The 7 Best Phones for Kids in 2023

Best Smartphone

Apple iPhone SE

4.2

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As far as iPhones go, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better value than the iPhone SE (3rd generation), and it's a shockingly fast device that's perfect for kids (with a much friendlier price tag than other iPhones).

Parents will find a reliable device with parental controls. With iOS 16, parents can limit smartphone use in any way they'd like. Features like downtime allow parents to disable the phone. That's perfect for evenings/overnight as well as homework time.

App limits allow parents to restrict a child's use of an app. Just 30 minutes on Facebook a day? No problem. Parents can see how much time is spent on each app, including games, and prevent kids from purchasing new apps or music independently.

_{Screen Size: 4.7 inches | Resolution: 1334x750 | Processor: A15 Bionic | Camera: 12MP dual rear and 7MP front | Battery: 2018 mAh}

Best Android

Google Pixel 6a

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The Google Pixel 6a offers fast performance, an attractive screen, and an all-day battery. The camera is also great, allowing your child to snap great shots with minimal effort. The long-lasting battery will help you keep tabs on your child without worrying about them running out of juice. The phone works on most major carriers and offers 5G connectivity. It's enough to keep your child connected without spending too much.

_{Screen Size: 6.1 inches | Resolution: 2400x1080 | Processor: Google Tensor | Camera: 12.2MP dual rear and 8MP front | Battery: 4410 mAh}

Best Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

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Samsung's Galaxy A series are solid mid-range phones that are an affordable alternative to the flagship Galaxy S series smartphones. The Galaxy A32 5G is a good choice for kids ready for a smartphone: it has all the essential features, a tough to crack screen, and a friendly price tag.

Using Google's Family Link app (compatible with any Android phone), parents can restrict app usage, limit screen time, block websites, track location, and monitor their child's phones. Parents can also approve and block apps and downloads like ebooks and manage app permissions and account and data settings.

The app also sends notifications when your child arrives or leaves a location, such as school or work.

_{Screen Size: 6.5 inches | Resolution: 1600x720 | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 720 5G | Camera: 48MP, 8MP, 5MP, 2MP rear and 13MP front | Battery Life: 5000 mAh}

Durable

Motorola Moto G7 Play

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Some parents want their children to have the features and convenience of a smartphone but without the high cost of an iPhone or Samsung. Don’t look past the Motorola Moto G7 Play if you want a fantastic entry-level smartphone. This durable phone can withstand the inevitable drops and scratches kids will throw at it, so it’s a reliable choice for clumsy hands. The battery life is also fantastic at up to 40 hours, as is the price point. If your child happens to lose it, it’s not the end of the world. A fingerprint sensor is also available for phone locking. 

It’s compatible with Alexa, too, making it easy for kids to ask for directions or check bus times. While the camera quality isn’t the best, it’s more than good enough for an entry-level phone. However, before purchasing, remember that the G7 is an actual smartphone with access to the internet. Before trusting kids with the responsibility of a smartphone, you might want to establish some boundaries or install a parental control feature. Overall, it’s an excellent first smartphone for kids and teens, who will love having the internet at their fingertips.

_{Screen Size: 5.7 inches | Resolution: 1512x720 | Processor: 1.8 GHz octa-core | Camera: Dual 13MP and 8MP | Battery Life: 40 hours}

Basic

Nokia 3310 3G

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Many parents are looking for a reliable and easy-to-use phone without internet access—often, kids aren't ready for the responsibilities that come with smartphone ownership. In that case, you can't go wrong with the Nokia 3310 3G. While it may look like the nostalgic "brick phone" that parents used to play Snake on when they were kids, this is the 2021 version, complete with 3G, four vibrant color choices, and a 2MP camera. It's very affordable as well.

It can do everything kids need a phone to do—call, text, play music, and take photos. The Nokia phones have always had standout performance regarding battery life, and the 3310 is no exception. Users can enjoy up to 22 hours of talk time, which you're unlikely to find on any other phone. It's also easy to use and navigate with large buttons that work well for little hands and a center key that doubles as the "select" button. The 3310 doesn't have a massive amount of internal storage space, but that aside, it's one of our top choices for kids.

_{Screen Size: 2.4 inches | Resolution: 320x240 | Processor: 460MHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 22 hours}

Mini Smartphone

Unihertz Jelly Pro Phone

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The Unihertz Jelly Pro is billed as the smallest 4G-enabled smartphone in the world, but it's also a perfect beginner device. It's slightly larger than a pack of gum, so it's aimed squarely at little hands. Despite its small size, the phone still offers fast performance and everything you'd want in a kid-friendly smartphone. Thanks to 4G support, kids can enjoy quick texting and downloads from major networks. 

It's simple for texts, calls, or downloading apps from the Google Play Store. With the included Bluetooth, you can also pair the phone with wireless headphones. However, it's worth mentioning that the battery life isn't as long as some of the other models reviewed here, so you might find yourself frequently reminding your kids to plug in their chargers before bed.

^{Screen Size: 2.45 inches | Resolution: 240x432 | Processor: Quad Core 1.1GHz | Camera: Dual 8MP and 2MP | Battery Life: 12 hours}