Buying guide · October 2026
The best iPhone for kids and teens
Which iPhone is best for a child or teenager? iPhone 17e ($699), on the figures below. A child’s phone gets dropped, lost and handed down, so price matters most; then a size that suits smaller hands, a battery that lasts the school day, and a chip new enough to get updates for years. We rank every iPhone Apple sells on those figures.
The ranking
Every iPhone on sale, scored.
| # | iPhone | Price | Battery (video) | Width | Weight | Chip | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iPhone 17e | $699 | 26 h | 71.5 mm | 169 g | A19 | 76 |
| 2 | iPhone 17 | $899 | 30 h | 71.5 mm | 177 g | A19 | 72 |
| 3 | iPhone 18 Pro | $1,199 | 36 h | 71.9 mm | 211 g | A20 Pro | 71 |
| 4 | iPhone 18 Pro Max | $1,299 | 45 h | 78 mm | 249 g | A20 Pro | 64 |
| 5 | iPhone 16 | $799 | 22 h | 71.6 mm | 170 g | A18 | 61 |
| 6 | iPhone Air | $1,099 | 27 h | 74.7 mm | 165 g | A19 Pro | 61 |
| 7 | iPhone Duo | $1,999 | 44 h | 84.1 mm | 254 g | A20 Pro | 34 |
How the score works: each figure is scaled from the worst to the best phone in the table, then weighted (price 40%, battery (video) 20%, width 15%, weight 10%, chip 15%) and added up to 100. Figures from Apple's technical specifications; US prices from apple.com, checked October 2026.
Our advice
What we'd buy.
- iPhone 17e comes out on top: the lowest price, a 6.1-inch screen and the same A19 chip family as iPhone 17, so it should get iOS updates for years.
- For an older teen who cares about photos, iPhone 17 adds a second (ultra wide) camera and a 120 Hz screen.
- Skip iPhone Air, the Pros and Duo for children: they cost hundreds more and are just as easy to drop.
Close call? Compare the top two drawn to scale: iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17 →
Set it up
- Set the phone up as a Child Account through Family Sharing before handing it over, so you approve purchases with Ask to Buy.
- Screen Time sets daily app limits, downtime and content restrictions, and it works the same on every iPhone on sale.
- Share My Location in Find My shows where the phone is; Emergency SOS via satellite works where there is no signal.
What reviewers say
Their picks, in our words.
Macworld · Oct 2026
Macworld names iPhone 17e the best iPhone for most children: fast enough for games, schoolwork and Apple Intelligence, a sensible 6.1-inch size and cheap enough to justify if it is lost. For older teens who want better photos and display it suggests iPhone 17, and it advises against anything older than iPhone 15 Pro.
Best iPhone 2026: Which iPhone should you buy? ↗TechRadar · Mar 2026
TechRadar found the 17e a refined budget iPhone: the A19 chip, 256 GB to start and MagSafe make it feel complete, with a single camera and 60 Hz screen as the trade-offs.
iPhone 17e review: Apple's budget iPhone is more complete than ever ↗
What reviewers say
More on iPhone 17e and iPhone 17
Their conclusions, in our words. Follow the links for the full reviews.
CNET · Apr 2026
For everyday use you likely won't feel a huge difference; the 17's gains are a 48MP ultrawide, an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera and a brighter screen.
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: Should You Upgrade? ↗GSMArena · Dec 2025
The iPhone 17 is close enough for most people (same 120 Hz screen, ultrawide and selfie cameras, lighter body); the Pro still earns its price with the 4x telephoto, faster chip and pro video features.
Apple iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 17 Pro ↗Macworld · Oct 2025
If you already own an iPhone 16 you can keep it, but if you're upgrading from something older there is no reason to choose the 16 over the 17.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: The differences are astonishing ↗PCMag · Sep 2025
The iPhone 17 wins on display (120 Hz, brighter), cameras and battery; the 16 only wins on price, and it starts with half the storage.
Apple iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: The Choice Is Clear ↗
More reviewer perspectives (1)
How-To Geek · Sep 2025
A head-versus-heart call: the base iPhone 17 is no longer an entry-level compromise, while the 17 Pro adds sustained performance and better cooling.
Torn Between the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro? Here's How to Choose ↗
FAQ
Questions people ask
- What is the best first iPhone for a child?
- iPhone 17e ranks first on price, battery, size and chip. Macworld also picks iPhone 17e for most children.
- What is the best iPhone for a teenager?
- iPhone 17e if price comes first; iPhone 17 if they take a lot of photos or want the smoother 120 Hz screen.
- Can I give my child an old iPhone?
- Yes, if it still gets iOS updates. Erase it, set up a Child Account through Family Sharing and turn on Screen Time first. Models before iPhone 15 Pro cannot run Apple Intelligence.
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