Best First Mobile Device for 11 Year Olds – A RoundUP Guide

As our kids grow older, they stay out of our sight for longer periods of time. If your child is starting middle school, you may want to consider giving them a mobile phone. But the question remains: what’s the best first mobile phone for 11-year-olds? 

Because when it comes to cell phones for tweens, you cannot just buy your kid a flagship phone of the market, especially if it’s their first phone. As parents, you should be aware of the potential threats that might arise with access to technology.

To prevent cyberbullying and other kinds of trouble that brew on the internet, there should be healthy boundaries in place to ensure your child’s safety. It is crucial that you teach your children how to use their phone privileges responsibly.

But it is of greater importance that as a parent you learn about the perils of modern-day technology, as well as its usefulness. Because you decide what kind of technology or device your kid will be exposed to and at what age. 

In this article, we are going to address some of the most common concerns of parents when it comes to buying the first mobile phone for their children. You will also learn about some of the best first mobile phones to get for 11 to 14-year-olds.

At What Age Should I Give My Kid their First Mobile Phone? 

In this era of rapidly changing technology, a kid should have their first mobile phone before they turn 15. Younger kids who attend preschool or stay at home with a caregiver do not need a personal phone.

They can be exposed to smart devices like tablets for learning and recreation. Kids aged 10 years or above, on the other hand, begin to expand their social circle in their early and pre-teens.

They also have longer school hours. Giving them their first phone at this age is ideal.

 Did you know blue light glasses are truly helpful in order to protect your kid’s eyes

What are Some Age Appropriate Phones for Kids? 

When you are buying your kid their first mobile phone, you can follow this checklist to see if the device is age-appropriate.

What is Parental Control for Kids’ Phones? 

Parental control for children’s devices allows parents to exercise some supervision and control over their kid’s smartphone usage habits.

For example, parents can activate safe browsing mode. Safe browsing prevents kids from visiting harmful, insecure, and sketchy websites.

This protects their data, limits interaction with ill-intended strangers on the internet, and keeps them safe.

Other parental control features would include limiting the usage of apps by screen time and features. Parents can also create separate profiles on the phone for kids with limited features.

Which Service Plan should I Choose for Kids’ First Mobile?  

Prepaid service plans and fixed monthly carrier plans work best for children who are getting their first phone. When your kids get a new device, they might be tempted to use it at their hearts’ content.

It may result in a huge bill you would not be happy to pay. Prepaid services and fixed monthly plans allow children to ration their phone privileges and use them responsibly. 

Best First Mobile Phones for 11-Year-Old

1: Apple iPhone SE 64GB (With Carrier)

Things to keep in mind

If your child has come down with an inevitable Apple syndrome, consider the iPhone SE instead of the newer models. The SE looks sleek and stylish, is relatively budget-friendly, and comes in a convenient size. 

The problem with the bigger phones of today is that kids that are not yet fully grown have a tough time getting a firm enough grip on these phones.

Thus, they are more likely to drop those. The iPhone SE will fit nicely in children’s hands and pockets. It is an adult phone so if your kid wants to show it off to their friends, they’ll fit right in. 

This phone is fast at what it does, thanks to its A13 chip. Both of the cameras provide crisp images with great tones. Your kids’ recreational needs will be taken care of with access to apple music, tv, and the app store. All in all, the iPhone SE will make any tween very happy. 

There is something in it for you too. This iPhone SE deal can be purchased with a Cricket carrier plan that costs you $55 a month.

This plan provides unlimited data, Talktime, and texts for just $55 including tax. If your child is out of Wi-Fi networks a lot and you’d like to always stay connected without purchasing expensive carrier plans, this deal will be a huge saver.

It is monthly renewable. However, once the Cricket plan is activated, the iPhone is locked to this specific carrier, and sim cards from any other carrier cannot be activated. In our opinion, it is one of the best prepaid phones for children. 

2: Apple iPhone XS, 256GB – Fully Unlocked (Renewed)

Things to keep in mind

The iPhone Xs comes with better features than the iPhone 11 except for a slightly older chip. If your child has their heart set on getting one of the newer and higher-end iPhones, consider getting a renewed iPhone Xs.

It wouldn’t cost as much as a brand new one. However, it will still be certified by Amazon. Amazon professionals guarantee next to zero cosmetic damages and a battery life almost as good as a brand new one. 

Given the current situation of the world, children are getting used to online classes. The 5’8” screen of the iPhone Xs come in handy for online learning experiences as well as recreational purposes.

The camera configuration in this phone is much better than the iPhone SE. It is recommended for older children of the age range; 13 and 14-year-olds. 

The display is scratch-resistant. The iPhone Xs has better water and dust resistance compared to the iPhone SE. So if your kid is clumsy or one of the less responsible ones, getting a renewed iPhone Xs will certainly be a good idea. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the phone does not come in the original box or with the original accessories. A compatible charger and sim tool will be provided.

Air pods need to be bought separately. If you are dubious about the functionality and quality of a renewed iPhone, Amazon offers a three-month replacement or refund policy. 

3: Samsung Galaxy A51 Factory Unlocked Cell Phone – Best Camera Phone for Kids

Things to keep in mind

The best thing about this phone is its ability to take sharp, true-to-tone images. The Galaxy A51 released at the end of 2019 as a mid-range phone. Around this price range, it is safe to say the Galaxy A51 has one of the best camera configurations, if not the best. 

The quad-camera set up on the back sports a 48-megapixel main camera, accompanied by a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens. But most phones, including some phones way above this price range, come with a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

Whereas the galaxy A51 features a 5-megapixel depth and a 5-megapixel macro sensor. So images in the portrait mode come out crisp with a nice blurry background. 

The next best thing about this phone is its large super AMOLED display which makes video playback, editing, and gaming all the more life-like.

The screen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. So a few accidental drops would not harm the display. 

However, the phone itself has a plastic body and frame. Plastic build phones are more vulnerable to scratches and dents.

It can be well protected with a good phone case. But we recommend the Galaxy A51 for older children who can use their personal possessions responsibly. 

Hands down, Samsung Galaxy A51 is the best phone for 12-year-olds and above, in terms of camera. If your child is big on photography, vlogging, or their social media presence, we suggest you go with this phone. 

4: LG G8 ThinQ 

Things to keep in mind

The LG G8 has a great core configuration. The device is powerful, quirky yet low-key on some popular features, like its camera. The G8 has a decent camera spec. However, it is not one of this device’s key selling points.

If you decide to purchase this phone, the most obvious perk would be its Snapdragon 855 octa-core processor paired with 6 GB RAM.

The G8 will provide super-fast performance, smooth operation, and a seamless gaming experience. The 6.1 inch OLED display is an added bonus. 

Kids are bound to find the Airmotion feature amusing. In AirMotion activated mode, users can access all the functions and apps without having to physically touch the phone.

It also boasts a hands-free Alexa you can activate and receive assistance from by simply saying the word “Alexa”.

One drawback that needs to be mentioned is its 3500 mAh battery. Given its large screen and powerful processor, we feel 3500 mAh is not enough to last over 8-10 hours of continuous use.

However, what it lacks in capacity, it makes up for with technology. The type C fast charging system ensures the battery is filled up quickly. It also supports wireless charging. 

The LG G8 is very durable along with good resistance to water and dust. It can take a beating so kids who play rough will get the most out of this phone. It could be the best first phone for 11-year-old kids if they’re into gaming and tech tricks. 

5: Google Pixel 4a – Highly Secure

Things to keep in mind

The Google Pixel 4a is a compact, budget-friendly phone with a selection of premium features. For instance, the camera configuration is nothing remarkable compared to the other phones we have reviewed above. But it features multiple modes that function really well and get the job well done.

The adaptive battery technology incorporated into this device is really impressive. The system tracks your usage and figures out your favorite apps.

The adaptive battery then allocates less power to other apps to save battery life. Even if your kid forgets to charge their phone every now and then, this feature will make sure you can stay connected to your kid on the go.

The phone has convenient and kid-friendly dimensions. It is lightweight and not too big for tween hands. Since it is a Google device, you’ll get software and security updates for years. It also sports a Titan M security chip that protects sensitive data on your child’s phone. 

The phone has a fast processor coupled with 6GB RAM and a smooth user interface. The camera performs exemplarily in low light scenes and portrait modes. All in all, the Google Pixel 4a is a jack of all trades.

6: Moto G7 

Things to keep in mind

The Moto G7 is a big but slim phone with decent weight and a really good grip. The display produces bright vivid colors. It comes with a few smooth tricks up its sleeves like the fingerprint scanner and facial recognition. 

The super fast chip used in the G7, along with its 4GB RAM and rich graphics, provides a gaming experience without lag.

The big screen also comes in handy when your child is drawing digitally, learning online, and making video calls. On top of all this, the device is certainly a looker. 

Like the LG G8, Moto G7 also comes with Amazon apps like Alexa and Audible. The phone is water-resistant and well protected from splashy accidents.

The camera quality in this phone is decent. However, given its other specs, the battery capacity of the phone could be a lot better. To sum up, this well-balanced budget device is worth considering when you’re looking to buy cell phones for tweens.

7: Samsung Galaxy A10S A107M 32GB – Budget Phone

Things to keep in mind

The Samsung Galaxy A10S is a phone just for the basics. It has got a good, flashy display for video playback. But its RAM capacity and chipset aren’t built for heavy gaming.

The camera configuration is just average. It takes decent pictures but nothing as detailed and sharp as some of the other smartphones we have reviewed in this article. 

The loudspeaker used in the phone is quite good. The battery capacity is more than sufficient for a device like this. The phone, however, comes with a USB type 2 charger and doesn’t support fast charging. 

The device has a plastic frame but with no added protection such as water resistance. If you want a smartphone for your kid that covers all the bases on a low budget and also looks good, this phone will fit the bill.

8: Alcatel QUICKFLIP 4044C – Old School

Things to keep in mind

The Alcatel Quickflip is an inexpensive, basic phone that works just fine for communicating via calls and texts. It is not a smartphone, although it can connect to Wi-Fi networks. The phone is unlocked and unlike most phones of its time, can pick up a 4G network.

If you don’t want your kid to be obsessed with the internet and distracted by the features that come with a smartphone, get this simple flip phone.

You can maintain communication with your kid through calls and texts. The phone does not have a QWERTY keyboard so your kid will have to learn to text using the old keypad layout. The lack of a QWERTY keyboard is also likely to minimize excessive texting.

Browsing the internet is pretty limited and not as smooth as the smartphone experience. Parents who would like to remain connected with their kid throughout the day but also feel the kid is not ready for a smartphone yet, can get this phone. It comes unlocked. 

Final Words

In this article, we discussed smartphones to flip phones in covering every specialty and price range. In our opinion, the best first mobile phone for 11-year-olds is the LG G8 ThinQ. The G8, like a smartphone, emphasizes sensory features rather than multimedia features; guaranteed to keep young children amused. 

The small, speedy, and stylish iPhone SE is a good cell phone for tweens. Samsung Galaxy A51 is the best camera phone in its range for children, as well as adults.

Google Pixel 4A is THE all-rounder of our list and an unmatched candidate for protecting sensitive data. If you’re simply looking for budget smartphones, Moto G7 and Samsung Galaxy A10S are good bets. 

Related Article:

• Best Smartwatch For 10 Year Old
• Best Tablet for 8 Year Old

The post Best First Mobile for 11 Year Old – A RoundUP Guide appeared first on Playground Dad.

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