Best Phones for the Elderly and Hard of Hearing

All prices featured in this guide are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

For many, choosing the right phone seems complicated, if not difficult, with so many options of different models and brands. For the older generation, this can be even more challenging when contending with additional needs, requirements, and budgets.

In this study, Protect Your Bubble looked at various considerations for seniors when selecting a new device and compared over fifty models in a study across important data points to discover which would be the best phone for the elderly.*

The Best Phone Qualities for Seniors

When searching for a new phone, there are three main factors to consider: practicality, physical accessibility, and price.



Practicality revolves around the phone in everyday use, how it performs and the ergonomic considerations like weight or size, along with the length of battery life.

Physical accessibility determines whether the phone meets the requirements of the user, in terms of visual considerations like resolution or loud sound for those with hearing loss.

Price is also a vital factor as many makes and models may not fit within a budget, so it is important to narrow down viable options.

Best Phones for The Elderly

Protect Your Bubble’s data reveals the best phone for the elderly is the Google Pixel 6 Pro. It has a large screen size of 6.7 inches and is hearing aid compatible with a M4/T4 industry standard rating. It is also lightweight at 210g, has a long battery life of 5,000 mAh and has a good screen resolution of 512 ppi for those with visual impairments.

The full Top 10 is shown below:

 

Google also had the most models in the top 10, accounting for 30%, which revealed that it’s one of the most accessible brands on the market. Three brands each make up 20% of the top 10: OnePlus, Samsung, and Motorola.



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Best Phones for The Hard of Hearing

For the model best for those who are hard of hearing, two data points of hearing aid compatibility and loudness were the most important to differentiate the top ten.

Google Pixel 6 Pro also steals the top spot here, this time in joint first place with Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, which both achieved an overall score of 10. The Google handset has the highest hearing aid compatibility at M4/T4 and the Samsung handset offers the best loudness with their device.

The full Top 10 is shown below:



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The best brand overall for those who are hard of hearing was shared between Apple and Google which both had 30% of the top 10 handsets, offering high-quality loudness and hearing aid compatibility.

Best Big Button Phone for The Elderly 

Oppo Find X3 Pro 5G



The Oppo Find X3 Pro 5G is our top choice for elderly users who need a phone with large buttons.

It has a large screen size for ease of use especially when sending messages. It also features an impressive screen resolution, offering large, bold visuals (buttons) on screen. It’s relatively lightweight too, making it an easy phone to carry about day to day.

However, it’s more on the costly side, coming in at £399. It can be quite loud for those who prefer a quieter phone and also lacks some of the accessibility options available in other models.

Best Flip Phone for Seniors 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5



The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is the only flip phone to appear on this list and is suitable for seniors who prefer extra screen protection for their phones. The phone is lightweight with a fair screen size and a unique, ergonomic design.

However, its screen resolution is poor compared with alternative models and it has a below-average battery life, making it unsuitable for those spending long hours away from a charging cable.

It also comes at a slightly higher cost than average, at £650.

Best Phone for Hearing Aid Assistance

 Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max



The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max uses the latest hearing aid compatibility technology to support the hard of hearing.

It also has a large screen size, making it an all-around solid choice for general accessibility.

But what the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers in size, it lacks in on-screen resolution compared with some alternative smartphones. It also comes in a costly £1049, but you may be able to find much lower prices for refurbished versions of this handset due to its age. 

Best Phone for Loudness (Loud) 

Samsung Galaxy A42 5G



The Samsung Galaxy A42 5G is a perfect choice for those looking for a loud phone. It also has a long battery life and is relatively affordable at £112.

However, it doesn't have the greatest screen resolution or general font size, making it a potentially difficult phone to navigate for those with sight problems.

Best Phone for Loudness (Quiet) 

Google Pixel 7 Pro


For those looking for a quieter phone, Google Pixel 7 Pro is the best choice, producing a softer sound. It also has the benefit of a solid battery life.

The downside of the Google Pixel 7 is its price point of £411, which makes it above average in terms of cost.

Best Phone for Price 

Samsung A15



At just £124.99, the Samsung A15 represents the best phone for price, making it an ideal choice for elderly users on a budget. And despite its affordable price tag, the phone doesn’t compromise on screen size, making it a solid choice for those looking for large visuals.

However, the Samsung A15 has no hearing AI assistance and isn’t very loud, meaning it’s not the best choice for consumers who are hard of hearing or need to pair their hearing aids.   

Best Phone for Assistive Technology and Safety

RAZ Memory Cell Phone
 
The RAZ Memory Cell Phone is the ideal option for elderly consumers looking for a simple phone that comes with assistive technology.
  
It is an affordable handset at roughly £255, with integrated accessibility and safety features, such as the ability to dial a number at a single touch, a large visual display and a dedicated emergency services button.
 
That being said, the overall screen size struggles to compete with many alternative models and its battery life may also leave users wanting.

The Best Way to Insure Your Phone 

Hopefully, our research has helped you choose the perfect new phone. The next item on many prospective buyers’ checklist is phone insurance. 

Many phone manufacturers or network service providers will offer insurance policies as add-ons when buying a new handset or taking out a new plan, however, it may be a good idea to shop around and assess multiple suppliers to insure your phone.
 
Accepting the first insurance policy offered could see you paying over the odds, as could adding your phone to your home contents insurance.

Instead, opting for specialist gadget insurance may better suit your needs with the added bonus of no risk to your home insurance claims history and premium. Wherever you decide to purchase from always make sure you read the full terms and conditions to make sure the policy is right for you.

Protect Your Bubble offers good value insurance for customers for example our Google Pixel Pro 6 128GB mobile phone insurance costs just £8.99 a month or £10.49 a month including loss cover. * Also, with Protect Your Bubble you’ll save 20% on the premium when insuring a phone that was purchased in the last 30 days. This discount is only valid when insuring 2 items or less.

In the event of a claim, you will also be required to pay an excess payment. The amount varies depending on several things including the device, the type of claim and the insurance provider. Take a look at our full gadget Excesses Table to view the excess amounts when claiming on your Protect Your Bubble policy.

View our mobile phone insurance options to protect against the cost of damage, theft or loss** of your new phone.

*All prices featured in this guide are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

** Loss cover optional. Underwriter Assurant General Insurance Limited. Gadget age restrictions, T&Cs and excesses apply. Customer UK 18+. All prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Sources:

Cost  
The average cost for the model with the lowest memory storage on the market according to PriceSpy.
 
Hearing Aid Compatibility Rating 
The hearing aid compatibility rating as given by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 

Screen Size  
The screen size specification as reported by GSMArena.com 

Weight 
The weight specification as reported by GSMArena.com 

Loudness 
The Loudness Unit relative to Full Scale as tested by GSMArena.com 

Battery Life 
The battery life in mAh as reported by GSMArena.com 

Screen resolution  
The pixels per inch (ppi) as reported by GSMArena.com