Buying a phone these days presents a lot of options, and when you’re looking for a device for your child, you may be blown away by just how pricey it can be. The good news is there are a lot more affordable Android phones out there than you may think, and the value they bring to the table makes them great devices for your kids.
Whether you’re looking for a device that’s mainly for talking and texting, or you want to give your teenager a phone that can do it all at a reasonable price, you can find it all right here. These are the best phones for kids you can buy right now.
Top wallet-friendly phones for kids
Best overall
Google Pixel 8a
Features galore
$449 $499 Save $50
From display quality to battery life, the Pixel 8a is a definite improvement from last year’s 7a. If your kid is an aspiring photographer, they’ll love 8a’s excellent camera and image processing software. But parents will love the comprehensive parental controls and reasonable price for a premium “kid” phone.
- Improved 120hz display
- Easy-to-use parental controls
- Takes great photos
- While the battery life has improved from the 7a, it’s still not as good as Pixel’s competitors
The Pixel 8a is Google’s latest addition to its A-series phones, with an almost identical design to that of the Pixel 8, but with an obviously cheaper build. As our review notes, the 8a has more in common with the Pixel 8 than you’d think, as they both use the same Google Tensor G3 chipset, for example. The camera quality is also pretty similar, though the Pixel 8 sneaks ahead due to its better image sensors.
One thing is for sure — the battery life has improved since the Pixel 7a, so your kid shouldn’t complain too much while scrolling through TikTok and playing games. The OnePlus 12R has a more robust battery, but we’d say the 8a wins with its 120hz refresh rate and beautiful display.
Read our review
Google Pixel 8a review: A great phone that I’m not sure you should buy
Google’s hardware lineup is in a tricky spot, and the Pixel 8a only makes things more confusing
Parents interested in a Pixel phone, however, aren’t just buying it for battery life and a great screen. They’re interested in the parental controls, and the Pixel 8a has this in spades; setting up age-appropriate boundaries is quite easy, especially if you have a Google account. All you need to do is download Google’s Family Link, and you’ll have everything you need to manage screen times and content access.
Runner-up
OnePlus 12R
Premium features at an approachable price
$430 $500 Save $70
The OnePlus 12R stands out with its elegant, minimalist design and impressive features, all at a mid-range price point. And it certainly doesn’t skimp on features. For a reasonable cost, you’ll get a beautiful 6.78-inch display with high brightness and a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone also offers a robust 5,500mAh battery that’ll last longer than some higher-end phones. While the 12R lacks a higher IP rating for complete water and dust resistance, its performance makes it a notable option.
- Beautiful display and quick refresh rate
- Incredibly long-lasting battery
- Stylish looks
- IP64 rating is not the greatest for kids
OnePlus has steadily become a popular contender in the smartphone arena for its affordable price and laundry list of features. Once more, OnePlus has raised the bar with the 12R. For starters, it’s a beauty to look at, with its sleek minimalist design. This does not look like a midrange smartphone, so your kid will probably dig its looks, too.
Another highlight is the OnePlus 12R’s display. The 6.78-inch screen offers exceptional brightness up to 1,600 nits and supports a 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and gaming. The display’s vibrant visuals enhance pretty much anything you throw at it. You’ll have a hard time finding a display this gorgeous for $500.
Gaming and scrolling can drain a smartphone’s battery — we’re looking at you, Pixel 7A. Not so with the OnePlus 12R. The 5,500mAh battery lasts for days, perfect for the average teenager who perpetually forgets to charge their phone. Even better, the included 80W SuperVOOC charger doesn’t mess around. It should only take about half an hour to recharge.
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Read our review
OnePlus 12R review: A real flagship killer for $500
A phone that packs all the power you need for the price you want to pay
The biggest ding to the OnePlus 12R is the lack of an IP67 dust and water resistance rating. It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: buy a case. The 12R’s IP64 rating can handle minor splashes, but we wouldn’t want this beautiful phone dropped in your kid’s cereal bowl.
Best value
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
A lot to offer for the price
$180 $200 Save $20
The Samsung Galaxy A15 blends style with practicality. Its durable plastic casing houses a large 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, perfect for scrolling and light gaming. For the price, the A15 scores bonus points for its cameras, which perform well in the proper lighting. Other features like a headphone jack and MicroSD slot are welcome add-ons, too. And thanks to its 5,000mAh battery, the Samsung Galaxy should last all day.
- Lightweight and durable
- Impressive battery life for the price
- Surprisingly good display
- Cameras won’t blow you away, especially the macro lens
It’s no secret that we love the Samsung Galaxy lineup, so we weren’t surprised that the A15 continues that positive streak. Sure, it’s not as fancy as its higher-end counterparts. For example, the A15 trades the sleek metallic casing for plastic. But as our review notes, this phone doesn’t feel cheap at all. With a triple camera setup and a subtly elegant color gradient, you’d swear this was a premium phone.
However, one area where the price point becomes obvious is with the 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, as the brightness and color accuracy aren’t the greatest. Don’t get us wrong. For a budget phone, this screen is quite exceptional. It’s a crisp display with excellent contrast and saturation. The 90Hz refresh rate keeps up with videos and scrolling, too, so your kids won’t be complaining.
For your budding little photographer (or hopeful influencer), the cameras are impressive. The 50MP main camera performs well in adequate lighting but struggles in low-light conditions, which isn’t surprising at this price range.
Additional camera features include a 5MP ultrawide sensor and a 2MP macro lens, both of which can only capture softer images. The 13MP front camera should pass your child’s standards for their selfies, even if the images lack detail. Again, for $200, it’s hard to complain.
Read our review
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G review: Everything you need for only $200
It’s not flashy, but the A15 gets the job done for people who don’t read reviews or care about specs
The A15 even offers a couple of other features we miss in our premium phones, like a headphone jack and a MicroSD slot. At this point, you might be wondering if you should just buy this phone for yourself. We won’t blame you if you do.
Apple’s best option
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Apple’s ecosystem handles parental controls really well
If you’re already an Apple household, you must consider the iPhone SE strongly. Apple’s iOS software offers a ton of parental controls baked right into the phone, making it easy to monitor your child’s activity or even restricting your child’s ability to “accidentally” buy more add-ons in apps.
- Apple’s parental controls are top notch
- Great performance
The iPhone SE (2022) is unlikely to win any style points with your kid, as the design is very outdated, but as a parent, it offers a ton of control over your child’s activities. The major caveat is that you’ll need an iPhone yourself to really make the most of those features. If you are an Apple household, though, the iPhone SE is a great option for your child.
The A15 Bionic chip that powers the device is quite powerful, so you can easily play games and use advanced apps with no problems. The screen is small — only 4.7-inches — but that does mean it can easily fit in smaller hands. There’s also no Face ID, but Apple’s Touch ID sensor in the Home button is quite speedy.
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Read our review
iPhone SE (2022) review: An easy Android off-ramp
But there are better mid-range Android phones than the new iPhone SE for the same price (or less)
And with an IP67 rating against water and dust incursion, it’s quite durable, too, meaning the odd accident here and there wouldn’t be a huge issue.
Smartphone alternative
Nokia 2780 Flip
Low tech in all the right ways
The Nokia 2780 is perfect for kids or anyone looking to avoid smartphone distractions. It features 4G LTE, runs on the user-friendly KaiOS, and is powered by a 1.3 GHz Qualcomm processor, which isn’t much, but it’ll get the job done. Although capable of running apps like YouTube and Facebook, their slow performance deters excessive use. The 2.8-inch display is all you need for simple tasks like texting, and its compact size will fit anywhere.
- Really affordable
- Seems to offer solid call quality
- Keeps digital distractions to a minimum
- Poor camera quality compared to even the cheapest smartphones
The Nokia 2780 Flip is as basic as you can get these days, and that’s the selling point. It’s a practical choice for parents seeking a straightforward mobile phone for their kids. You won’t find 5G capability, but the 4G LTE is more than capable of providing clear calls.
Also, it’s powered by a 1.3 GHz Qualcomm processor and runs on KaiOS, a Linux operating system that’s handy for apps. Don’t get too excited, though. While the Flip can run apps like YouTube and even Facebook, they’re slow and glitchy. But we consider this limitation a good thing because it discourages prolonged use. As for the likes of TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram? Well, your kid will just have to borrow your phone for those apps.
You won’t find a fancy 4K HDR camera on the Flip. All you get is a modest 2.8-inch display with an equally modest 5-megapixel rear camera. However, the phone captures some nice shots with adequate lighting.
Overall, the Nokia 2780 does what it’s supposed to do. It provides a reliable way to text and call your kid.
Best protection
Bark Phone
Comprehensive parental controls
Bark is for parents who want or need to take things a step further compared to traditional phones. Bark isn’t just a phone, but a comprehensive service aimed at providing the ultimate digital protection for your child. The phone is a Samsung Galaxy A14, but the Bark service lets you tailor the digital experience.
- Great parental controls
- Amazing monitoring capabilities
- No long-term contract
- Limited to Bark’s service
- Bark’s monitoring might feel like a breach of privacy to some
The Bark Phone gives parents a comprehensive suite of parental controls for the ultimate in digital protection.
The Bark Phone is a Samsung Galaxy A14 with Bark’s cell service and customized parental controls, and the Bark service is split into two categories: one for younger kids and one for teens. The service for younger kids provides unlimited talk and text, enables location tracking, contact management, text and photo monitoring, and disables apps, browsers, and voicemails for $29 a month.
Service for teens is available for $49 for Wi-Fi only, $59 for 4G of data, $69 for 8GB of data, and $89 a month for unlimited data. These plans allow you to manage your child’s apps and contacts, track the phone, and monitor texts, social media, and web browsing. If you choose to, you can block websites and apps, remotely lock the device, and prevent text deletion without your permission.
Read our review
I reviewed the Bark Phone, a rebranded Samsung Galaxy built for kids and their worried parents
The Bark Phone takes a Samsung Galaxy A-series phone and puts a coat of armor on it
One of the biggest demerits of this device is the human factor. You see, Bark monitors your kid’s messages, all of which are stored on Bark’s servers and monitored by Bark employees. They can even detect patterns with their sophisticated algorithms, alerting you of any possible bullying, depression, and more. While Bark promises not to hold this info for any longer than 30 days, this may feel too Orwellian for some parents.
Exceptional safety
Pinwheel Plus 4
Keeps kids off socials
The Pinwheel Plus 4 takes the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and outfits it as a parent-protected machine. With no social media, web browsers, or Google Play Store out of the box, this phone prioritizes communication over entertainment. Parents control everything, from app permissions to time limits, through the user-friendly parent dashboard. If your kids need a phone, but you still want to keep a watchful eye, this is a worthy option.
- It’s basically a Samsung A15
- Extensive parental features
- Impossible for kids to access social media
- Google Play Store must be downloaded
- Camera isn’t the greatest
If the Pinwheel Plus 4 looks familiar, rest assured that your eyes aren’t playing tricks. Hardware-wise, this phone is a Samsung Galaxy A15 5G, and we’d say that’s a good thing. The A15 is a solid phone for the price and a reliable catalyst for Pinwheel’s custom software. Pinwheel offers a slew of parental controls and kid-friendly features, all designed to shield your little ones from the darker sides of the digital world.
The parent dashboard lets you set everything, including app permissions, time limits, and schedules with ease. And when Pinwheel says you can restrict everything, they mean everything. Social media? Not an option. Web browsers? Nope. Google Play Store? Not even there, though you can add it later if you think your child has earned the freedom, then they can download pre-approved apps — minus social media ones like TikTok.
Read our review
Review: Pinwheel’s Plus 4 is a great phone that might be the right call for your tweens
Answer the call to protect your kids
When it comes to performance, the Pinwheel 4 is pretty impressive. It is an A15, after all. You’ve got a nice AMOLED display, an octa-core processor, 5G connectivity, and plenty of storage space for photos and videos. The camera won’t wow you, but it’s more than adequate. Overall, it’s a solid phone for kids.
Another budget buy
HMD Vibe
Impressive for the price
$120 $150 Save $30
If you want a cheap phone that gets a lot right for $150, the HMD Vibe is a solid pick. It packs a decent amount of RAM and storage, with a Snapdragon 680 processor that’s fast enough for the average child’s needs. However, for youngsters who need more digital safeguards and a sturdier build, the Vibe probably isn’t the best option. However, it’s an affordable phone for tweens and teens.
- Very affordable
- Long battery life
- Fast enough for casual gaming and daily use
- Lackluster display
- Not the most durable
Most parents don’t want to spend an arm and leg on a smartphone. That’s where HMD’s Vibe comes in as a reliable, budget-minded option; just don’t expect a sleek aluminum casing. However, the textured plastic back can handle minor drops. We’d still recommend a case—this isn’t a phone for more rambunctious kids.
At $150, the Vibe features 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a Snapdragon 680 processor. Now, that’s not the most robust hardware, but for everyday tasks and casual Roblox-level gaming, it works just fine.
The 90Hz refresh rate on the display is a surprising bonus, and it’s a pretty bright screen, too. Even better, the battery should last up to two days. Sure, the camera is average, and the 10W charging speed is slower than snails. Oh, and there’s no 5G. But for $150, the Vibe covers the basics.
Read our review
Review: The HMD Vibe is budget-friendly and reliable, but that’s honestly enough
A reliable phone that won’t break the bank
However, it’s worth noting that, unlike our budget pick, the Vibe is not a kid’s phone. That means it doesn’t come with built-in advanced parental controls or restrictions like some of our other picks, like the Pinwheel Plus 4. But hey, it’s Android, so feel free to set up Google’s Family Link app.
The right phone for your child
Buying your child a cell phone — especially their first one — can be a little daunting, but remember you’re the best judge of what your child should have in their pockets every day. Whether it’s a basic phone for calls and texts or a full-fledged smartphone for more technological independence, the possibilities are nearly endless. But the good news is you don’t have to break the bank to get a perfect phone.
The Google Pixel 8a really is the best pick right now. Google offers some great parental controls with their devices that should make it easier to restrict access to features or apps you don’t want your child to have. But, it’s also great for a teenager that you don’t really need to monitor, thanks to its great processor, amazing camera, and wonderful software that makes the phone a joy to use for making calls or playing the hottest mobile games.
Of course, the Samsung A15 is another great pick, considering its low price, durability, and list of features. Plus, Samsung’s Kids Mode and Digital Wellbeing feature lets you monitor and restrict as needed. And for teenagers looking for more battery life and quite possibly the best display on a mid-range smartphone, the OnePlus 12R is the best bet.
Best overall
Google Pixel 8a
Features galore
$449 $499 Save $50
From display quality to battery life, the Pixel 8a is a definite improvement from last year’s 7a. If your kid is an aspiring photographer, they’ll love 8a’s excellent camera and image processing software. But parents will love the comprehensive parental controls and reasonable price for a premium “kid” phone.
