Best phones for kids in 2026
Finding the right phone for your child is less about which model has the best camera and more about what they actually need right now. And, most importantly, what will keep them safe while they use it. Whether you're looking for a simple call-and-text handset for a 9-year-old heading to school alone for the first time, or a proper first smartphone for a child starting secondary school, this guide covers the best options at every age and budget.
According to Ofcom, 91% of UK children have a smartphone by the age of 11, with many parents making the switch at the end of primary school or the start of Year 7. But a smartphone isn't always the right first step, and for younger children especially, a basic handset can be a smarter (and cheaper) choice.
We've chosen our picks by age group so you can go straight to the section that's relevant for your child. We've also included a section on what makes a phone genuinely safe for kids, covering parental controls, content filtering and which networks offer the most protection.
Compare SIM only deals on Uswitch
Browse our full range of SIM only deals from various network providers to find the right deal for your child.
What to think about before buying
Before you start comparing models, it's worth being clear on a few things:
Basic phone or smartphone? A basic handset (sometimes called a ‘dumb phone’) lets your child call and text without internet access, social media, or app stores. For children aged 8-10, or for parents who want a gradual introduction to mobile technology, this is often the better starting point. For children moving into secondary school, a smartphone with parental controls can be more practical, as it combines GPS tracking, messaging apps, and homework tools in one device.
Budget. You don't need to spend much on a solid, basic phone; they start from under £20. Good first smartphones are available from around £100 to £170. We've included options at every price point below, including refurbished phones that can save £100’s of new.
Parental controls. Every phone in this guide supports some form of parental control, for example, Apple's Screen Time (iPhone) or Google's Family Link (Android). Both let you set screen time limits, block inappropriate content, approve app downloads and see your child's location in real time.
Contract or SIM only? Most parents buying a first phone opt for a SIM only plan, giving them the flexibility to change networks or upgrade the phone independently. For our full guide to the best SIM cards and networks for kids, including child-safe SIMs with built-in content filtering, see our best mobile networks for kids and teens guide.
What makes a phone safe for kids?
A "safe" phone isn't just about which apps it has or doesn't have; it's about the controls around it. Here's what to look for and how to set things up.
Google Family Link (Android)
Family Link is Google's free parental control app, available on all Android phones. Once set up, it lets you:
- Set daily screen time limits - you can schedule downtime (e.g. no screen after 9pm) and set limits for individual apps
- Approve or block app downloads - your child must request permission before installing anything from the Play Store
- Track location - see your child's phone location in real time on a map
- Filter web content - when used with Google Chrome, Family Link blocks explicit websites
- Lock the device remotely - you can lock the phone from your own device if needed
Family Link works best on children under 13 and can be gradually relaxed as your child gets older.
Apple Screen Time (iPhone)
Screen Time is built directly into iOS and does not require a separate app to set up. Its key features include:
- App limits - set time limits per app or per category (e.g. social media: 1 hour per day)
- Downtime - block all apps except specified ones during set hours (useful for bedtime)
- Communication limits - control who your child can call, message and FaceTime
- Content restrictions - filter explicit content in apps, websites and Siri
- Screen Time reports - detailed weekly breakdowns of how your child is using their phone
Screen Time requires a Family Sharing group to manage from your own device, which is free to set up.
Network-level safety
In addition to device-level controls, several UK mobile networks offer network-level safety features, meaning content filtering occurs before it even reaches the device. This is particularly useful for younger children and adds an extra layer of protection.
Networks offering child-safe SIM options include EE (Safer Sims), Vodafone (Safer Sims) and ParentShield (a specialist child-safe network).
Tips for setting up your child's first phone
Getting the setup right from day one makes a big difference. Here are the things worth doing before you hand the phone over:
- Set up parental controls before your child sees the phone
It's easier to configure everything when you're not managing their excitement and expectations simultaneously.
- Agree on the rules before the phone arrives
Screen time, where phones are allowed (at the dinner table? in the bedroom at night?), what happens if rules are broken? Written agreements work well with 11–13-year-olds.
- Turn on location sharing from day one
Most children accept this naturally when it's framed as a safety tool rather than surveillance. It's much harder to introduce later.
- Use a child-safe SIM
Device parental controls are valuable, but network-level filtering adds a second layer that's harder for children to work around.
- Review settings regularly
What's appropriate for a 13-year-old is different from what's appropriate for an 11-year-old. Revisit the settings every six months or so.
Best phones for younger kids: ages 8–10
For this age group, we'd generally recommend a basic handset over a smartphone. It keeps things simple, removes the distraction of apps and social media, and costs a fraction of what a smartphone does. If it gets lost or broken, it's not a disaster.
Nokia 105 (2024) - from around £17
Best for: the simplest possible option
The Nokia 105 is the gold standard basic phone for kids. It does calls and texts and nothing else. There's no internet, no app store and no camera (depending on the variant), which makes it almost distraction-free. The battery lasts several days on a single charge, it's small enough to fit in a school bag pocket, and it's cheap enough that losing it isn't a crisis.
- Calls and texts only
- Battery life: up to 18 hours of talk time
- No internet access
- Approximate price: £17–£25
Nokia 3210 (2024 reissue) - from around £49
Best for: something more robust with a little more personality
The Nokia 3210 is the modern reissue of a genuine classic, updated with a colour screen and slightly more functionality, including a basic camera and Bluetooth. While the Nokia 3210 4G does include a web browser powered by Opera Mini, browsing is limited by design.
Opera Mini compresses pages on remote servers before delivering them to the device, which means lighter pages load faster, but data-heavy pages don't. In reality, it's enough for the occasional Google search, but not enough to fall down a YouTube rabbit hole. The device is also tougher than it looks and has the same excellent Nokia battery life. A good step up if your child wants something that feels a little less basic.
- Calls, texts, basic camera, Bluetooth
- Limited internet capability (feature phone browser)
- Battery life: several days
- Approximate price: £49–£60
Nokia 2660 Flip - from around £45
Best for: children who want something a bit different
The Nokia 2660 Flip is a compact clamshell phone that kids tend to love. It has an outer display showing missed calls and the time, opens to a full number pad, and includes an emergency button that can contact up to five people. The flip design also makes it naturally harder to accidentally dial or pocket-dial.
- Calls, texts, emergency button
- Outer display for notifications
- Compact and durable
- Approximate price: £45–£55
Which SIM should I use with a basic phone? For younger children, we recommend pairing a basic handset with a child-safe SIM from a network that includes content filtering as standard.
Best first smartphones: ages 11–13
For children starting secondary school, a smartphone becomes genuinely useful for tracking travel, staying in touch, using school apps, and more. The key at this age is finding a handset that supports strong parental controls without feeling babyish. All of the options below work with Google Family Link (Android) or Apple Screen Time (iPhone), giving you straightforward oversight while your child builds digital habits.
Samsung Galaxy A15 - from around £250
Best for: the best-value first smartphone
The Samsung Galaxy A15 is our top pick for an 11-year-old's first smartphone. It's affordable, well-built, and comes with six years of software and security updates, meaning you won't need to replace it anytime soon. The 6.5-inch screen is large enough for everyday use, the battery is strong, and it has a solid triple-lens camera for a child who will inevitably want to take photos. Samsung's own parental control features complement Google Family Link well.
- 6.5-inch FHD+ display
- 50MP triple camera
- 5,000mAh battery with fast charging
- 6 years of OS and security updates
- Approximate price: around £250
Compare Samsung Galaxy A15 deals
Find a great A15 deal for you with our wide range of offers from different networks.
Moto G15 - from around £100
Best for: the best budget smartphone
If you want to keep costs low, the Moto G15 is the best option at under £120. It's reliable, straightforward to set up with Google Family Link, has a large screen and a long-lasting battery. Motorola's near-stock Android experience is also easier to navigate than some heavily customised versions, which makes setting up and adjusting parental controls simpler for parents.
- 6.7-inch display
- Clean Android interface, easy to configure
- Long battery life
- Works with Google Family Link
- Approximate price: £100–£120
Compare Motorola deals
Save money on your child's next handset by choosing a Motorola phone deal.
iPhone SE (3rd generation, refurbished) - from around £150
Best for: households already in the Apple ecosystem
If the rest of your family uses iPhones, an iPhone SE makes sense; it integrates with Family Sharing, works with Apple Screen Time, and lets your child use iMessage and FaceTime without needing WhatsApp. The SE is compact compared to most modern smartphones, which some younger children prefer, and refurbished models from reputable retailers offer good value.
- Compact design, fits Apple ecosystem
- Apple Screen Time and Family Sharing are built in
- iMessage and FaceTime without additional apps
- Approximate refurbished price: £150–£200
iPhone SE deals
See our best iPhone SE deals
Best phones for older children: ages 14–16
By 14–16, most children have developed enough digital habits that make the strictest parental controls still important but less necessary. Many parents still use location-sharing, content-blocking tools and screen-time features at this age. The priority here shifts toward reliability, performance and longevity. These are phones that will last through GCSEs and beyond.
Samsung Galaxy A26 - from around £300
Best for: the best all-rounder for teens
The Galaxy A26 is a significant step up from the A16. It has a better camera, a better processor, IP67 waterproofing, and a premium OLED display, all at a price that's still well below flagship territory. It supports 6 years of security updates, meaning it'll still receive patches when your child leaves school. The improved camera will get heavy use. A genuinely excellent phone for the price.
- 6.7-inch OLED display
- 50MP camera with OIS
- IP67 waterproof
- 6 years of security updates
- Approximate price: £300
Samsung Galaxy A26 deals
Compare our best Samsung Galaxy A26 deals
Google Pixel 9a - from around £400
Best for: teens who want the best camera and long-term updates
The Pixel 9a is Google's mid-range flagship and one of the best Android phones at any price point. The camera is exceptional for a phone in this bracket, Android updates are guaranteed for seven years, and Google's own safety features, including the ability to scan messages for unwanted content, are built directly into the operating system. It's more expensive than the A26, but for a 15 or 16-year-old who'll have it for three or four years, the value stacks up.
- Clean Android with guaranteed 7 years of updates
- Exceptional camera
- Built-in Google safety features
- Approximate price: from £400
Google Pixel 9a deals
Compare a range of Google Pixel 9a deals to find the deal that best suits you
iPhone 15 or 16 (refurbished) - from around 350-£450+
Best for: teens already in the Apple ecosystem
If your teenager uses an iPad for school or the family uses iPhones, an iPhone 15 or 16 in good refurbished condition is worth considering. Apple's iOS updates last for many years; recent iPhones typically receive software support for 5 to 6 years, and Family Sharing makes it easy to maintain some oversight without it feeling intrusive.
- Apple ecosystem integration
- Long software support lifecycle
- Family Sharing for location and purchase controls
- Approximate refurbished price: from £350-£450+
Compare refurbished iPhone deals
See our best refurbished iPhone deals
FAQs
At what age should a child get a phone?
There's no single right answer. It depends on your child's maturity, their independence (for example, if they travel to school alone) and your family's circumstances. Most UK parents give their children their first phone between the ages of 9 and 11, often timed to coincide with the transition to secondary school. For younger children, a basic call-and-text handset is usually more appropriate than a smartphone.
Should I get my child a smartphone or a basic phone?
For children aged 8–10, a basic handset is usually the better choice. It keeps things simple and affordable, and removes the distraction of apps and social media. For children starting secondary school (11+), a smartphone with parental controls is more practical, covering GPS tracking, homework apps and communication tools all in one device.
What are the best parental controls for kids' phones?
On Android phones, Google Family Link is the most comprehensive free option; it lets you approve apps, set screen time, track location and filter web content. On iPhones, Apple Screen Time is built directly into iOS and offers similar functionality without any additional setup. Some parents also use third-party apps like Bark or Qustodio for additional monitoring.
Which mobile network is best for kids?
Networks that offer child-safe SIMs with built-in content filtering include EE, Vodafone and ParentShield. PAYG SIMs also work well for younger children as they give you more spending control. See our full guide to the best SIM cards for kids for detailed comparisons.
Can I get a phone contract for a child under 18?
Phone contracts require a credit check, and the applicant must be 18 or over, so contracts need to be taken out in a parent's or guardian's name. Many families opt for SIM only rather than contracts for younger children, as it keeps costs lower and gives more flexibility.
How do I set up Google Family Link on my child's Android phone?
Download the Family Link app on your own device, then follow the setup process to create a supervised Google account for your child. The process takes around 10 minutes. You'll be prompted to link your child's phone and set initial controls. For a full step-by-step guide, see our mobile phone safety guide.
