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The best kids phones starting at $99
Giving your kids a phone is a smart gift idea that benefits you too. You can gain peace of mind with the ability to track their location and contact them directly no matter where they are, or who they're with. Plus, you can offer them the freedom to attend holiday parties.
ZDNET Recommends
But we understand, the decision to give your child a phone can be complicated. When are they old enough? What kind of phone should you buy? Are there kid-specific plans? And what about parental controls? These questions can be overwhelming, but we can help.
Also: Want a tablet for your kid? Our picks aren't just for entertainment
My wife and I have gifted two out of our three children a phone when they reached a certain age. We wanted a way to contact with them at school, during sports practices, and after hours when they're at a friend's house.
Also: What are the best smartwatches for kids?
Of course, not all phones are built equally, and you may have certain features in mind for your kid's phone. I rounded up five of my top picks for kid-friendly phones. Actually, I included four phones and one smartwatch -- keep reading to find out why.
- Most affordable iPhone
- Strong performance
- Good battery life
- Great camera
- Display is somewhat small
- Old design
Apple iPhone SE tech specs: Display: 4.7-inch | Processor: Apple A15 Bionic | Memory: 4GB | Storage: 64/128/256GB | Rear cameras: 12MP | Front camera: 7MP FaceTime Camera | Battery: 2,018 mAh | Cost: Around $429
Apple's iPhone lineup spans a wide range of models at varying prices. The most inexpensive iPhone is the iPhone SE, which starts at $429. Apple revamped the iPhone SE in 2022 with the same processor as the more expensive iPhone 13 lineup. The end result is an iPhone 13-like experience in a phone that's half the price.
The phone features a 4.7-inch display and a Touch ID home button that your child can use to secure their iPhone with a fingerprint. The rear camera takes photos that are nearly as clear and crisp as higher-end iPhones, while the front camera provides a solid FaceTime experience.
In addition to excellent hardware at a reasonable price, you're also getting access to Screen Time parental controls, Find My, Family Sharing, and the rest of Apple's software services. For a family that's heavily invested in Apple products, the iPhone SE is a great starter phone for kids.
Review:iPhone SE
- Affordable
- Large display
- Good battery
- Somewhat slow performance
- Low internal storage
Moto G Pure tech specs: Display: 6.5-inch | Processor: MediaTek Helio G25 | Memory: 3GB | Storage: 32GB, microSD card support | Rear cameras: 13MP, 2MP, depth sensor | Front camera: 5MP | Battery: 4,000 mAh | Cost: Around $100
The Moto G Pure is an incredibly affordable phone that offers a basic experience. It's often on sale from the retail price of $100, which makes it a good starter phone for children learning how to take care of a device for the first time.
In fact, both of my kids started with a Moto G model in order to prove they could take care of a phone without breaking, losing, or leaving it somewhere it could be stolen. The Moto G Pure has a decent camera setup, 3.5mm headphone jack, large battery (helpful for kids who love playing games), and large display,
However, there are two potential downsides to the G Pure: Storage and speed. With 32GB of internal storage, you'll want to add a 512GB microSD card to make room for pictures, videos, apps and games.
Performance will be slower than what you'd find on an iPhone and other phones on this list, but for a child's first phone, it's totally okay.
- Good price
- Great cameras
- Solid battery life
- Limited internal storage
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G tech specs: Display: 6.5 inches, 90Hz | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 | Memory: 4GB | Storage: 64GB, with microSD support | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor | Front camera: 13MP camera | Battery: 5,000 mAh | Cost: Around $160
Samsung isn't known for low-end smartphones. But since LG recently exited the smartphone business, Samsung has begun to improve and iterate its entry-level phones.
Also: The 5 best Samsung phones
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G looks and works just like a high-end Galaxy S22, but it only costs $160. It also features a 5,000 mAh battery, which is powerful enough to survive a full day of use for most people (even kids). Plus, the 48-megapixel camera and rear-facing cameras are solid.
With only 64GB of internal storage, you'll want to add more using the built-in microSD card slot that allows up to 1TB of additional storage.
- Always-On connectivity
- All-day battery
- Harder to misplace
- Not a full-fledged phone
Apple Watch SE tech specs: Display: 40mm, 44mm | Battery Life: 18 hours | Water Resistance: 50m | LTE Cellular Option: Yes | Cost: Starts around $144
Even though the Apple Watch SE isn't a phone, if you buy the cellular model and use Apple's Family Setup feature. That way, you can turn the Apple Watch SE into a smartphone that your child wears on their wrist. The cellular model starts at $144 for the 40mm version.
My youngest child has an Apple Watch SE instead of a phone, and we use the watch to text back and forth while he's at school. Plus, we can view his current location and call him when we need to chat while he's at a friend's house. Of course, he can contact us via text or call whenever needed, too.
Also: The 5 best Apple watch models
There's a School Time feature that makes it easy to block all apps during school hours to ensure your child won't get distracted. (However, if they urgently need to contact you, they can bypass it -- a feature that's tracked, so you can make sure they aren't abusing it.)
Also, you need to be an iPhone user if you want your child to use an Apple Watch.
- Excellent security
- Great cameras
- Solid battery life
- Quick charge
- Pricey
- No microSD card support
- No wireless charging support
Google Pixel 6a 5G tech specs: Display: 6.1-inch | Processor: Google Tensor | Memory: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Rear cameras: 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide | Front camera: 8MP | Battery: 24 hours | Cost: $352
The Google Pixel 6a is one of the most secure phones you can buy for your child. The Google Tensor processor's security core works with the Titan M2 security chip to make the phone resistant to hacking, tracking, and spying.
Review: Google Pixel 6a
It also uses a fingerprint reader to unlock, so only you, your child, and authorized users can access the phone for calls and texts. The phone is also IP67 rated for water and dust resistance, which means a little rain won't ruin it.
With a 24-hour battery life and quick-charging feature, you can stay in touch with your kid all day.
What is the best phone for kids?
Apple's iPhone SE is the best phone for kids because it has long software support and offers the best performance you can get in a phone under $500. Battery life and camera performance are just bonuses.
Here's how the best phones for kids compare on price, screen size, and operating system:
Phone for kids | Price | Screen size | Operating system |
Apple iPhone SE | $429 | 4.7-inches | iOS |
Moto G Pure | $99 | 6.5-inches | Android |
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | $160 | 6.5-inches | Android |
Apple Watch SE | $144 | 40mm, 44mm | Watch iOS |
Google Pixel 6a 5G | $352 | 6.1-inches | Android |
Which is the right phone for your kid?
Deciding which phone is right for your kid depends on a few factors, including age, overall cost, and which operating system you prefer. Once you know those details, you can narrow down your search and make a choice based on personal preference.
Choose this kids' phone… | If you want… |
Apple iPhone SE | The best all-around kids phone that will be supported for years and it features a good camera and excellent battery life |
Moto G Pure | A budget-friendly starter phone for children that's affordable, has a large display, and a good battery |
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | A good mix of affordability and performance for parents with a solid battery life your kids will love |
Apple Watch SE | A device for communicating with your child, it has all-day battery life, and it's hard to misplace |
Google Pixel 6a 5G | A secure phone with great cameras, quick charge capabilities, and a solid battery life |
How did we choose these phones for kids?
I've reviewed phones for the last 12 years, 10 of which phones have been my full-time job. Not only have I tested these devices myself, but I've experienced my own kids reaching the age of needing their first phone.
All five of these picks are something I would (and have) trust(ed) my kids to take care of. The price of the Moto G Pure, for example, is fantastic for a young child needing their first phone (or if you just aren't sure your kid can handle it responsibly). After a few months of proving themselves, or however long it takes, you can upgrade their phone to another pick on this list, or even a more expensive option.
What about parental controls for a kids phone?
Both Apple and Google have their own respective solutions for adding parental controls to an iPhone or Android phone. For iPhone users, you'll want to enable Screen Time on your child's phone. For Android phones, you can set up Google's Family Link.
Also: The 5 best parental control apps
Both options offer you control to schedule when the phone can and can't be used, which apps can be installed, and even who the child can talk to.
What's the best cellular plan for a kid?
Sticking with your current carrier and adding a line to your account is going to get you the best deal on a new phone. However, if you want to buy a phone outright without getting locked into device payments, you can always start with a prepaid carrier like Republic Wireless or Visible. The plans are cheap, and you're not committed to paying the carrier back for a phone if your child loses it.
If you opt to add a line to your account, most carriers allow you to mix and match plans. For example, you can have your number on a plan that allows unlimited data usage at full speed, and then give your child a plan that forfeits data speed when the network is busy. It saves you money while still giving your child access to everything they need a phone to do.
Are there apps built in to keep track of my kids location?
Yes! If you set up Screen Time on an iPhone, you'll also set up Apple's Family Share feature that includes Find My. Find My is not only what you use to track down a lost iPhone, iPad, or Mac, but it's also used to keep tabs on friends or loved ones.
Google Family Link offers the same functionality, or you can add your child to Google Maps' Location Sharing feature.
Are there alternative phones for kids worth considering?
Of course! There are countless phones for children available. From refurbished iPhones to used devices off of Swappa, or a similar second-hand website. The iPhone 12 is the oldest device currently sold by Apple, but it's $599 and comes with an older processor and arguably a worse camera than the iPhone SE. However, it has a larger display, Face ID and comes in tons of colors.
As for Android devices, well, you really have your pick of the sea. From well-known brands like Samsung and Motorola to lesser-known device makers like TCL and OnePlus, the list of phones that are worth considering is long.
As for smartwatches that replicate a phone-like experience, Verizon's GizmoWatch 2 is also a respectable option.
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Refurbished iPhone
A refurbished iPhone allows you to choose a model that offers you many of the perks of a new iPhone like good security, excellent camera and battery life, at a lower price.
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TickTalk 4G LTE Kids Smart Watch Phone with GPS Tracker
This watch will give you peace of mind with its accurate GPS tracking, SOS alerts, and more than 20 parental controls. You can even set step goals to help your child develop healthy habits.
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Palm Phone PVG100
Its compact size is perfect for kids. Yet it packs a lot of goodies in its petite packaging with its 12MP camera, fast performance, water/dust resistance, and GPS.