Phones for blind people fall into three groups: an iPhone, an Android phone, or a specialist phone built around physical keys and voice. Choosing between them is harder than it looks, because the lists online mostly come from shops that sell one kind.
I use an iPhone as my main phone and I use Android heavily too. The details on the specialist phones come from the makers’ and retailers’ own pages.
I compared the phones on how you control them without sight, what they cost and where they are sold. Here are the four options, with who each is best for:
| Phone | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | One device with built-in VoiceOver, braille support and the widest choice of apps | Varies by model |
| Android phone | A choice of brands and prices with TalkBack built in | Varies by model |
| BlindShell Classic 3 | Physical keys and simple menus, with no gestures to learn | 690 US dollars; 778.80 pounds including VAT in the UK; 1,285 Australian dollars |
| MiniVision2 | Basic calls and texts with voice guidance, sold in the US and Canada | Varies by seller |
1. iPhone
Key features
iPhone includes VoiceOver, a screen reader that Apple says can speak what is on the screen, show it in braille, or do both. You can connect a Bluetooth braille display, and Apple says more than 70 braille displays work with iPhone and iPad. You can also type braille straight onto the touchscreen with Braille Screen Input. VoiceOver Recognition describes pictures and screen elements, and Magnifier offers tools for people with low vision. These features come with every model, so you do not need the most expensive one.
Limitations
The touchscreen and gestures take time to learn. My iPhone beginner’s guide for blind people walks through the first steps.
Price and where to buy
Prices depend on the model and the country. iPhones are sold by carriers and major shops in most countries.
2. Android phone
Key features
Android has TalkBack, which Google describes as the screen reader included on Android devices, giving eyes-free control of the phone. There are many brands and price levels, so it is easier to find a phone that fits a small budget.
Limitations
Google says setup depends on the manufacturer, the Android version and the TalkBack version, so steps can differ between brands. Try the exact phone before you buy it, or ask someone to set it up with you. I cover the basics in how a blind person can use an Android phone.
Price and where to buy
Prices vary widely by brand and model. Android phones are sold by carriers and shops almost everywhere.
3. BlindShell Classic 3
Key features
BlindShell Classic 3 is a keypad phone with large tactile buttons and dedicated SOS, volume and side buttons. RNIB’s shop says it is menu-based, so no VoiceOver, TalkBack or swipe gestures are needed. It has a voice assistant called Luna and an app called Observo that describes photos aloud. It also has Tandem, which lets family or friends help with settings remotely, plus WhatsApp, web browsing and email. RNIB lists a battery of up to 96 hours, with a two-year device warranty and a 12-month battery warranty.
Limitations
It supports 3G and 4G but not 5G. Luna and Observo need an internet connection. The 2.83-inch touchscreen works only with third-party apps, and everything else is done with the keypad. RNIB sells it as a special order that cannot be cancelled once placed.
Price and where to buy
BlindShell lists it at 690 dollars in the US. RNIB lists it at 778.80 pounds including VAT, or 649 pounds without, and says blind and partially sighted buyers may be eligible for VAT exemption and for its Technology Grant Scheme, which can contribute up to 350 pounds subject to terms. Vision Australia lists it at 1,285 Australian dollars.
4. MiniVision2
Key features
MiniVision2 is made by the French company Kapsys. It has tactile buttons and voice commands, a voice guide that announces callers and reads texts aloud, and a money recognizer plus a light and color detector. For low vision users it offers larger text and several color schemes.
Limitations
It covers basic functions such as calls, texts, an alarm and a calendar, so it is not a replacement for a smartphone. Availability is limited to the regions below.
Price and where to buy
In the US, RAZ Mobility distributes it, and the distributor says it is authorised for AT&T and Cricket as a bring-your-own-device phone and compatible with T-Mobile. In Canada, Special Needs Computer Solutions sells it and ships within Canada only.
Phones for blind seniors
The right phone for an older blind person depends on whether they already use a touchscreen. If they do, setting up VoiceOver or TalkBack on their current smartphone is usually easier than learning a new device. If they have never used a touchscreen, a phone with tactile keys and voice guidance, such as BlindShell Classic 3 or MiniVision2, may be a better start. Ask someone they trust to try it with them before buying.
How to choose a cell phone for the blind
Check whether the phone handles the tasks you do every day, such as calls, messages, email and your banking apps. Check that it works on your carrier, especially for specialist phones, since the BlindShell Classic 3 does not support 5G. Check the full price, including any extended warranty, because the BlindShell Essentials Pack in the US adds a memory card and a one-year warranty for 743 dollars. Check who will support you, whether that is a shop, a charity or a family member. If you type in braille, a Bluetooth braille keyboard such as Hable One, listed at 239 euros, pairs with an Android or iOS phone as an accessory.
Next steps
Once you have chosen, setting it up well matters as much as the choice. Start with my guide to setting up a phone for a blind or low vision person, and see how blind people type and text on smartphones for the next skill to learn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best phone for a blind person?
For most blind adults who are comfortable with a touchscreen, a mainstream iPhone or Android phone with its built-in screen reader is the best choice, because it runs the widest range of apps. A specialist phone with physical keys suits people who find touchscreens hard to use.
Can a blind person use a normal smartphone?
Yes. iPhone includes VoiceOver and Android includes TalkBack. Both read the screen aloud and let you control the phone with gestures, without seeing the display.
Are specialist phones for the blind worth the price?
They can be, for people who want physical keys and a simple menu, but they cost more than many smartphones and run a more limited set of apps. The BlindShell Classic 3 is listed at 690 US dollars and 778.80 pounds including VAT.
Can specialist phones for the blind run WhatsApp and other apps?
The BlindShell Classic 3 includes WhatsApp, YouTube, web browsing and email, according to RNIB’s listing. Its touchscreen works only with third-party apps, so it runs fewer apps than an iPhone or Android phone.
Which phone is best for a blind senior?
It depends on whether they are comfortable with a touchscreen. If not, a phone with tactile keys and voice guidance, such as MiniVision2 or BlindShell, may be easier. If they already use a smartphone, setting up VoiceOver or TalkBack on it is often simpler than learning a new device.
