The Best Phones for Visually Impaired Users 2024 (2024)

Best Cell Phones for the Visually Impaired

Overview

Price: $99.99 when purchased through Lively

The Jitterbug Flip2 is an affordable flip phone with tactile buttons that will make it much easier for a visually impaired person to make calls and send texts. Plus, since the Flip2 is from Lively, you can sign up for additional safety features, like an urgent response button, which ensures emergency services are called and friends and family are contacted if need be.

Performance

Remember when phones had buttons you could touch with your fingers? That’s still the case for the Jitterbug Flip2 from Lively, an old-fashioned flip phone. Sometimes, less is more, and I had no issue sending texts or making calls with this tactile keyboard. Another feature that someone with visual impairments would appreciate is the fact that the phone comes with Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant. I was surprised to find a flip phone with Alexa, so I used it to send texts and make calls, which made up for the phone’s smaller screen.

The setup of the screen was very simple and easy for someone with visual impairments to navigate. When I opened the phone using the backlit keyboard, I saw a screen with a menu in the form of a list. It clearly listed “phone, text messages, contacts, Amazon Alexa, photos and videos.” Having to deal with the tiny icons of an iPhone, for example, is a lot more confusing than having clear black words on a bright white background. All in all, I thought this phone was really straightforward and easy to use.

Plans

With the Jitterbug Flip2, plans cost $19.99 to $49.99 per month, or $5 per month less if you participate in paperless billing. All plans include unlimited talking and texting, plus the ability to request a Lyft over the phone or ask a team member for directions, ideal for someone with vision impairment. The mid-tier $39.99 option adds an urgent response team, and the phone can alert your friends and family if there’s an emergency. Finally, with the top-tier $49.99 per month plan, you’ll have a nurse and doctor on-call for medical advice over the phone, in addition to what the company calls a “care advocate,” someone who can help you meet your health goals.

>> Read more: Lively Phone Plans for Seniors

Drawbacks

Being a flip phone, the Flip2 lacks video chatting and several other smartphone features that the iPhone SE has. Additionally, the charger is a regular USB port, which may be hard for some people to see. Compare that to the RAZ SmartVision 3, which has a wireless charging option, and you’ll understand why the Fiip2 costs only $99.99 and not $500 plus.

Bottom Line

If you want a simple flip phone for only $99.99, the Jitterbug Flip2 is certainly the most straightforward option. However, it doesn’t include all of the bells and whistles of a smartphone like the iPhone SE. Of course, the SE also has a much higher price tag and no tactile buttons, which may make it harder for someone with low vision to use.

To learn more about our experience with this phone, read our full Jitterbug Flip2 review.

Overview

Price: $69 when purchased from Consumer Cellular

If budget is a huge concern of yours, let me introduce you to the Iris Flip, sold for only $69 by Consumer Cellular. It has the benefits of being a flip phone with a tactile keyboard, as well as a 48-hour battery life, which means more time using and less time charging. Plus, it’s hearing aid compatible for those with both vision and hearing problems.

Performance

The Iris Flip was as easy to use as the Jitterbug Flip2, being a flip phone. I had no issues making calls or sending texts on the internal screen. However, this phone had more capabilities than the Flip2, as it has KaiOS, which let me access video, music, and other apps. Through this operating system, I messaged with international friends on WhatsApp, navigated to a hair appointment using Google Maps, and even watched videos on YouTube. However, given that the screen is only 3.2 inches, this may not be so useful to someone with vision problems.

Now, let’s talk about that tactile keyboard. This is an especially useful feature for someone with visual impairments, and I liked the rubbery texture, which helped engage other senses aside from vision. The keypad was backlit and had big letters, which made texting a breeze. Another useful feature was the ability to speed-dial my “favorites.” With just a push of a single button, I could stay in contact with the most important people in my life — the primary purpose of having a cell phone in the first place.

Plans

All of Consumer Cellular’s plans include unlimited talk and text, cellular data, 5G access, and a mobile hot spot. The only difference between the plans is the amount of data you get each month: one, five, 10, or unlimited GBs, with a price range of $20 to $50 a month, which is pretty similar to Lively’s range. However, you can get 5 percent off per month with an AARP membership, bringing costs down to between $19 and $47.50 per month. AT&T provides this network and is the only option. About $50 a month is standard for unlimited data plans across major networks like AT&T and Verizon.

>> Read more: Consumer Cellular Review

Drawbacks

While the $69 price tag is nice (and the lowest price on this list), it also means I got less in terms of features, which is the case for any flip phone. While the phone has KaiOS, an operating system similar to that of a smartphone, it lacks a virtual assistant like the iPhone SE’s Siri or the RAZ SmartVision 3’s Google Assistant, so I wasn’t able to control the phone using my voice alone.

Bottom Line

Similar to the Jitterbug Flip2, the Iris Flip is limited in terms of capabilities, although it has an operating system like that of a smartphone. I recommend this phone to a budget-conscious person who wants to use their phone primarily to talk and text.

To learn more about this phone, read our full Iris Flip review.

Overview

Price: $539 or $599 with wireless charging when purchased through RAZ Mobility

If you want the best and most helpful features for a visually-impaired person and have more flexibility on price, consider the RAZ SmartVision 3. First of all, it’s the only phone on this list that’s a smartphone with tactile buttons — an almost unheard of combination ideal for someone with vision issues. Plus, because it has Google Assistant, I could control it with my voice completely, enlarge text, make calls, send texts, and more.

Performance

When I opened the RAZ SmartVision 3, I saw a black screen with white text stating, “Phone, messages, people, email, and applications.” Having the white text on a black background is certainly not the norm for cell phones, but this phone was designed for people with visual impairments specifically, and it shows. But making things even easier were the voice commands. All I had to do was push one button on the side of the phone, and I could have Google Assistant do my work for me: make calls, send texts, and even open applications.

Of course, sometimes I want to read an email or even a book, and for that I used text magnification, which allowed me to customize the size, color, and position of the text in a scrolling banner. I also appreciated the fact that this was the only smartphone I’ve come across with a tactile keyboard. The joystick in the middle made it easy to get back to the homescreen when I didn’t feel like bossing around Google Assistant.

Plans

With the RAZ SmartVision 3, I had the following networks to choose from:

• Metro by T-Mobile
• Mint Mobile
• Simple Mobile
• T-Mobile
• Ultra Mobile

While I’ll refrain from covering all five options, I recommend either Mint Mobile or T-Mobile, networks I’ve used in the past. Mint Mobile has some of the lowest prices on the market, offering unlimited data for $15 a month, a fraction of the cost of more established networks like AT&T. But T-Mobile has some senior discounts as well. If you’re over 55, one line costs $40 per month, and two lines costs $27.50 per line per month. The good thing about RAZ Mobility is that they don’t make you pay any subscription fee in addition to data, unlike the Jitterbug Smart4 and the Flip2 from Lively.

>> Read more: Mint Mobile Senior Plan Review

Drawbacks

With a $539 price tag (at minimum), the RAZ SmartVision 3 is the second-most expensive phone on this list after the RealSAM Pocket, a phone also created specifically for those with visual impairments. Additionally, I wish the screen was bigger, as it’s only 3.5 inches — compare that to the Jitterbug Smart54, which is 6.7 inches. However, the text magnification made this less of a problem.

Bottom Line

The RAZ SmartVision 3 has some of the most robust features for visually impaired people on the market right now. Its built-in apps like the book reader and banknote recognizer will help you navigate the real world, not just make calls and texts. If you can afford the $539 price tag, I recommend this phone.

To learn more about this phone, read our full RAZ SmartVision 3 review.

Overview

Price: $149.99 when purchased through Lively

Whether you’re using your phone to call, text, stream, or read articles, a big screen is obviously incredibly useful for someone with a visual impairment. The Jitterbug Smart4 offers the largest screen of any phone on this list, at 6.7 inches. Plus, you’ll get all the medical and safety features of the Flip2 (depending on your plan), like an emergency response button.

Performance

I spend a lot of time on my phone, whether it’s scrolling through Instagram, reading X (formerly known as Twitter), or even watching videos on YouTube. If that sounds like you, you’ll appreciate the Jitterbug Smart4 for its 6.7-inch screen, the largest on this list. The home screen was similar to that of the Flip2, but of course, bigger. It clearly listed, with icons, buttons for the phone, text messages, camera, web browser, email, and navigation. At the top was an urgent response button in red, which makes it eye-catching. If I had clicked on it, I would’ve been connected with an agent from Lively who would help me out and alert my friends and family.

Another feature I appreciated about the Smart4 is the voice typing feature. Because the phone lacks a tactile keyboard, typing might be a little hard for someone with visual impairments. But the voice-to-text feature worked well and allowed me to bypass using the keyboard at all.

>> Read more: Jitterbug Phone Reviews

Plans

With the Jitterbug Smart4 from Lively, I used the Verizon network, the only one it works with. The price range was from $25.99 to $79.99 per month depending on how much data I got — either one GB, five GB, or unlimited — as well as what features I wanted. The benefit of Lively as a company is that you have the option to get safety features. For example, the Basic plan, the most affordable, allowed me to call Lively to have them send a Lyft for me, which could be really useful for someone with visual problems who has trouble with ride-share apps. Upper-tier plans also offer a nurse you can call at any time, as well as an urgent response button to get connected to emergency services.

Drawbacks

While the Jitterbug Smart4 has a lot of great safety and medical features that could be useful to any senior, it lacks some of the vision-specific features I used with phones like the RealSAM Pocket, such as vision magnification and a virtual assistant. Of course, with such a large screen, text magnification is less necessary.

Bottom Line

I’d recommend the Jitterbug Smart4 if having a large screen is most important to you. This may be useful for visually impaired people who want to use their phone to read articles or stream movies or TV shows. Plus, at $149.99, it’s pretty affordable for a smartphone when you consider the fact that the iPhone SE costs $429 minimum.

To learn more about this phone, read our full Jitterbug Smart4 review.

Overview

Price: $429 when purchased through AT&T

You may know the iPhone SE from Apple, but did you know how accessible it is to someone with visual impairments? Using VoiceOver allowed me to magnify text, hear what was occurring on my screen, and even dim flashing lights in videos to stream without irritation. I was surprised by how this commonplace smartphone can work for those with visual impairments when you take advantage of the VoiceOver feature.

Further reading: The Best iPhones for Seniors

Performance

I’ll admit that I’m a huge iPhone user and Apple fan in general, but I wasn’t aware of Apple’s accessibility features until I used the VoiceOver feature on the SE. I like reading books on the Kindle app on my iPhone, so I used it to magnify my text, a similar feature to that of the RAZ SmartVision 3 and the RealSAM Pocket. But when I wanted to be read to for a change, I used what Apple calls Spoken Content, which essentially reads the contents of my screen out loud to me. I had complete control of the pacing and pitch.

When I was watching a YouTube video, I had the software describe what was happening in the video. It was just a cooking tutorial, but it was really useful to have the actual actions described, and not just watch someone cooking. Although the iPhone SE lacks a physical keyboard, the VoiceOver feature makes it much more accessible for someone with a visual impairment.

Plans

I could’ve used AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon with the iPhone SE, the three main networks in the U.S. Here is the cost of unlimited data with each network:

• AT&T: $50, although AARP members can save $10 per month per line. In Florida, unlimited data costs $60 for one line or $80 for two lines.
• T-Mobile: T-Mobile offers unlimited data for $40 per month if you’re over the age of 55. If you have two lines, the cost goes down to $27.50 each, saving you $20 per month per line.
• Verizon: Verizon offers unlimited data for $50 a month if you enroll in automatic payments, or $60 if you don’t.

As you can see, the prices are all pretty similar, so I recommend finding out which network has the best coverage in your area.

Drawbacks

The iPhone SE costs $429 at minimum, making it a poor choice for those on a budget. It also lacks tactile buttons, which may be hard for someone with low vision. Additionally, the screen is only 4.7 inches, which is a bit small compared to that of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone (6.5 inches) or the Jitterbug Smart4 (6.7 inches).

Bottom Line

The iPhone SE is a good option if you want to use your phone for more than just texting and talking on the phone. With the SE, you can send emails, stream music and videos, and even download files. You can use Siri to control your phone with your voice, and VoiceOver provides features that make looking at the screen much easier.

Overview

Price: $309 when purchased from Raz Mobility

Although the RAZ Memory Cell Phone was designed for someone with dementia, many of its features would benefit someone with visual impairments, as well. The home screen, for instance, is six pictures of contacts with names, making it easy for someone with low vision to call their closest friends and family. The simplicity of the phone, which has only calling and emergency service, makes it easy for someone with low vision to use.

Performance

The thing that struck me the most about the RAZ Memory Cell Phone was how simple it was — which makes sense, as it was designed for someone with dementia. When I opened the phone, I saw black background with white text, similar to the SmartVision 3 from the same company. The phone allowed me to choose six contacts who I communicate with the most to appear on the homescreen, both their name and photo. This simple design made it really easy to make calls, which was one of the phone’s only capabilities.

But the thing I loved the most about the RAZ Memory Cell Phone was the low vision mode. This made those contact pictures even larger and let me choose from a wide range of colors. In this mode, I only had two contacts instead of six, simplifying the home screen even more. And with a bright red “hang up” button and a bright green “answer” button, this phone is incredibly helpful for someone with low vision.

Plans

I could choose from the following networks with the RAZ Memory Cell Phone:

• Verizon
• AT&T
• T-Mobile and its resellers (Mint Mobile, Straight Talk, and Affinity Mobile)

These are the same options as the iPhone SE, minus T-Mobile’s resellers, so you should be able to get unlimited data for around $50 per month, or less if you have multiple lines. Mint Mobile has extremely low prices (only $15 a month for those 55 and up if you sign up for three months), but you’ll only get 5 GB of 5G/4G LTE data per month. This could be a good option for someone who doesn’t use their phone much.

Drawbacks

Being a typical smartphone, the RAZ Memory Cell Phone lacks physical buttons, unlike the RAZ SmartVision 3. It also doesn’t have a virtual assistant, so I couldn’t command it using my voice. If you want a virtual assistant, choose the iPhone SE or even the RAZ SmartVision 3, which has Google Assistant built-in.

Bottom Line

Like the Jitterbug Flip2 and Smart4, the Raz Memory Cell Phone’s emergency services will give you the peace of mind that if anything happens, the owner of the phone will be connected to help. This is an ideal phone for someone who only wants a phone for calling and safety reasons, not for fun apps.

To learn more about this phone, read our full RAZ Memory Cell Phone review.

Overview

Price: $1,399 when purchased from RealSAM

The RealSAM Pocket is the cream of the crop when it comes to features for visually-impaired people. With voice commands and the ability to read handwritten text out loud, it will help you navigate the real world, not just make calls or texts. If you can afford the $1,399 price tag, this is the most helpful option for those with visual impairments.

Performance

The RealSAM Pocket doesn’t have a physical keyboard, which you may see as a negative for someone with visual impairments. However, because I could control the phone using my voice alone, this didn’t matter to me. All I had to do was tap on the screen to tell my virtual assistant what to do. I had this digital creature call friends and family, tell me where I was, and send texts.

But what I was most impressed by was how much the RealSAM Pocket helped me navigate the real world. For example, I wrote out a grocery list and then took a picture of it, and had the phone read it out loud to me. It worked well, even on my less than stellar handwriting. But not only can it read text out loud, but it can also describe objects or environments within a picture. To test it out, I took a picture of my living room, and it said out loud “fireplace, armchair, coffee table.” This phone didn’t just let me talk and text; it helped me navigate the real world and was a handy virtual assistant.

Plans

The good news? The RealSAM Pocket works with any mobile carrier in the U.S., so you have your pick over the entire market. If you already have a cell phone and like your network, you can stick with the same network to make for a smoother transition. If you need help picking out a network, read my article on the best cell phone plans for seniors.

Much like the RAZ Memory Cell Phone and SmartVision 3, I didn’t have to pay for any additional subscriptions with the RealSAM Pocket. So even though the phone itself may be on the higher side in terms of price, my monthly costs were totally up to me.

Drawbacks

With a price tag of $1,399, the RealSAM Pocket is the most expensive phone on this list by hundreds of dollars. Even the iPhone SE is less than a third of the price, and Apple isn’t known for its affordability. However, what you’re really paying for is the phone’s features that are built specifically for those with visual impairments. Still, for someone on a tight budget, buying this phone may not be an option.

Bottom Line

Although the RealSAM Pocket is priced at nearly $1,400, it’s a fantastic option if money is no object. I was most impressed with how it helps people in the real world, reading handwritten text or describing your environment from just a picture. One way to justify the price is the fact that I could pair the phone with a plan from any U.S. mobile carrier, so I could choose a lower-cost monthly plan.