The best phones for kids
Which smartphones are best for kids and teenagers?
Deciding on a phone for your child or teen can seem daunting. Is it the right time? Will they be safe and reachable? How are they using their phone?
With so much choice out there, it really can seem like a minefield. So, we've put together our top picks to help you decide.
The best smartphones for younger kids have great basic features so they can call, text and safely game online. Alternatively, our smartphone picks for teens ensure they can download the latest apps, stream content, and connect with friends over social media.
Features of a good phone for your child
Tough materials
Durable against spills, knocks and drops
Battery life that lasts
Keeping them on the go for longer
Handy screen size
Fits nicely into smaller hands and pockets
Photos and videos
A high-resolution camera capturing crisp imagery - still or moving
An easy-to-use interface
Intuitive to navigate the menus, apps, and settings
Online protection
Robust security features
Storage capacity
Lots of memory for photos, videos, apps, and much more
Smooth performance
Handles demanding apps, games, and tasks well
Get the best phones for less
Choosing a refurbished phone is kind to your pocket, kinder to the planet – they’re second hand, but still in top working condition.
All our refurbished phones are Vodafone Assured, fully tested, data-wiped, with a 32-point health check and 14-day returns. Plus, they come with our Lifetime Service Promise, including a Lifetime Warranty and Battery Refresh at no extra cost.
Phones for children we'd recommend
Whether you're buying for a 10-year-old or a teenager, here are the best phones for children and young adults.
Our existing customers can enjoy a 15% discount on selected additional phones and plans - log in to your My Vodafone account to apply the discount for your child’s phone.
Best iPhone for your kids and teens
There's an iPhone just for you
Advanced camera systems and brilliant displays. Durable designs. Fast, intelligent, and power-efficient chips. Long-lasting battery life. So many reasons to love your new iPhone.
There are so many reasons to love iPhone
Best Android phones for kids and teens
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
With great power comes your child's great gaming capability - and the Galaxy A52s 5G is built for fast, lag-free gaming. They can relax and play in comfort on the 6.5-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O Display with a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, powered by 5G speed◊. Samsung's Infinity-O Displays have a cut-out in the upper corner or the middle so the front camera can be discreetly tucked away, maximising screen space and picture quality. The long-lasting 4,500mAh battery with 25W Fast Charging will keep your child going as they level up and up, and Samsung's Game Booster automatically adjusts their settings to give them the best gaming experience. They can even disable Bixby and hide notifications to ensure total focus. 5G speed means lightning-fast sharing and gaming with no interruptions, and great performance from your child's favourite apps, whether at home or on the go.
Great for:
Smooth performance
Battery life that lasts
An easy-to-use-interface
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
The power of 5G fast speeds deliver super smooth gaming to your kid's fingertips, streaming with Ultra Fast sharing and downloading. All on a 6.5-inch Infinity-V Display and HD+ screen. Your child can enjoy fast and efficient performance through combined Octa-core processing power and up to 4GB of RAM¹, plus 64GB of internal storage. Perhaps for older kids wanting a camera with more features, the advanced Quad Camera captures their world in striking detail through a 48MP Main Camera, 8MP Ultra Wide Camera, 2MP Depth Camera and 5MP Macro Camera. With a simple touch, they can easily fine-tune background blur for high-quality portrait shots. Frame Booster uses sophisticated technology to give smooth graphics and life-like motion while gaming. It also learns usage patterns to optimise battery, temperature and memory. The 5,000mAh (typical)² battery keeps them powered up for longer, with up to 15W of Adaptive Fast Charging. Samsung Knox contains overlapping defence and security protections against hacking, damaging software, and online threats.
Great for:
Photos and videos
Memory
Online protection
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
Expand their view to the 6.6-inch Infinity-V Display. Thanks to FHD+ technology, everyday content looks better - sharp, crisp and stunning. Plus, Real Smooth keeps the view smooth, whether your child is gaming or scrolling. Refined curves make it comfortable to hold and provide easy screen navigation - ideal for smaller hands. Budding photographers can capture their world in all different ways with Triple Camera. They can snap memorable moments in clear detail with the 48MP Main Camera. The 5MP Ultra Wide Camera is great for group pics and landscapes, whereas the 8MP Front Camera and bokeh effect snap stunning portrait selfies. The 5,000mAh (typical)¹ battery keeps your child powered up for hours on end. And with up to 15W of Adaptive Fast Charging, Galaxy A22 5G quickly gets back to full power. Octa-core processing power combines with up to 4GB of RAM for fast and efficient performance. Plus, they can enjoy 64GB of internal storage for their media, games and apps. With One UI Core, they can seamlessly switch apps and multitask on a single screen - great for a variety of kids' entertainment and activities on the go.
Great for:
The right screen size
Smooth performance
Memory
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
A dynamic powerhouse of a phone with a luxe matte finish, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is any young gamer's new best friend. The 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x Display has a 120Hz refresh rate, meaning faster, more fluid gaming interactions - all at 5G speeds¹. Great for gaming. Colours and brightness are fine-tuned for a truly immersive gaming experience. The Snapdragon 888 processor is the fastest mobile processor available in the range - they'll be ready for super-smooth gameplay, multitasking, 4K video streaming and 4K video recording. The 4,500mAh battery¹ is ready to take you through hours of gameplay, but if they catch themselves running low, your child can power up with 25W Super Fast Charging² and 15W Fast Wireless Charging. Plus, with 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM, they'll have all the space they need to save the games they love and ensure nothing interrupts those all-important gaming marathons.
Great for:
Smooth performance
The right screen size
An easy-to-use-interface
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
The Galaxy Z Flip3 is a small mobile phone that folds neatly into your child's pocket. It then flips open into a full-screen 5G smartphone. It’s a little more like a tablet, so a great first phone if they've been used to bigger screens growing up. 120Hz on the 6.7-inch Infinity Flex Display¹ delivers smooth scrolling, and even optimises the refresh rate based on what's being viewed. Dynamic AMOLED 2X brings the brightest, and crispest display in Galaxy Z ever. Notifications can be viewed on the cover screen if they so wish². They’ll capture amazing moments with the dual Rear Camera. With Flex mode³, they can step back for hands-free snaps, acting as a tripod to stabilise the camera. Your child can split their screen in two and multitask like a pro, catching up on their YouTube playlist and texting friends at the same time. When they're watching something, the sound will immerse them with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. Don't worry about spills, either. They can make a splash with the world’s first water-resistant foldable smartphone with an IPX8 rating, hanging out in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes without leaving the live stream4 (pun intended). Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is also finished with durable technology.
Great for:
Smooth performance
Photos and videos
The right screen size
Google Pixel 6a
With the same brains as Pixel 6 Pro, Google Tensor makes apps launch fast, pages and images load quickly and everything run smoothly. Great for gaming, browsing, snapping and connecting with friends online. Stay powered up with a battery lasting over 24 hours. By learning favourite apps and saving power on those rarely used, Pixel's Adaptive Battery can last all day¹. Better still, battery can be extended for up to 72 hours total². With Extreme Battery Saver, choose which apps to run and Pixel turns the others off. Get hours of power in just a few minutes with fast wired charging³. What's more, those perfect group pictures, vibrant shots and stunning selfies await. Out-of-focus faces can be made sharper with Face Unblur⁴. Unwanted objects are no more with Magic Eraser* With IP67 protection, Pixel 6a can take a little water and dust, so no need to worry about those little spills and accidents. Cybersecurity is also taken care of with the Pixel 6a. The Titan M2™ chip and Google Tensor security core give Pixel an extra layer of hardware security, so it's more resilient to attacks⁵.
Great for:
Photos and videos
Battery life that lasts
Smooth performance
SIM-only deals for kids
If you already have a device to give to your kid or teen, check out our best SIM-only deals. You can choose the right data plan at the right price, with flexibility to what they need.
Our Unlimited data plans are perfect for avid gamers, music streamers, TV lovers and film buffs. A selection of our plans come YouTube Premium, Spotify Premium, or Amazon Prime included - an excellent way to keep them entertained for hours on end.
Just bought a new phone?
Shop from a wide range of compatible accessories to help your child get the most out their device, all while keeping it safe, secure, and fully charged for hours on end.
Don't risk spending hundreds on a screen replacement for your child's phone - get double protection with our selection of phone cases and screen protectors.
Most new phones do not include charger plugs, so choose from a variety of power cables and plugs for seamless gaming or streaming.
More tips for buying a phone for your kid
Refurbished phones
We sell a variety of Pay monthly refurbished phones that would also be suitable for your child - choose from Pristine or Great condition.
Check out our incredible refurbished phone deals which offer great value for money. Not only are these some of the best smartphones in the market, but buying refurbished is also friendlier to the planet and your pocket.
Vodafone Together
Looking to get the whole family connected and save money? You could do just that by switching your broadband and mobile plans to Vodafone Together
Plus, there is a whole range of family VeryMe Rewards built around what you love, with weekly treats, great giveaways and amazing prize draws.
Keeping safe online
You can read more about parental controls, filtering, privacy settings, and generally keeping your family safe online on our parental controls and filtering page. Then check out Digital Parenting Pro, one of the UK’s biggest resources on parental controls and safety settings.
We also have expert guides on keeping kids safe online on our Digital Parenting page
Managing your bills
With Spend Manager, you have the flexibility to enjoy any extra usage or services, while staying in control of how much you spend.
Keep an eye on data usage through the My Vodafone app or by logging in to My Vodafone. Manage your usage through monitoring, capping or extending data limits.
Terms and conditions
¹Emergency SOS uses a cellular connection or WiFi Calling.
²The display has rounded corners. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.68 inches diagonally. Actual viewable area is less.
³Battery life varies by use and configuration; see apple.com/batteries for more information.
¹iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini are splash, water and dust resistant and were tested under controlled laboratory conditions with a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 metres up to 30 minutes).
Splash, water and dust resistance are not permanent conditions. Resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear.
Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone; refer to the user guide for cleaning and drying instructions. Liquid damage not covered under warranty.
¹iPhone SE (3rd generation) has a rating of IP67 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes).
Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear.
Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone; refer to the user guide for cleaning and drying instructions. Liquid damage not covered under warranty.
¹Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/batteries for more information.
²Testing conducted by Apple in January 2022 using pre‑production iPhone SE (3rd generation) and software and accessory Apple USB-C Power Adapter (20W Model A2305). Fast-charge testing conducted with drained iPhone units. Charge time varies with settings and environmental factors; actual results will vary. Wireless chargers and power adapters sold separately.
¹Galaxy A52s 5G is rated as IP67. Based on test conditions for submersion in up to 1 metre of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach, pool use and soapy water.
In case you spill liquids containing sugar on the phone, please rinse the device in clean, stagnant water while clicking keys.
Safe against low water pressure only. High water pressure such as running tap water or shower may damage the device.
*Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4,860 mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
*RAM and internal memory capacity may vary by country. Actual storage available may vary depending on pre-installed software.
**MicroSD card sold separately.
¹Galaxy A52s 5G: Typical value based on testing under third-party lab conditions. Rated capacity for Galaxy A52s 5G is less.
¹Galaxy A32 5G: Typical value based on testing under third-party lab conditions. Rated capacity is 4,860mAh for Galaxy A32 5G.
¹Galaxy A22 5G: Typical value based on testing under third-party lab conditions. Rated capacity is 4,860mAh for Galaxy A22 5G.
¹Galaxy S21 FE: Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4370mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors. Estimated against the usage profile of an average/typical user. Independently assessed by Strategy Analytics between 18 June 2021 - 23 June 2021 in USA and 8 December 2021 - 20 December 2021 in the UK with pre-release versions of SM-G990 under default setting using 5G Sub6 networks (NOT tested under 5G mmWave network). Actual battery life varies by network environment, features and apps used, frequency of calls and messages, number of times charged, and many other factors.
¹Galaxy Z Flip3 is rated as IPX8. IPX8 is based on test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Not dust resistant.
²Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Flip3 5G's Cover Screen size is 1.9" in the full rectangle and 1.8" with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners. Certain applications may not be supported on the Cover Screen.
¹ Estimated battery life based on testing using a median Pixel user battery usage profile across a mix of talk, data, standby and use of other features. Average battery life during testing was approximately 29 hours. Battery life depends upon many factors and usage of certain features will decrease battery life. Battery testing conducted in California in early 2022 on pre-production hardware and software, using default settings. Battery testing conducted using Sub-6 GHz non-standalone 5G (ENDC) connectivity. Actual battery life may be lower.
² Estimated battery life based on testing using a mix of talk, data, standby and use of limited other features that are default in Extreme Battery Saver mode (which disables various features including 5G connectivity). Battery testing conducted on a major operator network. Battery testing conducted in California in early 2022 on pre-production hardware and software using default settings, except that Extreme Battery Saver mode was enabled. Battery life depends upon many factors and usage of certain features will decrease battery life. Actual battery life may be lower.
³ Deblurring may not work on all photos or videos with faces.
⁴ Requires Google Photos app. Magic Eraser may not work on all image elements.
⁵ Compared to earlier models of Pixel phones.
You must have a 5G ready device with the downloaded 5G software, a Vodafone 5G plan and 5G coverage. Speed and coverage may be affected by a number of factors.
Buying a refurbished phone has a lower carbon footprint than buying a new one
Substantiation:
A life cycle assessment study (Pamminger, R., Glaser, S. and Wimmer, W., Modelling of different circular end-of-use scenarios for smartphones. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (2021) 26:470-482) found that a refurbished phone (used for an average 1.93 years) can have a 55% lower contribution to climate change (or 'GWP') compared to a new phone (used for 2.5 years) (according to the study results shown on page 479).
Based on this study, buying and using a refurbished phone can be considered to be kinder to the planet in comparison to buying and using a new phone, because it has a lower negative impact on climate change.
See a consumer-friendly report of the study [PDF: 177KB]
For the full study, see the Springer Link website