The internet is frequently associated with the younger generation because they can fully optimize it with their smartphones. These generations are known to be far more internet savvy than previous generations or seniors. The primary reasons for this are the way the phones are designed and how the phones’ functions can be accessed. The majority of smartphones designed today are designed to appeal to the tastes of young people, with little regard for the elderly. As a result, a market gap was created, which Jitterbug phones seek to fill.
The needs of the elderly are prioritized in the design of Jitterbug phones, with them being at the front and center of the phones’ design. This includes a streamlined, well-organized menu, simple interfaces, large buttons, and powerful speakers. With these features, older adults can communicate more effectively with family, friends, and loved ones. They can stay connected, safe and healthy with a phone that is easily operated and its functions easily accessible to them.
In this article, we will look at Jitterbug phones and everything there is to know about them. To learn more about the phone designed for seniors, please continue reading.
Can I Buy Jitterbug Phones on Verizon
No, you cannot purchase Jitterbug phones on Verizon. However, there are other alternatives to Jitterbug phones that can be purchased on Verizon. Verizon has a collection of flip phones that can be used by older adults, but they are not the same as Jitterbug phones and shouldn’t be confused for them.
Jitterbug phones are manufactured by companies such as Samsung and LG, which are in turn offered by GreatCall, which is Jitterbug service provider. They can be purchased on retail outlets like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc.
Does Verizon Support Jitterbug Phones
No, you cannot use Jitterbug phones directly with Verizon as they aren’t compatible with the wireless network. However, with the agreement made between GreatCall and Verizon, the Verizon wireless network is used to provide service for Jitterbug phones. This means that Jitterbug phones cannot be used directly with Verizon, but through GreatCall, Verizon wireless service can be used.
1. Jitterbug Flip2 Lively Phones for Seniors
The Jitterbug Flip2 Lively Phone is the same as the Jitterbug Flip2, but with one key difference: Lively. GreatCall, which used to be the service provider for Jitterbug phones, is now known as Lively. The Jitterbug Flip2 Lively phone has an integrated medical alert system. With the integrated alert system, seniors can get direct access to medical assistance, which is becoming increasingly important in emergency situations.
With the phone, seniors have a one-in-all device that can provide them with all the functions of a traditional phone but alongside a medical alert system. The phone is a flip phone and shouldn’t be confused with the Jitterbug Smart, which is designed to look like a smartphone. If you have a Jitterbug Flip2, you can activate it with Lively to enjoy the full health and safety benefits of the Lively Response Team.
2. Jitterbug Flip2 Phones for Seniors
The Jitterbug Flip2 is a flip phone specifically designed for seniors to effectively stay connected to family and friends and to meet health and safety needs. Its simple design, large screen, powerful speakers and big buttons make it accessible and easy to use for older adults. Furthermore, its health and safety features include a dedicated Urgent Response button, which can be used during emergencies. The dedicated button can also offer services like Urgent Care, Lively Rides, and Lively Link from the Lively Response Team. The senior phone is affordable and easy to use. The only disadvantage of the phone is that it doesn’t have access to the internet, although this might not be a disadvantage to most seniors who just want to call or text. The flip phone costs about $100.
The phone, which is identified as “the easiest cell phone ever,” comes with a large screen, big buttons, and powerful speakers. In addition, it also has a simple list-based menu alongside Amazon Alexa. This makes the navigation of the phone very seamless alongside other functions of the phone. Furthermore, the flip phone also has one-touch speed dialing for ease of calling. It also features a magnifier to easily see the phone’s content and menu, and an 8MP camera.
3. Jitterbug Smart2
The Jitterbug Smart2 is a smartphone designed to be senior-friendly. The smartphone can perform almost similar functions as most smartphones. Its operating system is Android, and it has a 5MP front camera alongside a 13MP back camera. With the phone’s camera, pictures can be taken and shared and also video calls made with family and friends through skype or other applications. The smartphone is 4G LTE enabled and has connectivity such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, in addition to a GPS feature. Seniors have internet access with their smartphones and can download apps, send and receive emails, or just surf the web. It costs about $150.
The Jitterbug Smart2 has a simple design, which is evident in its menu list and interface, making it easy to navigate. With its 5.5-inch display, calls, texts, and emails can be easily completed. Furthermore, the phone is compatible with hearing aids and also has a voice typing feature, which is of great help for seniors with impairments or disabilities.
4. Jitterbug Smart3 Lively Simple Smartphones for Seniors
The Jitterbug Smart3 Lively smartphone is currently the company’s most sophisticated smartphone. It aims to meet the high demand of seniors in phone’s functionality. The phone comes with internet access, which gives older adults access to information online alongside other benefits that come with internet access. The smartphone also has a high-quality camera and a large 6.2-inch screen. The screen is nevertheless simple with its list-based menu. This makes it easy to make calls and send and receive texts and emails. The device also features video chat, which makes it easier to connect with family and friends through video calls. Furthermore, with its voice-typing features, disabled seniors or old adults who would rather not text with their hands can easily text or send email through speech.
The smartphone not only has the features of most smartphones, but its functions are easily accessible and its design is simple. In addition to the phone being a smartphone, it also retains the health and safety benefits of all Jitterbug phones. It has the Lively health and safety features that can be easily accessed by pressing the Urgent Response button on the smartphone’s screen. Furthermore, the phone comes with preloaded emergency apps like 5Star, UrgentCare, and MedCoach.
Why Jitterbug Phone Is Good for Seniors
Jitterbug phones are good for seniors for a varying number of reasons, which revolves around the phones’ design and their health and safety benefits. First, the phone is designed with seniors in mind, with its screen being large and its interface, menu, and functions designed in such a way that seniors can easily access them. This includes large fonts, which can be used to easily text family and friends. In addition, the phones also have a simple navigation menu in addition to a high display. The phones are very easy to learn and use, which makes them a great option for seniors. Other accessibility features included with some of the devices include voice typing and compatibility with hearing aids. This puts into consideration the impairments that come with old age and how they shouldn’t stop seniors from using the features of phones.
In addition to functioning as a simple mobile device for seamlessly interacting with family and friends, the Jitterbug phone also has an emergency health and safety button. This Urgent Response button can be pressed and direct help will come to distressed seniors.
Furthermore, the phone comes with a strong battery life, which can last for days before it needs to be charged. In addition, the phones are cheap, which makes them affordable. Its call and text plans are also cheap, which can be done just once a month. Seniors with Jitterbug phones can also make monthly data plans, which can also be one-time. With call, text, and data plans often being a one-time monthly plan, seniors only have to worry about renewal just once a month.
The aforementioned points are why Jitterbug phones are good for seniors. The phones combine the traditional functions of phones but in a simple way with other health and safety features.
FAQ
Can a Verizon Plan be added to a Jitterbug phone?
The Jitterbug phones are GreatCall’s proprietary phones and won’t work on any other carriers, including Verizon. Irrespective of how GreatCall uses Verizon wireless to provide service to Jitterbug phones, the phones cannot be added to Verizon accounts or plans. The phones make use of the Verizon network but cannot be added to a Verizon account directly, but through GreatCall, which is a prepaid carrier.
Is Jitterbug owned by Verizon?
No, Jitterbug is not owned by Verizon. Jitterbug phones only operate on the Verizon wireless network but are not owned by Verizon. Up until August 2024, Jitterbug phones were manufactured by GreatCall, but the company has been acquired by “bestbuy.com” for a whopping $800 million. This makes Jitterbug phones not owned by Verizon, even though they make use of its wireless service, or GreatCall, as the company has been acquired by Best Buy.
Does the Jitterbug phone require internet?
No, the Jitterbug phone does not require internet access to function, although there are some that have internet access and others without. The Jitterbug Smart2 and Smart3, for instance, have internet access with seniors able to send and receive emails, download applications, and have video chats with loved ones. On the other hand, the Jitterbug Flip2, for instance, doesn’t have access to the internet, and seniors are unable to access the benefits of the internet.
What is the downside to the Jitterbug phone?
The main downside of the Jitterbug phone might be its battery, which doesn’t last as long as advertised by the company. There are some complaints by some seniors and families of elderly adults about how the phone battery lasts less than a day, especially if texting and calling are done regularly. In addition, the Jitterbug phones are also not waterproof, which seniors have to be extra careful about. Lastly, the pictures taken from the phone camera are often of low quality, especially when compared with other smartphone cameras.
Can Jitterbug phones be used with any carrier?
No, you cannot. The Jitterbug phones can only be used with GreatCall or Lively, which are the same. Although Verizon Wireless service powers GreatCall and “lively.com”, Jitterbug phones cannot be directly connected to Verizon or any other carrier. Hence, the only carrier Jitterbug phones can be used with is GreatCall, which is on the Verizon network.
How much is the activation fee for the Jitterbug phone?
The activation fee for Jitterbug phones, which is a one-time fee, costs $35. The activation can be done when purchasing the phone and paid for alongside the cost of the phone, or it can be added to the first monthly bill.
Is Jitterbug phone 4G or 5G?
Jitterbug phones are 4G enabled, which means that they run on 4G technology. The Jitterbug phone can only be used by GreatCall through Verizon, which means it runs on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. While this network is fast on its own, when compared to 5G, which most smartphones have, it isn’t fast.
Recap
Jitterbug phones are specially designed for seniors and are the best phones for them. There are different Jitterbug phones seniors can choose from, with an important selection dependent on whether the elderly person wants an internet-accessible Jitterbug phone or not. Nevertheless, Jitterbug phones are characterized by large buttons or fonts, large screens, minimalistic design, and accessibility features like magnifier and voice typing. These features combine together to give seniors the best mobile phone experience. Furthermore, Jitterbug phones also provide health and safety features for seniors, which can be easily accessible through the touch of a button or applications on the phone. As a result, Jitterbug phones remain the best option for seniors because of their health features and mobile experience.
