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July 11, 2022
For those 55 and older, AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan provides unlimited talk, text, and data for $40 per month per line. However, this plan is currently only available to Florida residents. For seniors in the rest of the country, AT&T Prepaid 8GB costs $25 per month and includes unlimited talk and text.
FYI: Looking to find a cellular plan you can trust? Check out our rundown of the best senior cell phone plans.
AT&T’s website is a great place to get started in your search for a new phone or plan. You’ll find information on a variety of flip phones, smartphones, and different service plans online.
For heavy data users, there are unlimited plans starting at $30 per month per line, featuring 5G access, standard definition streaming, and unlimited talk, text, and data (when you get four lines).
There are also several affordable prepaid phone plans offered by AT&T for those who don’t spend a great deal of time on cellular usage. I’d recommend looking into their $25 per month for 8GB of data monthly prepaid phone plan with unlimited talk and text, and data.
AT&T, like Verizon and T-Mobile, offers plans tailored to older adults; however, with AT&T, these plans cannot be purchased online. You’ll need to visit the AT&T store in person and present proof of age to secure the offer.
Once the purchase is made, you may find detailed instructions on the website’s support page to help activate plans and unlock the phones. Alternately, the company has a toll-free number for wireless support.
| Plan | Monthly Price (per line) | Scam and Fraud Blocking | Unlimited Talk, Text and Data | 5G Access | Streaming Quality | Additional Features | Best Suited For |
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| AT&T Prepaid 8GB | $25 | Yes | Data limited to 8GB per month | Yes | High Definition |
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| AT&T Unlimited 55+ | $40 (when you get 2 lines) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard Definition |
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| AT&T Unlimited Starter | $35 (when you get 4 lines) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Standard Definition |
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| AT&T Mobile Share Plus 9GB | $45 – $70 | No | No | No | Standard Definition |
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In addition to these plans, there is also AT&T Lifeline, a federal program that is perfect for older adults who have a fixed income or are dependent on government programs. Qualifying households get at a minimum of $7.25 per month discount on their phone bill, which can add up to significant savings over the course of a year.
Savings Tip: AT&T offers 10% discounts to AARP members and approximately 25% discount on unlimited plans for veterans. An additional $20 discount is applicable on choosing AutoPay and paperless billing.
AT&T retails almost every kind of phone there is, from the latest from Apple and Samsung to basic flip phones. Many of the devices can either be bought for a one-time-fee or via an installment plan, where the associated cost is added to your monthly cellular bill and is typically paid off within 30 months. Users may subscribe to AT&T wireless service by buying a new phone or exchanging the old phone for a discount on a newer model.
Here’s a selection of AT&T’s cell phones that are perfectly geared towards the needs of older adults:
The average American is said to drop their phone at least four times a week. Fortunately, the SONIM XP5s is drop-proof, in addition to having oversized buttons and keys. Retailing at $339.99, it has AT&T’s Enhanced Push-to-Talk (EPTT) capabilities that makes for more simplified calling. This rugged phone is perfect for older users who use their device primarily for making calls and texting, and it can be used with any of AT&T’s plans. Additionally, it has a 3-year warranty and oversized buttons and keys for older adults with dexterity or vision impairments.
At $62.99, this lightweight device is ideal for the older adult’s everyday communication needs. What’s more, users can watch YouTube, get directions from Google Maps, and execute tasks via voice commands using the phone’s integrated Google Assistant. With long-lasting battery life, the AT&T Cingular Flip IV’s large keypad and navigation keys also make it really easy to operate, even for those struggling with arthritis and vision impairment. What’s more, it is completely hearing aid compatible, which is great for 50% of those older than 75 who have hearing loss.
If you’re an older adult who enjoys user-friendly features, the iPhone XS Max is a great upgrade. With a large 6.5-inch retina display and advanced security features such as Face ID to unlock important applications and pay with Apple Pay, this device is a keeper. It’s also a great phone for taking photos of the family and grandkids, with impressive 12MP dual rear cameras and 7MP in the front. Plus, if your grandkid grabs your phone or accidentally drops it in water, this phone is fully water, splash, and dust-resistant. You can pay $31.95 per month for this device through an AT&T installment plan.
Additionally, thanks to its fast charge feature, users don’t have to constantly worry about their device running out of power. All of these advanced features might seem intimidating, especially for those uninitiated to the world of smartphones, but my favorite thing about the iPhone XS Max is how intuitive its controls are. Learning the ins and outs of this device is a breeze.
Note: If the older user is comfortable with their existing device, they can switch to AT&T’s wireless service on the same phone and get a $250 reward card and a waiver on the activation fee.
Here are some other benefits of an AT&T plan for seniors.
When it comes to finding cellular solutions that are suited to older adults in North America, AT&T really takes the cake. Granted, AT&T’s plans are a bit on the pricier end of the spectrum, especially compared to Consumer Cellular whose basic plans start at just $15 per month. Still, AT&T’s plans targeted at older folks are still about $10 cheaper than that of most competitors.
AT&T’s speed, coverage area, and reliability more than make up for this premium. I will admit though that it was a little disappointing that a mobile emergency response device that AT&T had launched in 2013, called EverThere, was conspicuously absent from the list of devices being sold on the website. So if you’re looking for a phone with medical alert capabilities, I’d recommend checking out the Jitterbug Smart3 from Lively.
On the flip side, it’s quite refreshing to note that AT&T is one of the only players to still offer ‘no-frills’ call-only cell phone plans; for older adults who do not wish to use expensive (and sometimes frustrating to use) smartphones.
To learn more about our favorite phones and plans for seniors, check out our helpful guides:
AT&T no longer offers plans with purely talk minutes. Their most affordable plans provide a minimum of 8GB of monthly data, as well as unlimited talk and texting.
With AT&T, you may keep your current device, even if it’s from another service provider, as long as it uses a SIM card. In exchange, typically, you get a free $250 reward card and the activation fee is also waived.
To qualify for one of the age-specific plans, you need to go to an AT&T store with some form of identification in order to verify your eligibility.
Only the account holder needs to be over the age of 55. The user of the other line can be younger.
With AT&T, you may have up to two phone lines on the 55+ plan. You pay $40 per month for 2 lines.
