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Back to School: A phone for every student

Valeria

Valeria

 

August 13, 2021

Back to School: A phone for every student

Back to school shopping lists have changed in the past few years. While a new wardrobe, backpack, and other traditional tools like pencils and notebooks still make it on the list, new tech has also become a staple, adding a laptop, tablet, or phone to it. And while a tablet or laptop may still be out of your budget range, a new phone is much more accessible, which begs the question: Which one to get?

With a varied selection that includes everything from operating systems to battery life, camera lens size, and even just the overall size, shopping for the right phone can be overwhelming. Which is why we've put together this handy list for finding the best phone for the right student:

The beginner

If your child finally hit the age where you think they're able to handle their first phone, but they'd only need it to be accessible---mainly to you---and their friends, consider getting something that is easy to navigate, without being bloated by a slew of other programs and capabilities.

The budget option:

Motorola Moto E

best phone

At under $200 (currently on sale for $119.99), this is an affordable choice with enough bells and whistles to get them excited about their first phone, without having you worry about the cost of replacing it should it break. And with a wide screen and a battery that could last them up to 2 days, they can entertain themselves, or spend that time entertaining the grandparents on a video call.

The less budget-friendly option:

Samsung Galaxy A12 LTE

best phone

At just a little over $200 ($209.99), this latest from Samsung's A series models boasts four different cameras (never too early to learn photography!), and a significant battery life and wide screen.

The intermediate:

Perhaps this isn't their first phone, or they're already a little older (in high school), and need something that can keep up.

The budget option:

LG Stylo 6

best phone

LG recently announced that they will no longer be offering mobile phones as part of their products, which means that getting your hands on inventory may be cheaper than expected (this latest Stylo 6 can be found for around $160). This phone has three cameras, more internal storage space (64GB), and a built-in stylus pen, so whether they're using it to take notes while studying, or to edit pictures more easily, convenience is always at their fingertips.

The less budget-friendly option:

Apple iPhone SE

best phone

I'm sure that "iPhone" is a word that has come up at least once in your household. And while that's also usually synonymous with "too expensive," there are still some options that don't cross the $1,000 mark, such as the latest iPhone SE, which starts at $399. They may not get the latest camera specs, but they will have iMessage and FaceTime to keep up with their friends, and stop annoying you about it.

The advanced

Perhaps they're graduating high school this year, or are heading into their year of college, and you want to start them off right with a brand new phone.

The budget option:

Google Pixel 5

best phone

Using the term budget a little more liberally here, this latest from Google will cost a little more than $600. But with it, you get 5G capability, an advanced Android OS that allows for easy navigation, water resistance, and of course, a hefty camera. This phone is also durable, and can last them for the next five years---or however long it takes for them to afford their own upgrade.

The less budget-friendly option:

Apple iPhone 12

best phone

It you want to get them the absolute latest phone on the market, and a $1000 price tag doesn't deter you, then one of Apple's iPhone 12 models are your answer. With an OLED display, a Ceramic Shield with better drop performance, Night Mode, and the latest camera specs, this decked-out phone will certainly be a generous gift that they will remain grateful for for the foreseeable future.

If any of these price tags still seem shocking to you, or not worth the trouble, consider buying refurbished or used instead, and remember that you don't have to spend a lot to get service on that new phone. You don't have to pay anything at all, actually, with TextNow's free nationwide talk & text plan that will keep them accessible wherever they go.

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