As kids grow up to become teenagers in today’s increasingly connected world, they are bound to start seeking more freedom. And before long, they will be asking for their own smartphones. Once the decision is made to give them a device, the ideal smartphone models for teens are not necessarily the same as the best choices for adults. In some cases, parents will want to give their teenage kids the means to keep in touch without as many of the distractions (and potential dangers) that come with the array of features found on most grown-ups’ smartphones.
When parents decide that the time is right to let their teenage kids take the smartphone plunge, these four models can be easily adapted to fit the bill for use by teens:
- AT&T Cingular Flip IV — Straddling the line between a flip phone and a smartphone, the AT&T Cingular Flip IV is a good choice for older kids who might not yet be quite ready for a smartphone but need a mobile phone to keep in touch with friends and family members. Running the KaiOS operating system, it offers access to a range of apps including YouTube, Facebook and Google Maps, and its built-in web browser enables easy on-the-go web surfing. It is both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capable and can even serve as a mobile hotspot for up to 10 devices. It can also send and receive texts and emails and its rear-facing 2MP camera enables users to take photos and shoot videos.
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G — A great option for teens who are ready for their first smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G delivers a range of premium smartphone features at a value price. Essentially a pared-down version of Samsung’s popular S20 series, this phone provides all the options needed to cover most users’ requirements. It offers a high-resolution, 6.5-inch screen, fast performance via its Snapdragon 865 processor, excellent battery life and access to a broad range of apps using its Android 10 operating system. Further, boasting a powerful front-facing camera plus a trio of rear-facing cameras, including a main camera, a wide-angle camera and a telephoto camera, the S20 FE packs a photographic punch for budding smartphone shutterbugs.
- Apple iPhone SE — Offering one of the best values on the smartphone market with a suggested retail price landing at under $400, the iPhone SE is another good choice for teenage users. With a smaller-than-normal 4.7-inch Retina HD display screen, this device is more portable and pocketable than many of the larger phones being produced today and its powerful A13 Bionic chip delivers impressive speed when running apps on Apple’s iOS 13 operating system. Featuring resistance to splashes, dust and water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes, it offers a level of durability that can withstand what most teens throw at it and Apple’s Touch ID delivers high levels of security and privacy. Further, this phone is loaded with photo-enhancing features like Portrait mode, simple Depth Control, and Portrait Lighting, as well as an impressive battery life.
- Apple iPhone 12 mini — Delivering a range of leading-edge features in a smaller version of its iPhone 12, Apple’s iPhone 12 mini sports a 5.4-inch screen (a bit bigger than the SE’s 4.7-inch screen, but more compact than the 12’s 6.1-inch screen). Not only does this make it a better fit than the full-size iPhone 12 for users with smaller hands, but it also provides a more compact and convenient size for users who prefer to carry their phones in their pockets. The iPhone 12 mini’s A14 Bionic chip is the fastest available in a smartphone, enabling super-speedy performance when using apps and its 5G capability delivers faster downloads, lower latency, higher-quality video streaming and highly responsive gaming. Further, for users who tend to be a little rough on their devices, the iPhone 12 mini’s Ceramic Shield offers a drop performance that is four times better than the previous generation of iPhone.
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