Best Smartphone for Apple Enthusiasts on a Budget

The Apple iPhone SE has been reviewed as one of the best iPhones for seniors in 2022. It’s lightweight, affordable and easy to use, and it shares top features with some of the more expensive smartphones on the market. The small size of the SE make it easier for arthritic hands to hold and manipulate, and seniors can stay in touch with both family and friends and have easy access to their doctors. Overall, the phone’s powerful processor paired with the new iOS 15 make the SE quick, responsive and simple to use.

Pros:

  • One of the highest-quality smartphones available at its price point
  • Lightning fast processor offers speeds of up to 2.33 gigahertz
  • Quick charge battery uses Apple Lightning
  • Takes 4K video at 30 frames per second

Cons:

  • User interface is less flexible and cannot be altered for seniors beyond manufacturer settings

Overview of Apple iPhone SE

Mint Mobile provides cell plans specifically for seniors aged 55 and older. Pairing one of these plans with an Apple iPhone SE, seniors can stay connected to family and friends without hefty monthly fees. The Mint 55+ plan is just $15 a month, which includes free 5G, with no overages or surprise fees.

Built-in Medical Alert

No

GPS Location Tracking

Yes

Voice Commands

Yes

Battery Life

10-15 hours (usage dependent)

Carrier

T-Mobile

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price

Starts at $429 (64 GB)

How Much Does an Apple iPhone SE Cost?

The Apple iPhone SE ranges in price from $429 to $579. The size of the memory is the main option that determines the cost of the devices. The lowest memory size is 64GB, which is ample for basic use. Seniors can store up to 2,184 photographs, but there’s also room for games, videos and normal email and messenger usage. Seniors who like to download and store their favorite songs might opt for the larger memory of around 128GB, which costs around $479. For those who use their phones for everything from games and streaming to photos and songs, the largest 256GB size might be the best purchase. 

Full Reviews of Apple iPhone SE’s Features

Measuring 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches, the iPhone SE is one of the smallest high-quality smartphones on the market. It features the iPhone 8 body with many of the features of the powerful iPhone 11 Pro. The iPhone SE features an aluminum frame paired with a glass front and back in three different finishes: midnight, starlight and (Product) RED which are all splash, water and dust resistant. Like most Apple iPhones, the SE is hearing-aid compatible and includes Siri, which makes it easy to give hands-free commands.

Retina HD Display

The Retina HD display measures 4.7-inches diagonally and includes haptic touch so you can feel the vibrations when you touch the screen. The screen is fingerprint-resistant to help prevent smudging, and users have the ability to zoom in and out through a pinching motion on the screen, which is ideal for those with vision issues who need to make print larger or smaller easily. The screen resolution is 1,334 x 750 pixels, which makes images clear and print easy to read.

Apple’s A13 Processor

The A13 processor is one of the fastest processors on the market, which makes it easy to scroll pages quickly and allows seniors to watch videos of the grandkids or to Facetime with loved ones without experiencing lag. With the A13 processor, web pages open quickly and the phone performs at the same speeds as some of the more expensive model phones.

Camera Specs

The Apple iPhone SE has a 12-megapixel main camera and a 7-megapixel front-facing camera. It includes stabilized 4K video to reduce shaking, with a portrait mode that focuses on the main subject close at hand while blurring the background for a more professional-looking result. Other camera modes include portrait lighting, depth control, panorama, autofocus, live photos, burst mode and geotagging. The camera captures images in HEIF and JPEG modes.

Connectivity

The SE’s high-quality calling system is compatible with 5G networks. Users experience better background noise cancellation and fewer dropped calls, especially in dense urban centers, parks and rural areas.

Battery Life

Apple claims the average battery life on the SE is around 15 hours, but most users post up to 6 hours of use between charges. The phone offers wireless charging with Qi chargers, or it’s possible to connect via USB to any computer or USB adapter. Charge time takes approximately 30 minutes.

Who Should Consider the Apple iPhone SE?

Best for Those on a Budget

The iPhone SE is the cheapest iPhone currently on the market, which makes it an excellent option for seniors on a budget. For around $400, you can get a phone that takes advantage of some of Apple’s most innovative features, including fast performance and excellent phone capabilities that are traditionally seen on more expensive phones.

Best for Those Who Like to Travel

Unlike the iPhone ProMax size phones, the iPhone SE is compact and lightweight. This makes it easy to tuck into a front pocket or into a carry-on without taking up too much space. The small size also fits easily into the palm of your hand, which can help reduce hand fatigue when streaming or texting for long periods.

What are People Saying About the Apple iPhone SE?

According to TechRadar, the iPhone SE was designed with affordability in mind. It offers the same design as some of the more expensive iPhone models but comes in at half the price as some of the more expensive smartphones. The consensus is that the phone is fast, powerful and takes excellent photos even though they aren’t top of the line.

Cnet reviews state the phone has a low-end price, and it looks like an iPhone 8 but has many of the accelerated features of the iPhone 11 Pro. Reviews state the phone has a long-battery life and a great rear camera.

User reviews praise the quick performance, excellent price and lightweight design, but say the battery life tends to be lacking.

FAQ


Who Has the Best Cell Phone Deals for Seniors?


Many carriers offer special cell phone deals for seniors depending on the type of plan you choose. Look for plans that offer no money down and low monthly financing to make it easy to pay for a more expensive device over time. Click here for our full answer to this question.


Who Has the Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors?


Introductory offers tend to provide the best initial discounts, but it’s important to look for a long-term plan that offers the lowest price. The best plans tend to be those geared specifically for older adults and include unlimited talk, text and data. Click here for our full answer to this question.


What is the Least Expensive Cell Phone Plan for Seniors?


T-Mobile offers a plan that’s just $10 per month per line, while Mint Mobile runs around $15 per line. These are both contract plans. It might also be less expensive to choose a prepaid plan that charges only for what you use each month. Click here for our full answer to this question.


What is the Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plan for Seniors?


Mint Mobile is rated as one of the most affordable plans for seniors according to the Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors in 2022. At $30 a month, seniors get unlimited nationwide talk, text and data, but other plans may offer special discounts to switch. Click here for our full answer to this question.


What is the Best Cell Phone for Seniors with Dementia?


The best cell phones for seniors with dementia are those that are easy to operate, easy to read and have plenty of memory for storing important contacts and numbers. All cell phones can reinforce problem-solving and memory skills, which can be good for those with dementia. Click here for our full answer to this question.