Though the Pixel 7a is several hundred dollars less than the Samsung Galaxy S23+, it provides nearly as many accessibility and safety features, including crash detection. This phone has a smaller screen size (6.1 inches) than the 7 and 7 Pro, yet it still offers excellent clarity. If you want a more budget-friendly Android phone: The Google Pixel 7a is a lower-priced option from the Pixel lineup that’s sure to please Android fans. If necessary, hearing aids or Bluetooth headphones are easily connected. In our tests, call quality was good on both incoming and outgoing calls, and the speakerphone was loud and clear. The camera quality is very good for such a small phone, and it includes options to tweak photos before, during, and after you take the shot. We also like that its 4.7-inch screen lets it fit easily in a pocket. Yet many people are likely to find that it has plenty of accessibility features to meet their needs, including adjustments for individual apps as well as global settings, adaptations like boosting font and display size for those with low vision, and conversation boost and sound recognition for those with hearing loss. This phone does come with some trade-offs, such as no crash detection or off-grid SOS. But it weighs less, and if you have limited grip strength, it can be more comfortable to hold than the iPhone 14 Plus. The SE’s screen is smaller than those of its pricier siblings. If you want a more budget-friendly iPhone: The Apple iPhone SE 3rd generation offers many health, safety, and accessibility features found on more expensive iPhone models. Note, however, that some phones geared toward older adults come with specific plans. Compatibility with a variety of major carriers: We preferred phones that were compatible with various carriers.

A combination of comfort, convenience, and value: We prioritized phones that offered a decent screen size, weight, battery life, durability, and cost.

Good camera quality and features: We sought phones that offered functionality such as photo-editing capabilities.

Good call and speakerphone quality: We looked for phones that had both.

Ability to add apps: These would include apps that help with independent activities of daily living, such as ride sharing or food delivery.Ease of setup: We prioritized phones that were easy to set up, including basic tasks like inserting a SIM card or downloading an e-SIM, automatically activating accessibility modifications such as the display size, and enabling security measures such as a PIN code, fingerprint recognition, or facial recognition.Additional privacy features: Key features include the ease of opting out of location and data sharing.Ability to block spam messages and calls: This is important since older adults are often victims of marketing scams.Customization of accessibility options for people with hearing, visual, or dexterity challenges: Ideal options include the ability to adjust the display or font size built-in voice control or a smart assistant to control functions, make calls, and send or read emails and messages hearing aid compatibility and the ability to modify standard gestures or taps to control functions.Built-in health, safety, and privacy features: These include emergency SOS capabilities, crash detection, and medication and health information tracking.Alternative input (which incorporates features like voice control, additional keyboards, and gesture-based input) can be useful for anyone regardless of disability status. Assistive touch (which modifies how the phone responds to swipes, taps, and gestures) benefits anyone experiencing dexterity, tremor, or fine-motor issues.And if you need to communicate with someone else who reads braille, the phone allows you to type in six-dot or contracted braille through voice or a braille-specific keyboard. For those who have low vision, the display and text size are adjustable, so you can make the screen easier to read.Though many similar features are found on Android models, the iPhone 14 lineup has the most options for customizing accessibility settings, both systemwide and per app. It’s also compatible with many different hearing aids, including those made specifically for the iPhone. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, notable features include live captions (which turn speech into text in real time), the ability to minimize background noise directly on the phone during conversations, and recognition and alerts for sounds such as smoke alarms or doorbells.

Old fashioned alarm clock ringtone