Other Which older iPhone for a 11 yo kid ?

[DrCC]

Hello everyone

I have been tasked to find an iPhone for my 11 year old niece. The phone will be used primarily to communicate with the parents (call and text) and a little entertainment when at home over Wi-Fi. The phone will "locked down" via Parental Controls.

It needs to be a small iPhone, something along the lines of iPhone 12 mini (most expensive, least preferred option), iPhone SE or older small iPhones. My first iPhone is an 13 mini so I am out of the loop with what older iPhones can still be fast enough for another 3-4 years of use. Also, some of the older IPhone might be missing certain useful features, but I am not that knowledgeable to understand what would be the cut off iPhone model year in terms of must have features.

So which one to get? I see iPhones 8 in good shape are sold relatively cheap in my area, but will an iPhone 8 be fast enough for another 3 years? Or should I be looking for something newer and if yes, what should be the lowest spec iPhone that is an option? iPhone SE 2020, SE 2022 or even the 12 Mini? I am looking for the best bang for the buck in terms of years of use out of it but also not the latest and the greatest since it might not physically survive a kid using it. Even with the phone in a heavy duty case and I am still concerned, kids find ingenious ways to break stuff.

EDIT: an iPhone was not in the cards at all, my niece has a phone for communication, but it is an old school flip phone and she hates texting over a T9 keyboard, the main reason she wants an iPhone is because it is easier to text.

 

[KaliYoni]

Or should I be looking for something newer and if yes, what should be the lowest spec iPhone that is an option? iPhone SE 2020, SE 2022?

If I were in a similar position, I would go back one generation from the current models at most. Why? Because I would want to maximize the ability to get iOS security updates over the anticipated use period, especially given a child will be using the phone. As well, a more recent model will run into fewer problems with apps becoming non-functional due to OS or processor incompatibility.

 

[Andeddu]

I would say a 2020 SE would fit the bill. They’re cheap, reliable, fairly powerful and will be officially supported for the next 3-4 years. Just make sure that a good case is purchased and a screen protector is applied as a kid will make short work a fragile phone with a glass back.

 

[DrCC]

To give you an idea of the rough prices I have in my area in $CAD (1 CAD = 0.75 USD).

iPhone 12 mini - 500-600
iPhone SE 2022 - 300-350
iPhone SE 2020 - 250 - not good, low battery life
iPhone 8 - 250 - not good, low battery life

Price wise I am fine with the SE 2022. Except the wireless charging and the bigger screen, are there any reasons to go with the iPhone 12 mini?

 

[Andeddu]

To give you an idea of the rough prices I have in my area in $CAD.

iPhone 12 mini - 500-600
iPhone SE 2022 - 300-350
iPhone SE 2020 - 250
iPhone 8 - 250

Price wise I am fine with the SE 2022. Except the wireless charging and the bigger screen, are there are reasons to go with the iPhone 12 mini?

A 12 Mini is too premium for a young kid. The 2020 SE is a better choice. It has a large enough screen which isn’t much smaller than the Mini’s and also has wireless charging.

 

[now i see it]

iPhone 8. Chances are good she’ll drop it or lose it or wreck it somehow.
iPhone 8 is plenty fast and it has the nice home button.

 

[DotCom2]

If I were in a similar position, I would go back one generation from the current models at most. Why? Because I would want to maximize the ability to get iOS security updates over the anticipated use period, especially given a child will be using the phone. As well, a more recent model will run into fewer problems with apps becoming non-functional due to OS or processor incompatibility.

I agree. I am getting my 11yo grandkid the 13 just for these reasons you've stated. All kinds of good carrier deals as well.

 

[EugW]

Just get an iPhone 7 or 8 or SE 2020 or something. 12 mini is waste of money. My daughter is getting a XR, but just because we already have one. (My wife just upgraded from that to the 14 Pro Max.)

 

[You’re not me]

iPhone 14 Pro on the Apple’s upgrade program. AppleCare+ is included in the monthly payment but you might want to pay a little more for the "Theft and Loss" coverage.

 

[DrCC]

iPhone 14 Pro on the Apple’s upgrade program. AppleCare+ is included in the monthly payment but you might want to pay a little more for the "Theft and Loss" coverage.

She is interested in smaller iPhones, that's why I am looking mostly for Mini and SE.

So far it is close on my end between the 12 Mini and 2022 SE. The biggest advantage with the 12 Mini is the better battery life (screen time) + the possibility of attaching a MagSafe battery. iPhone 2022 screen time = 4h 50min, iPhone 12 mini screen time = 6h 30 min. But it does cost a lot more than a 2022 SE unless I can find a good deal.

The 2020 SE and iPhone 8 have been disqualified due to the poor battery life / screen time.

 

[PauloSera]

iPhone 11. Best value for dollar right now.

 

[JPack]

SE2020 or SE2022

You're concerned about battery life, but this is an emergency phone. When the kid is using it for entertainment, they're home using Wi-Fi. In other words, they'll be close to a charger or power bank.

Either of the 4.7-inch SE will be easy and cheap to find cases and screen protectors and repair in the event of damage.

iPhone 12 mini should be completely out of question. Get a MagSafe battery? You should be considering a $20 battery bank, not a $100 MagSafe battery.

 

[EugW]

SE2020 or SE2022

You're concerned about battery life, but this is an emergency phone. When the kid is using it for entertainment, they're home using Wi-Fi. In other words, they'll be close to a charger or power bank.

Either of the 4.7-inch SE will be easy and cheap to find cases and screen protectors and repair in the event of damage.

Yes, exactly. The SE will have terrible battery life, but if battery were truly the concern, the mini wouldn't be a good choice either. But the point is the criteria for purchase for this phone are not the same as the criteria for a MacRumors geek.

 

[mansplains]

Does 5G impact the battery life on SE 2022? I'm guessing it's still better battery than SE 2020 based on having the A15 versus A13.

 

[Unami]

I‘d go for a 2020SE. Still plenty of life in that. True, battery life isn‘t great, but she‘ll come through the day if all she‘s hardly using it when away from home.

 

[TVreporter]

My son turns 11 next year - he'll get my 8-plus - cracked screen and all!

 

[DrCC]

SE2020 or SE2022

You're concerned about battery life, but this is an emergency phone. When the kid is using it for entertainment, they're home using Wi-Fi. In other words, they'll be close to a charger or power bank.

Either of the 4.7-inch SE will be easy and cheap to find cases and screen protectors and repair in the event of damage.

iPhone 12 mini should be completely out of question. Get a MagSafe battery? You should be considering a $20 battery bank, not a $100 MagSafe battery.

True, at home the battery life should not be a problem when close to a charger.

So I guess it is clear for me, the SE2022 will be the likely choice especially since I can buy new with warranty and everything. A 12 Mini would become an option only if I can find a smoking deal on a used 12 Mini that is close in price to a SE2022.

Does 5G impact the battery life on SE 2022? I'm guessing it's still better battery than SE 2020 based on having the A15 versus A13.

5G speed is not good in my area anyway. On my 13 Mini, even if there is coverage pretty much everywhere in the city, the speed is much more consistent over 4G/LTE than 5G. 5G speed fluctuates a lot and the signal is poor in many places. I have disabled 5G on my phone to save battery life an I won't turn it on until 5G coverage dramatically improves. It will take at least 1 year or so. On my niece's phone it won't be an issue, she won't get a data plan anyway.

 

[EugW]

On my niece's phone it won't be an issue, she won't get a data plan anyway.

Interesting. We haven't decided yet, but I was thinking of not getting my daughter a cell plan, and only providing her a data plan (ie. tablet plan). That way iMessage works (and if necessary WhatsApp messaging), as well as FaceTime. No SMS.

 

[Devin Breeding]

Hello everyone

I have been tasked to find an iPhone for my 11 year old niece. The phone will be used primarily to communicate with the parents (call and text) and a little entertainment when at home over Wi-Fi. The phone will "locked down" via Parental Controls.

It needs to be a small iPhone, something along the lines of iPhone 12 mini (most expensive, least preferred option), iPhone SE or older small iPhones. My first iPhone is an 13 mini so I am out of the loop with what older iPhones can still be fast enough for another 3-4 years of use. Also, some of the older IPhone might be missing certain useful features, but I am not that knowledgeable to understand what would be the cut off iPhone model year in terms of must have features.

So which one to get? I see iPhones 8 in good shape are sold relatively cheap in my area, but will an iPhone 8 be fast enough for another 3 years? Or should I be looking for something newer and if yes, what should be the lowest spec iPhone that is an option? iPhone SE 2020, SE 2022 or even the 12 Mini? I am looking for the best bang for the buck in terms of years of use out of it but also not the latest and the greatest since it might not physically survive a kid using it. Even with the phone in a heavy duty case and I am still concerned, kids find ingenious ways to break stuff.

EDIT: an iPhone was not in the cards at all, my niece has a phone for communication, but it is an old school flip phone and she hates texting over a T9 keyboard, the main reason she wants an iPhone is because it is easier to text.

I gave our iPhone 11’s to our 2 oldest girls around the same age as yours to keep on them during emergencies or when they are at their friends’ houses to be able to keep in touch. One downside is even the 11 is a bit large for the pockets made for people their size. Since you are in an opportunity to buy specifically for her, I would look into one of the mini options like the 13 mini and put a good case on it. The newer SE model would also be a great option to save a few dollars if you are not concerned so much with her fitting it into a pocket. The original SE is a fantastic size and I’m sure you could find for really cheap, however updates are over and I’m not sure how well the parental controls work between different versions of IOS. The newer SE is just as big as the standard lineup

My kids will not be allowed to use anything other than an iPhone until they are old enough to choose and buy for themselves because the parental controls on iPhone is unmatched at the moment.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

iPhone 14

 

[5105973]

To give you an idea of the rough prices I have in my area in $CAD (1 CAD = 0.75 USD).

iPhone 12 mini - 500-600
iPhone SE 2022 - 300-350
iPhone SE 2020 - 250 - not good, low battery life
iPhone 8 - 250 - not good, low battery life

Price wise I am fine with the SE 2022. Except the wireless charging and the bigger screen, are there any reasons to go with the iPhone 12 mini?

I’ve had both the SE 2020 and currently have the SE 2022. I used it over the summer months for something small and light. I recommend the SE 2022 because I noticed a significant improvement in battery life. My SE 2022 lasts me all day. The SE 2020 needed to be topped off. That’s not always practical for a kid on the go.

I hope to have 3 years with mine. Though I do use a 14 Pro Max currently. But given that I am used to the top of the line and can happily switch to use the budget model at any time, I think it shows it’s a robust good all arounder.

I do also own and love my 12 mini. I had to put that aside due to the display giving me headaches. It had a great camera on it.

But the SE 2022 has a good camera, too. It’s got 5G capability which also will keep it viable for the next few years.

 

[QCassidy352]

SE 2022. And, I believe it is rated at the same number of hours of screen on time as the 12 mini.

 

[winxmac]

If buying used/pre-owned, iPhone 6s/7/8 or the Plus counterpart, iPhone SE 2016

iOS 15.x devices should have no problem with app compatibility until probably 2028?

64GB storage should be good enough...

 

[sifpilsen]

I'd say SE 2nd or 3rd gen. LCD screens are not that expensive to replace. 12 mini if you are ok with the OLED and initial cost.

 

[HelyCopter]

iPhone 11. Best value for dollar right now.

or 11 pro for that matter