11 Most Affordable Refurbished Smartphones for Seniors Citizens in 2021

Everyone knows that seniors are not all tech-savvy. They have been relatively slow to adopt mobile phones and the services they provide. Experts attribute this to the seniors' perceived limited needs for using mobile phones resulting in low motivation. Another reason is the learning difficulties they encounter.

According to a study, the seniors' general lack of experience with computers and mobile devices and poor usability of mobile phones have attributed to the difficulties they experienced. It also includes a complex interface design and small button size.

Another potential obstacle to mobile phone adoption among elderlies is its perceived utility. A study showed that older adults, like the elderlies, used mobile phones for limited purposes, including calling or texting for emergencies only.

Their perceived limited needs for using smartphones have contributed to their reduced desire to learn the advanced features of these devices.

Seniors have been comparatively slow to adopt mobile phones and services than youngsters. (Photo credit: cdn2.hubspot.net)

However, there are significant reasons for motivating elderlies to adopt mobile phones. After all, these mobile devices have a lot to offer for older people. The following are the benefits of smartphones for seniors:

• Emergency contact information. Perhaps one of the best things about smartphones for seniors involves the ease at which it allows them to get help in case of emergencies. Having a mobile phone nearby at all times is a good idea since it is impossible to predict when a medical emergency may arise.

  Move smartphones have this Emergency Contact Information card. It is helpful in scenarios wherein an elderly family member passes out in public. Emergency responders can find out vital information like blood type and next of kin. They can also find out the current medications that they're taking, among others. This data can be seen even without knowing the phone's passcode.

• Voice capabilities. For elderlies with arthritic fingers, texting can be difficult. Several older people have huge and sometimes callused hands that can make it difficult for their hands to use a touch screen. In these cases, the talk-to-text and voice command features of smartphones will come in handy.

  Elderlies can use Siri or similar digital personalities or assistants to pose requests like giving them reminders. They can also dictate full-text messages response and have the mobile phone read the texts aloud.

  There are even smartphones that will translate a voicemail into text. This feature is helpful so that the senior can read the message instead of listening to it.

• Large screen. Smartphones nowadays have large screens. It makes for easier viewing for senior eyes. Moreover, older users can adjust the text to a larger font with ease, and they can use their fingers to zoom in on websites and photos.

• Easy communication. Seniors who live in communities away from their families can video call their kids and grandchildren and get family updates. Having group text messages also provides them with a quick way to get in touch and talk about upcoming dinner plans and check in on one another.

• Fitness tracking. You can use smartphones as wellness trackers for senior citizens. Most mobile phones have features that enable them to note the user's steps for the day. They count how many flights of stairs they have climbed. You can also sync up the phone with a wearable, such as a fitness tracker or a smartwatch if you want to go more in-depth and study the heart rates, sleep patterns and calorie intake, and output of your elder family member.

• Control other smart devices. Is your senior living alone? They may find mobile phones beneficial, especially if they have "smart devices" around their home.

  These "smart devices" are usually controlled through specialized apps that the owner can access through their mobile phone. Additionally, installing these smart devices allow them to turn on and off their lights, their thermostat, or even their radio right from their smartphone.

What are the most affordable refurbished smartphones for senior citizens?

Several factors are involved in motivating older adults to use smartphones. Those are the mobile phones' functionality and the user's self-actualization and enjoyment.

Having learned what benefits your senior family members can get from owning a mobile phone, the next step is identifying what devices are best suited for them.

Seniors who live in communities away from their families can video call their kids and grandchildren and get family updates. (Photo credit: sciencespinning.com)

If you are looking for mobile phones to give to your elder family members, buying refurbished is practical, especially if you lack the funds for the purchase.

If you are worried about the so-called risks of purchasing refurbished phones, you can rest assured that it is safe if you get these devices from reputable retailers.

An example is the QwikFone. QwikFone assures you that whatever refurbished phone you pick looks and works just as good as a brand new device.

That's because all refurbished phones from QwikFone go through a strict testing procedure, such as examining how the phone performs compared to a brand new device of the same model. The testing includes the screen's display quality, resolution, and touch sensitivity. Check out a few refurbished phones from this website.

There's no denying that knowing which mobile phone to buy for a senior is hard. And more so since the right choice depends on the senior's comfort with technology. Fortunately, there is a vast range of mobile phones that cater to seniors' needs. These phones can be great for most grandparents.

Remember when you shop for mobile phones for seniors, large and plain displays are a smart pick. If health is the primary interest, it is best to consider a phone that has a one-touch emergency response feature.

And since dropping the phone may be an issue, you should consider a durable smartphone. Phone experts also recommend that you buy a protective case to go along with the smartphone.

The following are some of the best smartphones you can buy and give to your senior family member today.

• iPhone SE 2020. The iPhone SE 2020 is a practical choice since it is perfect for people who don't need all the top-end features of the newest Apple smartphones. This iPhone has pretty similar specs and features to the iPhone 8 but with a few tweaks, bringing it up-to-date with trends.

  You may think that its screen quality, camera, and design are outdated. However, unless the senior citizen you're buying the phone for keeps up to date with the latest tech, they really won't mind.

• iPhone XR. This smartphone is slightly more modern than the iPhone 8 Plus. It has a relatively large 6.1-inch display. You can upgrade it to the newest iOS, and it has a decent 12MP rear camera.

• Samsung Galaxy S10e. The Samsung Galaxy S10e is what you call the budget iteration of its S10 flagship range. It's decently affordable, yet it still has some helpful features for your senior.

  It has a 5.8-inch screen, big enough to make viewing easy yet small enough to use in one hand. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on this device is also a lot easier to use for senior citizens when you compare it to the on-screen versions. The phone comes with a battery that should get through a day with ease. Moreover, it is responsive, with its top-end Snapdragon 855 processor.

• Lively Flip. This device is what you call a "basic flip phone" with features made to suit seniors well. The Lively Flip has a large, easy-to-read interface, simple navigation, and a loudspeaker. It also features an M4/T4 rating for hearing aid compatibility and a 5-Star button that can aid elderlies in quickly getting help in the event of an emergency.

• Jitterbug Smart. This mobile phone combines a senior-focused design with smartphone functionality. It has all the typical phone features, including texting, email, and internet access. It also has rear and front-facing cameras that can do a satisfying job of taking pictures.

  The Jitterbug Smart has a 5.5-inch touchscreen display that allows for typical mobile phone navigation. This mobile phone is also compatible with hearing aids too, earning an M4/T4 rating. It also supports 5-Star emergency response through a pre-installed app.

• Huawei P Smart. Huawei phones have the "Simple Mode" feature that turns icons and text much bigger. It is perfect for a senior with less than perfect eyesight. While this smartphone is missing quite a few specs, seniors wouldn't need them in the first place. It means you are not losing out by going for an affordable mobile phone.

• Moto G8 Power Lite. This smartphone is great for elderlies as it has a low price but "hardy build" and a long-lasting battery. The battery in this phone will last about two days. It comes with a big screen to see things on and a body that will survive a fair few drops.

  Yes, the Moto G8 Power Lite doesn't have a great processor or incredible cameras. However, this mobile phone is perfect for people who don't need top-end specs like senior citizens.

• Nokia 3310 3G. Some seniors don't want all the fancy tech of a smartphone. The Nokia 3310 3G is perfect for them. It is simple and easy to use and comes with all the basics needed to keep in touch with family and friends. It also has a long-lasting battery to keep the connection going.

  You will find that the Nokia 3310 supports calling, texting, and even a bit of social media. It also has a standard camera that helps seniors share photos and videos with their family and friends.

• Alcatel GO Flip. A simple feature mobile phone with some modern upgrades. The Alcatel GO Flip looks and works like an old-school flip phone with the difference of 4G LTE connectivity for fast web surfing and email. The 4G connectivity also allows the phone to offer seniors better call quality using Voice-over-LTE.

  For people hard of hearing, you don't have to worry. The Alcatel GO Flip has an M4/T4 rating for hearing aid compatibility.

• Samsung Galaxy A11. This smartphone has an ultra long-lasting battery life. Using Samsung's Galaxy A11, the elderlies will have a complete 30 hours of talk time or 17 hours of standby time whenever they are not actively using the device.

  Apart from the battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A11 has a 13MP triple camera and a fingerprint sensor. Seniors will never have to worry about remembering their passwords due to the fingerprint sensor. It also ups the security on their phone so no one else can access it.

• Lively Smart. This mobile phone offers the right balance between the latest smartphone features and ease of use. The Lively Smart has a standard list-style menu, large touchscreen, and long battery life. It also offers all of the features you might look for in a smartphone, including GPS navigation and video chatting. It also comes with a built-in camera and mobile apps that senior citizens might enjoy.

  The Lively Smart is a hearing aid compatible device as well. It comes with built-in medical alert capabilities for those who want the extra layer of protection that comes with a medical alert device.

Angelika Muderris, she is a passionate writer and also heads the operations at QwikFone.