The best smartphones for seniors: these are the test winners for 2022

Created: 12/09/2022, 12:00 p.m

By: Nina Dudek

Smartphones for seniors not only have communicative benefits – they can be a great help in an emergency.

© tan4ikk/PantherMedia

They bring security, enable participation in life and facilitate communication: smartphones for seniors and mobile phones.

The test winners for 2022 have now been determined

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At some point the time has come: parents are getting older, grandma and grandpa can no longer see so well.

The buttons on common mobile phone models and smartphones are far too small, the software is too confusing, and the technology is too complex.

So what to do?

Many older people then often switch back to cordless phones, which only work in the house via the landline connection.

But smartphones for seniors, but also smart home devices such as Alexa, can make a significant contribution to ensuring that older people can continue to participate in life.

Communication with friends and relatives is maintained, and smartphones for seniors offer a certain level of security for everyone involved: Elderly people know that they can reach someone in an emergency, relatives and friends can be reassured that a means of communication is always available.

has now announced the best smartphones for seniors in 2022.

Which is the best smartphone for seniors?

You should pay attention to this

Leaving aside all the technical stuff at this point, the simple answer is: whatever smartphone the user is most comfortable with at the end of the day is the best.

That is why it is important to involve the user in the purchase.

Of course, it is well intentioned to buy older people a smartphone for seniors - but in doing so, they are more or less presented with a fait accompli.

It can be incredibly helpful to take the person in question with you to make a purchase.

Because the acceptance of the new device is also higher.

You should pay attention to this when buying a smartphone for seniors:

• The appearance of a smartphone for seniors is secondary.

  Is optically important z.

  B. a large display

• Make sure that the display is as non-glare and high-contrast as possible

• High volume

• The smartphone should sit securely in the user's hand, i.e. it should be neither too light nor too heavy

• The keys should be big enough to avoid accidentally pressing two at the same time

• Keys and display with large letters, digits and icons

• Let the smartphone try.

  This is the only way to show how user-friendly it is

• If necessary, look out for an emergency call button and special speed dial buttons

• Charging stations are better than a filigree charging cable

What is the simplest senior smartphone?

In this context, the term "simple" has two sides: On the one hand, the condition for the user is meant (see above), on the other hand, the simplification of everyday life through the smartphone.

Not only for the elderly themselves - also for relatives - senior smartphones or corresponding mobile phones can mean a significant relief.

Because many already have safety-relevant additional functions that give "a better feeling".

Test winner Emporia Euphoria V50 big button cell phone 

Emporia Euphoria V50 big button cell phone © emporia

This cell phone is a good compromise for anyone who doesn't want a smartphone with "a lot of bells and whistles".

The interface is similar to the usual telephone, and the operation is largely the same.

In addition, photos can be viewed on the color display or taken with the camera itself.

€59.99 at OTTO

Senior smartphones with connection to the hearing aid

Some models have been specially developed for users with hearing aids.

These senior smartphones can be paired directly with an appropriately designed hearing aid, either via an induction coil or via Bluetooth.

The language is transmitted directly to the ear and is particularly easy to understand.

A hearing aid expert in a specialist shop can tell you whether your mobile phone and hearing aid are compatible via Bluetooth.

Mobile phones for seniors with an emergency call button and fall sensor

Many older people are at risk of falling and then being helpless.

A smartphone with an emergency call function can save lives in an emergency.

In this situation, the phone does not even need to be unlocked, the clearly visible emergency call button (often on the back of the device) can be pressed immediately.

Some of these senior cell phones also have a fall sensor that automatically sends an emergency call after a fall.

Senior smartphones with GPS & "Geofencing"

Unfortunately, the risk of disorientation or even dementia increases with age.

In this case, senior cell phones with GPS tracking offer relief and security for users and relatives.

The automatic direction of the smartphone recognizes the whereabouts of the user at any time, relatives or caregivers can be notified by SMS, e-mail, text message or call.

On some senior cell phones, you can even define an area with the so-called "geofencing" function.

If this is left, the senior cell phone triggers an alarm.

simvalley MOBILE mobile phone for seniors with geofencing function

simvalley MOBILE senior cell phone © simvalley

Setting up the GEO tracking and fencing functions is child's play and free of charge: To do this, the cell phone must be registered on

.

Here you can enter the number that should be notified in an emergency.

The live tracking shows where the mobile phone is at any time.

A security zone can be set up with the geofencing function: If the mobile phone leaves the security zone, it immediately sends an SMS with coordinates and an Internet link for Google Maps to the stored telephone number.

€36.99 instead of €39.94 at Amazon

Primo 368 by Doro with fall sensor & GEO tracking

Primo 368 by Doro GSM mobile phone © doro

This cheap phone has everything you need for communication and no extra "frills".

In the event of a fall, the fall sensor recognizes the situation and automatically triggers the emergency call.

There is also a senior-friendly, large color display, GPS & WiFi location function, flashlight, FM radio, calendar and desktop charger

Only €44.99 instead of €59.99 at MediaMarkt

Test winner with GPS tracking Doro 8100

Doro 8100 4G senior smartphone © doro

When the emergency button is triggered, the "Response by Doro" app sends a call for help, which immediately informs up to 5 stored contacts and automatically sends the GPS position.

€199 instead of €209.99 at Amazon

Does health insurance pay for a smartphone for seniors?

The assumption of costs by the statutory health insurance companies is regulated in the catalog of aids.

If there is a prescription from the doctor, the assumption of costs by the statutory health insurance is in principle capped.

However, care aids or safety aids such as mobile phones are only subsidized or taken over if a corresponding degree of care justifies the subsidy from the care insurance fund.

Senior smartphone with WhatsApp

WhatsApp is currently the method of choice for communicating quickly and directly.

Of course, the app can also be installed on internet-enabled senior citizens' smartphones, on which the chat is particularly large and clear.

The relatively simple operation of WhatsApp is suitable for all those who already write SMS.

The transfer of pictures, emojis or voice messages can bring great joy to seniors and help them to stay in regular contact with other relatives or friends.

Test winner Emporia SMART4 senior smartphone

Emporia SMART4 senior smartphone with WhatsApp © Amazon

Handy, compact and clear, this model convinced the testers.

In addition to an operating manual, a training book is also included in the scope of delivery.

With the Android 10 operating system, all current apps such as WhatsApp can be installed.

139 € instead of 169 € at Amazon

Senior smartphone with or without a contract?

In order to answer this question, it is necessary to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages against each other.

The disadvantages of fixed contracts are usually a longer fixed contract period, as well as some functions in the packages that seniors do not use at all.

A prepaid card is not subject to any fixed contract terms, but one should always bear in mind that it has to be topped up regularly.

Because if the prepaid credit is used up, the mobile phone can no longer be used for telephoning or other communication.