Not everyone is in the market for a high-end smartphone. As great as they are, these fancier phones do come with a pretty high starting price (the latest iPhone models start at $700, for example). They come with a lot of capabilities, but also a lot of complexities.

If the main goal is to be able to phone someone, you can make life easier by going with a more basic phone. And if that’s what you are looking for, just buy the Nokia 3310 3G. It’s likely the phone you are thinking of without even knowing it. You can listen to the radio or even some MP3s if you’re so inclined, or just use it as a basic phone to keep in touch.

If you were to ask a child to draw a basic cell phone, it would look like the Nokia 3310 3G. The good news is the Nokia 3310 3G is better than that drawing. No offense, kiddo. The 3310 is a classic

Best Overall

Nokia 3310 3G

  • Battery life

  • FM tuner

  • microSD support

  • Connectivity options include Bluetooth and 3.5mm jack

  • No Wi-Fi

  • Small, hard-to-read display

Nokia phone updated to the 3G network (which means it’ll work most everywhere). You can text, make calls, and even listen to the radio or some MP3s.

But to cut to the chase, if you need a basic cell phone for modest cell phone needs, the Nokia 3310 3G is what you are looking for.

Screen Size: 2.4 inches | Resolution: 320 x 240 | Processor: 460MHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 6.5 hours

We have to give the Kyocera DuraXV Extreme E4810 credit, they aren’t kidding about the extreme part. You can drop this 5 feet onto solid concrete or let it sit in 6,5 feet of water for 30 minutes. The phone is also certified to be in Class 1, Division 2 hazardous locations. We’re not even sure if we’re capable of being there!

Best for Verizon

Kyocera DuraXV Extreme E4810

  • Sturdy, lasting flip design

  • Certified for hazardous conditions

  • Exceptionally loud dual speaker system

  • Limited advanced features

Extremeness aside, this is a good, basic phone with camera and video capabilities, really loud front-facing speakers (if you need them to be loud), and it can act as an LTE mobile hotspot for 10 devices. Simply put, this is a basic cell phone that can be put through more-than-basic conditions.

Screen Size: N/A | Resolution: N/A | Processor: 1.2GHz | Camera: 5MP | Battery Life: 9.5 hours

This phone is only for T-Mobile customers, but if it weren’t the Go Flip 3 would likely be our best overall pick. It’s got everything we look for in a basic phone. In fact, thanks to features such as web browsing, email, calendar options, and, heck, even supporting Google Assistant, it’s fair to call this a “basic plus” phone.

Best for T-Mobile

Alcatel Go Flip 3

  • 4G and 4G LTE network

  • Bluetooth capability

  • Supports Google Assistant

  • Subpar camera

  • Mediocre internal memory

It runs on T-Mobile’s 4G/LTE network, so calls should be clearer than those limited to 3G networks. The battery is rated for 7.9 hours of talk time, which should be more than enough to get you through a pretty full day.

Screen Size: 2.8 inches | Resolution: 320 x 240 | Processor: 1.1GHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 7.9 hours

The ZTE Altair 2 Z432 works only with AT&T. With that out of the way, it’s a great phone for folks who primarily communicate via texting. It’s got a physical keyboard for those who find that more comfortable than using a touchscreen.

Best for Texting

ZTE Altair 2 Z432

  • Full QWERTY keyboard

  • Long battery life for texting

  • Bluetooth connectivity

  • Outdated design

  • Compatible only with AT&T

The phone’s screen is large enough to read incoming texts, navigate the menu, and screen incoming calls via Caller ID. Keep in mind if you get this phone we mean it when we say it’s best for texting. The phone’s talk time is limited to just 4 hours.

Screen Size: 2.4 inches | Resolution: 320 x 240 | Processor: 460MHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 4.5 hours

The keys on the ZTE Altair 2 Z432 are very, very small, but they work pretty well. Overall, though, it’s a better experience than texting with number keys, and that could make a world of difference for some users. It’s not a very swift phone. There’s a slight pause when accessing the main menu, for example, as well as when switching to any other application or tool within that menu. It’s fine for texts and calls, but if you’re trying to load websites, you’ll surely notice the sluggish speeds. Everything on the LCD screen has a slightly blurry look to it and text can be a bit fuzzy. The audio output is a bit tinny and definitely confined. At least call quality was steady, clear, and easy to hear when using the earpiece. The camera isn’t equipped to capture much detail, and the low-resolution shots that come out are consistently fuzzy. ZTE suggests this phone can last up to 10 days on standby mode; when we left the phone idle for a few days, we were surprised to see the battery bar hadn’t moved an inch. However, given this is an older phone, the battery that ships with your phone might already be deteriorating. On a couple of occasions, when we fully charged the phone, the battery bar was already partially depleted. Some of the key features also just don’t work anymore. We first hit that snag when trying to set up an email address with the built-in program, and found that we couldn’t set up a Gmail address. — Andrew Hayward, Product Tester

As phones turn into computers, their complexity goes straight up and understanding how they work goes straight down. The Easyfone Prime A1 is aimed at senior citizens who need a simple phone to make and receive calls.

Best for Seniors

Easyfone Prime A1

  • Dual screen

  • SOS/emergency feature

  • Compatible with hearing aids

  • Not compatible major networks

  • SIM card not included

It’s got a big screen and big buttons to help those with poor vision, plus a hearing aid compatibility mode to avoid electronic feedback while talking on the phone. In an emergency, the Easyfone A1 has an SOS calling feature that will rapidly dial up to five contacts and features storage for critical personal and medical information that first responders can access.

Screen Size: 2.4 inches | Resolution: 320 x 240 | Processor: 460MHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 22 hours

What to Look For in a Basic Cell Phone

Battery Life

In the world of basic cell phones, you’ll often find that your battery life is measured in days or even weeks. Unlike smartphones, basic cell phones don’t have to continually process many complex actions. Thoroughly review the phone’s specs to identify the one that offers maximum talk time and standby time. To eliminate how often you need to charge your phone, also consider how many advanced features there are, as they may cut into your battery life.

  • What is a basic cell phone?
  • As smartphones have become more complex, the basic cellphone is here for people who want a more simple experience. It’s usually a small phone without a large screen, and often a flip phone. It’s got large keys, and a large, easy to read screen and interface. They usually can’t run apps, but they are the perfect way to keep in touch for those who struggle with a more modern smartphone.
  • How much does a basic cell phone plan cost?
  • The price of a basic cell phone plan can vary, but there are a variety cheap cell phone plans if you don’t want to pay the price of a major carrier such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Smaller carriers and MVNOs including Cricket Wireless, MetroPCS, Visible, Republic Wireless, and others offer plans that can save considerable amounts for people. Instead of signing up for a full prepaid plan, you have the option of getting a plan that allows you to pay just for the number of voice minutes, texts, and data you need and can use. Some of these plans cost as little as $15 to $20, making them a great deal cheaper than mainline options.
  • Can basic cell phones be hacked?
  • If your main concern is privacy and security, a basic cell phone can offer some advantages because not all of them have full WI-Fi connectivity, GPS, apps, and sophisticated operating systems. But like any cellular device, they can be used to track you and your whereabouts, and that’s true even of a basic cell phone. That said, if your cell phone has no apps to speak of, and you don’t use it for web browsing, that’ll limit a good deal of your exposure.
  • How long will basic cell phones be supported?
  • Most new basic cell phones come with 4G LTE connectivity at a minimum, and you should avoid buying 2G-only devices since those networks have been shut down in the U.S. and many other parts of the world. 3G service continues to be supported, but its end is also scheduled in the next few years, so your best bet is to make sure your device supports 4G LTE.

As smartphones have become more complex, the basic cellphone is here for people who want a more simple experience. It’s usually a small phone without a large screen, and often a flip phone. It’s got large keys, and a large, easy to read screen and interface. They usually can’t run apps, but they are the perfect way to keep in touch for those who struggle with a more modern smartphone.

The price of a basic cell phone plan can vary, but there are a variety cheap cell phone plans if you don’t want to pay the price of a major carrier such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Smaller carriers and MVNOs including Cricket Wireless, MetroPCS, Visible, Republic Wireless, and others offer plans that can save considerable amounts for people. Instead of signing up for a full prepaid plan, you have the option of getting a plan that allows you to pay just for the number of voice minutes, texts, and data you need and can use. Some of these plans cost as little as $15 to $20, making them a great deal cheaper than mainline options.

If your main concern is privacy and security, a basic cell phone can offer some advantages because not all of them have full WI-Fi connectivity, GPS, apps, and sophisticated operating systems. But like any cellular device, they can be used to track you and your whereabouts, and that’s true even of a basic cell phone. That said, if your cell phone has no apps to speak of, and you don’t use it for web browsing, that’ll limit a good deal of your exposure.

Most new basic cell phones come with 4G LTE connectivity at a minimum, and you should avoid buying 2G-only devices since those networks have been shut down in the U.S. and many other parts of the world. 3G service continues to be supported, but its end is also scheduled in the next few years, so your best bet is to make sure your device supports 4G LTE.

Ease of Use

If you’re buying a basic cell phone, it’s at least partly because you don’t want to deal with the complexities of a modern smartphone. While most basic cell phones are inherently simple, some are surprisingly complicated. Today’s basic phones can include features such as texting, taking photos, or listening to music. Aside from premium features, some fully loaded basic phones have complex interfaces. While looking for a basic phone, make sure it has an interface that makes it fairly easy to place and answer calls.

Expandable Storage

Basic phone users and smartphone users alike can benefit from extra storage. Today, most basic cell phones include a camera. If you plan on taking photos or videos, you’ll want to ensure the phone has enough storage. Getting a phone with expandable storage can help if you’re unable to transfer your memories from the phone to a computer. With expandable storage, not only are you able to add more capacity, but you’re able to easily swap memory cards when the current card gets full.

About Our Trusted Experts

Nicky LaMarco has been writing and editing for more than 15 years for consumer, trade, and technology publications about many topics including: antivirus, web hosting, backup software, and other technologies. 

Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based writer who has been covering technology and video games since 2006.