03/10/2025
Nicole Newton

What is the best mobile phone for teens?

Choosing the best mobile for teenager use can be a challenge. Teens often want the latest model with a great camera and fast access to all their favourite apps. Parents, on the other hand, are usually more focused on affordability, durability and parental control options. The good news? There are plenty of good phones for teens that balance what they want with what you need!

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best phones for teens, highlighting models that are perfect for social media, gaming, photography, and everyday use. Plus, we’ll show you why buying refurbished can save you money while still giving your teenager a phone they’ll be excited about.

In this blog:

iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 continues to be one of the best phones for teenagers, even a few years after its release. It has a sharp Super Retina XDR display, A15 Bionic chip for smooth performance and excellent dual cameras – ideal for TikToks, Instagram stories and selfies. Teens will love how fast and reliable it feels for gaming and streaming.

Despite its age, the iPhone 13 still feels modern and even comes with Apple’s Screen Time controls, making it a great choice for Apple-obsessed teens.

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Samsung Galaxy A16 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is one of the best phones for teens who prefer Android. It has a large, bright display, reliable 5G connectivity and a multi-lens camera setup that’s great for filming tiktoks and snapping selfies. A long-lasting battery ensures it’ll last through the school day and beyond too.

Those buying for a teen will like the lower price point and the fact that it works well with Google’s Family Link for parental controls.

Motorola Moto G35

If you’re looking for a good phone for teenager use that’s very budget-friendly, the Moto G35 is a brilliant choice. It offers great battery life, a large screen and enough power for social media and light gaming. The camera is decent enough to keep teens happy for everyday snaps and videos too. With easy-to-set parental control apps, it’s an ideal first phone for teenagers.

iPhone 16e

If your teenager is asking for the newest Apple model, the iPhone 16e is a great option. It’s a more affordable entry in Apple’s newer lineup but still offers a sleek design, strong performance and long-term iOS updates for added security.

It features a solid camera setup for those kids that love snapping pics, plus Apple’s Screen Time and parental controls make it easier for parents to manage app access and screen time. If you’re looking for a newer iPhone model that won’t hit too heavy on your bank balance, this is definitely the best option out there.

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Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

The Galaxy A55 5G feels premium without the premium price. Its sleek design, vibrant AMOLED display and triple-camera system make it perfect for style-conscious teens who also want great performance. It has a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, giving smooth visuals for gaming, social apps and video streaming.

For parents, Samsung’s security features and parental controls add peace of mind. Plus, since the Galaxy A55 is a budget Samsung model, the price point is a nice bonus for any parents looking to save a bit of money.

Google Pixel 9a

If your teenager loves photography or content creation, the Google Pixel 9a could be the phone for them! Google’s AI-powered camera system is one of the best in its price range, producing stunning photos and videos for Instagram, TikTok and more. It also delivers smooth performance with clean Android software.

Storage starts at 128GB, giving teens plenty of room for apps, photos and games. With Android’s Family Link and strong long-term software support, it’s a secure and practical option for parents as well. This is the best phone for teenage users if you’re looking for an affordable Google device.

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OnePlus 12

The OnePlus 12 is a fantastic option if you’re looking for one of the best phones for teens that balances performance with value. With its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and up to 16GB of RAM, it’s more than capable of handling everything a teenager needs – from scrolling social media to playing graphics-heavy mobile games. The 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate makes TikTok, YouTube, and gaming look sharp and fluid, which is something every teen will love.

Parents will appreciate the built-in parental controls, making it easier to manage screen time and app access. Plus, the triple camera setup, including a powerful 50MP main lens, gives teens the high-quality photos they’re after without needing an iPhone-level price tag. If you’re looking for a good phone for teenager use that feels premium without the hefty price, the OnePlus 12 is a smart choice.

Final thoughts

Picking the best phone for teenager needs comes down to finding a balance between the features they’ll love and the peace of mind you want. Whether it’s the budget-friendly Moto G35, the stylish iPhone 13, or the camera-focused Pixel 9a, there are plenty of good phones for teenager users that make everyone happy.

And don’t forget: buying refurbished is the best way to save money and still get a phone your teen will love. If you’re searching for phones for teenagers that won’t break the bank, a refurbished phone is the way forward!

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