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Today, 81% of people ages 60 to 69 use smartphones, as do 62% of those who are 70 and older. With the touch of a button, seniors can connect with family and friends, shop, do their banking, surf the web and even get medical help. This access is important because older adults can become socially isolated and may have a hard time getting out of the house regularly.
One popular device marketed to seniors is the Jitterbug Smart3 smartphone. Lively, the company that manufactures the phone, calls it their “simplest smartphone ever.” But is it? We evaluated the Jitterbug Smart3 on its design, features and ease of use, and here’s what we found.
Jitterbug is made by Lively Direct, which is “a family of senior-focused brands offering innovative, premium products that enable customers to age gracefully, safely and independently,” according to the company’s website. In addition to cell phones, Lively also makes mobility scooters, mobility chairs and walkers, and other items.
The Jitterbug Smart3 is an Android phone that lets you do all the things most smartphones do, such as access the internet, conduct video chats, navigate email and play games. But because it was designed with seniors in mind, there are features that people with dexterity, vision or hearing challenges often welcome, such as a large screen, an easy-to-read list menu, voice typing capabilities and hearing-aid compatibility.
Perhaps the most significant value add of the Jitterbug Smart3 is its Lively health and safety packages, which, depending on the plan you choose, can give you 24/7 telephone access to emergency personnel or doctors and even call a ride service for you.
The Lively support team produced a step-by-step video, available on the product website and YouTube, that gives users very simple directions for setting up the phone. There are even guides on how to use the Jitterbug downloaded directly onto the phone.
When you choose “Easy-to-use Lively Smart” as your home screen (you can do so when you set up your phone), your apps and icons are arranged in an easy-to-read and easy-to-navigate “intuitive” list menu. Just scroll up or down to find your contacts, email, internet, camera and more.
The font is large and the screen is bright—helpful features for people with vision issues or fumbly fingers. You can also set up the facial recognition feature so you don’t have to stress about remembering yet another passcode every time you reach for your phone.
The Jitterbug Smart3 looks similar to other smartphones on the market, and it runs on the Verizon Wireless network. Both call quality and volume have been described as “superb” by some users. Features The Jitterbug Smart3 has all the bells and whistles you expect in a smartphone—and then some. Top features for seniors include:
What really sets the Jitterbug Smart3 apart from its competition? The Lively health and safety packages, which come at an extra cost.
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The phone comes equipped with a wall charger and USB cable. You can buy a car charger, phone case, earphones and other accessories directly from Lively.
The Jitterbug Smart3 retails for $149 (plus a setup fee of $35), although Lively does run specials. There’s a limited 1-year warranty for the phone, battery and accessories. The warranty doesn’t cover damage to the phone from misuse or an accident.
Lively offers two phone plans for the Jitterbug Smart3:
You do have to add a data plan to your phone to use the internet. Plans include costs of $2.49 a month for 100 MB, $10 a month for 3 GB and $30 a month for unlimited data—a good choice if you plan on web shopping, banking, using social media apps or watching movies or videos on your phone. When you choose one of the limited plans, you’re charged $0.10 for every additional MB used that exceeds your plan’s allowance.
When it comes to helpful features for seniors, the Jitterbug Smart3 checks a lot of boxes.
“Some of the features we find helpful when it comes to seniors and smartphones are GPS tracking—especially for seniors who wander—having contacts programmed into the phone so simply tapping on them can connect you, voice activation and games to stimulate brain health,” says Kate Granigan, who sits on the board of directors of the Aging Life Care Association. “I think the simplicity of some of these devices makes them very useful.”
Many users praise the phone for its easy navigation and features.
“I am thrilled at being able to send texts for the first time in my 88 years,” wrote one user in a review.
“This phone was for my father, who is 93. He absolutely loves it,” wrote another reviewer. “He has arthritis and it is hard for him to navigate the small buttons on most phones. With this one, he was able to start texting right away. It took several readings of the manual but he has pretty much mastered all of it. He is now sending texts and pictures. Thank you!”
But not everyone is a fan. Some have issues with a weak GPS signal, hidden fees, voicemail setup, turning the volume up high enough and navigating the initial setup. Others comment on how easy it is to accidentally hit the Urgent Response button.
The Jitterbug Smart3 is a good choice for any older adult who’s intimidated by high-tech gadgets and can benefit from a phone with a bigger screen, powerful speaker and easy-to-use menu. The health and safety packages make it particularly beneficial for any senior who wants to live independently with the assurance that help can be summoned quickly with the push of a button.
Product Weight: 5.6 oz. Product Dimensions: 6.25 in. x 2.93 in. x 0.32 in. Camera: Dual camera with 13 MP auto focus and 5 MP fixed focus with flash (Rear); 5 MP (Front) Bluetooth: Version 5.0 GPS: Yes Headset Jack: Standard 3.5 mm Power Connector: USB-C Screen Size: 6.22 in. Speakerphone: Yes Storage Capacity: 32GB, expandable up to 256GB
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
Donna Christiano Campisano is a freelance writer specializing in women and children's health issues. She has written for numerous consumer publications and websites, including Parents, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, Healthline and Verywell Health. She has also served on the staffs of both Glamour and Brides magazines as a researcher and copywriter. In addition to freelance writing, Christiano also works as a staff writer at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health. She lives in the Tampa area with her family and beagle, Bananas.
Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.