Whether you’re a tech-savvy senior wanting a smartphone without all the unnecessary features and high costs or just looking for an easy-to-use, senior-friendly, and inexpensive smartphone, numerous low-cost senior-focused smartphones are available today. These smartphones are simple, reliable, well-made, and provide the right features and functionality without breaking the bank.

While the average smartphone cost was $940 in 2024, today’s seniors have multiple options for far less expensive – but equally functional and reliable – smartphones. Here is a list of the most affordable smartphones for seniors under $200 with the needed features to stay in touch with friends, family, and neighbors while keeping you safe.

The Jitterbug Smart4

While the Jitterbug Smart4 is the most expensive senior-friendly smartphone on this list coming in at $150, it provides more than enough safety and usability features to satisfy any senior. With its 6.7-inch screen size, large-sized apps, 37-hour battery life, three rear cameras, and hearing-aid-compatible features, this is a simple, easy-to-use smartphone that seniors are sure to enjoy.

Available through Best Buy, Walmart, Sears, Amazon – and several other large brick-and-mortar and online retailers – the Jitterbug Smart4 operates exclusively through the Lively network, which runs on the Verizon 4G network.

Offering exceptionally dependable service, clear sound, and speech-to-text features, seniors can order Lyft rides and access an on-call 24/7 nurse without worrying about the cost of a co-pay. While the Jitterbug Smart4 is still below $200, seniors will still have to pay for data, which can run from a basic plan of $19.99 monthly to a premium plan of $49.99 monthly.

The Jitterbug Flip2

Coming in at under $100 – and with the same on-call 24/7 nurse and hearing-aid-compatible features – is the Jitterbug Flip2. A smaller sibling of the Jitterbug Smart4, the Jitterbug Flip2, is a true flip phone that most seniors will be more than familiar with. Sold through the same stores and retailers, monthly plans are as low as $19.99, and with voice-activated commands, two cameras (front and back), and texting capabilities, the Jitterbug Flip2 is a simple, inexpensive smartphone that provides great-sounding call quality.

The Iris Flip from Consumer Cellular

Another inexpensive senior-friendly flip smartphone that has a solid, long-lasting battery, easy-to-use large buttons, good call quality, and allows for hearing aid compatibility is the Consumer Cellular Iris Flip. At just $69, this is the least expensive smartphone on the list, and with just a $15 monthly plan from Consumer Cellular – a carrier devoted to serving seniors – this is perhaps the best value of all the smartphones on this list.

The Consumer Cellular Iris Flip provides seniors with large buttons, plenty of apps, a large-sounding speaker, a camera, text message capability, and voice-driven commands. For seniors who have problems writing texts, the Consumer Cellular Iris Flip has a text-dictation app that makes sending texts easy. Of particular importance is that the Iris Flip can access the internet through an app on the smartphone, something the Jitterbug Flip2 cannot.

The Alcatel Go Flip 4

Sold exclusively through Amazon and under $50, the Alcatel Go Flip 4 is the least expensive smartphone on this list. However, that doesn’t mean it sacrifices usability and features for lower cost. While the Alcatel Go Flip 4 is but another flip phone, it provides several user-friendly features like apps, access to a calendar, texting, voice-command features, and large buttons. It is also rated M4/T4 for hearing aid compatibility.

In terms of its drawbacks, the Alcatel Go Flip 4 does not have any senior-focused safety features like the 24/7 on-demand-nurse functionality found in the Jitterbug Smart4 and Jitterbug Flip2. This makes it less ideal for those seniors who live alone and consider on-call emergency medical features an absolute must. In addition, the Alcatel Go Flip 4 does not do voice-to-text and its camera and picture quality are substandard.

While the Alcatel Go Flip 4 doesn’t provide anywhere near the bells and whistles of the other phones on this list, it does operate on the KaiOS operating system – an operating system also used by the Consumer Cellular Iris Flip – giving seniors less of a choice of apps most often found on Google Play.

With its lower upfront cost and monthly unlimited texting and talking for just under $30 a month, this is a solid smartphone that seniors will find reliable and simple to use.

Going With Refurbished Smartphones

If the phones on this list aren’t up to your liking, then there’s always the option of going with refurbished phones. These are readily available through Walmart and Best Buy while also being available through online retailers like Gazelle and Amazon’s Certified Refurbished Device program.

Ultimately, if you decide to go the route of buying a refurbished smartphone, it’s important to ensure that the phone comes with some kind of user warranty.

The Amazon Certified Refurbished Device program ensures that every refurbished smartphone has been thoroughly and extensively tested while coming with a limited warranty. Ensure you choose a refurbished smartphone with senior-friendly features like large, easy-to-push buttons, voice commands, simple apps, texting, clear calling quality, and emergency 24/7 features.

WiseSavings: Your Senior’s Guide to Affordable Technology and Gadgets

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