According to a recent Piper Sandler study, US teenagers prefer iPhones to Android phones. The data comes from the semi-annual Piper Sandler survey, which interviewed 7,000 teenagers.
That’s not shocking, given that Apple is by far the most successful brand in the United States, and many consider it a status symbol.
Yet, it doesn’t mean Android smartphones are not on the radar.
While most teens and kids recently chose iPhones over Android, there are Android smartphones that give you a better feeling than you can ever imagine.
This article highlights the best Android smartphones teens and kids can go for.
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How to Choose the Best Android SmartPhone
When looking for the best Android phone as a teenager, the first place to look is at your budget. And there are just a few levels in all.
The cheapest Android smartphones teens and kids can afford under $200 and provide the essentials for using apps, taking photos, and staying.
As you reach $400, more appealing handsets emerge, boasting stronger processors, higher-grade materials, and more camera lenses.
If you choose the one of $700, the best phones deliver flagship-level efficiency, cutting-edge computational imaging, and special features.
However, the most expensive Android smartphones have foldable designs. But we don’t think these devices are worth the money just yet, especially for teens.
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List of the Best Android Smartphone for Teens in 2023 – Best Choice
We’ve checked most ordinary Android phones in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges, and the latest OnePlus 7 Pro is our current top pick.
This is OnePlus’ new powerhouse, which has left a lasting impression on us.
The 7 Pro is our top choice for the best Android phone you can purchase right now, thanks to its affordability, stunning screen, and vastly improved camera system.
Also, look no further than Google’s Pixel 4A for the best camera at the lowest price.
Its camera is straight out of Google’s high-end Pixels, and its excellent monitor and high-end design make it a bargain at $350.
Check out the list of Android smartphones for teens and kids below and make your choice.
1. Google Pixel 4A
Price: $348.97 / €342.00 / £299.00 / ₹36,199
The Pixel 4a, Google’s mid-range Pixel, is ranked second in our list of the best Android phones, which may surprise you.
At $349, however, the Pixel 4a is a surprisingly complete smartphone, which we’ve never seen at this price before.
The Pixel 4a offers a flagship-caliber camera, good-enough performance, impeccable software, a pocketable, well-built design, 128GB of built-in storage. It also has a stunning and vibrant 5.8-inch OLED display for half the price of the Pixel 5, or a third of what Samsung and Apple charge for their top models.
It’s possible that a Pixel 5a, the successor to the Pixel 4a, is in the works, with reports pointing to a late-spring release.
However, before it does, this is the best Android phone for less than $500.
Google Pixel 4A Specifications
Display: 5.81-inch OLED (2340×1080) | Android version: 10 | CPU: Snapdragon 730G | RAM: 6GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No | Rear camera: 12.2MP (ƒ/1.7) | Front camera: 8MP (ƒ/2.0) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 8:55
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2. OnePlus 7 Pro
Price: $419.00 / €655.90 / £549.00 / ₹52,999
OnePlus 7 Pro is one of the favorite Android phones ever for teens.
Although it doesn’t have the same image quality as the iPhone or Pixel, it’s not much of a compromise for most people’s daily images.
In addition, the Pro 7 has an ingenious pop-up selfie camera that covers the lens when not in use and allows the front of the phone to be fully screened, eliminating the annoyance of a camera notch.
The battery lasts most days, and when it doesn’t, you’ll appreciate the quick 30-watt wired charging, which outperforms most competitors.
What more do most teenagers crave for if not a phone to perform most duties OnePlus has to offer.
Choose right today!
Specification:
Display: 6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 Fluid AMOLED (1440 x 3120 pixels; 90Hz, HDR10+) | Android version: 9.0 (Pie) | CPU: Octa-core | RAM: 6GB, 8GB, 12GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No | Rear cameras: 48MP wide (ƒ/1.8), 16MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2), 8MP telephoto with 3x optical (ƒ/2.4), 2MP monochrome | Front camera: 16MP (ƒ/2.4) | Battery life: Li-Po 4000 mph, 30W.
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3. Google Pixel 4A 5G
Price: $499.00 / €429.99 / £399.00
If you want a 5G phone from Google, the Pixel 5 isn’t the only choice.
The Pixel 4a 5G has all the phone’s best features, including 5G networking and some of the best-performing cameras we’ve seen.
This phone is also $200 less expensive than Google’s flagship.
The cheaper 5G alternative sacrifices some build quality and water resistance, and the Pixel 4a 5G lacks a fast-refreshing screen.
Also, the 6.2-inch OLED screen is plenty bright and is the largest display among Google’s recent launches.
The cameras are the main reason to buy a Pixel, and the Pixel 4a 5G will fit the Pixel 5 camera for the camera.
In addition, the Pixel 4a 5G gives you an affordable way to start with the 5G future.
Google Pixel 4A 5G Specifications
Display: 6.2-inch OLED (2340×1080) | Android version: 11 | CPU: Snapdragon 730G | RAM: 6GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No | Rear camera: 12MP main (ƒ/1.7 ); 16MP ultra-wide (ƒ/2.2) | Front camera: 8MP (ƒ/2.0) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 8:12.
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4. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Price: $514.99 / €679.00 / £529.00 / ₹47,999
This is the phone for those who want anything.
It’s jam-packed with features designed specifically for fans of all kinds—whether you’re into art, gaming, or curating your feed with everything that motivates you.
This phone refuses to compromise, delivering the Galaxy S20 5G’s advances to make incredible technology accessible to all.
With a wide range of beautiful colors, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G will surely fit your personal style—from large and bold to subtle and elegant.
The Galaxy S20 FE 5G has the same groundbreaking cameras as the Galaxy S20 5G, allowing you to capture moments your way.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Smartphone Specifications
Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED (2400×1080) | Android version: 10, upgradable to Android 11 with Samsung One UI 3.1 | CPU: Octa-core | RAM: 6GB, 8GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / Yes | Rear camera: 12MP wide (ƒ/1.8); 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom (ƒ/3.0); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2) | Front camera: 32MP (ƒ/2.2) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 110h.
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5. OnePlus 9 Pro
Price: $829.00 / €860.00 / £829.00 / ₹64,999
OnePlus just revealed the OnePlus 9 Pro, and it’s a fantastic product.
It’s big, beautiful, and solid. From its stunning display to its battery life and charging, it wowed us.
This android smartphone is a good pick for teens that love high-quality pictures.
Another fact special about it; the OxygenOS app experience is excellent, with many tweaks and features to help you personalize the handset.
Thanks to a recent collaboration with Hasselblad, it also excels as a camera phone.
The 48MP main camera produces stunning images with natural color tones and a wide dynamic range.
The 50MP UltraWide sensor is massive and captures just as much data as the 35MP sensor.
There’s also a free-form lens on top, which helps to remove edge distortion in UltraWide images virtually.
OnePlus 9 Pro Specifications
Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED (3168 x 1440; 1-120 Hz) | Android version: 11 | CPU: Snapdragon 888 | RAM: 8GB, 12GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No |
Rear cameras: 48MP wide (ƒ/1.8), 50MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2), 8MP telephoto with 3x optical (ƒ/2.4), 2MP monochrome | Front camera: 16MP (ƒ/2.4) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 10:40 (120Hz) / 10:38 (60Hz).
6. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Price: $899.99 / €911.98 / £689.79 / ₹102,999
For those willing to pay an ultra-premium price, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the best Android smartphone for teens.
This is because this computer is much more than a phone.
It’s a powerful note-taking device with plenty of S Pen improvements, a pro-level camera with a 108MP sensor and 50x zoom, and a mini-game console that can stream Xbox games.
The Note 20 Ultra also has the best display on the phone to date, with a massive 6.9-inch OLED screen that refreshes at a dynamic 120Hz rate.
As a result, it’s smart enough to adjust settings depending on what’s being viewed, saving battery life.
The 4,500 mAh battery lasts a long time on a charge, and quick 25-watt charging is included right out of the box. In general, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra lives up to its moniker.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Specifications
Display: 6.9-inch AMOLED (3088×1440) | Android version: 10 with Samsung One UI 2.5 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus | RAM: 12GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB / Yes.
Rear camera: 108MP wide (ƒ/1.8); 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom (ƒ/3.0); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2) | Front camera: 10MP (ƒ/2.2) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 10:15.
7. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Price: $949.00 / €999.00 / £894.96 / ₹89,990
If you don’t mind spending more than $1,000 on your next tablet, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the one to get.
Most teenagers and adults choose this smartphone for the grand qualities it has.
Samsung has crammed many premium features into its newest flagship, the S21 Ultra.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 6.8-inch display has a dynamic refresh rate that automatically adjusts between 10Hz and 120Hz depending on whether the mission needs a faster refresh rate.
Other software-driven photo features help the S21 Ultra take some fantastic images, including two telephoto lenses that help you capture incredible detail while zooming in.
This is also the first Galaxy S phone to support the S Pen, boosting productivity.
This is one feature most teens can’t do without, this prompts them to choose Samsung over iPhone.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Smart Phone Specification
Display: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED (3200×1440; 10 to 120Hz) | Android version: 11 | CPU: Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 | RAM: 12GB, 16GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB / No | Rear camera: 108MP main (ƒ/1.8); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 10MP telephoto (3x zoom, ƒ/2.4), 10MP telephoto (10x zoom, ƒ/4.9), laser AF sensor | Front camera: 40MP (ƒ/2.2) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 11:25.
8. Asus ROG Phone 5
Price: $1,139.99
In March, Asus released the ROG Phone 5, its latest gaming phone iteration. It’s one of the best and ultimate gaming smartphones for kids and teens.
It’s a massive phone with a 6,000mAh battery, a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, amazing front-facing speakers, two USB-C ports, and a slew of tech goodies to ensure you have the best mobile gaming experience possible.
With up to 16GB of RAM and the best Android processor yet, the Snapdragon 888, the ROG Phone 5 provides uncompromising strength.
Everything about this handset, from the SoC location to the split battery for faster 65W charging, is optimized for gaming.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Specifications
Display Size: 6.78-inch AMOLED (2448 x 1080); 60 – 144Hz | Android version: 11 with ZenUI | CPU: Snapdragon 888 | RAM: 8GB, 12GB, 16GB | Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No | Rear camera: 64MP ultrawide (f/1.8), 13MP ultrawide (f/2.4), 5MP macro (f/2.0) | Front camera: 24MP (f/2.45) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 12:23 (60Hz) / 10:53 (120Hz) / 10:27 (144Hz).
9. Moto G Power (2023)
Price: $199, $249
The Moto G Power has been the phone to switch to in recent years if you want the very best battery life for an Android phone.
The 2023 version of this phone doesn’t change much from the previous model, keeping the 5,000mAh battery that has set the standard for other phones.
On our battery test, the Moto G Power (2023) lasted more than 14 hours, which is around 4 hours longer than the average smartphone.
With Moto G Power, Motorola has made one significant change: the price.
While a phone version with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage is still available for $249, the price drops to $199 if you can deal with less RAM and storage.
That’s a fantastic deal for a device that can last all day and then some on a single charge.
Moto G Power Specifications
Display: 6.6-inch LCD (1600×720) | Android version: 10 with My UX | CPU: Snapdragon 662 | RAM: 3GB, 4GB | Storage / Expandable: 32GB, 64GB / Yes |
Rear camera: 48MP (ƒ/1.7) main; 2MP (ƒ/2.4) macro; 2MP (ƒ/2.4) depth | Front camera: 8MP (ƒ/2.0) | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 14:04.
10. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Price: $1,619.99 / €1,175.00 / £1,191.30 / ₹149,998
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is one of the best Android but quite expensive. It’s another ultimate gaming smartphone for both kids and teens.
Flex Mode, for example, takes advantage of the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s free-stop hinge to keep the computer in place in any position while displaying custom, split-screen controls for relevant apps such as video chatting applications.
However, the Z Fold 2 excels in the fundamentals, with a larger exterior cover display that does away with the obtrusive bezels of the original model.
Also, it has a larger interior panel encased in Samsung’s Ultra-Thin Glass, which makes it more rugged and friendly to the touch.
Of course, much of this ingenuity comes at a cost — $1,999 to be exact.
But no Android phone can do what the Galaxy Z Fold 2 can perched comfortably between phone and tablet.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Specifications
Display: 7.6-inch OLED (2208×1768) main; 6.2-inch OLED (2260×816) cover | Android Version: 10 with OneUI 2.5 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 Plus | RAM: 12GB | Storage / Expandable: 256GB / No
Rear camera: 12MP wide (ƒ/1.8); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 12MP telephoto (ƒ/2.4) | Front camera: 10MP (ƒ/2.2) cover; 10MP (ƒ/2.2) main display | Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 10:10.
Conclusion
Selecting the best Android phones for your kids and teenagers depends on your choice.
You have many options if you’re on a tight budget or want to spend up to $2,000 on a tablet. You can prioritize which features are most important to you.
Choose wisely!
References
- nymag.com – The Best Android Phones, According to Experts
- tomsguide.com – The best Android phones in 2023
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