The Best Phones for Kids and Teens: Top Picks & What to Look For

Picking a phone for your kid or teen? Yeah, it’s a lot. But Goji is here to help *cue superhero music montage*. We’re breaking down the best phones for kids and teens - the ones that won’t break your budget – or on the first time they're dropped. We’ve got the lowdown on safety tools, durability, battery life, and what phone features actually matter.

Also, we’re only talking about phones that parents can actually control. Because handing your 10-year-old a smartphone with full-access to the entire online experience? That’s a no from us. 

We will show you safety tools, durability tips, and battery basics – then walk through our top picks. 

You’ll also see how Goji helps you compare phones and plans side by side, so you can shop smarter and get back to being a personal driver, chef, nurse, life coach, and all the other roles of parenting that you don’t have time to read right now.

What Makes a Phone Good for Younger Users?

Picking a phone for a kid or teen can feel more overwhelming than coordinating extracurricular pick ups and drop offs. The right phone should keep your child connected without opening the door to the entire internet at once. Aim for these three main aspects: safety / parental controls, durability, and battery life.

Safety & Parental Controls

Look for controls that parents can actually use without a tutorial. The essentials:

• App and web limits: Approve downloads, block mature sites, and filter results.
• Screen time and schedules: Set study hours, bedtime, and quiet times.
• Contacts and calling: Approve trusted contacts and restrict unknown numbers.
• Location sharing: Built-in GPS to check arrivals and departures.
• Remote support: Lock a phone, pause data, or find it on a map when it hides in a backpack.

Durability

Kids treat phones like their least favorite sports equipment. A durable setup saves money and your sanity:

• Protection: Choose models with known case options and tempered glass protectors.
• Materials: Look for scratch-resistant glass and reinforced frames.
• Water and dust resistance: Accidents happen near sinks, pools, and baseball dugouts.

Battery Life & Usability

You need a phone that lasts through school, gymnastics practice, and the “forgot to charge” confession:

• All-day battery: A larger battery and efficient software help a lot.
• Simple setup: Family accounts, easy onboarding, and a clear home screen.
• Right-size features: Give them what they need now, and add more later.

Top Phone Picks for Kids & Teens

These five phones cover starter-safe basics, stricter controls for cautious families, budget phones with full apps, and upgrades for teens who want speed and great photos. Each includes kid-relevant strengths and things for parents to consider.

Gabb Phone 4 Pro

A training wheels smartphone that keeps kids connected without opening the internet floodgates. Safe, simple, and built for first-time phone owners.

Key Specs: Simple phone with curated apps, limited internet access, built-in parental tools, and GPS support.

Why It’s a Good Pick: Designed for kids first. No full app store, fewer digital rabbit holes, and easy controls for contacts and usage. A smooth starter phone for elementary or early middle school.

Drawbacks: Limited features compared to standard smartphones. Older kids may outgrow it and ask for more app flexibility.

Bark Phone

Think “parent dashboard in your pocket.” Strong monitoring, clear controls, and settings that actually stick, perfect for families who want guardrails from day one.

Key Specs: Based on Samsung A series, unlimited talk and text on Bark plans, built-in monitoring with contact approvals, website blocking, GPS tracking, remote lock, and tamper-resistant settings.

Why It’s a Good Pick: A turnkey safety solution for families who want robust monitoring without juggling multiple apps. Settings are hard to bypass, and tools are well organized.

Drawbacks: Monthly cost is higher than pairing a budget phone with separate controls. Hardware is solid but not premium, and availability can vary by region.

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

A real smartphone at a family-friendly price. Cool enough for school and chats, with easy-to-use safety tools parents can set up in minutes.

Key Specs: Budget Android with 5G, modern OS, quality display, Samsung Kids, and Digital Wellbeing tools.

Why It’s a Good Pick: Delivers real-smartphone capability at a reasonable price. Parents can manage screen time, filter content, and keep it simple for tweens and younger teens.

Drawbacks: Not as rugged as kid-specific phones. Software support is shorter than flagship devices. Add a sturdy case and screen protector on day one.

Google Pixel 9a

For teens who care about photos and speed. Clean Android, quick updates, and Family Link make this a smart, long-lasting pick.

Key Specs: A strong camera, smooth performance, long update support, and Google Family Link integration.

Why It’s a Good Pick: Excellent choice for older teens who want speed, photos, and longevity. Pixels tend to get updates quickly, which extends useful life and security.

Drawbacks: Costs more than entry-level phones. Younger kids may not need the extra power and camera quality.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

A step-up phone for teens who do it all. Great camera, fast performance, and controls that still keep things reasonable.

Key Specs: Mid-premium feature set, capable camera system, responsive performance, Android plus Samsung parental tools.

Why It’s a Good Pick: Great for teens who want a phone that can handle school, gaming, photos, and content creation. Parental controls still apply, and the experience feels fast and polished.

Drawbacks: Higher price, and repairs can be pricey if dropped. A protective case is non-negotiable.

How to Choose the Right Phone for Your Child’s Age & Maturity

It really comes down to matching a phone to your child’s habits, your family rules, and how much independence makes sense right now. Think about where the phone will be used by your kid, who they will talk to, and how much time they can reasonably manage.

We also recommend checking your kid’s school’s policy, your coverage needs, and your repair budget. 

Start simple, then add features as skills and trust grow. You can always be the cool parent unlocking more features and options later. (But you can’t easily undo a chaotic first setup.)

Ages Up To 9: Prioritize safety and communication. Limited apps, no open browser, GPS tracking. Consider Gabb Phone 4 Pro or Bark Phone.

Ages 10 to 13: Add music, maps, and a camera with tighter screen time rules. Consider Samsung Galaxy A15 5G or Bark Phone.

Ages 14 to 17: More independence with shared expectations. Strong performance, better cameras, and sensible limits. Consider Google Pixel 9a or Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.

Start locked down, review usage together, then loosen settings as trust and maturity grow. Invite your child into the setup. Ownership builds responsibility.

Tips for Using Phones Responsibly

Here’s your family-friendly playbook for fewer phone fights and more peace. Start with the basics on day one, create a clear family phone agreement, and plan regular check-ins. Small tweaks, steady wins:

• Set up a supervised account, with parental controls on from day one.
• Require a strong passcode and biometrics, no easy-to-guess codes.
• Turn on auto updates, Find My, remote lock, and remote wipe, for security and recovery.
• Enable content filters and safe search, with age-appropriate app store ratings.
• Set screen time schedules and a bedtime, and use School or Focus modes.
• Keep phones out of bedrooms at night, and charge them in a common area.
• Lock down social privacy, approve contacts, and no chatting with strangers.
• Enable driving mode for teens to prevent texting while driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

At what age is it OK for a child to have a smartphone?

There is no universal age. Many families start around 10 to 11 with a limited phone. Focus on maturity, family rules, and your child’s needs.

What are the best features to include in parental controls?

Screen time schedules, app approvals, web filtering, location sharing, and contact management. Simple dashboards help you stay consistent.

How much should I expect to spend for a “good enough” phone for a kid or teen?

Plan on $200 to $400 for the phone, plus a plan that fits your coverage needs. Budget models paired with strong controls deliver great value.

Should I get a durable phone or just use a good case?

Use both. A decent build, a tough case, and tempered glass handle most mishaps and keep repair costs down.

Is buying refurbished or certified pre-owned a safe option?

Yes, if you choose a trusted seller with clear grading, battery health checks, and a return window. It is a smart path to better hardware at a lower price.