The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a non-profit organization operating in the United States to assist seniors. As part of its work, ARRP provides affordable cell phones that help seniors stay in touch with friends and family members.
Since it is not a network carrier, AARP relies on established cell phone providers to supply its members with affordable phones. AARP membership is all one needs to enjoy extensive discounts from various network carriers.
Therefore, AARP cell phones are those purchased at discounted prices courtesy of the benefits of belonging to AARP. While AARP doesn’t guarantee access to select phones, the partner network carriers often offer good phones at discounted prices.
This article discusses the best AARP cell phones for seniors and how you can lay your hands on them.
The 7 Best AARP Cell Phones for Seniors
The best AARP phones for seniors are simpler and have features that make life easier for senior citizens. So, you shouldn’t buy just any phone carrying the tag ‘senior.’ The following are some of the most impressive phone models for seniors:
1. GreatCall Jitterbug Flip
GreatCall is one of the best manufacturers of cell phones for seniors. Its phones are safe and have many impressive functions. The good thing about GreatCall phones is that they are available at affordable prices.
Seniors would find the phones’ large buttons and the basic menu layout very easy to use. It is easier for seniors to navigate from one function to another. Besides, the phone has loudspeakers and large texts suitable for seniors with low vision.
Thanks to the 2MP camera, the phone is suitable for capturing decent photos. The flashlight and magnifier should come in handy whenever you have to take photos in the dark or at night.
The phone has an emergency button for alerting loved ones and first responders when the owner needs help. Once you push the button, family members and first responders receive a warning to take urgent action.
It has the medical alert feature, which is one of the optional safety packages. Using it, you can have professionals respond to your health concerns seamlessly. The phone also has several apps and games to exercise your brain.
2. GreatCall Jitterbug Smart2
The GreatCall Jitterbug offers much more than its affordable price. It features exceptional functionality designed to make life easier for the elderly. For instance, it has a simple menu in the form of a list, which is extremely easy to operate.
It has a large 5.5-inch screen that makes it easier for seniors to see the graphics and read texts. Senior citizens can use their phones to watch YouTube videos and play games. With that, they have no reason to complain about suffering boredom.
Its battery is large enough to last longer, allowing seniors to stream high-quality videos for up to 5 hours. Besides, the battery delivers 12- and 17 days of talk time on standby, respectively. With such a reliable battery, you don’t have to worry about recharging it constantly.
Furthermore, the Jitterbug Smart2 has a 13MP built-in camera suitable for taking high-quality photos and videos. Using 4G LTE, you can use the phone to read Google Maps, download apps, and make video calls.
The setting section has numerous safety features, including hearing aid functionality to help seniors with ear issues. There are several great add-ons, such as health updates, medical alerts, and 24/7 monitoring. All of these features make seniors’ lives much easier.
3. Apple iPhone SE
Not all seniors can make do with simple feature phones. Others are tech-savvy and require smartphones. If you’re one of them or you know one who craves a smartphone, purchases the Apple iPhone SE.
It has a 4.7-inch screen where seniors can play games, watch movies, or stream videos. The iPhone SE has a 12MP primary camera and a 7MP front camera for the best photos and videos.
The iPhone SE packs large storage of up to 256GB. This phone gives seniors the space they need to store apps, photos, videos, and other files. However, the phone lacks a microSD slot and doesn’t allow for memory expansion.
It is compatible with hearing aids and other accessories designed to make life easier for senior citizens. Besides, it has pre-stored emergency service contacts and a feature that makes it possible to increase or decrease screen brightness.
Using the Apple iPhone SE, you can put your frequently contacted numbers on speed dial to easily reach them in an emergency. A simple button push allows you to call your loved ones. Finally, the phone has water resistance, Touch ID, and fingerprint sensor capabilities.
4. Alcatel Go-Flip 3
Even though basically a feature phone, the Alcatel Go-Flip 3 has basic smartphone functionality. For instance, users can take clear photos and videos using the 2MP primary camera.
The phone has a 2.8-inch inner display and a 1.44-inch external display. Using the inner screen, you can read messages and surf the internet. On the other hand, the outer screen displays incoming calls and notifications for quick action without flipping the phone open.
Thanks to its compatibility with Google Assistant, it is one of the best AARP cell phones for seniors. Senior citizens can easily book a doctor’s appointment and make voice-assisted calls using this revolutionary feature.
The Alcatel Go-Flip 3 has a massive tactile keypad and a hearing aid. Therefore, seniors can use the phone comfortably without requiring extra accessories on their ears or eyes.
When it comes to making crystal-clear calls, this phone is one of the best. The phone has a long-lasting battery. It has other smartphone-like features, including micro-USB, dual microphone, and Bluetooth capabilities.
5. Consumer Cellular Doro 7050
Consumer Cellular is one of the best manufacturers of cell phones for senior citizens. Therefore, you can expect the Consumer Cellular Doro 7050 to punch way above its weight. It features a flip design with large buttons that make it easier for senior citizens to dial numbers and type text messages.
The flip design’s major advantage is how easy it makes it easier for senior citizens to operate. It has an ultra-contrast display that enables senior citizens to read messages and receive calls easily.
The 3MP back camera allows senior citizens to take good photos and share them with loved ones. Besides, the camera has a built-in flash that lights up hard spaces and makes it convenient to take nightly photos.
It has hearing aid compatibility and features an emergency button, which seniors can use to get help quickly and conveniently. Pressing the button can trigger the phone to send alerts to a senior’s emergency contacts and first responders.
You don’t have to worry about taking too long to know how to use the phone. It comes with some great instructional videos to help you learn how to navigate the device. Finally, its affordable price makes it suitable for seniors from low-income households.
6. Motorola Moto G7
The Motorola Moto G7 is a decent smartphone with a 5.7-inch display and an 88db speaker. Therefore, it’s one of the best AARP phones for seniors with low-vision and hearing issues.
Besides, it has many safety features, including a fingerprint reader and facial recognition. It has an impressive 13MP rear camera that captures high-quality pictures and videos.
Apart from capturing photos and videos with the phone, seniors can use it to download entertainment apps and games. That ensures that seniors have no dull moments in their lives.
Seniors would find this phone great due to the availability of additional safety features like navigation, transportation, and weather apps. These can come in handy when seniors have to travel to different places and provide warnings about possible bad weather.
7. Samsung Galaxy A12
The Samsung Galaxy A12 has a large 6.5-inch HD display for vivid graphics and videos. Therefore, it is capable of keeping senior citizens entertained throughout the day.
With a long-lasting battery, the phone offers up to 34 hours of talk time and 16 days of standby time. Since the battery can last for more than a day, it removes the worries of having to recharge the phone.
It features a 12MP multi-lens rear camera that can take crystal-clear photos on all occasions. The Samsung Galaxy A12 has a fingerprint reader to protect your information from prying eyes.
There’s so much storage space in the 1TB memory that you would lack what to store in it. Therefore, you can easily download and install many apps and games and store files, photos, and videos.
The 7 Best Providers of The AARP Cell Phones for Seniors
Many network carriers in the U.S. offer special deals and discounts to those joining AARP. Therefore, you can choose a deal that works for you. Here are some of the best providers of the best AARP cell phones for seniors:
1. Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular has some of the best deals for members of the AARP, providing discounts on both phones and deals. Seniors enjoy affordable plans for as low as $10.
Besides, the Consumer Cellular Doro phone is one of the best for senior citizens. Simple phone plan discounts for AARP members start from 5% of monthly bills. AARP members also enjoy a 30% discount on all mobile phone accessories.
Those who can afford it can choose the Anywhere 2000 plan for $60 monthly. Users get unlimited talk time and texts.
2. AT&T
ARRP members signing up for AT&T get a 10% monthly discount on all packages with more than 300MB. Besides, AARP get a 15% discount on various phone accessories.
Those who wish to benefit from AT&T can apply online or at any of the local representatives. If you do it in-store, you should produce your AARP membership card and quote the code 6039461. The AT&T customer support line is 1-88-333-6651.
3. Cricket Wireless
There’s a $20 Visa promotional card for all AARP members purchasing a smartphone from Cricket Wireless. It is a great offer for seniors who want and have no problem navigating a smartphone.
Users can only enjoy this offer by purchasing a phone from an exclusive Cricket Wireless store. The offer is also available for those making purchases online, or Cricket Wireless authorized dealers. You have to fill out a rebate form within 60 days after activating the form to claim the discount.
4. GreatCall
GreatCall manufactures the Jitterbug phone series, which is suitable for senior citizens. Apart from the Jitterbug Flip Phone and Jitterbug Smart2, you can also get lifesaver devices, including Lively Wearable 2 and Lively Mobile Plus.
The phones are available at affordable prices, which you can pay on a one-off basis or in terms of monthly installments. GreatCall deals do not have hidden charges and do not require users to undergo credit checks.
5. Tracfone
Tracfone offers the best AARP cell phones for senior citizens at discounted prices and free of charge. The network carrier has several free flip phones, including Alcatel MyFlip (A405DL) and ZTE Z233.
Once you get a Tracfone cell phone, you’ll enjoy discounted phone plans starting from $15. Additionally, you may enjoy 125 minutes for paying $20 monthly without cancellation or activation fees.
6. Verizon
Verizon is one of the standout network carriers when it comes to providing AARP discounts. It has occasional special deals for ARRP members to access highly discounted devices and phone plans.
For 55+ seniors with two active phone lines, Verizon has a massive $40 per month discount. This plan is for senior couples using their phones a lot.
7. Safelink Wireless
Safelink Wireless is a Lifeline Assistance provider offering AARP cell phones to eligible senior citizens. It covers 34 U.S. states, providing free phones to senior citizens in low-income households.
Besides, qualifying senior citizens enjoy affordable phone plans, including 250 call times and 1,000 texts monthly. It is one of the best network providers that guarantee value for money.
The Bottom Line
The best AARP cell phones for seniors come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from basic feature phones to high-quality smartphones. When buying a cell for senior citizens, it’s important to consider its ease of use.
Besides, it should have a crystal-clear screen for displaying graphics, text, photos, and videos. Luckily, different types of devices are available for senior citizens to select those that best work for them.