The short answer: if you already use an iPhone or have family who do, the iPhone 17e (from $599) is the easy pick (Apple). If you want the lowest price with a big screen, the Samsung Galaxy A37 5G starts at $449.99 with a 6.7-inch display (Samsung, Samsung). The Google Pixel 10a at $499 sits in between and promises 7 years of updates (Google). All three are 2026 models, so they’ll get security updates for years.
The three phones at a glance
| iPhone 17e | Pixel 10a | Galaxy A37 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $599 (256GB) (Apple) | $499 (Google) | $449.99 (Samsung) |
| Screen | 6.1 inches | 6.3 inches | 6.7 inches (Samsung) |
| Updates promised | Not stated by Apple | 7 years of OS and security updates | Up to 6 OS upgrades, 6 years of security updates |
| Help with no cell signal | Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite, free for 2 years | Satellite SOS, free for 2 years (US) | Not covered in Samsung’s announcement |
iPhone 17e: best if your family uses iPhones
- Starts at $599 with 256GB of storage, went on sale March 11, 2026 (Apple).
- Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My work over satellite when there’s no cell or Wi-Fi signal, free for two years after you activate the phone (Apple).
- Works with FaceTime and shared photo albums, which helps if your children and grandchildren use iPhones.
- Assistive Access gives the iPhone a simpler, streamlined layout. Set it up in Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access > Set Up, ideally with a family member or other trusted helper (Apple).
Google Pixel 10a: long support and a clean Android
- $499 with a 6.3-inch screen, IP68 water and dust protection, and more than 30 hours of battery life (Google).
- 7 years of OS and security updates (Google). For Pixel 8 and later, those years count from when the model first went on sale in the US Google Store, not from the day you buy it (Google).
- Satellite SOS is free for the first two years in the US (Google).
- Google’s Phone app can filter spam calls. See how to block scam calls on Android.
Samsung Galaxy A37 5G: the biggest screen for the money
- Starts at $449.99 and is sold at Samsung stores, Samsung.com and major carriers (Samsung).
- 6.7-inch screen, the largest of the three (Samsung).
- Up to 6 OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates (Samsung).
- Samsung’s Easy mode (Settings > Display > Easy mode) enlarges items on the screen, uses a high-contrast keyboard and helps prevent accidental taps (Samsung).
- Want a step up? The Galaxy A57 5G starts at $549.99 with the same update promise (Samsung).
How to choose
- Match your family. If the people who help you use iPhones, an iPhone is easier for them to walk you through. The same goes for Android.
- Check your eyesight needs. If small text is a problem, lean toward the 6.7-inch Galaxy A37, and turn on larger text on any phone.
- Look at the update promise. Longer updates mean the phone stays safe to use for banking and email for longer.
- Buy from the maker, your carrier or a major store. Ask about the return window so you can try it at home first.
- Move your contacts and photos before you hand in the old phone. See how to set up automatic backups.
Keeping the monthly bill down
The phone is only part of the cost. Ask your carrier about plans for people 55 and over, and check whether you qualify for Lifeline, which takes up to $9.25 a month off phone or internet service (FCC).
Prices are the makers’ starting prices when we checked. Carriers and stores may charge more or less.
Questions people ask about budget phones
Which of these phones gets updates the longest?
Google promises 7 years of OS and security updates for Pixel 10a (Google); for Pixel 8 and later the clock starts when the phone first went on sale in the US Google Store (Google). Samsung promises up to 6 OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates for Galaxy A37 and A57 (Samsung). Apple doesn’t publish a set number of years.
Is a bigger screen easier to read?
Usually, yes. The Galaxy A37 has a 6.7-inch screen (Samsung), the Pixel 10a 6.3 inches (Google) and the iPhone 17e 6.1 inches (Apple). Any of them can also make text larger in Settings. See how to make text bigger on iPhone.
Can these phones call for help without cell service?
iPhone 17e has Emergency SOS via satellite, free for two years after activation (Apple). Pixel 10a has Satellite SOS, free for the first two years in the US (Google). See how to turn on Emergency SOS.
Should I buy a cheaper or older model?
It can save money, but check how many years of updates are left before you buy. A phone that no longer gets security updates is riskier to use for banking and email.
Is there help paying for phone service?
If you qualify, the federal Lifeline program gives a discount of up to $9.25 a month on phone or internet service (FCC).
Keep learning
- Best Tablets for Seniors With Bad Eyesight
- Landline Phones Are Being Phased Out
- Smartphone Help for Seniors
