The best first phone for a kid in Australia in 2026 is a refurbished iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, with a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S22 the top pick if your family prefers Android. A first phone does not need to be new. It needs to be affordable, reliable and easy for you to manage with parental controls, and that is exactly where refurbished wins. A refurbished iPhone 11 costs from $329 at OZ Tech Deals, comes with a 24 month warranty on the device plus a 12 month warranty on the battery, and every phone is tested to a minimum of 80% battery health. That is a fraction of the price of a new phone for a device that will spend its life in a school bag.
Here is how to choose the right one, what age experts recommend, and the four phones we would hand to our own kids.
What age should a kid get their first phone in Australia?
There is no legal minimum age for owning a phone in Australia, but the eSafety Commissioner and most child development experts suggest waiting until around age 12 to 13 for a full smartphone, which usually lines up with the start of high school. Many families run a staged approach: a smartwatch or basic phone in late primary school for calls and location, then a managed smartphone once high school and public transport enter the picture.
Keep in mind that since December 2025, Australian law requires major social media platforms to take reasonable steps to stop under 16s from holding accounts. A first phone in 2026 is more about calls, messages, maps and music than social feeds, which makes a modestly priced refurbished phone an even more sensible fit.
Why is a refurbished phone the smart choice for a kid?
Three reasons: price, risk and warranty.
Kids drop phones. They leave them on the bus, in the change rooms and at their mate's house. Spending $2,000 on a new flagship for a 12 year old makes no financial sense when a refurbished phone from a few generations back does everything they need. If the worst happens, replacing a $329 phone stings a lot less than replacing a $2,000 one.
Buying refurbished from a proper seller is not the same as buying used from a marketplace stranger. Every refurbished phone at OZ Tech Deals is fully tested, backed by a 24 month warranty on the device and a 12 month warranty on the battery, and guaranteed to have at least 80% battery health. You also get the same parental control features as a brand new phone, because those live in the software, not the price tag.
Which refurbished phones are best for kids in 2026?
These four picks are all in stock at OZ Tech Deals right now, all support 4G (so the 3G network shutdown is no issue), and all still receive software updates in 2026.
1. Apple iPhone 11 64GB: best value first phone
The iPhone 11 is the sweet spot for a first phone. Its 6.1 inch screen is easy to read, the A13 chip still handles messaging, maps, camera and school apps without complaint, and it supports the current version of iOS with Apple's full Screen Time parental controls. For most kids, 64GB is plenty for a first phone.
Everything a first phone needs, with Apple Screen Time built in and a 24 month warranty.
2. Apple iPhone 12 64GB: best under $400 with 5G
For $70 more, the iPhone 12 adds 5G, a sharper OLED display and a tougher Ceramic Shield front glass, which is worth having on a phone that will get dropped. It is the pick if you want a first phone that comfortably lasts through the high school years.
5G, OLED screen and Ceramic Shield glass make this the durable long haul choice.
3. Samsung Galaxy S22 128GB: best Android for kids
If your household runs Android, the Galaxy S22 is the one. It is compact for smaller hands at 6.1 inches, has double the storage of the base iPhones on this list, and works seamlessly with Google Family Link so you can approve apps, set screen time limits and see their location from your own phone.
Compact, 128GB of storage and full Google Family Link support for parents.
4. Apple iPhone 13 128GB: best for teens
For an older teen, the iPhone 13 is the upgrade pick. It has the best battery life of the four, the A15 chip that still feels quick in 2026, 128GB of storage for photos and music, and years of iOS updates ahead of it. It is the closest thing to a new phone experience without the new phone price.
All day battery, plenty of storage and years of updates ahead. The teen favourite.
How do the best kids' phones compare?
| Phone | Price | Screen | 5G | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 64GB | From $329 | 6.1" LCD | No | First phone, ages 10 to 13 |
| iPhone 12 64GB | From $399 | 6.1" OLED | Yes | Longevity through high school |
| Galaxy S22 128GB | From $449 | 6.1" AMOLED | Yes | Android families |
| iPhone 13 128GB | From $599 | 6.1" OLED | Yes | Teens, battery life |
All four come with a 24 month warranty on the device, a 12 month warranty on the battery and a minimum of 80% battery health.
iPhone or Samsung: which is easier for parents to manage?
Both platforms have solid parental controls, so the honest answer is: pick whichever system you use yourself.
If you have an iPhone, Apple's Family Sharing and Screen Time let you approve app downloads, block purchases, set daily time limits and see your child's location, all from your own phone. If you are on Android, Google Family Link does the same job for a Samsung, with app approvals, screen time schedules and location sharing. Matching platforms also makes life easier for shared calendars, photo sharing and finding a lost phone.
How do you set up a kid's phone safely?
Before you hand the phone over, spend 20 minutes on setup. Create a child account (Apple ID for kids via Family Sharing, or a Google account through Family Link), turn on purchase approvals, set app age limits and switch on location sharing. Agree on some ground rules together, like where the phone charges overnight.
Then protect the hardware. A quality case and a tempered glass screen protector cost far less than a screen repair and will save you at least one heart stopping moment per term. You can find both in our mobile accessories collection.
Frequently asked questions
What age should a kid get their first phone?
Most Australian experts, including the eSafety Commissioner, suggest around 12 to 13 for a full smartphone, typically when kids start travelling to high school on their own. Younger kids are often better served by a smartwatch or basic phone.
Is a refurbished phone good for a kid?
Yes. A refurbished phone from a reputable seller is fully tested, warranted and a fraction of the price of new, which matters for a device that is likely to be dropped or lost. At OZ Tech Deals every device carries a 24 month warranty plus a 12 month battery warranty.
Is an iPhone or Samsung better for kids?
Both are excellent. Choose the platform the parents already use: Apple Screen Time works best when the parent has an iPhone, and Google Family Link works best from an Android phone, although Family Link is also available for parents on iPhone.
Do refurbished phones work on Australian networks?
All the phones in this guide are 4G or 5G capable and fully compatible with Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and their resellers. With Australia's 3G networks now switched off, avoid anything older that relies on 3G.
Can kids under 16 have social media in Australia?
Since December 2025, major social media platforms are required to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from holding accounts. A first phone can still do everything else: calls, messaging, maps, music, photos and school apps.
Ready to sort their first phone?
Browse our full range of refurbished iPhones and refurbished Samsung Galaxy phones, all tested, warrantied for 24 months and delivered Australia wide. Grab a case and screen protector from our accessories range while you are at it, and their first phone is set up to survive the school years.