Choose the Best Smartphone for Your Preteen or Teenager

Choose the Best Smartphone for Your Preteen or Teenager

Choose the Best Smartphone for Your Preteen or Teenager

In this digital age, it is more than likely your preteen or teenager wants a smartphone. But as a responsible parent, you want to pick the right kind of phone-based on his or her age and maturity level.

Here are a few throwback options to consider when buying a smartphone for your preteen or teenager:

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Have you thought about giving your child a smartphone? It could be really helpful in case of unexpected emergencies and keep them connected with you. Here are some throwback options to consider! #smartphones #teens” quote=” Have you thought about giving your child a smartphone? It could be really helpful in case of unexpected emergencies and keep them connected with you. Here are some throwback options to consider! “]

LG 450

If your preteen isn’t quite ready to take on the responsibility of a full-featured smartphone, but you still want to keep in touch while he or she is away or in case of an emergency, the LG 450 is a good option.

It is a simple flip phone with up to three hours of talk time on battery power, text-to-speech capabilities, surfing privileges, and access to kid-friendly games. This is an excellent choice if you are on the fence about giving your preteen phone privileges.

And if he or she can take care of this phone, you can upgrade in the future.

Alcatel OneTouch Pop Astro


If you have a clumsy or forgetful preteen, opt for the Alcatel OneTouch Pop Astro since it offers all the smartphone features on a budget. This means you will be less upset if they drop it in the pool or lose it at school.

It is considered an entry-level device with a compact look and a decent battery life.

Plus, there is a built-in camera if your child likes to experiment with photography or simply wants to take a selfie.

Microsoft Lumia 640

Upgrade your preteen’s basic phone with something a little more tech-savvy once they prove to you that it won’t be lost or broken. A Microsoft Lumia 640 is great for calling and texting, and it is equipped with a built-in camera.

At only $129, this is a suitable upgrade for your child.

Nokia Lumia 635


The Nokia Lumia 635 boasts a price that is difficult to beat. With its bright screen and interchangeable cases, your teenager will love the fashion statement this phone makes.

And this phone has enough features to help your teenager feel more like an adult. It is a great tester phone to see how well your teen can handle responsibility.

HTC One M8

With an elegant style, large memory option, and dual camera, the HTC One M9 is perfect if your teen has proven that they are responsible. Especially if your teenager loves music, the sound quality is crisp, clear, and without distortions.

He or she also has access to social media, a built-in camera, and plenty of apps. It has all of the functions of a regular smartphone and will show your teen that they can be treated like an adult.

Apple iPhone 5C


iPhones are a popular option for your responsible teen. The Apple iPhone 5c offers a sleek and colorful design, user-friendly options, and compatible apps to make it the complete phone for your teen.

Before giving the iPhone to your teen, make sure to get the latest iPhone cases to keep it safe.

Listening to music, accessing homework assignments, and Skyping with friends is easy to do with the touch-screen display and no-fuss access.

What age do you think kids should get their first cell phone?

Comments

24 responses to “Choose the Best Smartphone for Your Preteen or Teenager”

  1. […] features of the iPad and iPhone, your child can create different machines using an image-based programming language. This app will […]

  2. Thank you I needed this! My 17 year old is due for an upgrade of her Samsung A50 and I’m trying to figure out what is next for her.

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      Most likely she wants an iPhone since that’s what the majority of people have

      1. Can she want all she wants unless she’s paying for it LOL

        1. Nerdy Dad RP

          Very true lol

  3. Molli Taylor

    EVeryone is getting phones for christmas, so this is good info. it’s hard balancing safety and accessibility!

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      Sounds like a great Christmas at your house! What kind of smartphone is everyone getting?

  4. megan allen

    Thank you! We are thinking about getting our oldest a new one for Christmas!

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      A new smartphone would make a great Christmas gift for your kiddo!

  5. YOLANDA DAVIS

    My teenager is asking for all sorts of really expensive new phones for Christmas. I’m totally out of my depth and didn’t have a clue so reading this post has really helped.

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      I bet they want an iPhone as does the rest of the world lol. Am I right?

  6. cindy legg

    i think teens need cell phones to stay in touch in case of emergencies to reach parents or emergency agencies. i think any of the options listed above are great ideas depending on your childs age and maturity.

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      Yes, cell phones are becoming increasingly important. We usually get our kids their first one when they enter middle school since it’s over 30 minutes away.

  7. Ronald Gagnon

    This information is very helpful for parents constantly facing a demand for phones. However a bit more help on actually how to deal with this scenario would have been great

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      Do you have kids wanting a phone?

  8. Lauryn R

    These are great tips, thank you so much for sharing! My oldest is 11 and although she would love her own phone, I’m not quite ready yet. I know that I love that they have pay monthly phones now, contracts are the worst!

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      I understand – my youngest will be 11 this month and he doesn’t have a phone. We might get him one for middle school like we did his brother though.

  9. […] also set their priority level, due date, and duration. Plus, since it’s available for both Android and iOS, you can receive reminders via SMS on your Android or iPhone, as well as instant messenger and […]

  10. cindy legg

    ive had a few of these and they rock i had alcatel and lgs love both. i think teens could handle any of the ones i had.

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      Yeah, most of the time teens know technology better than we do lol

  11. Edna Williams

    In case of an emergency, teens definitely need a phone. Since I get dizzy trying to figure out what phone is right for me, I find these tips very helpful! Thanks for the article!

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      Yes, it’s becoming the norm for even young child to have their own smartphone

  12. Brittany Gilley

    We pass down our iPhones

    1. Nerdy Dad RP

      That’s a great way to save money on smartphones!

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