With technology excelling at its best, all sectors of health aspects are being covered. It was long when the blind and visually impaired were gifted with cell phones for the blind. However, now smartphones come with a lot of features and accessibility which, in turn, help them stay independent. That’s why it has become easier for people with disabilities to work with cell phones. People with vision loss or diminished vision are also benefiting from cell phones for the blind and visually impaired.
So, in this blog, we talked about the top cell phones for the visually impaired. Read on!!
Are There CellPhone For The Blind?
Yes, there are several cell phones for the blind people as well as the visually impaired. Every person with disabilities must use one of the devices to be independent, and these will help them.
The variety of cell phones available in the market has proven to be aiding the needful. Pick yours from the list below for the cellphones for the visually impaired.
How Does a Blind Person Use A Phone?
A blind or visually impaired person can use a cell phone with ease with the screen reading technique. One gets all the voice-enabled commands in a cell phone, and it will perform as such. One has to keep in mind that voice over and talkback functions must work properly. For those who are visually impaired, especially old people, the list of cell phones for the visually impaired below could help them.
10 Best Cell Phones for Blind And Visually Impaired – Updated 2023
Here is the list of top 10 best cell phones for blind and visually impaired:
1. Jitterbug Flip
Jitterbug flip phone is a cell phone which keeps it easy for the Blind and visually impaired to stay connected. The phone is as the name says flip phone and keeps its usefulness to the max with a keypad. The seniors or the visually impaired can rely on the use of this phone with flexibility. The phone is durable and easy to communicate with keypads for the dial. Other main features of this cell phone for visually impaired include voice dial, speaker, magnifier with a flashlight.
Features Of Jitterbug Flip:
- It is easier for a visually impaired person to dial as it has a large font.
- Comes with Voice Dial, which makes it easy for blind to talk on call.
- Also has a speaker which enables to talk handsfree
- Jitterbug Flip phone allows you to talk clearly.
Read Also : 10 Best Free Android Dialer Apps
2. MiniVision2+ Cell Phone :
MiniVision2+ Cell phone by RAZ Mobility is the best cell phone for the blind and visually impaired. This senior-friendly cell phone with a tactile keyboard is also good for those hard of hearing with its Text To Speech Voice Guide feature. AT&T recently authorized the best cell phone for the visually impaired for BYOD. Make calls, send messages, and use voice commands to operate most cell phone functions. Easy to use the phone with the Alarm, Calendar, Weather, Color identifier, Money Identifier, Flashlight, Calculator, and ‘Where I am’ feature. It supports an SD card of up to 32 GB for external storage.
Features Of MiniVision2+ CellPhone:
- Comes with long battery life and is high-quality Swiss-made supporting GSM networks.
- Use voice commands which give you the freedom to use the cell phone independently.
- Comes with big buttons and adjustable font size and colors to help the visually impaired.
- Dedicated emergency SOS button with customizable settings.
- Supports multiple languages such as English, Spanish, Finnish, Dutch and more.
Read Also : Top 9 Battery Booster & Saver iPhone Apps
3. Google Pixel:
Google Pixel is the best cell phone for blind people with its great talk back features. The latest smartphones in this series are Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 plus. This can be very useful for the visually impaired as the best Android phone. They will receive the update prior to any other device, and this will keep you up to date with the ever added features.
Features Of Google Pixel:
- Talkback feature and the voice commands make it easy to use for all
- The gestures are most easy to understand and implement as they can be taught to the blind and visually impaired.
- Customisation of the gestures is available, which allows you to give a personal touch to your phone.
- With the new Google Assistant and motion sensors, it has become easier for people with a vision disability to use the smartphone.
Read Also : 6 Best Google Assistant Speakers Money Can Buy
4. iPhone
iPhone is another great phone which comes with great accessibility features for the differently-abled. With the iPhone you can always keep up with the latest tech and use the advanced features. All the cell phones for blind have voice-enabled features and so does the iPhone. It supports a number of languages for voice over which makes it widely popular. The gestures are handy and the voice over will read everything occurring on the phone screen.
Features Of iPhone:
- Gestures and voiceover make it easy-to-use.
- Announces calls, tell about battery life and the app you tap on.
- The voiceover works with all in-built apps and a number of third-party apps.
- Allows you to change the text typing and speed accuracy for the texting on the voiceover settings.
5. BlindShell Classic:
BlindShell is a classic cell phone for the blind as it is a simple device. The phone uses voice-enabled commands to make calls without having to use a keypad. It seems like any other cell phone, just that you can do so much more and it works great as one of the cell phones for the visually impaired. The important features with voice are to make calls, send texts, open applications, find GPS, track your address, know about your location, learn about weather. Dictate your voice notes to be added on your phone.
Features Of BlindShell:
- Comes with the SOS Emergency button which can help in the hour of need.
- Includes Internet Radio, book reader, audio player, color recognition, and audio player to keep you entertained.
- With Object tagging, you can label the objects around you to be recognized by phone later.
- Allows you to dictate your voice notes and add them on your phone.
6. BlindShell 2 Borque
BlindShell 2 Borque is one of the best touch screen cell phones for the visually impaired and blind. The features offered by the cell phone are very helpful and come around as easy to use for a handicapped person. Apart from the basic functions of making calls and sending texts, it offers the usage of internet messaging apps. The simplest gestures will provide you with the basic functions of cell phones for the visually impaired. Such as one tap will open the Main menu, a Long press with two fingers to go back and a long press to confirm. It, however, includes similar features from the BlindShell Classic phone for all the voice-enabled commands.
Features Of BlindShell 2 Borque:
- Allows you to use WhatsApp Messenger, Facebook Messenger to text and make calls.
- Use voice dictation to type texts on your smartphone and to call contacts.
- Unlike the BlindShell Classic phone, it has a camera, gallery, games and song recognition.
- Also comes with Magnifier, illumination sensor, book sharing, etc. which makes it a great cell phone for blind people.
7. Ray L5 Flip:
Ray L5 is one of the smartest cell phones for the blind and visually impaired. It is a flip phone with a touch display screen and keypad with Android as the operating system. The large button cell phones for the visually impaired with a large display. The phone can be accessed with four easy buttons on the keypad. The mobile phone comes equipped with a dedicated app called Ray Vision App for better use of digital connectivity. With the flip phone closed, the top screen acts like a touch screen and works via gestures.
Dial by name for your contacts on your phone to make calls with voice. Color and currency identifiers are other beneficial features to be used by the blind.
Features Of Ray L5:
- Tag/ Sticker Identifier will help you recognize the objects around you.
- Comes with Use the What Around me feature, which helps learn about the places near you and can also be used for navigation.
- Remote assistance is provided by the tech support at your help at all times.
- Comes with a scheduler to record messages and check the schedule for the upcoming days.
8. Ray S7:
Ray S7 is another of the cell phones for visually impaired from Ray. This is a touch screen cell phone with more features than the flip phone. It works on simple gestures which can be used by people on their own. It is built on a Samsung J7 which has an extra set of buttons on the back of the phone.
Features Of Ray S7:
- Socializing is made easy with the voice-enabled apps on these cell phones.
- Can enjoy the audiobooks, music, internet radio and the podcast server to keep you entertained.
- Allows you to read texts using the Text to speech and send texts using speech dictation with the Android functions available on a keyboard.
- The external memory of 16 GB and a fast processor are the add-ons for these cell phones.
9. KAPSYS SmartVision 2
KAPSYS SmartVision 2 is also considered to be a good cell phone for the blind. The phone has the feature to speak the menu to aid the visually impaired people. The large display screen is good to see what’s on it clearly. For navigation, you can use the buttons, touch screen or the voice commands.
Features Of KAPSYS SmartVision 2:
- There are 9 contrast modes which will work on a 7X magnifier for a better view to those who are visually impaired.
- Equipped with NFC for ease of sharing contacts, files or payments.
- In-built remote assistance to connect with friends and support.
- Comes with the braille display support cell phone to type in braille to send a text or use Skype.
10. Logic
Logic is an affordable cell phone for the visually impaired with a simple. It has an emergency button at the back and contacts others in need without wasting time.
Features Of Logic:
- Comes as the large button cell phone for visually impaired.
- You get FM radio, sound recorder, calculator, flashlight, camera and voice alarm.
- SOS Emergency Button for Elderly and Kids.
- Supports English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions-
Q.1. Which Cell Phone Is Best For Visually Impaired?
While we believe access to the main needs is most important for a person with vision issues, the Jitterbug Flip phone is the best. For the latest tech and features, we would recommend going with Ray S7 or BlindShell 2 Borque.
Q.2. How does a blind person use a cell phone?
A blind person can use a specially designed cell phone on their own. As they are equipped with features such as voice commands, recognizable buttons, etc to help them.
Q3. What is the best cell phone for a visually impaired person?
Jitterbug and Lucia Phone are the best cell phone for a visually impaired person as they come equipped with handy features.
We Love To Hear From You
We would like to know your views on this post about Cell phones for blind and visually impaired. Communication is a need, and why not benefit from it by providing the ones in need. Please share the article with others to let them know these tips.
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Shannon kozisek
Does the Logic phone read out loud the phone #, and who is calling?MArtin
Thank you very much for the good work that you are doinghazel murray
question, does any of the phones for totally blind people come with a braille manuel?Scott
I have a friend that has advanced stages of Macular Degeneration and also has severe hearing loss. He asked me to find a Smart Phone that can interface with his hearing aids , one that has raised buttons. Anything out there any help would be greatly appreciated.Chandrashekar R
Hi, Is these phones are works with India or globle level? I am from India, wanted keypad phone.john thomas
need acell phone or tablet for a person who has macular and cannot see. one that you can say call ssomeone. she uses verizon nowsherri horowitz
An essential feature that seems to have fallen by the wayside is the ability to press one number and retrieve voice messages. Jitterbug does not have it and no one else seems to be noting it either in their description.andra grinstead
I need a phone with easy voice control features, that van also help locate place and numbers not listed in the contacts.David
The rotor dial telephone is now bluetooth ready. Just search for it on ebay with just three words Western Electric Bluetooth.Martin Katzenberger
I’m looking for a cell phone that has voice over, bluetooth and raised numbers on the dialing pad. I am totally blind.Mridula Nimawat
Hello, Jitterbug Flip is one of the phone with the voice over, Bluetooth and keypad, you can consider it. Thank you.Rachel Anne Santos
I would like to read more of what people with sight impairments say about their actual use of these. There are a lot of recommendations written by sighted people, but no quotes or data are mentioned from sight-impaired people who use them. With so many different needs out there, it would help to read that type of information.Mridula Nimawat
Thank you for responding and yes, it would be helpful if you can also share the article with others to know the opinions of others as to help us improve the information.connie L conklin
That jitterbug is not a good choice for people who are visual impaired,,, I bought it for a elderly client of mine and she always dialed the wrong numbersMridula Nimawat
Thank you for your reply, we will make changes in the post accordingly.Mrs. Ronnie
Let’s hear from folks who are visually impaired. Their response count more so than those who can see or even have low vision. I would love to get my husband a phone, but I’m not completed sure if any of these phones would work for him.Mansi Vijay
Hello Ronnie, Greetings from WeTheGeek! All of the applications listed above are widely popular and used. You can try out them and hopefully it would work out as expected!Shari
The Lucia is a 3G cell phone. I heard from the manufacturer they will not have an upgraded 4G or higher available.Mridula Nimawat
Hello Shari, With the current information on the official website, Lucia is supposed to have a 4G version. It also states that the Lucia 3G users can also avail a discount on returning the device in a working condition while making a purchase of the 4G phone. Hope it helps.Khanh
I found this article by searching for something else. I’m a blind woman who also has a specialty in accessibility, and I’m also an Apple Certified Support professional as well as a technology instructor. Some of the comments here are old, but I hope my input will help someone. First, it is important to use appropriate language when identifying a minorrity. In the blind community, it is acceptable to use the terms blind and visually impaired. “Differently abled” is not appropriate. Second, what mobile/cell phone is best very much depends on the individual, their level of comfort and skills with technology, their needs and goals, and their budget. The Jitterbug may be a great phone for someone who does not want a full-fledged smart phone but still wants accessibility features, but it is not the best phone for someone who does typical things such as e-mail, Internet browsing, navigation, writing, gaming, etc. There are phones that are designed with blind people in mind, but no one phone that is best for “the blind”. For example, I need my phone for a multitude of things including work and testing apps. I also need a phone that has very good braille support, a large screen, wide-angle cameras, and great battery life. For me, that’s an iPhone Pro Max. Another blind person who has some usable sight may need a phone with screen magnification built-in and lots of options for adjusting color contrast. They may decide that a Pixel is best… For someone who wants a phone with features such as voice dialing, announcement of menus, text messages, and phone numbers, a phone such as the Blind Shell or Jitterbug may be better options. If you’re a braille user, currently Apple’s iPhone has the most stable braille support for a braille display. Both Apple and Android have screen readers built into their operating systems–Apple’s VoiceOver and Android’s TalkBack. Apple’s iPhones tend to be more expensive and design options are fewer. Android has many more options including the Samsung phones, Pixel, and LG just to name three. The Android os has more screen readers to choose from whereas Apple iPHone only has VoiceOver. ,This article should have categorized the phones by things such as simplicity, budget, features. Picking one phone and calling it the best based on Internet research and little knowledge of the blind/visually impaired community is putting out confusing and incorrect information.Srishti Sisodia
Thank you for your comment. We are sorry if we have hurt your feelings. We certainly didn’t mean to hurt you or people with any disability. We understand that no two people could have the exact needs. Therefore, we have compiled a list of some of the best phones that blind people could choose as per their preferences. Thank you for your input. We will keep this in mind.E green
Most companies won’t be bothered in Toledo Ohio or near to sell or have any visually impaired phones and ones with extra large fonts are over priced here if any and lots of phones don’t recognize my voice good enough also need more battery life than most handycapt phones have also why are handycapt phones voice commands versions of cheaper phones