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Buying guide

The best refurbished phone for kids and teenagers

What to consider when buying your child's first phone (parental controls, toughness and price) and which refurbished models we recommend.

NiceTwiceTech editorial team 2 min read

Contents
  1. What a phone for a child or teenager needs
  2. Real parental controls
  3. Toughness
  4. Enough battery
  5. Years of updates
  6. Our recommendations
  7. iPhone SE (2022): the ideal first iPhone
  8. Google Pixel 7a: clean Android and a great camera
  9. Samsung Galaxy A54: all-day battery
  10. iPhone 13: for teenagers who want a bit more
  11. Set-up checklist
  12. In short

A child's first phone is a decision every family makes at its own pace. If you've already made it, buying refurbished is an excellent idea: kids lose, drop and soak their phones more than adults, so it makes sense not to spend on a new model.

What a phone for a child or teenager needs

Real parental controls

This matters most, more than the camera or the processor:

  • iPhone: with Family Sharing and Screen Time you can limit hours of use, approve every download, filter web content and share location.
  • Android: with Google Family Link you get similar features: time limits, app approval, filters and location.

Toughness

  • Go for a model with water resistance (IP67 or IP68).
  • A sturdy case and screen protector from day one. It's the best money you'll spend.

Enough battery

So it lasts until the end of the day for calling or sharing location on the way home. Check the battery health when it arrives.

Years of updates

A phone without security updates isn't a good idea for a child. Avoid very old models even if they're cheap.

Our recommendations

iPhone SE (2022): the ideal first iPhone

Cheap, fast thanks to the A15 chip, compact and with all of Apple's parental controls. Its small screen and modest battery matter less on a first phone.

Google Pixel 7a: clean Android and a great camera

Family Link works brilliantly on a Pixel, the camera is excellent for the price and it's water resistant (IP67).

Samsung Galaxy A54: all-day battery

Its 5,000 mAh battery lasts even for a teenager who never puts the phone down, and the big screen is comfortable for studying or watching videos. IP67 water resistant.

iPhone 13: for teenagers who want a bit more

If your teenager already looks after their things and wants a better camera, the iPhone 13 is a buy for many years.

Set-up checklist

  1. Create the child's account within your family group (Family Sharing or Family Link).
  2. Turn on time limits and approval for purchases and downloads.
  3. Share location and explain why.
  4. Fit the case and screen protector before handing it over.
  5. Agree on house rules: times, social media and what to do if something makes them uncomfortable.

In short

For a first phone, the iPhone SE (2022) if your household uses iPhones, or the Pixel 7a if you use Android. If battery is the priority, the Galaxy A54. Choose the cheapest cosmetic grade and spend the difference on a good case.

Frequently asked questions

Why refurbished for a child?

Because kids lose and break phones more often. A refurbished phone costs far less than a new one, comes with a warranty and, if something happens to it, it hurts less.

How do I manage how they use the phone?

On iPhone, with Family Sharing and Screen Time. On Android, with Google Family Link. Both let you limit screen time, approve downloads, filter content and see their location.

Which cosmetic grade should I choose?

The cheapest. With a sturdy case and a screen protector, signs of use don't matter and you save money for what really counts: the case and the battery.

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