Best smartphones for older people to buy in 2025

For many of us, mobile phones have become a fundamental part of our daily lives. Beyond helping us keep in touch with family and friends, smartphones aid us to do everything from giving directions in unfamiliar areas to keeping us updated on the weather and even monitoring our daily exercise. But, they aren't always the most user-friendly.

The sheer quantity of options and apps now available on most smartphones means that their interfaces can be crowded and difficult to navigate, with often limited instructions. To help you find a device that suits your needs, we have put together a list of the best smartphones for ease of use, detailing their pros, cons and key features. Before that, we've also included advice on what to look out for when it comes to smartphones for older people, including large, high-resolution screens, simple interfaces and any accessibility settings that may be helpful to get the most from your new device.



Here is our pick of the best smartphones for older people to buy in 2025. Take a look at our recommendations for the best tablet for older people for more user-friendly products. Jump to: Best smartphones for older people at a glance How to choose the best smartphone for older people Best smartphones for older people to buy in 2025 Best smartphones for older people at a glance: Best budget option: Nokia 3.

4 , £129.99 Best for simple interface: Google Pixel 7 , £320 Best for iPhone users: iPhone SE , £429 Best for sharp display: Oppo A80 , £179 Best budget 5G option: Moto G50 , £359 Best for Samsung users: Samsung Galaxy A32 , £185 Best simplified interface: Emporia Smart 5 , £269.99 Bets for big screen: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro , £219 Best for battery life: Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro 5G , £159 Best for accessibility features: Doro 8050 , £69.

99 How to choose the best smartphone for older people Everyone's priorities will be a little bit different when it comes to choosing a smartphone. Which phone you end up choosing will depend on what you want to use it for, how often you'll be using it and what you're willing to spend. However, there are some overarching features that are worth being aware of when looking for a smartphone for older people.

These include a large display that's sharp and vibrant, a user-friendly interface and a good range of accessibility settings. There's no denying that smartphones have steadily gotten bigger and bigger over the last decade. While this means that most smartphones have outgrown our pockets, it does mean larger and higher resolution screens.

The aim is to get a nice balance between the two: to get the largest and best quality display possible without the smartphone being so cumbersome, it becomes an inconvenience to carry around with you. Screen sizes on smartphones can now vary anywhere between 4.7-inches and 6.

7-inches. With more and more tech crammed into our smartphones, an easy-to-navigate home-screen and simple interface is essential. If an interface is easy to use, it should only take you a matter of moments to find the apps to make a call, add a new contact or search the internet.

The two main interfaces you're likely to find are iOS (Apple) and Android. Apple's iOS is specifically designed for iPhones. Generally, a well-laid-out interface, key apps for iPhone users, such as those for calls, Safari (Apple's internet browser) and iMessages, are found across the bottom of the screen.

However, these can be swapped out if there's an app you feel you use more, and you can download new apps from the App Store. Android is the most commonly-used interface and can be found in phones from brands such as Google, Samsung, Nokia and Oppo. This doesn't mean the home screen will look identical across these brands as each will fiddle to add their own unique look, but the basics will be the same.

For example, all Android phones will have Google Play from which you can download new apps. Modern-day smartphones should have basic accessibility settings, but exactly what is available will vary from brand to brand. Most will allow you to adjust the size of the font to make reading easier, and have hearing aid support and speech-to-text functions.

Many will also now allow you to leave voice notes over text or messenger, which are short messages in a similar style to a voicemail that you can record rather than typing out the message. There are also specialist brands, such as Doro, that create mobile phones for older people in mind. These tend to have the most comprehensive functions.

In the case of the Doro 8050 , it comes with extra-large icons for those with visual impairments, hearing aid compatibility, and a 'Response' button that will immediately alert designated 'responders' when pressed. All these features won't be necessary for everyone, but they do vary between brands, so it is worth considering which, if any, additional settings you may like before making a purchase. Best smartphones for older people to buy in 2025 Best budget option Key features: 39-inch 1560 x 720 IPS LCD screen 161 x 76 x 8.

7 mm 180g Android 10 13/5/2MP rear cameras 8-megapixel selfie camera Snapdragon 460 CPU 32GB storage 3GB RAM 4000mAh battery Pros: Low cost Clean software Cons: Slow performance Limited storage Uninspiring camera quality Nokia has made a name for itself by making simple yet reliable phones at budget prices, and that's exactly what the Nokia 3.4 is. Features include a 6.

39-inch 720p LCD display, a rear fingerprint sensor and a front punch hole camera that is tucked away in the top left corner of the screen. Plus, it also has a wired headphone jack. Read the full Nokia 3.

4 review . Buy the Nokia 3.4 for £114.

99 at Amazon Best for simple interface Key features: Google Tensor G2 chip 6.3 inch AMOLED display Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Android 13 IP68 dust/water resistant 90Hz AMOLED display 8GB of RAM 128GB or 256GB of storage Pros: Amazing camera Speedy new processor Brilliant value Google software and Google hardware combine with great results Slick interface and user experience Accessible and easy to use Cons: Display only 90Hz No optical zoom Unremarkable fast-charging The Google Pixel 7 is one of our favourite phones right now, and it can suit older users — and those less familiar with smartphones — too. It has one of the easiest interfaces to navigate, the home screen is clutter-free, and apps are alphabetically ordered in the pull-up menu.

Beyond this, the best-selling point of the Google Pixel 7 is the camera. Google's image processing software makes it easy to take great photos, even if smartphone cameras are new to you. Also, the IP68 dust and water resistance rating offers peace of mind.

Read the full Google Pixel 7 review for more info. Buy Google Pixel 7 for £320 at Amazon Best for iPhone fans Key features: Glass and aluminium design 4.7-inch retina display A13 Bionic chip 12MP wide camera Portrait Mode and depth control on camera 4K video QuickTake – which means you can start recording by just holding down on the shutter 1,821mAh battery Touch ID Water-resistant up to 1 metre for 30 mins Apple Pay Pros: Lightweight Access the App store to plunder iOS experience is seamless Camera results excellent Cons: Fairly short battery life Uses some old screen tech Portrait mode doesn’t work on pets and objects Marketed as the 'affordable' iPhone, the iPhone SE is smaller than the more recent models.

Featuring a 4.7-inch display, the iPhone SE doesn't quite come with all the bells and whistles of the flagship, but that doesn't mean it should be discounted either. Powered by an A13 Bionic chip, the user experience is still brilliant, and you get access to the same Apple-only apps such as iMessage and FaceTime.

Buy iPhone SE 64GB for £429 at Argos Buy iPhone SE 64GB for £429 at Currys Buy iPhone SE 64GB for £429 at Very Best for sharp display Key features: 8GB RAM 256GB storage 6.67in 1080p 120Hz screen 165.79 x 76.

14 x 7.68 mm 186g 50/8/2MP rear cameras 5100mAh battery Pros: Low price for a 5G phone Nice sharp screen Long battery life Solid primary camera Cons: Plastic build – typical in this class Weak secondary cameras Mono speaker The Oppo A80 5G's battery will easily last a full day of errands and have some charge to spare. This makes the A80 a great option if you'd rather not have to top-up during the day or just have a habit of forgetting to plug in your phone before bed (we hate it when that happens).

The HD screen is a decent 6.6-inches, too. The phone has two cameras, but the main 50MP camera is the one worth talking about: it's extremely quick to respond with no delayed focusing or lag when you press the shutter button.

Buy Oppo A80 5G for £179 at OPPO Buy Oppo A80 5G for £179 at Amazon Best budget 5G option Key features: 6.5-inch Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G CPU 5G mobile internet Android 11 64GB storage 4GB RAM 5000mAh battery 48/5/2MP rear cameras 13MP front camera 164.9 x 74.

9 x 9 mm 192g Pros: Low price for 5G Excellent battery life Decent, if mono, speaker Cons: Low-resolution screen Basic camera array It’s not a gaming powerhouse The Motorola Moto G50 is an affordable smartphone that does the basics well. None of the features are ground-breaking, but it promises reliability and ease. Featuring a 6.

5-inch screen, the phone is plenty big enough to use for video calls or to watch TV on, and you get a basic, clear silicone case included. This is also another smartphone with a battery that easily lasts a full day (and a bit). Our reviewer found that they often had 40% of their battery life still remaining at the end of the day.

Buy Moto G50 for £359 at Amazon Best for Samsung users Key features: 5G 6.5-inch LCD display 48/8MP rear camera 13MP front camera 4K video 64GB storage MicroSD card for expandable storage 5000mAh battery Headphone port Pros: 3.5mm headphone port Large display Big battery 5G ready Cons: Maybe a little big Samsung is a very reliable brand that puts high tech and an easy-to-use interface at the forefront.

The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is from the brand's more affordable A-series and features a 6.5-inch LCD display, can shoot 4K video and a huge 5000mAh battery. Buy Samsung Galaxy A32 5G for £294 at Amazon Buy Samsung Galaxy A32 5G for £289.

99 at Argos Best simplified interface Pros: Clever protective cover included Light dust/water protection (IP54) Android smartphone with customised interface Long battery life (over 25 hours) Fully charged within 155 minutes Emergency push button Cons: No fingerprint sensor The Emporia Smart 5 is the perfect phone for anyone who's looking for a more stripped back, simplified experience. The streamlined interface puts emphasis on the most important apps and core features, making it perfect for older users. The Smart 5 is jam packed with features that make the smartphone more accessible to older users.

Firstly, it’s one of the rare modern smartphones that comes with a coveted headphone jack, making it perfect for listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks. It’s IP54 rating also gives you added protection from dust and water splashes - though it still shouldn’t be submerged - and the over 25 hour battery is perfect for those days when you forget your charger. The lack of a fingerprint sensor does hold the phone back but it does come with facial recognition to unlock the phone.

Overall, if you’re looking for simplicity at a reasonable, albeit not cheap, price then the Emporia Smart 5 fulfils the brief. Buy Emporia Smart 5 for £249.97 at Amazon Calling technology fiends! Sign up for our deals newsletter to get the latest offers on TV tech, streaming, gaming, smart home and more.

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You can unsubscribe at any time. For details on how we use your data, please see our privacy policy . Best for big screen Key features: Gorilla Glass screen 6.

67in AMOLED screen 256GB storage 200MP/8/5/2MP rear cameras 16MP selfie camera Pros: Large OLED screen Classy glass back Good primary camera Long battery life Cons: No 5G May be a little large for some There are three main talking points when it comes to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro: its massive AMOLED screen, its three-camera set-up and its battery that can easily be stretched across two days. All of which is still available for a surprisingly affordable £219 The 6.67-inch display makes it a great device for watching videos or making video calls on, but it does mean the smartphone is a little on the larger side.

This won't suit everyone, but there's no doubt the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is a brilliant budget smartphone. Buy Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro for £219 at Xiaomi Buy Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro for £219 at Amazon Best for battery life Key features: 161.81mm x 74.

95mm x 7.98mm 6.67-inch FHD+ Flow AMOLED display 120Hz screen refresh rate 5,000 mAh battery 64MP main camera, 16MP selfie camera Side fingerprint sensor and face unlock Bluetooth 5.

2 3.5mm headphone jack on top Pros: Great value for money Smooth 120 Hz display Long-lasting battery UI is nice once tidied up Cons: Battery takes a long time to charge Glossy back is a fingerprint magnet Poco may not be as prominent in the UK market as the likes of Google, Nokia and Samsung, but the M6 Pro 5G has some good features to its name. Firstly, it's another smartphone with decent battery life.

The phone can easily be used all day and still have 50% charge left the following morning. If you're looking for that assurance that the phone won't die on you during the day, the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro is a solid choice. Buy Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro 5G for £159 at Xiaomi Buy Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro 5G for £159 at Amazon Best for accessibility Key features: 5.

5-inch screen Android 13MP rear camera 5MP front camera Dedicated home button Assistance button to call friends/family quickly 16GB storage MicroSD card slot Pros: Long battery life Easy to navigate Built-in screen protection Cons: Bulky compared to competitors Poor camera quality Doro specialises in making mobile phones for older people who may have additional accessibility needs. Along with a 'Response' button that alerts designated 'responders' when pressed, the phone also has built-in screen protection so it can survive a few knocks and falls. The Doro 8050 can last up to 330 hours (or 13 days) when not in active use.

This makes it a good option as an emergency device, or if you know that it's not going to get much use beyond the occasional call or trip out. The screen of the Doro 8050 is a little small at 5.5-inches, and it doesn't have the same camera specs as most of the others on this list, but it is hearing aid compatible, and the interface is one of the simplest and easiest to navigate.

Buy Doro 8050 for £69.99 at Amazon For more guides and product reviews, head to the Technology section. We've got the best laptop deals and best AirTag alternatives .

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