Whether or not to give your kids a phone is a tricky decision for every parent. The fact remains that our kids are growing up in a technology-driven world. Instead of viewing a phone for your child as a negative thing, you can gain peace of mind with the ability to track their location and contact them directly no matter where they are.
While the decision to get your kid a phone can be complicated, we've broken it down for you to make the most informed purchase.
Also: The best kids' tablets
What is the best kids' phone right now?
While there are some phones on the market made specifically for kids, other smartphones provide basic and affordable features that could be useful to your child. ZDNET rounded up the kid-friendly phones and found the best overall pick to be the Apple iPhone SE, but we also included devices from Samsung, Gabb, and more.
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The best phone for kids in 2025
Show less View now at Amazon Apple's iPhone lineup spans a wide range of models at varying prices. The most inexpensive iPhone is the iPhone SE. Apple revamped the iPhone SE in 2022 with the same processor as the more expensive iPhone 13 series. I went hands-on with the iPhone SE, and the end result was an iPhone 13-like experience in a phone half the price. The phone features a 4.7-inch display and a Touch ID home button that your child can use to secure their iPhone with a fingerprint. The rear camera takes photos that are nearly as clear and crisp as higher-end iPhones, while the front camera provides a solid FaceTime experience. Review: Apple iPhone SE: You simply can't find a better phone at this price In addition to excellent hardware at a reasonable price, you're also getting access to Screen Time parental controls, Find My, Family Sharing, and the rest of Apple's software services. For a family that's heavily invested in Apple products, the iPhone SE is a great starter phone for kids. Parents on Reddit who purchased the iPhone SE for their child praised the parental control options and how easy the phone is for young kids to use. Apple iPhone SE tech specs: Display: 4.7-inch | Processor: Apple A15 Bionic | Memory: 4GB | Storage: 64/128/256GB | Rear cameras: 12MP | Front camera: 7MP FaceTime Camera | Battery: 2,018 mAh | Cost: Around $157 (refurbished) Pros Most affordable iPhone
Strong performance
Good battery life
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