Smartphones for over-60s: iPhone or Android made easy

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

There is no special "over-60s smartphone" worth paying extra for. Almost any modern iPhone or Android phone can be made simple, large and clear through its own settings, so choose on screen size, how long it will receive updates, and what your family already uses.

Who a smartphone suits

A smartphone is a mobile phone with a touchscreen that also connects to the internet. It suits you if you want to make video calls, send and receive photos, use maps, bank or shop online, show a digital train ticket or check a bus time. If you only want calls and texts, a simple mobile phone is cheaper and easier.

iPhone or Android, in plain terms

Neither is better. The most useful rule is to pick what your helper uses. If your son or neighbour has an iPhone, they can talk you through an iPhone over the telephone without seeing it.

Making any smartphone easier

Every smartphone has an Accessibility section in its Settings. A family member can switch these on in ten minutes:

• Larger text and bold text, and a larger display size so buttons grow too.
• Easy mode or Assistive Access, which strips the home screen back to a handful of large icons.
• Screen reader and magnifier, which read text aloud or enlarge part of the screen.
• Hearing-aid support: many modern hearing aids connect wirelessly by Bluetooth so calls play straight into them.
• Voice control: say "call Margaret" or dictate a message instead of typing.
• Longer touch delay, helpful if a tremor causes accidental taps.
• Emergency SOS and medical details that can be shown from the lock screen.

What to look for

• Screen size. Around 6 to 6.7 inches, measured corner to corner, is comfortable for reading. Hold one in a shop first: bigger screens mean heavier phones.
• Years of updates. Phones need regular security updates to stay safe for banking and shopping. Ask how long the maker promises them from today, and aim for at least three or four years left.
• Storage. This is the room for photos and apps. 128GB is plenty for most people.
• Battery life of a full day, and ideally wireless charging so there is no small plug to line up.
• Fingerprint or face unlock, which saves typing a PIN every time.
• A case and screen protector. Budget for both on day one.

Camera megapixels, 5G and processor names matter far less than the sales assistant may suggest.

Buying refurbished

A refurbished phone is a used phone that has been checked, cleaned and reset, then sold with a warranty. It can save a third or more against new and is a sound way to get a good phone cheaply, provided you:

• buy from the manufacturer, a mobile network or a well-known retailer rather than a private seller;
• get at least a 12-month warranty in writing;
• check the grade (cosmetic condition) and what it says about battery health;
• check the model will still receive security updates for several years;
• make sure it is "unlocked" so any SIM card works.

Your rights are the same as for any shop purchase; see your consumer rights and, for private sales, buying on marketplaces.

Rough price guide

As a rough guide at the time of writing (November 2026): a sound budget Android phone costs from around £120 to £250; mid-range phones around £250 to £500; refurbished iPhones from around £200 to £500 depending on age; and new flagship phones £700 and upwards. Buying the phone outright and adding a cheap SIM-only deal is nearly always cheaper over two years than a contract that bundles the two.

Setup tips a family member can help with

1. Create the Apple or Google account together and record the email address and password safely; see passwords made simple.
2. Set text size, easy mode and volume with the owner watching.
3. Remove or hide apps that will not be used, leaving one tidy home screen.
4. Add contacts with photos, and install WhatsApp for video calls.
5. Turn on automatic updates and automatic photo backup.
6. Set a screen lock and the emergency contact details.
7. Connect to the home Wi-Fi so the mobile data allowance is not used up indoors.

Mistakes to avoid

• A long, expensive contract for a top-of-the-range phone you will use lightly.
• Buying a very old model that no longer gets security updates.
• Letting someone else set every password and not telling you what they are.
• Skipping the case. A dropped phone with a cracked screen is the commonest repair.

Common questions

Is a "senior smartphone" worth buying?

Sometimes, for someone who needs an SOS button and a very simple screen. But a mainstream phone in easy mode is usually faster, safer and supported for longer.

Is online banking safe on a phone?

Your bank's own app on an up-to-date phone with a screen lock is generally considered at least as safe as a computer. Read paying safely online first.

How much mobile data do I need?

If you mostly use Wi-Fi at home, a few gigabytes a month is plenty for messages, maps and browsing when out.

Would a tablet be better?

For reading and video calls at home, often yes: the screen is larger. See tablets for over-60s.