplicity of more-basic phones.
After testing 18 models (including previous generations of our picks), we recommend two full-featured smartphones, a simplified smartphone, a phone for folks with dementia or memory issues, and a simple non-smartphone. All of them offer exceptional safety, health, and accessibility features that many older people and caregivers will appreciate.