Phones for Seniors in Australia
Choosing a phone for yourself, or for an older parent, should feel straightforward. It rarely does, because most phones are sold on features rather than on whether they are easy to hold, hear and read. This section keeps it simple. Whether you want a basic phone for calls and texts, or an easy smartphone for photos, messages and video calls with the family, the guides below help you choose well, then set the phone up so it actually gets used.
Where to start
If you are still deciding, begin with the buying guides under Choosing a phone. If you already have a phone and just want it to be easier, go straight to Setting up and using a phone. And if you are sorting this out on behalf of a parent, the Helping a parent decide section is written for you.
Not sure which device suits best? Try our quick quiz, Which device might suit best?
What makes a phone easy to use
Most phones are not designed with older eyes, ears and hands in mind, but a few things make all the difference. These are what our buying guides weigh up, and the ones worth checking before you buy.
- A screen you can read. A bright display and the option to make text large matter most. Glossy screens can be hard to read in sunlight.
- Buttons or a touchscreen that suit the person. Physical buttons are easier for some hands, a larger touchscreen for others.
- Volume you can actually hear. A loud ringer and earpiece help. If the person wears a hearing aid, check the phone is hearing aid compatible.
- Simple to answer and dial. Fewer steps is better. Picture dialling, where you tap a photo of the person, suits anyone who finds names a blur.
- Battery that lasts. A phone that holds charge for days, or sits in a charging cradle, is far less stressful.
- A way to call for help. An emergency or SOS button, or saved emergency contacts, gives everyone peace of mind.
Two ways to make any phone simpler: an iPhone has Assistive Access, which strips the screen back to large, clear buttons. Samsung and many Android phones have an Easy Mode that does the same. Either turns a mainstream phone into something far less daunting, and our setup guides show you how.
Choosing a phone
Best Simple Phones for Seniors in Australia
Large buttons, loud volume and easy menus.
Read the guide about Best Simple Phones for Seniors in Australia →
Best Smartphone for Seniors in Australia
For photos, messaging and video calls without the complexity.
Read the guide about Best Smartphone for Seniors in Australia →
Simple Samsung Phones for Seniors
Easy Galaxy A-series options that are not top of the range.
Best Flip Phones for Seniors
The familiar fold-to-answer phone with physical buttons.
Best Home Phones for Seniors
Simple and reliable for the house, nothing to charge.
Best iPhones for Seniors
Which iPhone suits, without overpaying.
Best Android Phones for Seniors
Easy Android options at a range of prices.
Best Budget Phones for Seniors
Good value for calls, texts and photos.
Best Phones for Poor Eyesight
Big, bright screens and large text.
Best Phones for Hearing Difficulties
Loud, clear sound and hearing aid support.
Best Phones with an Emergency SOS Button
A quick way to call for help.
Read the guide about Best Phones with an Emergency SOS Button →
Best Doro Phones for Seniors
Phones built for simplicity.
Best Big-Button Cordless Phones
Easy home phones with large keys.
Best Phone Accessories: Cases, Stands and Grips
Small extras that make a phone easier.
Read the guide about Best Phone Accessories: Cases, Stands and Grips →
iPhone vs Android for Seniors
Which is easier to live with.
Telstra vs Optus vs TPG for Seniors
Coverage and value, compared.
Prepay vs Plan: Which Suits an Older Parent?
Two simple ways to pay, compared.
Read the guide about Prepay vs Plan: Which Suits an Older Parent? →
New vs Refurbished Phones: What’s Safe to Buy?
Save money without the risk.
Read the guide about New vs Refurbished Phones: What’s Safe to Buy? →
When Is It Time to Replace an Older Phone?
The signs it’s worth upgrading.
Read the guide about When Is It Time to Replace an Older Phone? →
Some links in our buying guides are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we would suggest to our own family.
Which type of phone suits best
| What you need | Better fit |
|---|---|
| You mainly want calls and texts | A simple phone or a flip phone with large buttons |
| You want photos, messaging and video calls | An easy smartphone, such as an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy A-series |
| You find names hard to remember | A phone with picture dialling, where you tap a photo to call |
| You are nearly always at home | A home phone, reliable with nothing to charge |
| You wear a hearing aid | A hearing aid compatible phone with a loud earpiece |
| You want a quick way to call for help | A phone with an SOS button or saved emergency contacts |
Setting up and using a phone
How to Make an iPhone Easier for Seniors
Larger text, a louder ringtone, a simpler screen.
Read the guide about How to Make an iPhone Easier for Seniors →
How to Download an App Safely on iPhone
Using the App Store with confidence.
Read the guide about How to Download an App Safely on iPhone →
How to Set Up WhatsApp on iPhone
Free messages and video calls the family can use.
How to Block Unwanted Calls on iPhone
Cut down marketing and scam calls.
Read the guide about How to Block Unwanted Calls on iPhone →
How to Set Up Emergency Contacts on Android
Reachable quickly if something goes wrong.
Read the guide about How to Set Up Emergency Contacts on Android →
How to Set Up a New iPhone for the First Time
From switching it on to signing in and moving across.
Read the guide about How to Set Up a New iPhone for the First Time →
How to Set Up a New Android Phone for the First Time
From switching it on to your Google Account.
Read the guide about How to Set Up a New Android Phone for the First Time →
How to Turn On Easy Mode and Larger Text on Android
A simpler home screen and writing you can read.
Read the guide about How to Turn On Easy Mode and Larger Text on Android →
How to Make the Ringer Louder
So you stop missing calls.
How to Use FaceTime to Call the Grandchildren
Free video calls on an iPhone or iPad.
Read the guide about How to Use FaceTime to Call the Grandchildren →
How to Send Photos by Text
Share a snap with the family in a few taps.
How to Pair Hearing Aids with a Phone
Calls and sound played straight to your ears.
Read the guide about How to Pair Hearing Aids with a Phone →
What to Do If You Forget Your Phone PIN
A calm way back in, step by step.
Read the guide about What to Do If You Forget Your Phone PIN →
How to Find a Lost Phone
See it on a map and make it ring.
Helping a parent or family member
How to Choose a Phone for an Older Parent in Australia
A calm walk through what to weigh up.
Read the guide about How to Choose a Phone for an Older Parent in Australia →
How to Help a Parent Set Up a New Smartphone
A setup plan so it feels simple from day one.
Read the guide about How to Help a Parent Set Up a New Smartphone →
FAQ: Choosing and using a phone
Is an iPhone or an Android phone simpler for an older person?
Both can be made simple. iPhones tend to be consistent with strong accessibility settings. Android phones, including Samsung, offer an Easy Mode and more choice at lower prices. The better answer is usually whichever the family already uses, so help is close by.
Is a basic phone or a smartphone the better choice?
A basic phone is excellent if the person only wants calls and texts. A smartphone is worth it if they also want photos, video calls or messaging. Our buying guides walk through both honestly.
How do I make a phone easier to see and hear?
Most phones let you enlarge the text, raise the ringtone and simplify the home screen in a few minutes. The setup guides above show you how on both iPhone and Android.
Are there phone discounts for Seniors Card holders?
Some providers offer Seniors Card deals on mobile plans and phones. They change over time, so it is worth asking, and our Seniors Card tech discounts guide rounds up what to look for.
Where can I buy a senior-friendly phone in Australia?
Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman carry the main options in store and online, and specialist sellers stock large-button and picture-dialling phones. Buying in person helps, so the person can try the buttons first.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
Where to go next
A tablet or iPad suits some people better than a phone, especially for video calls and reading, see Tablets & iPads. To keep a new phone safe from scam texts and calls, see Staying Safe Online. If calling for help in an emergency is the concern, see Medical Alarms. For a printable pack, see The SeniorTech Toolkit.