Founder
About Rob
Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.
Rob's Expertise
5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services
MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.
Are you looking for the cheapest cell phone for kids? We can help you find the best deal while saving up to $600 a year, per line.
At a time when all your household costs are increasing, your cell phone bill doesn't need to be one of them. At MoneySavingPro we can help you find a phone for your kid, on your favorite network, at a much lower cost.
If you've not heard of MVNOs, you're not alone. They're low-cost carriers that operate on the three major US networks, offering the same 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage but with plans starting as low as $10 a month.
Buying a phone directly from a major network may look like a good deal initially but after factoring in the cost of their over-priced unlimited data plans over 3 years, you could end up paying as much as $2,000 more than you need to!
We've compiled a list of the cheapest cell phones for kids from low-cost carriers, so you can find the best phone deal at the cheapest price without sacrificing your wireless service.
Cheapest kids cell phones
Best cheap iPhones for Kids
Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen)
- Retailer
- US Mobile
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- Verizon
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
-
$37/mo 15% APR for 12 mths
The Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 4.7 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is available from US Mobile with Verizon & T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $37/mo.
| Device | 128GB | 64GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) Verizon | $37/mo | $39/mo | $46/mo |
| Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) T-Mobile | $37/mo | $39/mo | $46/mo |
| Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) Unlocked | $37/mo | $39/mo | $46/mo |
Apple iPhone 11
* Save $100 with phone service
- Retailer
- Red Pocket
- Storage
- 64GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
-
$17/mo* 0% APR for 24 mths
The Apple iPhone 11 has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 11 is available from Red Pocket with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $17/mo.
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 11 AT&T | $17/mo | $19/mo | $27/mo |
| Apple iPhone 11 Unlocked | $17/mo | $19/mo | $27/mo |
Apple iPhone 12 mini
* Save $100 with phone service
- Retailer
- Red Pocket
- Storage
- 64GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
-
$22/mo* 0% APR for 24 mths
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 5.4 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 12 mini is available from Red Pocket with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $22/mo.
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 mini AT&T | $22/mo | $24/mo | $28/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini Verizon | $61/mo | - | $73/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini T-Mobile | $61/mo | - | $73/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini Unlocked | $22/mo | $24/mo | $28/mo |
Apple iPhone 13 mini
* Save $100 plus $200 rebate
- Retailer
- Red Pocket
- Storage
- 128GB
- Network
- AT&T
- Condition
- NEW
- Price
-
$22/mo* 0% APR for 24 mths
The Apple iPhone 13 mini has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 5.4 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 13 mini is available from Red Pocket with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $22/mo.
| Device | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 13 mini AT&T | $22/mo | $30/mo | $35/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini Verizon | $71/mo | $69/mo | $86/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini T-Mobile | $71/mo | $69/mo | $86/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini Unlocked | $22/mo | $30/mo | $35/mo |
Cheapest iPhone prices
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE | $14/mo | $16/mo | $20/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini | - | $22/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 13 | - | $26/mo | $30/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 | - | $30/mo | $35/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro | - | $33/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro | - | - | $33/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 Plus | - | $35/mo | - |
Best cheap Samsung phones for kids
Cheapest Samsung Galaxy prices
| Device | 32GB | 128GB | 64GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A03s | $9/mo | - | - |
| Samsung Galaxy S10e | - | $11/mo | - |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 | - | - | $12/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S10 | - | $13/mo | - |
| Samsung Galaxy S10+ | - | $17/mo | - |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra | - | $19/mo | - |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 | - | $19/mo | - |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | - | $20/mo | - |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | - | $21/mo | - |
Cheapest cell phones for kids benefits
MVNOs offer the same phones as the big three, from the latest Apple iPhones to budget-friendly Motorola phones.
There's plenty to choose from with low-cost carriers like Mint Mobile, and there are a number of benefits to purchasing a phone with an MVNO.
Save money: Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest cell phones for kids while saving you up to $600 per year, per line.
Latest cell phones: Offering the same phones as the big three, but without the three-year contract.
Cheap monthly payments: Many low-cost carriers offer affordable interest-free payment plans on their phones along with cell phone plans starting from only $10 a month.
Unlimited data plan: There's still the option of unlimited data phone plans, however unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited, so be sure to check the small print.
5G compatible: If your kid wants access to the fast 5G network, there are plenty of cheap 5G phones for kids to choose from.
Family plans: Low-cost carriers offer a variety of cheap cell phones suitable for kids, but for even more savings they offer the best family phone plans with multi-line discounts.
Best cheap T-Mobile kids phones
| Device | 32GB | 64GB | 128GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A03s (T-Mobile) | $9/mo | - | - |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 (T-Mobile) | - | $12/mo | - |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra (T-Mobile) | - | - | $19/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 (T-Mobile) | - | - | $19/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (T-Mobile) | - | - | $20/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 (T-Mobile) | - | - | $21/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra (T-Mobile) | - | - | $25/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 (T-Mobile) | - | - | $29/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22+ (T-Mobile) | - | - | $33/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 (T-Mobile) | - | - | $35/mo |
Best cheap AT&T kids phones
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (AT&T) | $14/mo | $16/mo | $20/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini (AT&T) | - | $22/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 13 (AT&T) | - | $26/mo | $30/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 (AT&T) | - | $30/mo | $35/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro (AT&T) | - | - | $33/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro (AT&T) | - | $33/mo | $37/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 Plus (AT&T) | - | $35/mo | - |
Best cheap Verizon kids phones
| Device | 64GB | 128GB |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A13 (Verizon) | $23/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone SE (Verizon) | $39/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro (Verizon) | - | $63/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Verizon) | - | $63/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (Verizon) | - | $64/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (Verizon) | - | $69/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 (Verizon) | - | $71/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 (Verizon) | - | $73/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 (Verizon) | - | $74/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Verizon) | - | $75/mo |
Cheap refurbished phones for kids
Cheapest refurbished iPhones
Apple iPhone 7
The Apple iPhone 7 has 32GB storage capacity. It includes a 4.7 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This refurbished iPhone 7 is available from Back Market with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $72.
Apple iPhone 8
*$40 off
- Retailer
- Tello
- Storage
- 64GB
- Network
- T-Mobile
- Condition
- REFURBISHED
- Price
-
$239* MSRP: $279
The Apple iPhone 8 has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 4.7 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This refurbished iPhone 8 is available from Tello with T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $239.
Apple iPhone XR
The Apple iPhone XR has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This refurbished iPhone XR is available from Back Market with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $185.
Cheapest refurbished Samsung phones
Samsung Galaxy S10
The Samsung Galaxy S10 has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 16 MP camera. This refurbished Galaxy S10 is available from Back Market with T-Mobile, Verizon & AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $160.
Cheapest phone plans for kids
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile | 1GB |
$10/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 2GB |
$20/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 4GB |
$15/mo |
|
Verizon & T-Mobile | 15GB |
$20/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | Unltd |
$25/mo |
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $600 per year
Carrier |
Network Coverage |
4G/5G Data |
Price |
Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile |
T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unltd* |
$70/mo |
$840/yr |
Mint Mobile |
T-Mobile 4G & 5G |
10GB |
$20/mo |
$240/yr |
*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB |
Savings |
$50/mo |
$600/yr |
|
Recap
Whether your kid's looking for the latest iPhone or just a cheap cell phone, Mobile Virtual Network Operators can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
MVNOs, like Mint Mobile or Visible, offer phones with cheap plans, often with interest-free payments over 12-24 months.
Although the major networks offer to finance over 36 months, being tied into their over-priced unlimited data plans for 3 years could mean wasting as much as $2,000!
Compare deals from low-cost carriers to find the best cell phones for kids at the cheapest price.
