I need to get my daughters an iPhone each and whilst I could get two brand new iPhone SE the chances are they’ll be dropped or scratched so was thinking of getting a second hand pair. What model do you think offers the most bang for the buck?
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Other Best iPhone for teenagers?
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The one they won’t lose?
Hopefully your daughters are more responsible than mine.Yeah, I’d suggest “the best iphone for teens,” and the most effective way to avoid scratches and drops, would be the one they choose, save their own $$ for, and buy it themselves. That being said, the SE is probably the best option.
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My son's first iPhone was an 8GB iPhone 4s. I put him on a 2GB line and the 3G only aspect of the phone prevented him from using large amounts of data.
About a year later I got him an iPhone SE for his birthday. He's using an SE 2020 now and T-Mobile upgraded his line to unlimited data (for free) in 2021.
My daughter's first iPhone was an iPhone 5, again with a 2GB line. This was an unlocked Sprint device my wife had on Sprint. HSPA+/4G only on T-Mobile. She lost the phone the first day.
I was able to get it back, but had to replace the SIM. Eventually, the battery started swelling so she ended up with my wife's old iPhone 6s. That phone was pristine when I gave it to her.
As of now, it's been dropped multiple times, has cracked glass and dents. The battery is shot, but I can't replace the battery without paying for the cracked screen. So, I got her a new SE2020 with AC+ and demanded she use an Otterbox Defender Pro. She hates cases, just like I do, but she hasn't learned not to drop her phone yet. I really didn't want to buy her a newer model iPhone but she needs to have a phone that doesn't shut off on her because of battery. So the middle ground is a case.
My wife and I have a rule and that is that our kids do not get better devices than what we have, unless they pay for it themselves. So far they've been content to just let us buy them devices (big surprise). We both have the 11 Pro Max.
You know what's best for your own kids but I'd think the SE or SE2020 in a good case would be ideal. Unless, finding a used X or XR is an option.
Make sure you get them cases and a tempered glass screen protector as kids are notorious for destroying anything they lay their hands on.