Best Phones for the Elderly and Hard of Hearing 2023

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

The mobile phone market is a complicated place, with varying makes, models and types of products to choose from.  
It can often leave consumers comparing phones and trying to decide which has the right level of comfort, accessibility and tools, all without breaking the bank. 
For the elderly, this can prove even more challenging with additional needs, requirements and budgets. 
In this article, Protect Your Bubble looks at each of the key considerations for seniors when choosing their next phone model and names the best mobile phone for the elderly in a study** of fifty of the latest releases. 

The Best Mobile Phone Qualities for Seniors

Three main qualities determine the perfect phone for a senior consumer and should always be kept in mind when choosing a handset:

Practicality. What experience does the phone provide day-to-day? Is it comfortable and does it perform well? This may include ergonomic considerations such as weight, as well as practical considerations like battery life. 
Physical Accessibility. How intuitive and helpful is the phone for those with accessibility issues? This may include visual considerations like screen size and resolution, as well as aural considerations like loudness and hearing aid compatibility. 
Price. Cost is another factor that determines the perfect phone for elderly buyers, with some seniors worrying about the price of owning a new phone. 

Best Overall Phones for The Elderly

Protect Your Bubble’s data reveals the best phone for the elderly is the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. It has a large screen size and offers a loud and clear sound.  
It’s also hearing aid compatible (achieving an M4/T3 industry standard rating) and lightweight (at just 201g), with a solid battery life of 4,000 mAh that can last for over 48 hours.   
The Galaxy Note 9 also has a respectable screen resolution at 516 ppi making it an accessible choice for those with visual impairments who require clear, bright displays.

If you’re not sold on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, here’s the full ranking of best phones for the elderly based on our in-depth research:  
Samsung Galaxy Note9  
Google Pixel 7 Pro 
Google Pixel 6 Pro 
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 
Google Pixel 6a 
Samsung Galaxy Note10  
Google Pixel 7  
OnePlus 10 Pro 
OnePlus 11 
Oppo Find X3 Neo 5G

All phones in this list have a screen size of 6.1 inches or larger, with the best screen resolution available in the OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 11 with 525 pixels per inch (ppi). The lowest screen resolution appears in the Samsung Galaxy Note10, at 401 ppi. 
For the hard of hearing, it’s important to note the OnePlus 10 Pro, OnePlus 11 and Oppo Find X3 Neo 5G are not hearing aid compatible but all other phones on this list have a hearing aid compatibility rating of M3/T3 or higher.   
If you’re looking for the exact breakdown scoring for each phone and data point in our study, view the table below:

While no Google Pixel model was able to take the coveted top spot in our study, 40% of our top 10 phones are Google-branded.  
Samsung Galaxy phones accounted for 30% with both devices proving affordable and practical buys for elderly users.

The Best Phones for The Hard of Hearing

According to our data, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is the perfect phone for the hard of hearing.  
Firstly, the phone scored well in the ‘loudness’ category (with an impressive ‘-26.2 Loudness Units relative to Full Scale’ according to GSMArena which measures phone volume). 
The Galaxy Note 10 is also hearing aid compatible, at an M4/T3 industry rating.  
However, one drawback of the Samsung Galaxy Note10 is that it’s pricier than some alternative handsets averaging around £399.

The complete top 10 list of ‘best phones for the hard of hearing’ is as follows:  
Samsung Galaxy Note10  
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 
Apple iPhone 12 Pro 
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 
Apple iPhone 12  
Apple iPhone 12 Mini 
Apple iPhone 14 Plus  
Google Pixel 7 Pro 
Apple iPhone 13 Pro 

All phones in our top 10 have been tested by GSMArena and deemed as having ‘very good’ loudness ratings, while there isn’t a single model with a hearing aid compatibility rating lower than M3/T4. 
A full view of how each of the best phones performs across hearing aid compatibility and loudness testing can be seen below:

Apple dominates the market with 80% of the top ten phones being manufactured by the tech giant. You’re unlikely to be disappointed with iPhone performance and its commitment to hearing aid compatibility makes it one of the best phones for the hard of hearing.

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 and 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 rather costly, coming in at £519. Likewise, 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 Flip4

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 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 the charging cable.  
It also comes at a slightly higher cost than average, at £575. 

Best Phone for Hearing Aid Assistance

 Apple iPhone 12 Max

The Apple iPhone 12 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 Max offers in size, it lacks in on-screen resolution compared with some alternative smartphones. It also comes in a costly £695. 

Best Phone for Default Font Size

Apple iPhone 14 Plus

Apple is known for focusing on user-friendly features in its smartphones and with a default font size of 17pt, its iPhone 14 Plus ranks as the best phone for font size. This can also be adjusted if needed, making it an ideal choice for the hard of seeing. 
Still, this phone comes in at one of the higher price points on this list, at £804. 

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 £313. 
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 £640, which makes it above average in terms of cost. 

Best Phone for Price 

Alcatel 3L 2021 
At just £122, the Alcatel 3L 2021 represents the best phone for price making it ideal 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 Alcatel 3L 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 Ease of Use 

Jitterbug Smart3 
The Jitterbug Smart3 ranks as the best phone for general ease of use. It’s accessible for the hard of seeing and hearing, with a simple, readable UI, large font and loudspeakers for those who suffer from hearing loss. It’s also affordable, at just £255. 
Unfortunately, a relatively short battery life lets the Jitterbug Smart3 down and its screen size isn’t as large as some alternative models. 

Best Phone for Assistive Technology and Safety Features

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, its 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. And the next item on any prospective buyer’s 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 asses 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 iPhone 14 128GB mobile phone insurance costs just £6.99 a month or £8.49 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.
* 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.

**Methodology 
Over 50 of the latest phone releases were analysed as of March 2023.  
Each data point consists of the latest specs, prices and testing. Data was standardised using minmax normalisation. The minmax normalisation is multiplied by 10 to create a score (between 0-10). A score of 10 is always the best result, while a score of 0 is the worst. Each phone is then ranked by its overall average rating across all data points.  
Honourable mentions that do not appear in the top 10 list but have been included in this article are done so due to their assistive technology, big buttons, font size and ease of use.  
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