Buying their first smartphone: the best phones for kids

Refurbished devices are an excellent option for kids, teens, and uni students as long as they’re high quality. Premium refurbished electronics function perfectly and also have at least 85% battery capacity, which is just what you need to support everyday use.

Premium refurbished tech is good for kids and good for your wallet but without short-changing your kids. 

You also don’t skimp on helping the planet. Which is a bonus for kids (of all ages) since, as they say, there’s no Planet B. Refurbishing a smartphone emits on average 91.6% less carbon emissions than making a new one. It also guzzles a lot less water and raw materials than manufacturing a brand new smartphone.

We know that the last thing you want is a phone that conks out just when your child needs to reach you pronto. 

Every item on Back Market has undergone rigorous quality checks to make sure that they work just like new. In fact, we track the performance of all our sellers in real-time and use that data to make product selections from all the available inventory. That means that any listing you’re looking at, for that specific device and set of specs, has already beat the competition in terms of quality and price. 

A note about battery capacity: At 85% battery capacity, the overall charge cycle of the device is considered healthy, which is why we ask our sellers to test their phones’ batteries to make sure they have at least that much capacity. 

On Back Market, you’ll find 3 types of device conditions: Fair, Good, and Excellent. Each of these conditions explain how the device looks (but not the insides — all the insides are restored to perfect working order on Back Market).

Based on customer reviews, it seems most parents buy their kids smartphones that are listed in Fair or Good condition. These devices are less expensive than those in Excellent condition, so it’s less of a (financial) heartbreak when your kid accidentally drops their refurbished phone into a river.

We’ve created a shortlist of great phones for kids in case you need a starting point. Each of these phones have all of the basics (text, 4G, Wi-Fi, and a decent camera) at a great price point.

What do customers say? 80% of customers who bought a refurbished iPhone SE (2020) on Back Market rated it 4 stars or above. Read reviews

What do customers say? 74% of customers who bought a refurbished iPhone 8 on Back Market rated it 4 stars or above.

Other recommended Apple phones for kids: iPhone 7, iPhone X, iPhone XR

What do customers say? 73% of customers who bought a refurbished iPhone SE (2020) on Back Market rated it 4 stars or above. Read reviews

What do customers say?  72% of customers who bought a refurbished Samsung Galaxy A52 on Back Market rated it 4 stars or above.

Other recommended Android phones for kids: Samsung A03

A kids first smartphone might also mean that they’ll need some key accessories like phone cases, headphones, or chargers. Refurbished ones are a solid option, especially if your child or teen is disaster-prone

Found the ideal device for your kid’s first phone? Great. Now it’s time to keep it safe with a robust insurance policy. Our offers start at $23 a year and protect the device from accidental breakage and liquid damage for 365 days — for when your toddler goes Picasso on the iPad or your teen jumps into a pool before checking their pockets. 

To top it all off: the insurance policy also includes coverage for drops, spills, and cracked screens from normal use. Now that’s peace of mind.