Help, Which iPhone Should I Buy for My Kids? (Best iPhones for Children 2021)

iPhone 12 mini vis iPhone SE 2020 Credit: Pickaxe Media / Hadrian / Shutterstock
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Are you thinking about getting your child a new iPhone? I don’t blame you – because in this day and age, being able to reach your family anytime you want is more of a necessity than a privilege

Not only that, but if you’re still practicing social distancing, a smartphone is an excellent way for your kids to stay in touch with their friends and other family members without leaving home.

Of course, that raises the question, which iPhone should you get for a child or a preteen?

Should you go for a brand new iPhone that you know is going to last for years to come or try to get a cheaper model you’ll have to upgrade sooner rather than later?

Heck, maybe the solution isn’t even getting your children iPhones at all..

Here’s what you need to take into consideration before buying kiddo an iPhone.

First, Are They Ready for an iPhone?

That’s the age-old question, right? How old should my kid be before they have a smartphone? There are many beliefs regarding this. Some people think that the age of 12 or 13 is the right age to give your kids a smartphone, but truth be told, the decision is entirely yours. 

Everyone’s conditions and lives are different, and there isn’t one straight answer for every kid. Before you buy anything for your kids, though, it would be best if you ask yourself these questions.

  1. Why do my kids need a smartphone?
  2. What benefit will they get from having one?
  3. Will they use it responsibly?
  4. Will they take care of the phone or lose it like other toys?
  5. Will you as a parent be able to control what your kids use their smartphones for?

As I said, there are no right or wrong answers here, but these questions will give you a better idea about whether or not your kids are ready for iPhones. 

Of course, it’s possible that, since you’re reading this, you’ve already made up your mind, so here’s what to avoid and also the best iPhones you can give to your kids.

Avoid Buying Older iPhones

You might think that since your kids won’t use the iPhone to its total capacity, it’d be best to get an older iPhone that’s way cheaper. 

Although it wouldn’t hurt as bad if they happened to lose it, older iPhones won’t support many software updates in the future, making them outdated and even unable to provide some useful features that your kids might need. 

Because of this, it would be best to avoid getting them an iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, or even an iPhone 8. These iPhones are either outdated or soon outdated, and they will only support software updates for one or two more years.

The Newest iPhone Likely Isn’t a Good Idea Either

Yes, older iPhones aren’t a good option, but neither are brand new iPhones, especially if your kids aren’t the best at taking care of things. Depending on their age, your kids can lose their iPhones, break them, or spill something on them. 

This means that a super expensive iPhone, like the iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 12 Pro, probably isn’t a good option. That is, unless you don’t mind your kids spilling water or glitter all over them (they are IP68 rated to withstand water and particles, after all).

Good iPhone Options for Kids

If you’re hoping to save the most money on a good iPhone, the iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XR are great options for kids.

Not only will you be able to find them at a much lower price, but they’ll support software updates for three to four more years. You can find many of them at a great price, either on the Apple refurbished store or other stores like eBay.

The iPhone 6s came out in 2015 and still supports the latest iOS software update, even after six years. Sadly, that might change with iOS 15, but if history taught us something, the iPhone XS and XR will be useful for a few more years. 

The Best iPhone for Kids

If you want to give your kids a brand new iPhone that you know will last for another five to six years, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money for it, the 2020 iPhone SE is the perfect option. 

The iPhone SE came out last year and, not only is it the cheapest new iPhone Apple sells, but it also has the same power as the iPhone 11. This means the iPhone will last for a long time, and it’s the perfect budget-friendly option for most people. You can often find them for free in certain promotions.

Many adults don’t like smaller iPhones since they’re harder to use than other phones like the standard iPhone 12. But your kid shouldn’t have any problem using it, no matter how big or small their hands are.

If you’re willing to spend quite a bit more, and your kid is good at taking care of their belongings, the iPhone 12 mini is another great option.

Don’t Want to Get Them an iPhone? Try This Instead

Last Year, Apple launch a new Family Setup feature for the Apple Watch. This feature lets people use an Apple Watch even if they don’t have an iPhone, making it the perfect alternative for your kids. 

Apple Watch Series 6

What’s great about this feature is that the Apple Watch can be used to make calls, send messages, and share a person’s location. If you only want to be able to communicate with your kids, but you aren’t sure they should have a smartphone yet, this is the perfect option for you. 

The best part is that it works with a wide variety of Apple Watches, which are more affordable than the iPhone SE, and they’re attached to their wrist, so it’ll be harder for them to lose it. 

Now, all you need to do is figure out which is the best Apple Watch to get

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