BEST IPHONE FOR TEENAGERS IN AUSTRALIA
Are you looking for the best iPhone for teenagers in Australia?
With so much talk of online dangers and our increasing dependence on technology, it can be hard to know which phones (if any) are most suitable for teenagers. Teens generally have strong ideas about what they want as their phone is the digital heart of their social, educational and entertainment lives, making choosing the best phone even more challenging.
If you’re looking for a phone that will satisfy the demands of most teens, an iPhone has to be top of the list. But which iPhone is best for your teen? Do they need the latest release, or will an older model suffice? (Spoiler alert: It usually will!) Read on for our top picks and advice on how to choose the best iPhone for teenagers.
What to consider
Safety
All iPhones come with a Screen Time function that allows you to set time limits for how long teens can use their phones and certain apps. This can help to keep them safe online and benefit their mental health. An iPhone’s location tracking can help to ensure your teen’s physical safety, as you can use Apple’s ‘Find My’ function to locate them in an emergency.
Some of the latest iPhones (the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models) now also come with Crash Detection.1 This new motion sensor technology can automatically trigger an emergency call if your teen is involved in a severe car crash and is unresponsive. A scary thought but potentially lifesaving.
Battery Life
This is a big one! Teens will likely spend a lot of time on their phones, using social media, gaming, and watching video content, so they’ll want an iPhone with a decent battery life that will last all day. This can also be important for safety, to ensure they always have enough charge to contact you in an emergency.
Size
Most teens will probably want an iPhone with a large screen to make it easier and more enjoyable to play games and watch videos – but still slim enough to fit comfortably in their pocket or bag. Consider that you’ll probably want to add a case to protect the iPhone from accidental damage.
Camera
A high-quality camera will be important to any teen who likes to film TikToks, keep up with their Instagram, or snap selfies with friends. As well as camera quality, the latest iPhones come with many additional photography features, such as low-light or action modes, to ensure the best possible images and videos.
Cost
Teens will probably request the latest iPhone but don’t feel pressured into buying anything too expensive. The older models of iPhone will have most of the same features as the flagship devices, and you could also consider purchasing a second-hand phone. To avoid unwanted charges once the iPhone has been purchased, make sure your teen turns off the ability to make in-app purchases and consider a pre-paid phone plan.
Best iPhone for Teenagers in Australia
1. Best 1st iPhone for a teenager
If this is your child’s first iPhone, the iPhone SE is an excellent option for a young teenager or 12-year-old. It’s priced lower than many Apple devices but still comes packed with the iOS features they love. Your teen can use iMessage to communicate seamlessly with friends and Apple Pay to make payments.
This slimline yet powerful device also features 5G for faster streaming and downloads, Touch ID for secure access, and a battery life of up to 15 hours of video playback2 - although the battery isn’t as good as some of the pricier models. It’s hardwearing, water-resistant and available in 3 colours.
2. Best budget iPhone for a teenager
The iPhone 11 is a great budget choice. It’s affordable (for an iPhone!) but still has plenty of the features your teenager craves. These include a large 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD LCD display, dual 12MP main and ultra-wide cameras, and a 12MP front camera for capturing selfies. It has Face ID for security and is fast-charge capable.
You can find the iPhone 11 or another iPhone on a plan that suits your teen at amaysim.
3. Best iPhone for style
Got a style-conscious teenager on your hands? Then take a look at the iPhone 12 Mini. This slimline iPhone is available in 6 colours, including blue, purple and green, so your teenager can select their favourite shade and express their personality.
The Mini size might not be for everyone, but it’s great for smaller hands and means your teen can easily fit it in their pocket without an unsightly bulge! As it’s also one of the most affordable iPhones on the market, your teen can enjoy a stylish phone and all the benefits of the Apple brand without breaking the bank.
4. Best iPhone for photography
The iPhone 14 is an excellent choice for budding photographers who prioritise a good camera without straying into the more expensive Pro and Pro Max models.
An enhanced main camera and better image processing mean the iPhone 14 can capture incredible low-light shots. When shooting videos, the Action Mode function ensures smoother, high-quality takes, even when you’re on the move. This is the iPhone to get an influencer in the making!
Other features include the A15 Bionic chip to ensure the phone runs super-fast and the incredible new Crash Detection technology.
5. Best iPhone for battery life
Is battery life king? The iPhone 14 Plus is one of the best iPhones for teens who want their device to stay charged for as long as possible. According to Apple, this phone has the best battery life of any iPhone2, which is particularly impressive in light of the supersized Super Retina XDR display and Pro-level main camera.
This also makes it ideal for watching videos and playing games – some of the most battery-draining things you can do on an iPhone (inform your teen that listening to music or podcasts is much better for battery life preservation, as it doesn’t require the screen!)
Although the iPhone 14 Pro Max boasts a comparable battery, the ‘Always-On’ display means it drains faster, and the 14 Plus beats it. So, if they barely look up from their screen, at least they’ll still have enough charge to text you back at the end of the day!
6. Best iPhone for videos and gaming
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is packed with all the latest and greatest Apple features – which is reflected in its price tag.
It has an incredible 48MP main camera with an advanced quad-pixel sensor and a display that’s up to 2x brighter in sunlight, both of which will serve your teen well if their future lies in photography or YouTube. It has Ceramic Shield, which is tougher than any other smartphone glass and makes the phone water and dust-resistant.
The A16 Bionic smartphone chip is one of the best on the market, and the faster 6-core CPU will meet the heavier demands of gaming. It also boasts one of the best batteries for an iPhone, so teens can keep playing their favourite games for longer.
7. Overall best iPhone for teenagers
Wondering what is the best iPhone for a teenager, all-round? The overall best iPhone for teens is the iPhone 13. This option is very similar to the latest model, the iPhone 14, but cheaper – which will be easier to take if your teenager accidentally loses or damages it.
It’s available in a good selection of colours and is 5G compatible3, fast charging, and Face ID. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display is perfect for watching videos, the 12MP TrueDepth front camera is ready to take crystal-clear selfies, and Cinematic Mode helps to automatically shift focus when filming. This iPhone is sure to please even the most difficult-to-impress teen!
FAQs
Should I give my 13-year-old an iPhone?
The ‘wait until 8th’ campaign argues that you should delay giving your child a smartphone until they are in 8th grade, which would put them around 13 or 14 years old. By this age, most children are mature enough to handle the responsibility of a phone, so getting them one of the more affordable iPhones should be fine.
If you think your child might not be ready for an iPhone, check out our best phone for kids round-up for more basic devices suited to children who only need text and voice calling.
What iPhone should I buy for my 14-year-old?
Depending on your budget, you could buy your 14-year-old one of the cheaper iPhone models. That way, they’ll have all the features they’re craving – such as iMessage to communicate with their friends – without the burden of a top-of-the-range device that could be lost or damaged. An iPhone SE is one of the best iPhones for younger teenagers.
What is the best iPhone plan for a teenager?
Check out our article on choosing kids’ phone plans to find a suitable option for your teen. We recommend selecting one with more data than you would perhaps choose for yourself, as teenagers are likely to be using social media, games and video-heavy apps that consume a lot of data.
If you’ve picked a new phone compatible with 5G data options, you’ll probably want a 5G phone plan to make the most of this3.
What are the best iPhone accessories for teenagers?
A phone case is one of the best iPhone accessories you can buy for your teen. No iPhone is unbreakable, and we all know how easily an unprotected screen can crack when dropped! A high-quality, shock-absorbing case will help keep your teen’s iPhone in good condition for as long as possible.
All iPhones come with location tracking for extra peace of mind.
Where can I get the best iPhone deal for a teenager?
We have the latest iPhones available to buy now with great deals on 90-day SIM plans.
1. Crash Detection: Emergency SOS uses a mobile network connection or Wi-Fi calling. Check your amaysim network availability here.
2. All battery claims depend on network configuration and many other factors; actual results will vary. Battery has limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. See apple.com/au/batteries and apple.com/au/iphone/battery for more information.
3. 5G available on selected plans and in selected areas (ex NT). Check coverage at amaysim.com.au/about/coverage
Sources:
https://www.apple.com/au/iphone/
https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/which-iPhone-best-battery
