Looking for an entry level / midrange phone for child starting high school next year + also best shared phone plan
Hi all, looking to get my daughter her first smartphone for Christmas - about to start high school in January - what would you recommend probably $350-$400?
Also - get a separate contract - or look to get a shared data plan with additional number? What's out there?
Currently with Optus 5G 40GB monthly for $30pm
Thanks.
My son did extensive research before selecting the Poco X3 Pro Global Version - which cost him $300 when we bought it 8 months ago. The features he wanted were good camera, lots of RAM to play Fortnite and NFC for making purchases. He has been very happy with it.
For a plan, suggest go with something that will promote managing the data. We went with the $99 Coles plan with the message that once the data is up; we will not pay for any more data - he has to pay for it himself. He has been very careful with using data and I dont think he will even use the data he has got for the year.
brilliant - thanks for that
Android phones have a data limiter that you can set to limit the amount of data you're using each month. https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/22/20812832/how-to-monitor-d…
If your 365 day plan has 120GB total for eg just set the limits to 10GB each month.
Highly recommend the Poxo X3 series. Brilliant budget phones.
I got my son a Samsung prepaid from Telstra (I think the a21s) and then put in a Boost prepaid sim for $150 per year -unlimited calls and about 80GB per year, though it's just for him to call us if needed so he doesn't use the calls or data much.
If you're looking for control over data usage/limits, take a look at Aldi Mobile's Family Plans. Also includes data rollover.
We're using this, its really good. Kids use more data than us but we're well within the monthly limit. We currently have about 350GB rollover data. Telstra wholesale service which is very decent and far better than Optus and Optus resellers I've used in the past.
Why do they need a phone? Wearing my teacher hat, I can tell you the longer you delay, the less problems you are likely to have.
Every other kid will have one, which may cause its own problems.
Not sure you need to spend that much. Should be able to find something good for about $200.
Eg Motorola G10 will easily do at $199 and kid would be very happy I'd imagine.
Nokia 225. Early high schooler doesn't need a smartphone. He/she needs to be able to call/text the parents, which this Nokia definitely can do. And the battery lasts for a week!
Love this idea, specially the long life battery. Unfortunately, my son has asked for a smartphone for years because "all my friends have one". I have delayed at least two years with "until you start high school", but I ran out excuse now :(
I recently got a Xiaomi RedMi Note 10 Pro. Was well under $400 and has pretty good specs and camera. Interface is almost stock Android looking. Has band 28, NFC, 6.6" 120hz screen, 108mp camera, 6gb ram and will run all the apps I need. No 5G though, if that is important?
I've also heard good stuff about the Poco range as well, they get deals posted here pretty frequently.
InB4; "CcP iS sPyiNg oN yOuSe!" or "ThAt ScReeN aNd CpU ArE tRaSh LeVeL." or "hAvE yOu cOnSiDeReD aN iPhOnE 14 PrO mAx 2tb 6G. iT'LL PaY fOr iTsELf iN 2 yEaRz"