The days of mobile phones just being for adults are long gone. Whether you’re choosing your child’s first phone or you’re looking for something suitable for a teenager, here’s a guide to the kind of features you might want to look out for when choosing a phone for your child.
Look into mid-range phones
You might not be looking to spend a lot on your child’s phone – particularly if you’re replacing a mobile which has already met an unfortunate end. There are plenty of mid-range phones like the Google Pixel 3a, the Sony Xperia 10 and the Huawei P Smart 2019 that offer phone features your kid will love, at a price that’s a bit friendlier on the wallet.
Tough materials
If you’re worried about your child dropping their phone, something with a plastic or metal case might make more sense than a glass exterior. The Huawei P Smart 2019 comes with a plastic back and sides and a pre-fitted screen protector. If you opt for a phone that does have a plastic rear (like the Google Pixel 3a) or a metal rear (like the Sony Xperia 10) but a glass front, you might want to consider a sturdy case and screen protector for peace of mind.
And if you’re worried your child might end up spilling something over their phone or dropping it in some water, a phone with a good water resistance rating could be the answer – although these might cost a bit more.
Battery life that lasts
If you want to make sure you’ll be able to stay in touch when your little one is out and about, choosing a phone with a good battery life will give you peace of mind.
The Google Pixel 3a’s battery is designed to last all day, while the Huawei P Smart 2019 also has a decent sized battery. Just remind them to charge it regularly.
The right screen size for them
If you’re looking for a phone for a pre-teen or an older child, you might want to look for a smaller screen size that’s easier to hold in smaller hands. The Google Pixel 3a comes with an easy-to-handle 5.6-inch screen, making this a more petite model.
For teenagers that like to game, the Sony Xperia 10 comes with an extended display for an immersive gaming experience they’ll love. It also brings big-screen viewing to their phone for teens that enjoy watching movies and shows.
A great camera
Whether your child wants to take the perfect selfie or spend their time documenting the family dog, a great phone camera will give them hours of creative fun.
If they love to take pics on the go – and lots of them – a camera like the P Smart 2019 with AI photography mode makes it easy to take amazing looking photos for their social media accounts.
A phone like the Google Pixel 3a takes multiple photos at once, with a Top Shot feature that then lets them pick the one they prefer – handy if you’re usually the photographer in a lengthy shoot. It also comes with Portrait Mode, perfect for high quality group shots, selfies and pics of their favourite pet.
An easy-to-use interface
If you’ve ever watched a child try to use an iPhone XS Max, you’ll know that smaller hands struggle with large screens. The best phones for small children tend to be the ones they can easily hold with one hand, with clear displays for calling and texting. Older children, however, may want phones with a larger screen – especially if they’re into watching films or gaming.
Younger children may also need features which let them quickly find their way around their phone. The Sony Xperia 10 has a side bar that’s simple to find and navigate, and the Pixel 3a has Google Assistant. Just squeeze the side of the phone, ask Google to make a call or send a text, and it’ll do the rest.
If you've already got an older phone you're planning on giving to your child, why not take a look at our SIM only deals?
You can choose your monthly spend and decide on how much data, minutes and texts they need.
You can also read our expert guides to keeping kids safe online on our Digital Parenting page.
Need inspiration?
Here are three phones which we’d recommend for kids and teenagers.
Huawei
P smart 2019
The P smart 2019’s luxurious, sleek exterior hides high-definition dual AI cameras and superb performance, effortlessly powered by a Kirin 710 highly responsive octa-core processor.
