best buys
The best mobile phones for kids 2022
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One minute your kids are leaving sticky fingers all over your iPhone, the next you realise that it's probably time to buy them their own device!
You might not be keen for your child to have even MORE screen time, but once children get to 10 or 11 (or the start of Year Six) having their own phone can be useful.
Often they'll be starting to walk to school by themselves, or wanting to message friends outside of school hours.
But what type of phone should parents choose for their children?
Firstly, you need to decide whether you go for a contract or a SIM-only pay as you go – there are pros and cons to both.
Pay as you go means that after the initial outlay of buying the phone and SIM card, running costs are pretty small, often just a monthly call and data bundle.
Monthly contracts can spread the cost of a new handset, just remember that the phone you get with a contract is not 'free', as the cost is included in your monthly bill.
You'll also have to consider what type of model to choose (iPhone or Android) and what functions and features are needed.
Your children might like the thought of getting their hands on the latest Apple iPhone, but you might have a VERY different idea and often a well-priced Android handset is the best option for a first phone!
Depending on the age of your child, you could start off with a very basic make for just calls and texts, before moving on to a budget smartphone, so they can google and or download a social media app.
We've gathered together some suitable models (including iPhones and Android) from brands such as Samsung, Apple, Nokia and Motorola, covering every parental need and with a wide range of price points.
1. Samsung Galaxy A02s, £139
Storage: 32GB
Camera: 13 MP Selfie 5MP
Operating system: Android
A more compact and budget-friendly version of the Galaxy A72, the new A02s is perfect for smaller hands, yet is still packed with impressive features.
It's available in two different colours and has a great camera – perfect for selfie-loving tweens! Samsung's Smart Beauty Mode naturally enhances your best features for smoother, more defined photos. We also love that even though it's a smaller phone, it has a six-inch screen, meaning it's perfect for both catching up on social media and browsing apps and games.
Battery power is often a key consideration for this market, so you'll be pleased to hear that the Galaxy A02s has fast-charging technology, so it can be bought back to life in next to no time! We think it's suitable for pretty much any age – parents might even fancy one for themselves!
2. Nokia 3310 3G
Storage: 128MB
Camera: 2 MP
Operating system: Feature OS
This classic Nokia model has been reimagined for a new generation and now has 3G connectivity – but don't worry it's still got Snake!
It's the perfect handset for kids as it's bright and colourful and simple to use with all the features they need in a starter phone. They can call and text, plus use the new 3G connectivity to browse online. There are some design changes to the original – the Nokia 3310 3G is slimmer, with a larger screen to allow for today's internet browsing needs.
3. Motorola Moto G8 Power, from £19 a month
Storage:32GB
Camera: 16MP, 8MP (zoom), 8MP (wide), 2MP (macro)
Operating system: Android 10
As well as the competitive price, what parents (and kids) will love about the Moto G8 Power is the battery life – it can last for well over a day (and sometimes two) on one charge. So it's perfect for absent-minded tweens who forget to check their battery levels before heading out to the park with their friends!
With three cameras and a sleek design, that makes it look more expensive that the price tag suggests, it's a perfect choice for budget-conscious parents and will impress even the fussiest teen. It's also reassuringly chunky, so should stand up to any knocks and bumps that your child inflicts on it!
4. Nokia 1.3, £59
Storage: 16GB
Camera: 8MP
Operating system: Android 10 Go
The Nokia 1.3 is one of the cheapest smartphones on the market, yet despite this has surprisingly good features and a smart appearance. This could be one of the best options for a child's starter phone.
Pluses include a relatively sharp and clear display. While it can't compete with top of the range models for clarity, it's ideal for catching up on the latest TikToks! There's a front and rear camera (ideal for selfies) and also a decent amount of storage to play popular games such as Candy Crush.
The battery life isn't the best and it will need charging at least once a day. Page load isn't the quickest either. For well under £100 though, we think it's a bargain!
5. iPhone XR, from £23.99 a month
Storage: 64GB
Camera: 7MP
Operating system: iOS 12
If only an iPhone will do, then the XR is a great place to start. It has been overshadowed by the latest models, but it was groundbreaking when it first appeared and still performs better than many other smartphones on the market.
It looks good and is available in four snazzy colours including rose gold, silver, gold and sleek black. The display is brilliant, with great clarity, depth and colour and it boasts two high-performance cameras. It's also splash-proof and water-resistant, which will put many parents' minds at ease!
The iPhone XR also has a crackingly good battery – with talk time of up to 25 hours between each charge!
What are the best brands of mobile phones to buy for kids?
Often a cheap and cheerful model is the best bet until a child gets used to looking after and handling a device. It's often less stressful, too, as they won't have to worry about looking after something expensive.
Entry-level mobile phones are available from most leading brands, including Samsung, Apple and Motorola.
And remember, you DON'T have to get a brand new phone for your kid.
You can also buy nearly new or reconditioned handsets if you fancy a more expensive make or model, such as an iPhone, at a lower price. EE has a selection of good as new mobile phones here.
Where can you buy the best mobile phones for kids?
if you want to get a phone on contract, try EE, Tesco Mobile or BT. They also have the option to buy a phone outright and have a range of SIM-only deals.
BT has a special Family SIM discount where the more family members that are on a contract, the less each phone costs to run. So, it could make sense for parents to switch the whole family to a BT contract to lower the overall cost. You also get a monthly discount on your broadband costs. See more details here.
Using Tesco Mobile means that you'll collect Tesco Clubcard vouchers and you can also use them to pay your mobile phone bill. See more details here.
Want to purchase a smartphone outright so you can have a cheaper SIM-only deal?
Curry's PC World and Amazon also have competitively-priced handsets.
What features should you look for?
Battery life is really important as younger kids won't be as used to keeping an eye on how charged up their phone is.
A handset that's sturdy enough to survive being knocked about in school bags is a good idea, too, as is one that's waterproof.
Making sure you invest in a cover and a screen protector is also a good investment.
If you don't want your child to go online, you could start off with a basic mobile phone to start with and then move onto a smartphone with data once your child gets to an older age and starts to use social media.
The amount of storage is also something to consider. If your child wants a quite a few apps and games, you should be looking for phones with more than 16MB of storage.
The screen is another thing to think about, too. It needs to be a decent size if kids want to go online to watch videos, google or to use a social media app, such Instagram or TikTok.
Being able to track the amount of screen time is another parental must-have and a useful feature. This will report how long the phone has been in use for and what apps etc have been looked at and for how long.
It's also a useful way of helping your child to manage their own phone time.
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