Best Phones for Teens in Australia (2026): New, Budget & Refurbished
The best phone for most teens is a recent mid-range model that will keep getting security updates for years. It should work properly on Australian 4G and 5G networks and be easy to manage with parental controls. In 2026 that means something like the Apple iPhone 17e for iPhone families, or the Google Pixel 10a or budget Samsung Galaxy A17 5G for Android. For a younger first-phone user, a basic 4G phone that supports Australian calling networks may suit calls and texts. A good refurbished phone from a business seller is a sensible way to save.
Updated October 2026
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This is a researched guide. The picks draw on current Australian brand and retailer listings, software support and parental-control options. Prices and stock change quickly, so check the listing before you buy. Amazon links open a search for the named model; they do not confirm Amazon stocks it. Make sure any phone you buy there is the Australian model.
Quick picks: phones for teens in Australia
| Phone | Price tier | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 17e | Upper mid-range | Families already using iPhone and Apple Family Sharing | Higher upfront cost; budget for a case |
| Google Pixel 10a | Mid-range | Android families who want Google’s own software and Family Link | Check storage, delivery and charger requirements |
| Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | Budget | A first smartphone, or a phone that might get lost or broken | No charger in the box; modest performance |
| Refurbished iPhone or Galaxy | Varies | Getting a better model for less | Check battery health, warranty and 000 calling |
What makes a good phone for a teenager?
Teens care about the camera and their group chats. Parents tend to care about cost, durability and safety. A good teen phone covers both:
- Software updates for years. Security updates keep the phone safe to use. Choose a recent model with a published update period, rather than an older flagship that is close to the end of support.
- Australian network compatibility. Australia’s 3G networks have been switched off. A phone must support 4G calling and be able to reach Triple Zero (000).
- Parental controls that suit your family. On iPhone that is Screen Time with Family Sharing; on Android it is Google Family Link.
- Toughness and battery life. A case and screen protector are cheap insurance. A big battery helps when they forget to charge overnight.
- Enough storage. Photos, videos and games fill 64 GB quickly. 128 GB is a sensible minimum, and more if they film a lot.
The best phones for teens in Australia
1. Apple iPhone 17e: best iPhone for teens
The iPhone 17e is Apple’s lower-priced current iPhone, sold through Apple Australia and major retailers. Apple and Australian retailer listings describe the A19 chip, a 48MP Fusion camera with a 2x Telephoto option and a 6.1-inch display. Storage now starts at 256 GB, and Ceramic Shield 2 protects the front. If the rest of the family uses iPhone, it is easy to add a teen to Family Sharing and set up Screen Time from your own phone.
Good for: iPhone households and teens who want a recent iPhone with enough storage for school and everyday use. Consider: it has a higher upfront cost than the Android picks here. Compare outright prices with a refurbished model a generation or two older.
View on Apple Australia | Check price on Amazon AU
2. Google Pixel 10a: best mid-range Android for teens
The Pixel 10a is Google’s more affordable Pixel. It is sold outright on the Google Store Australia. Google lists seven years of new features and security updates from launch, giving you a clear support window to compare with older phones. Pixels run Google’s own version of Android, which pairs naturally with Google Family Link for managing apps, screen time and location.
Good for: Android families who want a straightforward phone from the company that makes Android. Consider: the update period starts at launch, not when you buy it. A charging adapter is not included.
View on Google Store Australia | Check price on Amazon AU
3. Samsung Galaxy A17 5G: best budget smartphone for a first phone
If you would rather not hand a 12-year-old an expensive phone, the Galaxy A17 5G is a lower-cost option sold on Kmart’s marketplace by Officeworks. Listings describe a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen, a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilisation, a 5,000 mAh battery, 128 GB of storage and 5G. Samsung lists six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security support from the first global launch date. There is no charger in the box.
Good for: a first smartphone, or a teen who has a habit of losing things. Consider: it is not built for heavy gaming. If you buy a carrier-branded version (for example Telstra prepaid), it may be locked to that network.
View at Kmart (sold by Officeworks) | Check price on Amazon AU
Refurbished phones in Australia: are they a good choice for teens?
Often, yes. A refurbished phone can get your teen a better camera and more storage for the same money. It also keeps a working device out of landfill. The trick is buying carefully.
- Buy from a business, not a stranger. The ACCC explains that consumer guarantees apply when a business sells second-hand goods, but not to private sales between two people. A refurbished phone from a business must be of acceptable quality for its age and price, and match its description.
- Understand the grade. Refurbishers use grades to describe cosmetic wear. For example, Reebelo’s help pages describe Excellent, Good and Fair grades with a minimum battery health. Grades are not standardised across sellers, so read each seller’s definitions.
- Check battery health and warranty. Look for a stated minimum battery health and a written warranty from the seller, and know how returns work.
- Check it is the Australian model and unlocked. Imported or older 4G phones are the most likely to have problems with Australian networks and 000 calls.
- Check update support. A cheap older flagship may be close to the end of its security updates. A newer mid-range phone can be the safer buy.
The same checks apply whether you are looking at a specialist refurbisher, a big online marketplace such as Kogan, or a phone shop.
Check that the phone can call Triple Zero
Since the 3G switch-off, some older or overseas 4G phones cannot make voice calls, or cannot call 000. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) says you can text 3 to 3498 for free, and your provider will reply with your phone’s status. Do not test a phone by calling 000. Do this check on any hand-me-down, refurbished or imported phone before your teen relies on it.
Social media, apps and parental controls in 2026
Since 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms must take reasonable steps to stop Australians under 16 from having accounts. The list includes Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Threads, Twitch and Kick. The eSafety Commissioner explains that the obligation sits with the platforms, and there are no penalties for young people or their parents. Most messaging and standalone gaming apps are not covered. That means a phone choice is still a conversation about which apps, when and how much.
Set up parental controls before you hand the phone over:
- iPhone: Apple’s Screen Time guide shows how to manage a child’s iPhone through Family Sharing. You can set content restrictions, Communication Safety, downtime and a Screen Time passcode.
- Android: Google Family Link lets you approve or block apps, set screen time limits and see the phone’s location. Google says children under 18 need parental approval to stop supervision.
Controls work best alongside agreed family rules, such as phones out of bedrooms overnight. For more on that, read our digital cybersafety guide for parents and kids on their phones. If a tablet at home would cover some of the need, see our guide to the best tablets for kids.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best phone for a 12 year old in Australia?
For many 12-year-olds, a budget smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, set up with Google Family Link, is a sensible first phone. It is affordable to replace and gets long software support. If you mainly need calls and texts, a compatible basic 4G phone keeps things simple. Age-restricted social media platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent under-16 accounts; children and parents face no penalties under this law.
What is the best iPhone for a teenager?
The iPhone 17e is Apple’s current lower-priced model, with 256 GB of storage as standard. To save money, a refurbished iPhone from a reputable business seller can work well. Check its battery health, warranty and that it is still receiving iOS updates.
Are refurbished phones good for teens?
They can be. Buy from a business so consumer guarantees apply, and read the seller’s grade definitions. Look for a stated minimum battery health and a written warranty, and confirm the phone is an Australian model that can call 000.
Are Kogan refurbished phones good?
We have not assessed Kogan’s refurbished range directly. Apply the same checks you would anywhere. Read the listing’s condition grade and battery details, check who provides the warranty (Kogan or a third-party marketplace seller), and confirm it is an Australian model. Text 3 to 3498 once the SIM is in.
Should a teenager have an iPhone or Android?
It usually makes sense to match the rest of the family. Parental controls, shared photos and hand-me-downs are all easier on the same platform. Both iPhone (Screen Time) and Android (Family Link) have solid free parental controls.
