The best phones for seniors of 2024: Reliable and intuitive designs

The Doro 8100 Plus is designed specifically for older people, with features including clear menus that are easy to navigate and hearing aid compatibility. This well-made smartphone allows for quick and easy access to essential features, without unnecessary additional technology.

Built to last with a tough wallet case, the Doro 8100 Plus should survive any drops. It also takes more serious falls into account with an assistance button which is perfect for requesting help when no one is close by.

Additional features include a vertical charging stand and the pre-installed TeamViewer Quick Support app. This handy feature allows an invited and trusted contact to access the phone and offer assistance remotely.

The only notable shortcoming of the Doro 8100 Plus is limited memory storage. While 32GB is more than enough to store photos and videos, you'll find that similarly priced smartphones may have better capacity.

That said, for senior smartphone users who value simplicity the Doro 8100 Plus is a great option. Accessibility and ease of use are the focus – all in a phone for under £200.

Ideal for both budget buyers and those who don't get along as well with technology, the Uleway big button mobile phone is the perfect pick, with enough safety features for complete peace of mind.

A traditional flip phone with a little extra to offer, Uleway's excellent budget phone has large, tactile buttons which are easy to press when needed. The Uleway Big Button phone is equipped with SOS functionality, which you can link to an emergency phone number, so if anything happens, regardless of whether you can reach the phone, help can still be requested.

This is a fairly basic phone which will disappoint grandparents who are looking to use their mobile to take photos, but for those wanting something cheap and and reliable the Uleway Big Button is worthy of consideration.

A hardy mobile phone that's as affordable as it is easy to use, the Artfone C1 ticks the boxes for a senior person looking for simplicity in their technology.

Drop-proof with a rubber coating for improved grip, the C1 is a phone that's built to last, despite costing under £30. Larger buttons help older users with mobility impairments type numbers quickly, as does the tactile rubber click.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Artfone C1 is its 300-hour battery whilst on standby. This substantial battery life means it'll be there when you need it.

Lastly, the C1's SOS button, which is positioned on the back, can be used for instantly calling emergency contacts.

Certainly a blast from the past, the Nokia 2660 Flip is a super-simple phone that's beautifully designed and built for hours of use without charge.

With large buttons and a decently sized 2.8-inch display, senior users can expect the typical functions from this mobile phone, but when paired with Nokia's famously rugged design, you can expect this mobile phone to perform well for a long time.

As for additional features, the Nokia 2660 Flip lacks camera functionality and doesn't have voice controls. But this plain and to the point presentation might be exactly what you're after.

In our Nokia 2660 Flip review we highlighted its solid build and impressive battery life. This makes it a great phone in general, but perhaps even more so for an older person looking for straightforward and reliable tech.

For the best battery life, the Doro 2404 is easily one of the best mobile phones for its price. Simple to use, it has a flip phone design for quick call-ending and a small, yet bright 2.6-inch screen.

Doro's range of mobile phones are designed consider the health and circumstances of their users, and with the 2404 there is SOS emergency functionality, which allows for five family members to be a push of a button away.

There isn't the array of features of a typical smartphone, nor the speediness, but the Doro 2404 offers all the basics. Best of all, you can call all day without needing to charge for long.

A powerful phone that's perfect for budget buyers, the Motorola Moto G14 is built for longevity, and its 6.5-inch screen is perfect for large text and easy to identify icons.

Great battery life and plenty of accessibility features, the G14 is ideal for those who want a few more options with their basic smartphone: take pictures, make a Facebook account and text message friends and family with ease, the G14 is simple, and perfectly priced.

This mobile is more advanced than the options above, so it's a good middle ground for those interested in trying out other aspects of smartphone technology without risking being overwhelmed. The Moto G14 is a great cheap smartphone that's perfect for anyone, including older users.

The Google Pixel 7 is not specifically designed for seniors, but it's still a great pick. It has plenty of accessibility options, with an interface that feels natural to control, so you shouldn't have much issue navigating to your preferred apps.

It also sports an impressive charge that can last up to 72 hours, making it a great pick for anyone who doesn't want to be tethered to a charging port. The Pixel 7 also has a fantastic storage capacity, allowing you to store 256GB of photos, videos and more.

While the fingerprint reader is less than stellar, there are plenty of other features that make this brilliant phone absolutely worth the price.

We've tested the Google Pixel 7 Pro and found it a hugely accomplished phone. If you like the sound of the standard Pixel 7 but feel that a little more power is required the Pro might be the way to go.

An incredibly affordable option for a proper smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy A13 is a solid choice for those who want high performance with useful customisation for older or less tech-savvy users.

A unique feature of Samsung phones is their 'Easy Mode' functionality, which removes the A13's extra features for a standard mobile phone experience.

Of course, at its price, the performance of the Galaxy A13 is not the greatest, with some lag in navigation and accessing the camera. However, it remains a desirable choice for those needing affordable tech designed with the needs of the user in mind.

A premium smartphone with plenty of features for improved accessibility the Apple iPhone 14 is a tough mobile with a long-lasting battery, appealing aesthetic and tactile haptic vibrations for a responsive typing feel.

With Siri, an incredibly easy-to-use tool which shouldn't take long to learn, iPhone 14 users can access friends and family with a simple voice command, something that isn't as readily available on standard smartphones aimed at a senior audience. What's more, it has a great camera that's intuitive to use.

It can also be adjusted for older users with particular needs – including a magnifying glass and an increased font size. In addition, you can set-up 'SOS' mode for instant, hands-free emergency calls.

The iPhone 14 is one of the best iPhones of the year, and there's no reason it shouldn't also be this for someone who falls into an older age bracket.

Last but certainly not least, the Samsung S23 Ultra is a truly high-end smartphone, perfect for amazing performance and some really nifty features that'll amaze those less familiar with smartphone technology.

Compatible with Samsung's brilliant easy mode, this mighty 6.8-inch smartphone is one of the biggest on the market, making it easy to type, and even easier to find in a pinch. Ultra-loud, and incredibly smart, senior users can control the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra using voice commands, accessing contacts without lifting a finger.

This is a powerful mobile which might not be suited to an elderly user who values simplicity, but it's still a quality Android smartphone that you shouldn't dismiss.