Is the iPhone the Best Phone for Kids?

Design and Features

The iPhone SE and iPhone 12 are two Apple cell phones our parents and caregivers love for kids. At 6.1 inches, the screen of the iPhone 12 isn't much bigger than the 4.7-inch screen of the iPhone SE. Although the XDR display, or extreme dynamic range, of the iPhone 12 improves contrast and backlight for vividness—a feature the iPhone SE lacks. Still, we appreciate both phones' extra security features, like Touch ID (iPhone SE) and facial recognition (iPhone 12), should kids lose their phones at school or practice.

Parents appreciate that both phones are water-, splash-, and dust-resistant. The 12 is water-resistant to a depth of nearly 20 feet for up to 30 minutes (compared to 3 feet and 30 minutes for the SE). Both Apple phones have rear- and front-facing cameras for selfies or Facetiming. However, if camera quality is important to you or your child, the iPhone 12 has a dual-camera system for the ultimate picture-taking experience. Both Apple devices connect to 5G networks and major cell phone providers, including Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and US Cellular.

Bonus? A lightning charging cable provides up to a 50% charge in just 30 minutes (adapter sold separately).

Ease of Use

An easy-to-use phone for kids is vital, especially if they’re young and still learning to navigate the digital world. The SE is a simple iPhone for kids to learn and later graduate to the 12, which features several small upgrades from the SE and may take longer for beginners to learn. In addition to effortless use for kids, you want the phones to be simple to add to your family’s line and use yourself if necessary.

Parental Controls

苹果的家长控制是我们最喜欢的之一parts of the iPhone SE and iPhone 12. The company offers built-in monitoring for adults who want to keep an eye on their child's digital usage. "Screen Time," Apple's name for this built-in feature, allows you totrack and monitorhow much time kids spend on their devices, including apps and websites. You can lock them out once they reach that time limit to prevent further usage or set a specific time of the day you want the device to block the apps. In addition, the feature allows you to manage their contacts and control who they can communicate with and for how long. You can also see reports detailing the apps your kids have used and the websites they've visited.

If several family members have iPhones, look into "Family Sharing," which lets you share access to subscriptions, app store purchases, and more with four additional family members. Moreover, you can approve (or deny) what apps kids want to buy or download. If a child asks to buy any content, the family organizer will receive a notification of the request and can choose to approve or decline from their own device.

While not built into the phones, you can download the free Apple app, "Find My." This app helps you locate a device or user on a map, play a sound, show a message, remotely lock a phone, or erase all data on a misplaced device.

How Much Do iPhones Cost?

Cost is a big difference between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 12. The SE is a more basic iPhone for kids, costing less at $429 for the 64 GB version. On the other hand, while the iPhone 12 reaps a higher price tag ($599 and up), it’s for good reason, like a larger display screen, upgraded camera, and facial recognition. Consider your child’s age when buying an iPhone, as some models are more advanced in technology than others (and will cost more upfront as a result).

How We Selected and Tested

To find which iPhone is the best for kids, we surveyed 483 parents and caregivers and asked which model their child uses. We also asked when and why their kids started using a cell phone, how they handledevice (and digital) responsibility, andhow often they use their phones. After our survey, we learned that the average age children first received a cell phone was 13.5 years old to communicate with their parents when apart. Parents and caregivers also said they looked for a cell phone compatible with their network’s plan and one with parental controls.

Lastly, we reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on cell phone readiness and what to look for in a cell phone for kids. Following our survey and thorough research of the best smartphone for kids, we realized we (and parents) love the iPhone SE and iPhone 12 equally.

The Competition

While we loved both the iPhone 12 and iPhone SE, the best cell phone for kids is one that fits your needs, your child’s age and readiness, and your family’s budget. Some of the other iPhones that came up on our survey include:

iPhone 13:The iPhone 13 is similar to the iPhone 12 but has a few more bells and whistles. It still has the same 6.1-inch super retina XDR display, facial recognition, and dual-camera system. In addition to being splash- and dust-resistant, the iPhone 13 is water-resistant for up to 30 minutes at a depth of nearly 20 feet. The iPhone 13 features longer video playback time (19 hours), photographic styles, and higher storage options (up to 512 GB) at a higher cost of $699 and up.

iPhone 14:For tweens and teens, the iPhone 14 is a more mature cell phone with slightly more advanced features than its predecessors. It’s still splash-, dust-, and water-resistant and has a 6.1-inch super retina XDR display and facial recognition. The iPhone 14 costs more at $799 and up—its upgraded camera greatly increases the cost. This Apple phone features “Action Mode” to smooth out shaky handheld videos and a photonic engine to provide color vibrancy and detail better than previous iPhone models. We love—especially for teens with a license—the iPhone 14’s crash detection, which detects severe car crashes and can alert 911 for you.