In today’s digital age, giving smartphones to children is a challenging decision. Neither is it right to keep them away from technology at all, nor is it right to hand them a phone without any restrictions. The problem is that most smartphones are big and heavy for children’s small hands, as well as they lack parental controls. But the good news is that there are some compact and functional mini smartphones available in the market that are perfect for kids. So if you looking for similar options then have a look at some of the best options.
iPhone SE (2022): Small but powerful
If budget is not an issue, then the iPhone SE (2022) is the best option for children. With a 4.7-inch retina HD screen, this phone fits easily in the hands of children. Apple’s Screen Time feature gives parents controls like app limits, content filtering and location tracking. The phone is IP67 rated, which means it is durable even after falling along with protection from water and dust. The performance is also excellent due to the A15 Bionic chip, which can make this phone last for a long time. Although the price of ₹43,900 makes iPhone SE 3 a bit expensive, it can also be affordable in refurbished models or discount offers. You can buy its second hand model from Flipkart, Amazon, or local stores in around ₹19,900.
iLight Mini 11 Pro: World’s smallest Android phone
If your child is between 5 and 10 years old and only needs basic calling, messaging and some limited apps, then the iLight Mini 11 Pro is a great option. It is the world’s smallest Android smartphone, with a screen size of just 2.5 inches and weighing just 80 grams! It has a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, which is enough to run apps like WhatsApp and YouTube Kids. However, there are no built-in parental controls, so third-party apps like Google Family Link or Qustodio will have to be used. The price ranges from around ₹9,600 to ₹12,000, but it is usually imported, so a voltage converter may be required.
Unihertz Jelly Star: Small but fully functional
If you want a slightly bigger screen but still want a compact phone, then Unihertz Jelly Star is a great option. This 3-inch screen phone is a fully functional Android smartphone with MediaTek Helio G99 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and available in Red, Black, and Blue color options. Its back is transparent like Nothing phone devices. It supports Indian 4G networks and also has a 48MP camera. Parental controls can be set for children through Google Family Link. The price is around ₹18,000 to ₹22,000, but this phone is also imported, so availability has to be checked. You can request your friend or family member to send this device to your home as Uni Hertz does not deliver it in India. But this one is a perfect device for kids!
Palm Phone: Ultra-portable, but battery weak
If you want an even more stylish and portable phone, then Palm Phone can be a good option. This phone with a 3.3-inch screen has Snapdragon 435 processor, 3GB RAM, and 32GB storage. This phone works with Indian networks (Jio, Airtel, Bsnl), but its biggest drawback is the 800mAh battery, which drains quickly and hardly runs for a day. Google Family Link will have to be used for parental control. The price is around ₹15,000 to ₹20,000, but it is also imported, so you will have to check the stock on platforms like Amazon India or Ubuy.
iPhone 13 Mini – Quality Display, Superb Camera, and Optimized iOS
Most of the phones available in the market are either too big or do not have adequate parental control features. In such a situation, the iPhone 13 Mini can be your best choice as it is a well known product from Apple and offers latest iOS updates. This phone is perfect for the small hands of children with its 5.4-inch compact design and a weight of just 140 grams. Apple’s Screen Time feature in the phone provides parents with important features like application limits, content restrictions and location tracking, which are very important for the digital safety of children.
The specialty of the iPhone 13 Mini is that despite being small, it is completely powerful. It has Apple’s A15 Bionic chip which not only gives great performance but also optimizes battery life. Due to Ceramic Shield and IP68 water resistance, this phone can easily withstand the mistakes of children. However, one of its drawbacks is that its battery can drain quickly on heavy use.
iPhone 13 mini is discontinued but the refurbished models start at Rs 26,999 which is a good deal considering its features. It can be found even cheaper in the second-hand market. If you want the right balance of size, performance, good quality camera, and safety features while choosing a phone for children, then there is hardly any better option than the iPhone 13 Mini. However, if the budget is low then the iPhone SE (2022) or Unihertz Jelly Star can also be good options as I have listed above!
Nokia 2780 Flip: Not a smartphone, but a safe option
As reported by Samuel Gibbs of The Guardian, a basic dumb phone is quite enough for primary school-age children as they support SMS, basic apps like Whatsapp, and can be used for emergency or regular phone calls. So if your child is very young (5-8 years) and you do not want to give him a full featured smartphone, then Nokia 2780 Flip is a great option. This is a keypad phone, which runs KaiOS, which supports basic apps like WhatsApp, YouTube and Google Maps. Third-party apps have to be used for parental control, but this phone protects children from overuse of social media and games. The price is around ₹5,000, making it the most affordable option and can be purchased from online or offline stores.
Alternatively, In India you can go with JioPhone Prima 2. This costs around ₹2799 but in this only Jio SIm will work and yes whatsapp, YouTube will work and also you can pay money via upi as it comes with .3MP VGA camera!
Final Word: Which phone for which age child?
- 5-10 years: iLight Mini 11 Pro or Nokia 2780 Flip (for basic needs).
- 10-13 years: Unihertz Jelly Star or Palm Phone (with slightly advanced functionality).
- 13+ years: iPhone SE (2022) or iPhone 13 Mini (full-fledged smartphone, but with parental controls).
Where to buy?
- Amazon India, Flipkart, Cashify: iPhone SE 3 , Nokia 2780 Flip, iPhone 13 Mini can be purchased from these online stores. New models might not available, but you can get refurbished phone at lower rates!
- Ubuy or Amazon Global: iLight Mini 11 Pro, Palm Phone are not available to buy in India. But you can import it in India by paying a shipping fee around $30-40.
- Local stores: Some models can be found in Croma, Vijay sales, Reliance Digital, Sargam Electronics, and Poorvika Mobiles.
Finally, while giving a phone to the child, definitely pay attention to the size, safety and control. Kids are so into their phones that a 2023 Common Sense Media study found that teens picked up and checked their phone at a median rate of 51 times per day—and as much as 498 times per day. Apart from that, as mentioned in one of the articles of Parents.com, the CEO and co-founder of Unpluq named Caroline Cadwell reveals, limiting phone use by taking the device away at night or setting parental controls to restrict app access during certain hours can help build healthier phone habits. So based on these studies, it has been found that buy a safer and better quality cell phone for kids that offers robust parental controls, durable design, and essential communication features without unnecessary distractions. If budget permits, iPhone 13 mini or SE 3rd Generation (2022) are the best choices. For more affordable alternatives, iLight Mini 11 Pro or Unihertz Jelly Star are also good options!
