Let ’s face it : minor want iPhones . Their favored celebrity habituate them , their parents employ them , and some of their friends have them , too . But which iPhone is honorable foryourkid ? There are spate of factors to consider , not the least of which is the geezerhood of the child in question . When should a small fry be founder their own iPhone ? We ’ll talk over that in a section below .
For bambino and untested child who need a simple gadget for keep an eye on parent - approve videos and playing some games or educational apps , we recommend avoiding iPhones entirely and getting abasic iPad . It ’s low-priced , you do n’t have to interest about cellular connectivity , and the large size of it is gentle for bambino still work on their ok motor skill . you’re able to check out ourbest iPad for kidsguide to see if this would be a practiced fit for your tiddler , and we recommend a look at ourbest iPad dealsroundup so you’re able to get the ripe price .
But , once a tiddler gets old enough for phone connectivity to be utilitarian ( for mobile internet , texting protagonist , trailing and being contactable by you ) , it ’s time to step up to a proper iPhone . Apple introduced theiPhone 16series in September 2024 and then added aniPhone 16eto the range in February 2025 . How does that alter the landscape for the best iPhone for kids ? Read on to find out and see our recommendation .
Whatever iPhone you get , you should consider usingScreen Timeto supervise their use . ramp up into iOS , Screen Time countenance you dress limits on how long your Kyd can employ their phone , what apps they can download and use , and when they need to put it down for the night . It ’s a keen way for interfering parent to keep check on what their Kyd are doing when they ’re not within eyeshot , and ought to be the first thing you set up .
Best iPhone for kids in 2025
Below you will rule our top choices for iPhones for fry . We are n’t recommending the ultimate iPhones because we guess that unless you have a money tree in the garden you wo n’t require to be drop a whole set of money on a phone for a child who is just as potential to go away it on a bus or drop it . But if you ’d like a wider reach of iPhones to prefer from read ouriPhone buy guideand ouriPhone comparison .
We also count at theiPhone 16e vs iPhone 16and theiPhone 16e vs the iPhone 15to see if it ’s deserving saving money or spending more , plus you might be interested to register about thewhether to kick upstairs from iPhone 14 and the iPhone 16e , likewise you might want to consider the differences between theiPhone SE vs iPhone 16e . Alternatively , read : iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 ProandiPhone 15 vs iPhone 16 .
Another complicatedness is the fact that the only iPhones presently sold by Apple that supportApple Intelligence featuresare the iPhone 16 , 16 Plus , 16 Pro , 16 Pro Max , and the iPhone 16e . If you and your child desire Apple Intelligence feature you should forfend the iPhone 15 .
Apple iPhone 16e: Best budget iPhone for kids
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We recommend the iPhone 16e as the top pick here principally because it represents the skilful economic value for money mightily now , at $ 599/£599 .
It features a single 48MP tv camera , rather than the dual photographic camera set up up on the bum of the iPhone 16 , but it offer lineament like Deep Fusion for better lowly - light photography , and the front face television camera is just the same as that on the iPhone 16 , and lets present it , most of the photo they take will be selfies .
That A18 central processor is capable of the fun features of Apple Intelligence and fast enough for email , check social media apps , drive pictures , making FaceTime calls , and everything else your stripling wants an iPhone for . And it ’ll still get several age of iOS software program update .
With a 6.1 - in display and it has a modern excogitation and features . The iPhone 16e will deliver , with excellent stamp battery living that will easily last a full day . Kids are never aware of the amount of stamp battery their earphone uses , so the iPhone 16e ’s splendid battery living should tide them over until they remember to plug their iPhone in .
One disadvantage is that the iPhone 16e comes in only white or calamitous , but since you will want to protect it with acase , your teen will be able to evince their personality anyway .
Apple iPhone 16: For kids who want everything
Older nipper have ask standards and they ’re lead to want to look cool in front of their friends . More significantly , photo - taking and social media has become an important part of their societal life . They ’ll want an iPhone with a capable camera and the dual camera lenses on the back of the iPhone 16 set it asunder from the iPhone 16e with its single camera lens . This additional radical - all-inclusive television camera lens lease the iPhone take photos with a wider field of view , perfect for landscapes or a big bunch of friends .
The iPhone 16 camera is also open of taking macro instruction and spatial photos . That might be handy if your kid is often work on projects and wants to expand their esthetic center for the pictures they take . It also have the Camera Control button , which the iPhone 16e lacks . It also offers Action Mode , which let take steady television while you are moving . The iPhone 16e lacks this .
The stamp battery life is safe . In our test , we saw a four - hour boost in stamp battery life for the iPhone 16 over the iPhone 15 . That ’s a drastic improvement . The battery life of the iPhone 16e is even better though .
There are five vividness to choose from , include pinkish , green and blue , but we advocate gettingan iPhone 16 case , so the color is really redundant .
iPhone 15: Best compromise
While the iPhone 16 is a well overall phone , it ’s pricy . The iPhone 16e is the cheapest iPhone , but it miss that 2nd television camera . If you want to compromise , then choose the iPhone 15 , which is price right in the midsection of those two French telephone . It has a three-fold camera , unlike the iPhone 16e and offer Action Mode for recording steady television while in motion .
One drawbacks of the iPhone 15 is it ’s deficiency of accompaniment for Apple Intelligence features , which may not weigh now , but are likely to lead to some FOMO in the futurity when their friend have playfulness trope instauration tool , for example . Another disadvantage is electric battery life . electric battery life is n’t spoiled , but the iPhone 16 offers a dramatic betterment and the iPhone 16e is even well .
But otherwise , the iPhone 15 is a top performer and can handle anything you child want to do on it , including pelt videos , game , and a pile more .
Buy a refurbished iPhone
Before you purchase one of the phones mentioned above our advice is to explore the second - hand and refurbish market . purchase a second - hand or refurbished iPhone can make unnecessary you a mass of money .
Your first embrasure of call should beApple ’s Refurbished storewhere Apple sells iPhones that have either been returned as incorrect or unwanted . These iPhones ( and other products ) are fixate up so they are good as fresh and sell at around 15 % off their normal price .
There are various benefit to buying fromApple ’s Refurbished Store in the U.S.orU.K. , let in the fact that all product in the Refurbished Store come with a one - year warranty .
You may even be able to feel an older iPhone model that Apple does n’t betray anymore , such as theiPhone 13 minior aniPhone 15 Proin Apple ’s refurbished computer memory .
However , Apple is not the only spot that sells refurbished iPhones ; plenty of companies make a life from refurbish and selling iPhones . Check out ourwhere to bribe second - hand and renovate iPhonesguide for more detail .
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There is a raise marketplace for old twist that are fixed up and sold on . Before you buy from one of these do check over their policies regarding refurbishment and returns , and also we ’d notify buying late models of iPhones – some of these outlets have much older models . ConsultHow long does Apple support iPhonesfor more entropy about the handsets to avoid .
Always check that that the iPhone ’s former possessor has completely pass over the iPhone and absent it from their iCloud account or you will encounter many problem . This is a good reason to bribe from a reputable refurbished marketer , rather than someone on eBay or Marketplace .
Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.S.
Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.K.
companionship likemusicMagpie(UK),Decluttr(US),AmazonandeBayare all now providing this service , along with one - year warranties and money - back guarantees if you ’re not completely satisfied with your purchase . Of of course , enthrone in older technical school is also better for the environment , as it stops the iPhones from being throw into landfills even though they are capable of providing years more avail to a happy kid .
So , they come with guarantees , relieve you money , and protect the planet . What ’s not to do it ?
Pass on an old iPhone to them
Another route to explore is handing over your current iPhone and buying yourself a newfangled one ! If you ’ve had yours for a while , then it may be out of its contract full point , but if you buy it outright then all you necessitate to do is get a young SIM card for your nipper , give them your French telephone , then lead off to the Apple store to give yourself a present for being such a magnanimous parent . If you ’re unsure what to handle yourself to , ourbest iPhoneroundup should leaven a helpful guide .
Before you hand over your sure-enough iPhone make certain you set it up aright for your child . Have a feeling at5 thing to do before giving an old iPhone or iPad to your kid , how to fix an iPhone for cut-rate sale , how to readjust an iPhoneandhow to set up paternal controls on iPad & iPhone .
Should kids have iPhones?
This is a immense interrogative and a topic fraught with pros and bunko . Everyone is different . There are still parents who do n’t permit their tike to watch TV , let alone wager information processing system games . Other parents do n’t see any harm in letting their kids be familiar with applied science . And others just need a few minutes of peace while they press a toddler around a supermarket , or something to stop the tweens fighting in the back of the car on a long journeying . Surely allowing the Kid a few minute here and there with a mobile earpiece wo n’t damage their development .
You could give them your own iPhone of course , but that depend on how disposed you are for the jeopardy of them send their favourite YouTube video to your manager at work . A better solution may be to give them an old iPhone or iPad : it can still be link to your account so there is no need to pay for the apps you ’ve already download for them .
You may desire older kids who walk to and from school to have an iPhone for safety and protection , so that they can contact you to let you know their bus topology is canceled , for example . You may also require to usean app to track their locating via the iPhone .
stripling will no doubt desire a handset with a bite of credibility . It ’s also at this age that the risks associated with wandering phone possession become more prominent as care about their role of , and influence of , social medium become apparent . You will want to familiarise yourself with Parental Controls and insure that they are really mature enough to handle all that comes with this connection with the universe and that they are able to avoid becoming addicted to their handsets .
Apple beginner Steve Jobs magnificently limited his kid ’s use of technology , so perchance we should take a leaf out of his book . Or perchance we should take that our kids are get up in a world so engross in technology that it is go to be a part of their lives whether we like it or not . We just postulate to operate their entree to it , rather than discontinue it altogether .
