Parents, this is the iPhone your kids want the most
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So, the time has come for you to purchase an iPhone for your child, and you don't know which model to buy that will make them happy. No worries; there are a few great models that have the apps, features, and camera your kids want. We recommend the iPhone 11 for kids, a model that looks beautiful (and comes in multiple colors!) and is priced right for the all goodies you'll receive. We've gathered other noteworthy models to help you choose the one that fits your needs best.
Best Overall: iPhone 11
The best-selling Apple handset of the year, the iPhone 11, is a terrific choice for most buyers, including parents of teenagers. However, it doesn't offer the same camera specs as the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, which could influence some would-be buyers. Still, you can't deny the iPhone 11 has the best color choices among all the iPhones on the market. It's available in black, white, purple, yellow, green, and (PRODUCT)Red.
Measuring 6.1-inches diagonally, the iPhone 11 is significantly less expensive than the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max (see below). The lower price comes with some drawbacks, however. Although the iPhone 11 includes the same A13 Bionic chip with the next-generation Neural Engine as the other two, it ships without an OLED. Instead, there's a Liquid Retina HD display. The lower-priced model also has limited storage capacity.
On the iPhone 11, you'll find a dual 12MP back camera with Ulta Wide (ƒ/2.4 aperture) and Wide (ƒ/1.8 aperture) cameras with an optical zoom of 2x and digital zoom of 5x. On the front, there's the 12MP TrueDepth camera with a ƒ/2.2 aperture.
Pros:
- Large display for less
- Six different colors
- Same internals as the Pro models
Cons:
- LCD, not OLED
- No triple camera on the back
Best Overall
iPhone 11
Save money and still get a great phone.
Cheaper than the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro Max with nearly the same internals.
Best Alternative: iPhone SE (2020)
Not everyone wants to buy a new iPhone every year that includes all of Apple's latest bells and whistles. For those folks, there's the iPhone SE (2020). Introduced earlier this year, the iPhone SE (2020) looks a lot like the iPhone 8 that it replaced in Apple's current handset lineup.
Featuring Touch ID, not Face ID, the 4.7-inch iPhone SE (2020) is still packed with plenty of features that make it worth considering. These include a 12MP camera and 7 MP FaceTime HD camera, A13 Bionic chip with a third-generation Neural Engine, wireless charging, Haptic Touch, and more. Better still, the iPhone SE (2020) is available for hundreds less than other handsets on this list.
Pros:
- Much less than iPhone 11 series
- Tried and true design
Cons:
- Is 4.7-inch display enough?
- Touch ID, not Face ID
Best Alternative
iPhone SE (2020)
Well-tested workhorse
A perfect choice for anyone who wants to upgrade, but not spend a lot.
Best Premium: iPhone 11 Pro
The iPhone 11 Pro offers a 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display. Beyond this, it's nearly identical to the iPhone 11 Pro Max right down to its three cameras system. Like the iPhone 11 Pro Max (and iPhone 11), the iPhone 11 Pro has an A13 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine, Face ID, and wireless charging. For this, you'll pay at least $999, up to $1,349 for the most expensive model.
If you want everything Apple has to offer on a smartphone and have smaller hands (or just prefer a smaller phone), go with this model.
Pros:
- Same camera specs as Max
- Current flagship
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited color options
Best Premium
iPhone 11 Pro
Look at that display!
Buy the iPhone 11 Pro if you want the best in a slightly smaller package.
Best Large Screen: iPhone 11 Pro Max
The largest of Apple's two current flagship devices offers the most advanced internals found on a large display iPhone to date. The iPhone 11 Pro Max features a 6.5-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED Multi‑Touch display with a triple camera. These are an Ultra-Wide: ƒ/2.4 aperture and 120-degree field of view, Wide: ƒ/1.8 aperture, and Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture. There's a front-facing 12MP TrueDepth camera too.
All these goodies come at a price; the iPhone 11 Pro has a starting price of $1,099. It's available in space gray, silver, gold, and midnight green.
Pros:
- Most prominent iPhone display to date
- Great rear- and front-facing camera
- Blazing fast
Cons:
- Pricey
- Difficult to hold with one hand
Best Large Screen
iPhone 11 Pro Max
Three cameras!
Zero limits on Apple's best handset to date. Go large or go home!
Bottom line
If you're looking for an Apple handset for your kiddo, you'll quickly notice there's a wide selection from which to choose. Our advice is to go with the iPhone 11, which provides most of the features found on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, but for less cash.
Among the features packed into this beast is Apple's A13 Bionic chip with the next-generation Neural Engine. You'll also find a dual rear camera, Liquid Retina HD display, and more. Happy shopping!
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Bryan M. Wolfe is a dad who loves technology, especially anything new from Apple. A Penn State graduate, Bryan likes to watch Nittany Lion football in the fall and explore new cities each summer with his teenage daughter. Thanks for reading. @bryanmwolfe