It’s hard to find a child that doesn’t have their own phone, so if yours wants one, that’s perfectly normal. But what do you get them? A lot of parents will just buy their child whatever they want, but that’s not (necessarily) the best way to go.
You want your child to be happy with what they have, but you also need to think about their safety, as well as the phone’s durability. You can count on your kid to drop it at least several times a day and, while cases and screen protectors do a good job, they aren’t bulletproof.
We have a few of the best selling phones that work particularly well for kids, so let’s see what they are and why so many people buy them.
1. Gabb Phone 4
– Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED
– Processor: Octa-core CPU
– Storage: 32 GB
– Camera: 13 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
– Operating system: Gabb OS
Anyone who’s looking for a great phone for kids should take the Gabb 4 into consideration.
It’s been designed for kids aged 9-13 (ideally). The Gabb Operating System is actually discouraging users/steering them away from social media/internet browsing. And this feature is what makes this phone unique. It’s actually critically powerful, when you think about it. A pretty much ‘ ideal Parental Control’ mobile device.
It has an octa-core processor and runs very smoothly, and 32 GB of storage is enough space for photos, music, and basic apps. Speaking of apps, it comes preloaded with essentials like Phone, Messaging, Camera, Calendar, Calculator, and Voice Recorder. In addition to these, you can also enable optional apps like maps and chess.
GPS tracking is integrated, as well, so you can keep tabs on your kids. The 4000 mAh battery will last a long time even with regular use because the phone is more focused on efficiency than heavy apps.
As far as drawbacks go, there are none for you as a parent, but your child might find this phone restrictive because of the limited app selection (which is not really a bad thing, right?).
Pros:
– Very safe
– Parental control through an optional app
– Long battery life
Cons:
– Kids may find it restrictive
2. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
– Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD (1334 x 750 pixels) with True Tone and Haptic Touch
– Processor: A15 Bionic chip (same as iPhone 13 series)
– Operating system: iOS (supports the latest version)
– Camera: Rear: 12 MP wide-angle, Smart HDR 4, 4K video recording, Front: 7 MP with f/2.2 aperture, 1080p HD video recording
– Storage: 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB
Are you surprised that one of the best-selling mobile options for kids is an iPhone? Probably not. Most kids want an iPhone, and the SE version from 2022 is an excellent option for kids. With its 4.7-inch display, it’s smaller than most phones today, so it’s easier to hold in tiny hands, and it still has the classic Touch ID, which a lot of adults miss.
Performance is buttery smooth and the A15 chip can handle demanding apps and games. Photos and videos look excellent, which as we all know, is a priority for kids. You might think that such a compact phone doesn’t have the best battery life, but you’d be wrong. True, it’s not Nokia 3310 that will last you a week on a single charge, but the iPhone SE 2022 can last up to 15 hours of video playback.
If you look at all the factors (pros AND cons) and consider the price tag, this is an extremely solid option if you’re buying it for your kids. And this is even more true if it’s their first mobile.
Pros:
– Excellent performance
– Compact
– High-quality camera
Cons:
– Looks a bit outdated compared to the latest iPhones
3. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
– Display: 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD (2408 x 1080 pixels) with a 90Hz refresh rate
– Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset
– Operating system: Android (supports Samsung One UI)
– Camera: 50 MP main (rear) camera, 2 MP macro, 2 MP depth sensor, 8 MP front camera
– Storage: 64 GB, expandable up to 1 TB with microSD card
This phone is excellent value for money and it’s perfectly capable of supporting everything that’s important to kids. It has a big screen with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, and the 50 MP main lens captures clear, vibrant photos.
The chipset isn’t the best on the market, but it’s still very good and gives smooth, responsive performance. If you were asked to point out one singular feature as ‘the best’, that would probably be the battery. It’s a whopping 5000mAh. It can easily last a full day (even if you use it heavily). Another great aspect is the storage.
The phone comes with 64 GB of storage out of the box, but if you feel like that simply won’t cut it, you can further expand it up to an additional 1TB (with a microSD card). So, for example, if your kids love taking lots of pictures, then the memory will surely come in handy.
One tiny thing that could be considered a drawback is the 15W charging speed, but if the phone is charging at night, that won’t be noticeable.
Pros:
– Large display
– Long battery life
– Expandable storage
Cons:
– Longer charging time
4. Bark Phone
– Display: 6.6-inch OLED
– Processor: Snapdragon 1E+9 GHz
– Storage: 64 GB
– Camera: 8 MP front camera, 50 MP rear camera
– Operating system: Android 12 with Bark’s integrated parental controls
If the Bark phone looks familiar, there’s a good reason for it – it’s built on the Samsung A13 platform but it has Bark’s parental control software that focuses on safety. It’s ideal for parents that want to give their kids a smartphone without the usual risks.
The interface is easy to manage and you can monitor screen time, text messages, and app usage. You can also set content restrictions that extend across all social media platforms, websites, even games. Your child can enjoy usual functions like calling, messaging, and taking photos with a 50 MP main camera, plus the 8 MP front camera is ideal for video calls. The display is large enough for multimedia, and the 5000 mAh battery makes sure that it will last long. The processor, however, is limited and it can feel slow with more demanding apps or multitasking. It does completely fine with basic functions, but it won’t do as well for, say, gaming. All in all, though, it’s a great option for young users and it makes sense that it’s so popular.
Pros:
– Excellent parental controls
– Kid-friendly software
– Long battery life
Cons:
– Processor is slow sometimes
How to Choose a Phone for Kids
When you’re picking a new phone for your child, you need to make sure it’s the right mix of safety, durability, and fun. The goal is to keep them safe, but also entertained. You don’t want a phone that will overwhelm them with content, but you also don’t want something that seems like it came out from North Korea (no offense to North Korea).
Here are some factors to look for.
1. Parental Controls
This feature will let you manage what your kids can do on the phone; you’ll be able to limit their screen time and restrict certain apps. A lot of phones that are designed for kids come with built-in controls that block some websites, set schedules for use, and monitor their activity online.
However, you don’t want something too complicated; look for a phone with a good amount of control without the hassle and complications.
2. Durability
Kids’ phones take a beating, so something delicate will be a waste of money. A good phone will be able to withstand drops, spills, and just rough handling in general. Water and dust resistance is a huge plus.
3. Battery Life
If you were a kid, would you pay attention to your phone’s battery? Not likely. This is why you want a phone with good battery life – look for something that promises a full day of use. This way, your child won’t run out of power when they’re out and about.
4. Screen Size
A smaller screen will be easier to handle for very young kids, but older ones will want a larger display for games, videos, and social media. Whatever the case, the screen should be bright, clear, and not so big that it’s uncomfortable to hold.
5. Controlled Internet and App Access
There are phones that have no internet access whatsoever, and then there are ones with limited apps that are focused on kid-friendly options. Both choices are great because they give you the opportunity to introduce your child to phones without the risk that comes with the internet.
Conclusion
You may not be too happy about your child wanting a phone because you didn’t have it growing up and you turned out just fine, but times are different. There’s no law that says you have to buy your child a phone that will give them full online access because there are plenty of options with built-in parental controls.
And look at it this way – if they have a phone, you don’t need to be worried about them when they’re not home because you can always reach them.