Which phone should a teenager choose in 2024?

The smartphone has become an undeniable extension of teenage life. It's a communication hub, an entertainment center, and a gateway to the vast social landscape. Choosing the right phone for your teenager in 2024 goes beyond just specs and features. It's about finding a balance between functionality, safety, and budget consciousness. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving smartphone market and select the perfect phone for your teen.

All teenagers want their own smartphones, but which one should you choose for your offspring? We have selected the best phones for teenagers that are accessible and inexpensive.

The top 3 best smartphones for teenagers

For many parents, a smartphone is often a good gift idea. Not only will this make it easier to keep in touch with him, but it is also an essential tool in the life of a college student. In 2024, whether we like it or not, the smartphone will be one of the main socialization tools for our teenagers, particularly via social networks.

We focused on durable, balanced, and affordable smartphones for this selection. Not only does this limit costs, but an entry-level smartphone will attract less attention at school, and we will have fewer regrets when our dear toddler inflicts the worst insults on it. On this last point: invest immediately in a case and screen protection to avoid drama.

Do you want to limit your budget? Discover our selections of smartphones for less than 400 euros and less than 500 euros. If you want a more high-end smartphone, without blowing the budget, you can also opt for a refurbished smartphone.

The best value for money: Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G

Xiaomi renewed its “Note” range in 2023 with the Redmi Note 12, which manages to do as well as the 11. The Redmi Note 12 exists in two versions, 4G and 5G. The only differences between the two are the chip and the main sensor. As it is unlikely that your offspring will have a 5G plan, we advise you to save money and opt for the 4G version which is cheaper and is under 200 euros, a bargain.

For this price, your child will benefit from a very beautiful 6.7-inch 120 Hz Oled panel, which is a rarity in this price segment. This is clearly the strong point of this model. The design remains sober. Please note, the phone is not water and dust certified: be careful of accidents in the canteen. The phone does, however, have a jack socket. The 4G version integrates a Snapdragon 685 chip, certainly less efficient than the 5G version, but this will especially be felt in 3D games.

Both versions (5G and 4G) have three photo sensors, but the main sensor is not the same. No miracle in the result of the photos, but the phone still does well. As for autonomy, thanks to the 5000 mAh battery, the smartphone will last at least a day. Fast charging at 33W (charger provided) is included.

Overall, this is a very good proposition in this price segment, whether you choose the 4G (200 euros) or 5G (270 euros) model. For a teenager, this is a more than sufficient model.

The choice of reason: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

Sold for 200 euros, the Redmi Note 11 was expected to be one of the best quality/price ratios of the year 2022 and we must admit that Xiaomi does not disappoint. We thus find a smartphone with a neat and comfortable design, equipped with a completely acceptable finish.

The screen is undoubtedly the great strong point of the device since we are not only entitled to OLED, but the panel offers a refresh rate of 90 Hz and excellent brightness. We simply don't do better in terms of display in this price range.

Performance is solid for everyday use, especially coupled with a 5000 mAh battery. We can easily exceed two days of use on a charge, with the bonus of fast charging in just one hour. The photo module, however, is less impressive, it is correct, but a little struggling in terms of dynamics.

The only real weakness of this Xiaomi Redmi Note 11: software that is still too buggy, we are impatiently awaiting updates to stabilize MIUI 13. Despite this downside, you have here an excellent quality/price ratio for a demanding teenager (or even his parent).

Samsung quality: Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

Are you looking for a sure value, from a well-established brand? Samsung's new Galaxy A23 5G has many advantages on its side. The Galaxy is certainly made of plastic, but it is also very light and pleasant in the hand. Note that it has a jack port, an element that has become rare and which could be very practical for teenagers.

Samsung, true to its reputation, has integrated a good quality panel. This is a large 6.6-inch LCD panel that supports FHD+ definition. Above all, your child will benefit from a refresh rate of 120 Hz for greater fluidity.

The Galaxy A23 is powered by a Snapdragon 695 chip, coupled with up to 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage expandable via microSD card. For the interface, Android 12 is in charge, via the excellent One UI 4.1, Samsung's overlay.

The device benefits from no less than four photo sensors: a 50-megapixel wide-angle, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, plus a macro lens and a depth sensor. Not all of them are crazy useful, but the main sensor produces good results, as does the 8MP selfie sensor.

In terms of autonomy, nothing to complain about thanks to a nice 5,000 mAh battery (rechargeable at 25 W) which allows you to last at least a full day. In short, a reliable phone for less than 300 euros.

An indestructible battery: Realme 9 4G

The latest addition to the Realme range, the 9 does not seek to revolutionize the market. However, it is inexpensive and rather balanced. The 6.4-inch super AMOLED screen still benefits from a 90 Hz refresh rate, as well as satisfactory brightness and good calibration for this level of the range. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 SoC, coupled with 4, 6, or 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Note that the memory is expandable via a microSD card, a good point for teenagers who tend to machine-gun.

Another advantage that may appeal to younger people: the design, especially the colors. In addition to the classic black, the Realme 9 is available in a vibrant yellow or an elegant pearl white. But its big strong point is undoubtedly autonomy: it is capable of lasting at least two days. The 5,000 mAh battery is compatible with 33 W fast charging. In 30 minutes, the phone regains half its charge.

Unfortunately, Realme's affordable model disappoints a little in photography, especially at ultra-wide angle and low-light shots. However, during the day, the main lens and the front lens do the job without problem.

The Apple option: Apple iPhone SE 5G (2022)

We asked ourselves the question of the relevance of an Apple model in this selection. iOS devices are much more expensive than an Android model and investing so much money in a first smartphone is neither obvious nor relevant... even if your teenager is putting pressure on you to have the latest iPhone.

If you are already in the iOS ecosystem, however, this choice may make sense, particularly for the location and sharing functions of purchased applications. The iPhone also has the great advantage of benefiting from much better software tracking, which will result in a smartphone that will remain usable for much longer.

If we had to choose a new one, it would be the iPhone SE 2022. Using an Apple A15 SoC, also present on the iPhone 13, in the format of an iPhone 8, it is powerful, and compact, while remaining relatively autonomous. It has nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to photos, despite its single sensor. We also really appreciate its waterproofness which will once again help save the phone in the event of an accidental bath or spilled glass of coke.

The price is high, as always with Apple, but it offers top-notch services.

Another option that can be wise to offer a first (or a new) phone to your child: the refurbished one. You can get high-end phones from 2, 3, or 4 years ago, for less money, but in good condition, often with the battery or screen changed.

For refurbished products, opt for the big players such as Apple and Samsung. The iPhone 12 and 11, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S21 range, are excellent candidates. You will find models between 200 and 400 euros.

Backmarket is a reliable site of its kind but there are also other French reconditioners, such as Smaaart . Always take a phone indicated in excellent or perfect condition, and preferably choose a reconditioning workshop located in France.

Choosing the right smartphone for teenagers

At what age should you give your first smartphone?

This is the question that comes up most often from parents. Unfortunately, there is no preconceived answer and this will be done on a case-by-case basis depending on the family. Most give a smartphone when entering middle school (so around 11 – 12 years old), but if this is not necessary for practical reasons, it may be wiser to wait a little (around 13 years old). There is no real study on the minimum age for personal use of a smartphone.

What about feature phones?

We could be tempted to choose a non-Smart” phone for our offspring. After all, they have undeniable advantages: they are inexpensive, durable, and solid. And as a bonus, their lack of advanced functions will prevent your toddler from spending the night playing or watching series.

That said, they will quickly become useless as they ignore the communication channels used by young people. Unless you voluntarily want to isolate your child from his peers, we therefore recommend a classic smartphone. In 2024, the choice of a smartphone seems almost essential...

A classic GSM cell phone may, however, be useful for a younger child, particularly for practical reasons, if you need to be able to reach them by telephone in particular.

What are the rules in middle and high schools regarding telephones?

Smartphones, tablets, and other communication equipment such as connected watches are prohibited from use within school premises. Phones should be turned off and put away.

In practice, the application of these measures is at the discretion of the establishments which will give you the details at the start of the year with the internal regulations. Investigate the property to avoid confiscation or punishment.

There is one exception. Some students may keep their phones for disability or health reasons. We can thus think of a blood glucose sensor for a diabetic child. We advise you to contact the school administration quickly if this is the case.

Create a Google or Apple ID account for a teenager.

Whether at Apple or Google, a child must be at least 13 years old to have their own account. The two companies each have procedures for this scenario. In both cases, you will need to have your own account before setting up your child's account.

What are the parental control solutions?

Both iOS and Android offer built-in parental control features. These are quite comprehensive and allow you to control purchases, and apps that can be launched or filter adult content.

We strongly recommend that you spend some time there and intelligently limit what your child can do. Pay particular attention to purchases so as not to wake up with a nasty surprise after the youngest has raided lootboxes in Fortnite ...

beyond purely technical solutions, nothing will replace a real discussion with your child. Explain in detail why you are blocking this or that function, rather than imposing a diktat without any justification. And don't hesitate to adjust them as he or she grows to allow him or her more freedoms and responsibilities.

Remember that whoever says smartphone, says social networks. Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp… all these apps can be the scene of cyber harassment. It is important to remain vigilant and communicate very regularly about this with your child as well as other parents.

And recycle one of your old smartphones?

Recycling an old smartphone can be an excellent idea as long as it is still in good condition (especially regarding its battery) and the software is not too obsolete. iPhones in particular make great phones to reuse thanks to many years of iOS updates.

There remains the question of refurbished smartphones: these rarely offer any real interest at the entry-level. On the other hand, it can be very interesting to offer a more premium smartphone, a few years old. We recommend it in particular to those who want an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy at a lower cost. Choose a trusted site or brand for this type of purchase, and opt instead for French reconditioning workshops.

Smartphone at school, who is responsible in the event of breakage?

Did your child have their phone broken or stolen at school? Don't panic, this scenario may be covered by the child's school and out-of-school insurance. Optional, the latter is however strongly recommended to protect your offspring in the event of damage it suffers or causes.

Some of these insurance policies cover damage or theft of personal effects. You will therefore need to provide invoices, theft declaration, and proof of establishment when reporting the loss to your insurer.