When entering a phone store, it feels as if stepping into a futuristic spaceship. There are large screens on the walls, high prices, and a sales representative talking about processor speeds and refresh rates. The entire experience is jarring and overwhelming, and the truth is, most people don’t need the newest phone on the market. The only thing a customer needs from a phone is the capability of functioning for the user, and not the other way around. Pulling from experience, many seniors rely on having a smartphone, and for good reason. It’s not just for texting and calling; Smartphones are essential in making video calls with family members, keeping track of important doctor’s appointments, and calling for help in case of an emergency. If the smartphone in question a user buys has confusing features and has small text, that $1,000 is going straight into a drawer.

The good news is that modern phones have incredible tools hidden inside them to make life easier. You just need to know what to look for. This guide breaks down the smartphone features for seniors that actually make a difference for older adults, skipping the jargon and focusing on usability.

Visual Clarity: No One Enjoys Squinting

The primary complaint with technology is the difficulty in viewing the information on the screen. A screen may offer a higher resolution by providing smaller text and causing the user to struggle in reading the information. When purchasing a smartphone, adjusting the display settings is one of the primary modifications made to increase readability.

Screen Size and Brightness

A generous screen is better, and it is certainly good for summative screen space to have a big phone even if it feels a big unwieldy in a pocket. A phone that is down right 6 inches in diagonal, a screen at that dimension is able to fit a larger font, and operational scope features will not require a constant scrolling. Bottom line: pocketability is not that great when compared to screen size Another screen is better, and it is certainly good for summative screen space to have a big phone even if it feels a big unwieldy in a pocket. A phone that is down right 6 inches in diagonal, a screen at that dimension is able to fit a larger font, and operational scope features will not require a constant scrolling. Bottom line: pocketability is not that great when compared to screen size.

Bright screens are also a major factor. More light is generally better when trying to see something, and as we age, light is more and more of a necessity for ocular clarity. Look for phones that are high in peak brightness to make reading texts easier outside. A phone that scores high in “peak brightness” is good for seeing texts outside, and is often also good for more light and will better serve the user’s needs in the age-range of 70 years and older.

System-Wide Font Scaling

Having to put on reading glasses to check your phone notifications is unnecessary. Text size on both iPhones and Android phones can be adjusted system wide. This means messages are not the only things that will be enlarged. Other items that will increase in size are menus, contacts, and webpages. 

There is also a “Bold Text” option that you can enable. This will make letters thicker, which is beneficial to those that struggle with contrast sensitivity.

Simplified Interfaces: Cutting the Clutter

Modern operating systems are messy. They are filled with multiple active widgets, distracting notifications, and uninstalled apps. For senior users, this clutter is the enemy. It leads to unintentional taps that launch apps, and the even more dreadful question: “How did I get to this screen, and how do I get back?”.

“Easy Mode” and Assistive Access

This is a game changer. Several Android manufacturers (i.e., Samsung) have a built-in “Easy Mode.” Once this is activated, the phone transforms. App icons are enlarged. Instead of the complicated home screen, the phone displays a simple grid of frequently used apps: Phone, Messages, Camera. Users are prevented from deleting apps, and getting lost in sub menus.

Apple recently rolled out Assistive Access, a feature that iPhones still have to enable. Like Samsung’s Easy Mode, Assistive Access strips the phone back to its most basic components. Large buttons are provided with more pictorial rather than text representation. In addition, Apple guided the users to use more notification menus rather than multiple apps.

Here are the key things a simplified interface should offer:

• Larger App Icons: easier to tap with shaky hands.
• High Contrast Colors: distinct buttons that look like buttons.
• Simplified Settings: hiding the complex options so you can’t accidentally turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Audio and Hearing: Loud and Clear

Missing a doctor or emergency family member call is serious, and missing one because you couldn’t hear the ringtone is frustrating. Features that can help increase the ability to hear calls are often overlooked, but they are essential.

Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)

Streamed calls directly into your ears via Bluetooth with a call streaming feature and a pair of hearing aids. To get the best experience with phone calls, opt for a phone that can pair with your hearing aids. With a hearing aid compatible phone, calls are no longer a frustrating experience but a seamless one.

Even without hearing aids, sound quality matters. Look for phones with dual stereo speakers that can get loud without distorting.

Visual Alerts

Sometimes, volume isn’t enough. A great feature for seniors is the LED flash alert. When the phone rings or gets a text, the camera flash on the back of the phone blinks rapidly. It catches your eye even if the phone is face down on the table or if the TV is blaring.

Voice Assistants: Your Hands-Free Helper

Typing on a glass screen can be a nightmare due to various reasons, be it due to your condition, arthritis, the onset of tremors, stiff fingers, or the simple acts of fingering. When it comes to voice assistants, like Siri on iPhone, or Google Assistant on Android, what were once considered a gimmicky tool have evolved to become essential accessibility tools.  

Voice assistants cut out the friction of screen tapping, making it easier to set reminders or alarms, as all the user has to do is voice commands. Like all tools, there is a learning curve, but the voice assistants do not take long to adapt to. Complex commands can be replaced with simple voice commands, as seen with the examples below.

• “Call my daughter”  No need to scroll through contacts.
• “Read my last text message”  Saves you from squinting at small type.
• “Remind me to take my pills at 9 AM”  Easier than fiddling with the clock app.
• “Turn on the flashlight”  Instant light without fumbling in the dark.
• “What is the weather today?” No need to find and open the weather app.