Phone for 10 year old?

[OpenToeSlipper]

Hi all. It's grudgingly time to acquire a mobile phone for my soon to be 10 year old son. Main priority is to get hold of him if he's with his friends and vice versa.

I'm looking for something that will allow us to find him if need be, think iPhone have a built in app for this, does Android have an equivalent?

Not after a brand new handset as only wanting this for the basics, WhatsApp etc.

Advice appreciated, cheers

[Amateurish]

Google family link app allows you to monitor usage, limit screen time and track location. It's very good. I bought my daughter a Xiaomi phone, less than £100, she's very happy.

[JimbobVFR]

Another recommendation for Google Family link here.

Motorola Moto G series phones are very good for the money, my kids both have a Moto G7 Play.

The family link software lets you set time limits both in general and also per app, lets you find the phones location and lets you approve app installs (and disable apps remotely too)

Highly recommended by me but I'm also an Android user so it made sense from that perspective.

[oldcynic]

Apple have similar controls through family sharing. This works for me because I have an iPhone and 2 iPads so can manage restrictions through any of them. I have to approve all apps - a simple click and fingerprint- and I can manage contacts as well (although I don’t).
You would need to check Which generation iPhone supports these controls - I suspect it will be more expensive than the android solution but better integrated if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.

[Gandahar]

What's your price bracket?

Forget you worrying about them and stalk them electronically , get something that will impress their mates and let them fly free......



this is not bad

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiaomi-Note-128GB-black-u...



Price bracket,
What he wants out of a phone,
What you want to give him,

Until we know that how can anyone respond with a decent answer?

You seem overly concerned about what he could do wrong with the phone rather than buying the best phone, with our recommendations, what he could do best with. A negative attitude to life....

Edited by Gandahar on Saturday 15th August 18:04

[alorotom]

What will he want it for?

Games / music / camera / what apps / what are his friends using - this will drive his use - if they all use FaceTime and iMessage (blue bubbles are important) and he has an android he’ll be a social pariah.

I’d be inclined to go with an original iPhone SE personally

[OpenToeSlipper]

Cheers for replies so far. As stated originally, it will mainly just be for phone calls, messaging apps and the odd game. Leaning towards an android device, budget up to £150 ish.

[NGRhodes]

Make sure you put £10 to £20 aside for a decent case and screen protector.
Have a plan for a replacement when it get broken (1 month old is our family record), insurance ?

[stevoknevo]

Google Pixel 2 - dimensions are reasonable-ish for a modern phone for a wee guy, performance remains excellent, ip67 rated for water/dust, fantastic camera which might give him an interest, it'll receive the Android 11 update in Sept/Oct (its final OS update, but at least it'll be bang up to date) It's Google so has their full software suite including 'find my phone' etc - £125 for this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lovely-Google-Pixel-2-1...
I've used Spigen cases on a few phones and they're robust and excellent value for £10ish. And not the end of the world, but try and get one with the original charger if possible - they're PD chargers, uses a USB C to USB C cable for 'rapid charging'; they charge fine on a standard USB C QC 2.0/3.0 charger but only at normal speed (which will help preserve the battery, but the OE chargers are about £25 so it's worth getting if you can)

[breamster]

Another recommendation for Google family link. It's very good.

Motorola phones are good at this price point or Huawei.

[OpenToeSlipper]

Nice one, thanks all. I'll check out the moto G7 and Pixel 2 for use with Google family

[AJB88]

Only thing to note with the Pixel 2 is its only guaranteed to get the next Android update (Android 11) after that it probably wont get Android 12 (2021).

I've been a long time Nexus/Pixel user though and wouldn't get any other version of Android now (other than a One device).

[stevoknevo]

AJB88 said:

Only thing to note with the Pixel 2 is its only guaranteed to get the next Android update (Android 11) after that it probably wont get Android 12 (2021).

I've been a long time Nexus/Pixel user though and wouldn't get any other version of Android now (other than a One device).

I'm curious to find out how much longer the 2 series will get security updates for, the OG Pixel got its final one about three months after the Android 10 update, and it still gets Play Store security updates, but shouldn't be a concern for a 10 year old unless he's managing his investment portfolio on it
And now that the Moto G8 is out, then the G7 will likely only get Android 11 and that's it (Motorola used to be decent for OS updates but Lenovo aren't quite as diligent)

Alternatively, if there's no rush to buy then the Pixel 4a releases on October 1st and the 3a will drop in price massively - my mate got a brand new, open box a couple of months ago for £240, an excellent second hand one should be close to OP's budget I'd imagine (it'll get Android 11 & 12, lacks ip rating/gorilla glass but does have a headphone socket which maybe more useful?)