Best Phones for Kids 2024
27 May 2024
Best Qualities for Kids Phones
When choosing a phone for your child, there are several important factors to consider. Phones can bring about independence for children and ease of mind for parents. But with so many on the market, it can be difficult to decide on the best option for your child.
For children, a good screen size for watching videos and playing games might be a priority. However, parents might be more focused on finding a lightweight model that can withstand water and is robust. Protect Your Bubble has narrowed down the key elements to make your purchase decision easier.
Best Qualities for Kids Phones
Cost – Many phones today are relatively high cost, so ensuring that you are getting the best model for the least amount of money is important.
Battery Life – Arguably one of the most important qualities, a long-lasting phone battery is essential for parents needing to communicate with their children.
Weight/Dimensions – A phone that is lightweight is essential for small hands.
Screen size – For children using their phones for gaming and videos, a larger screen provides better accessibility.
Water Resistance – Children can be prone to accidents, and having a phone that is resistant to water is best for a parent’s ease of mind.
Appearance – The range of colours that the model offers, and the number of cases available allows children to pick a phone to suit their personality.
Best Phones for Kids
It comes at a lower price point (£192) and has a good battery capacity of 3110 mAh. This model also comes in six different colours including black, white, green, purple, red and yellow. It is also fairly lightweight (194g), making it easier for a child to carry around all day.
Here is the full list:
Top 10 Phones for Kids
1. Apple iPhone 11
2. Apple iPhone 13
3. Apple iPhone 14
4. Apple iPhone 14 Plus
5. Google Pixel 6
6. Apple iPhone 15 Plus
7. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
8. Apple iPhone 15
9. Google Pixel 6 Pro
10. Samsung Galaxy S24
Most of the screen sizes in this top ten are 6.1 inches or larger, easily accessible for any phone applications a child might use. Furthermore, they all have an IP rating of 68, offering high water and dust resistance. This allows for a maximum depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes.
We also looked at the type of glass used for the screen. A majority of the screens are made by Corning Glass, which has developed scratch and damage-resistant glass for phone screens.
Sixty percent of the top 10 are iPhones, likely due to older models being less expensive options. However, even the older models have good specifications such as being lightweight with good battery longevity. Samsung and Google phones are each featured twice in the top 10.
Best Phones for Battery Life
One of the most important factors for any phone is the battery life as this can ensure contact in case of an emergency. For parents, knowing where your child is located is a crucial feature and being able to check in on them for longer periods of time is useful.
From a child’s perspective, being able to play games and use their phones for longer is also an inviting trait, as well as not needing to continuously charge their phones.
Here are the top ten models for battery life:
Top 10 Phones for Battery Life
1. Samsung Galaxy M34 5G - 6,000 mAh battery
2. Motorola Moto G64 - 6,000 mAh battery
3. Google Pixel 8 Pro - 5,050 mAh battery
4. Google Pixel 6 Pro - 5,003 mAh battery
5. Sony Xperia 10 V - 5,000 mAh battery
6. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 - 5,000 mAh battery
7. Samsung Galaxy A14 - 5,000 mAh battery
8. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G - 5,000 mAh battery
9. Google Pixel 7 Pro - 5,000 mAh battery
10. Samsung Galaxy A54 - 5,000 mAh battery
Samsung tops the chart alongside Motorola Moto. They both boast a battery capacity of 6000 mAh. Thirty percent of the top 10 phones for battery life are made by Samsung. Google, Motorola and Sony coming in a combined second for their battery life –
each phone brand is featured twice in the top ten. All the models in the top 10 are above 5000 mAh and can be used for over 16 hours from full charge.
Best Cheap Phones for Kids
Parents looking to buy their child a phone will want to ensure that it doesn’t break the bank. There are plenty of low-cost phones available that make it easier to stay in touch, but they may not necessarily have advanced features.
We have compiled lists of the most affordable phones in the study. These are a perfect option for a starter phone without getting swept up in smart features.
Top 10 Cheapest Phones for Kids
1. Nokia 105 (2023)
2. Nokia 150 (2023)
3. Alcatel 1066G
4. TTfone TT240
5. Nokia 225 4G (2024)
6. Nokia 8210 4G
7. Nokia 3310 (2017)
8. Nokia 235 4G (2024)
9. Nokia 215 4G (2024)
10. Motorola Moto G13
Naturally, Nokia comes out on top with 70% of the cheapest models. The majority of these phones only include basic features, making them a perfect option if you’re looking for a simple communication device. The Nokia 105 (2023) is the cheapest model in the study, costing just £17.89. The Nokia 150 (2023) is just slightly more expensive at £19.99.
Alcatel 1066G comes in third, at a cost of £29.99. The TTfone TT240 and Nokia 225 4G(2024) round out the top ten, costing £39.99 and £49.99 respectively.
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Less Expensive Phones for Kids (Which Brands Offer the Cheapest Models?)
1. Nokia (70% of cheapest models)
2. Alcatel, TTfone, Motorola (each with 10% of cheapest models)
Methodology
Over 50 phones were analysed as of May 2024, containing both latest releases and highly rated models.
Each data point consists of the latest specs, prices and testing. Data was standardised using min-max normalisation. The min-max normalisation is multiplied by 10 to create a score (between 0-10). A score of 10 is always the best result, while a score of 0 is the worst. Each phone is then ranked by its overall average rating across all data points.
Honourable mentions that do not appear in the top 10 list but have been included in this article are done so due to their benefits in size, weight and battery life.
Sources
Cost
The average cost for the model according to https://www.amazon.co.uk/ or the company website when applicable. Prices are correct at time of publication and subject to change.
Screen Size
The screen size specification as reported by https://www.gsmarena.com/
Water Resistance
The water resistance rating as reported by https://www.gsmarena.com/
Weight
The weight specification as reported by https://www.gsmarena.com/
Attractiveness (Colours)
The amount of phone colours available per model as reported by https://www.gsmarena.com/ or the company website when applicable
Attractiveness (Cases)
The estimated amount of phone cases being sold per model on https://www.ebay.co.uk/
Battery Life
The battery life in mAh as reported by https://www.gsmarena.com/