Simple Samsung Phones for Seniors in Australia: Easy Galaxy A-Series Guide
Samsung phones are a sensible option for an older person who wants a proper smartphone without paying premium-iPhone or top-end-Android prices. The trick is choosing one that is easy to read, reliable, and simple for the family to support, and then setting it up well, because a smartphone handed over untouched can feel busy with apps, notifications and tiny icons. If a larger screen would suit better, also compare the best tablets for seniors in Australia.
Whether you are searching for the best Samsung phone for a senior or for older users generally, the answer is nearly always the same: the Galaxy A-series, which is Samsung’s easiest range to set up and support. This guide runs through which Galaxy A models are worth comparing in Australia, what they cost, and what to set up before handing the phone over. For a wider look, see our guide to the best simple phones for seniors in Australia.
Quick answer
For most older Australians, a Samsung Galaxy A-series phone is the one to look at. The A range gives you a large screen, good battery life and all the usual apps for a fraction of the price of Samsung’s premium Galaxy S phones. The sensible starting points are the current Galaxy A models: the A06 at around $200, the A16 and its newer 2026 replacement the A17 5G at around $300, the A26 at around $500 and the A36 at around $650, depending on the deal and stock. Try not to choose on price alone, though. A very cheap phone can feel slow and not last as well, so for many people a simple mid-range model the family can confidently set up is the better buy.
Why choose Samsung for an older person?
The Galaxy A range plays to the things that matter here: large screens, text and fonts you can make bigger and bolder, and all the everyday apps like Gmail, Google Maps, WhatsApp and the banking apps. Plenty of families already know their way around Android or Samsung, the phones are sold everywhere in Australia, and cases, screen protectors and chargers are easy to find locally. Just remember a Samsung is not automatically simple. Out of the box it arrives cluttered, and it is the setup, not the badge, that makes it easy.
Best simple Samsung phone options to compare
| Samsung model | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy A06 (~$200) | Basic smartphone use on a tighter budget. | Performance, storage, screen quality, update support and whether it feels responsive enough. |
| Galaxy A16 or A17 5G (~$300) | A better everyday balance for calls, texts, photos, apps and larger-screen use. | Price, 4G vs 5G version, storage, case availability and current deals. |
| Galaxy A26 (~$500) | Someone keeping the phone for several years and using more apps. | Size, weight, monthly cost and whether the extra spend is justified. |
| Galaxy A36 (~$650) | A senior who wants a nicer screen, better performance and longer useful life. | Whether it is more phone than the person needs. |
| Refurbished Galaxy phone | Lower upfront cost if bought from a reputable seller. | Battery condition, warranty, software update support and network compatibility. |
1. Samsung Galaxy A16, around $300: a good first model to compare
The Galaxy A16 is where most families should start, because it sits in the practical lower mid-range. Samsung Australia lists it with a large 6.7-inch display and a 5,000mAh battery that easily lasts the day, both genuinely useful for everyday use. It suits someone who wants a big screen without paying premium prices, who needs calls, texts, photos, email and video calls plus a few common apps, and who has family on hand to help set it up. Before you buy, check whether the shop is selling the 4G or 5G version, the storage size, that it does not feel too big in the hand, that there is a clear returns policy, and that the person can read the screen comfortably once the text is enlarged. In 2026 Samsung introduced the Galaxy A17 5G as the direct successor, at a similar price, with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen, a 50MP camera and a 5,000mAh battery. It is now the current entry pick, so if both are in stock the A17 5G is usually the one to choose, and everything said here applies to it too. For a simple but capable Android phone, this tier is usually the pick of the range.
2. Samsung Galaxy A06, around $200: budget option, but check carefully
The Galaxy A06 suits a tight budget and simple use, with a 6.7-inch screen and newer 5G versions now in Australian stores. It is fine for someone who mainly wants calls, texts, photos and a handful of apps, does not need a fancy camera, and will have help with setup and updates. Just check it feels responsive enough in the shop, that it has enough storage for photos and apps, that the model still gets update support, and that the screen is clear in daylight. The one thing to weigh: if the gap to a Galaxy A16 is only $100 or so, the A16 is often the smarter long-term buy, so the A06 should not be an automatic choice.
3. Samsung Galaxy A26, around $500: better if the phone needs to last
The Galaxy A26 5G is a clear step up, with a sharper 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, IP67 water and dust resistance, a 5,000mAh battery and longer software support. It is worth it for someone who wants to keep the phone for several years, uses more apps, takes a lot of photos, or simply wants a clearer display and a bit more durability. Before buying, make sure they are comfortable with the size, that the higher price genuinely earns its keep for their needs, and that a simpler A16 would not already do the job, and buy a case and screen protector at the same time. When the phone will be used daily and kept for years, and the budget allows, the A26 is the better pick.
4. Samsung Galaxy A36, around $650: capable, but often more than needed
The Galaxy A36 is the higher mid-range option, with a nicer screen and smoother performance. It suits a confident user who already gets on with a smartphone, uses video calls, photos, browsing and apps regularly, and plans to keep the phone for years. But for someone who only wants basic calls, texts and a few apps, it is more phone than they need. Before paying the extra, ask whether it will actually improve daily use, whether they want the larger size, and whether a cheaper A-series model would be simpler and better value. It is a good phone for a more confident senior, not a necessity for everyone.
Samsung settings that make phones easier for seniors
Increase font size and make text bolder
Samsung phones let you adjust the font size and weight in Display settings. Bigger, bolder text is almost always the first change to make, and it helps immediately.
Use Easy Mode if it helps
Samsung’s Easy Mode lays the phone out more simply, with bigger icons and text and an easier home screen. Availability and the exact steps vary by model and software version, so check it on the phone in hand, but for someone new to a smartphone it can make a real difference.
Simplify the home screen and quieten notifications
Hide or remove the apps the person does not use, and keep the first screen to the basics: Phone, Messages, Contacts, Camera, Photos, Weather, Maps, and any video calling or banking app they actually need. Then turn off notifications from the apps that do not matter, since a constant stream of alerts is what makes a phone feel stressful.
Set up contacts and emergency information
Save the key people with plain names like “Sarah daughter”, “John son”, “GP clinic” or “Neighbour Mary”, and put them on the home screen if that is easier. Add emergency contacts and medical information where appropriate, and show the person how to find it. It is helpful information to have, but not a substitute for emergency services or a medical alarm.
Samsung phone buying checklist for seniors
- The screen is easy to read after increasing the text size
- The speaker and ringtone are loud enough
- The phone is not too heavy or slippery, and is easy to unlock
- The charging port is easy to use
- Storage is enough for photos, apps and updates
- The model still gets security updates
- It works with the chosen Australian mobile provider
- A case and screen protector are available
- Family can help with setup and troubleshooting
- The returns policy is clear
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
What to set up before giving the phone to a parent
- Charge the phone fully and install updates.
- Increase the font size and display size.
- Try Easy Mode if it helps.
- Remove unused apps from the first screen.
- Add key contacts with clear names.
- Set up voicemail.
- Set up video calling if needed.
- Set up Google account recovery carefully.
- Turn on Find My Device, only after explaining what it does.
- Test calls, texts, camera, speakerphone and charging together.
When a Samsung phone is better than a simple phone
Go for a Samsung smartphone over a simple phone when the person needs more than calls and texts: video calls with family, photos and photo sharing, banking or health apps, two-factor codes to log in, maps and transport information, email, WhatsApp or Messenger, or online forms and appointment reminders. If they genuinely do not want apps and only need calls and basic texts, a simple phone or flip phone is the kinder choice.
Final recommendation
For most older Australians, start by comparing the Galaxy A16 at around $300 and the A26 at around $500. The A06 around $200 works for a tight budget, and the A36 around $650 suits someone who wants a nicer phone and will use it daily. But the model matters less than the setup. A Samsung with larger text, a simple home screen, clear contacts and fewer notifications will always feel far easier than the same phone handed over straight out of the box.
FAQ: Simple Samsung phones for seniors
What is the easiest Samsung phone for seniors?
Usually a Galaxy A-series model that has been set up properly. For most people the A16 or A26 is a sensible place to start comparing.
Does Samsung have an Easy Mode?
Many Galaxy phones include Easy Mode under Display settings, though availability varies by model and software version. Check the phone before buying if Easy Mode matters to you.
Is Samsung better than iPhone for seniors?
Neither is better for everyone. Samsung suits someone who wants a large screen at a lower price, or whose family is on Android. iPhone is easier if the family uses Apple and FaceTime matters. Our guide to the best smartphone for seniors goes deeper.
Is the cheapest Samsung phone good enough?
Sometimes, but not always. Very cheap phones can be slower and have less storage. If the phone will be kept for several years, a slightly better Galaxy A model is often better value.
Can Samsung phones be made easier to read?
Yes. Samsung phones include display and accessibility settings for larger text, bolder fonts, visibility enhancements and more.
