How to Save Money on Your Kid's Cell Phone

Marisa Crane Staff Writer

Updated 09 April 2024

Contents

In this guide:

Assess your kids' needs
Introduce a budget
Buy an older (cheaper) model
Buy a refurbished phone
Hand-me-down your phone
Best phones for kids and teens

Are your kids ready for their first cell phone but your wallet is having second thoughts? If so, you’re in luck: there are plenty of budget-friendly options that enable your child to stay safe and in communication with you.

From older phone models to refurbished cell phones and hand-me-downs, there are plenty of kid-friendly phone options to stay within budget. Depending on carrier offerings, you may even be able to get a free phone for your child.

Let’s walk through how to buy a cell phone for your child while saving money in the process

1. Figure out your kids' phone needs

Before choosing a cheap cell phone for kids, you’ll want to assess their phone needs. Some factors to consider include:

Talk and text needs
Data needs
Phones that have built-in parental controls
Your child’s age
The cost of cell phone insurance

These factors can often offer a very clear path toward what type of phone you should aim for. For example, if you’ll want your child to have internet access outside of being able to text, you’ll need a phone with data—in which case, you’re likely looking at a budget smartphone rather than a basic flip phone or “dumb” phone without connectivity. Similarly, if you have a teen, you may need to get them a phone with app and map capabilities to see where they are—likely not a factor for a younger child that is with you more of than not. If your child is young and you just need a way to stay connected, you might even consider a phone alternative like Relay, which operates more like a fancy walkie-talkie.

2. Introduce a budget to buy it themselves

If you have an older kid who can shop around for a phone themselves, you might consider introducing a budget for them. Set a hard boundary for what you’re willing to chip in for the phone, and let them do the rest. This will save you the headache of comparing multiple price points for kid-friendly cell phones and trying to ascertain which one is best. It will also teach your child to weigh the pros and cons of getting a cheaper phone versus a tech-heavy phone and to shop within a limit.

3. Buy an older and cheaper model

One of the easiest ways to save money on a cell phone for kids is to buy an older model. Whenever the latest and greatest model comes out, carriers and retailers discount previous-generation devices. Whether your child is an Android or iPhone fan, there are plenty of older phones that will get the job done.

Some older models perfect for kids and teens include the iPhone 13, the Samsung Galaxy S21, and the Google Pixel 5.

4. Buy a refurbished phone

Buying a refurbished phone for your child is a great budget-friendly option. These devices are essentially lightly used phones that have been tested and restored to excellent working condition. Refurbished devices are often significantly cheaper than brand-new phones, making them a great kids' cell phone option.

Carriers, retailers, and manufacturers alike sell refurbished phones, which they may call “certified pre-owned phones.” No matter where you buy a refurbished phone, make sure you check that the company has certified it, which means it’s been thoroughly tested and inspected to ensure great performance.

Save more with Trademore

Want a cheap Android or iPhone for kids? Check out Trademore, an electronics dealer that allows you to trade in an old device or buy a refurbished one. Stop paying full price for a new phone for your child when a pre-owned one can save you a nice chunk of change.

5. Hand-me-down your current phone

A thrifty way to save money on your child or teen’s cell phone is to give them your old device when you’re done with it. The only time this makes sense is if you are already up for an upgrade—getting a new phone before an upgrade is available will end up costing you money instead of saving it.

For example, if you have the iPhone 12 and are due for an upgrade, you could keep your phone and give it to your child instead of trading it in. This might make your child happier, too, since chances are, you have a decent hand-me-down smartphone.

Don't forget a cheap phone plan

You’ll want a budget-friendly cell phone plan to go with your child’s affordable phone. Check out the best 2-line cell phone plans, starting as low as $25/month. Including Mint Mobile, which offers competitive cheap family plans and Mint Kids lines. And if your kid is younger and only needs talk and text, you may want to compare no-data phone plans.

The best phones for kids and teens

The best phones for kids and adolescents consider their needs without breaking the bank. They provide a nice balance of features, capabilities, and price. And what’s best for a young child who simply needs to stay connected to family may be different than the ideal phone for a teenager.

Our current favorites include the Google Pixel 5A, which offers great value for its price point. It has a reliable and powerful processor that can handle the demands of streaming, Zoom calls, and gaming. For young children who need to be able to call or text you and other guardians or caretakers, the Nokia 225 4G is a great budget-friendly option. It’s a basic, pocket-friendly phone with texting and calling capabilities.

For more options to jumpstart your search, hop over to our picks for the best phones for kids and teens. Or, wait until late summer to shop for your child's mobile device and take advantage of back-to-school deals.

Marisa Crane

Staff Writer

Marisa Crane is a content writer and editor with more than 5 years of experience in digital publishing. She is a skilled researcher with an uncanny ability to translate confusing tech jargon into plain English. Outside the world of WhistleOut and cell phone plans, Marisa is a published creative writer, with her short stories and poetry published in more than 40 literary journals.

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