Need advice: phone for my niece

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

OK hivemind, I need some help.

 

Christmas is approaching and my sister tasked me with figuring out a new phone for my niece (13). She currently has an old Android phone she is barely even using, except for taking pictures and maybe Spotify or Whatsapp. However, given the age etc. thinking is that this state won't last that much longer and having a more than just usable phone might become more important to her. So, preemptively I was tasked to look into a new one.

 

I honestly haven't kept up with phones at all in recent years, so I need some starters or ideas where to even look. Some criteria to narrow it down:

• Region: EU/Germany
• Budget: 200-400EUR (I really have no clue what the price range on phones is currently, apart from the absurd high-end)
• Good Camera and storage
• Good battery life
• Robust, it will get dropped. A lot.

Ideally it also has solid documentation, since we all know who will be responsible for remote tech support otherwise.

 

If anyone has any ideas, suggestions or just feedback on what to look for etc., I would highly appreciate it. Same for any links to good review sites/channels.

[worstalentscout]

is Vivo available ?

 

i've heard a lot of people saying they dropped their Vivo phones many times and it's okay........

[Somerandomtechyboi]

56 minutes ago, worstalentscout said:

is Vivo available ?

 

i've heard a lot of people saying they dropped their Vivo phones many times and it's okay........

these are strong phones but they do have a limit and if an lcd replacement is needed buy a used phone with the same display as aftermarket displays are complete utter garbage (low res, blue when not viewing head on, trash durability compared to the original)

 

i personally wouldnt go vivo again due to lack of modding support but this is a pretty ok choice especially if you buy used as midrangers and lowend just completely lose their value after a single gen/year has passed

 

3 hours ago, GarlicDeliverySystem said:

Robust, it will get dropped. A lot.

your best bet would be having a case which is probably why my vivo lasted so long before inevitably ruining the display even without the screen protector as i played alot of minecraft and that screen protector was messing with my inputs but if there wont be any competitive gaming or things that need ultra precise inputs yes definitely get a screen protector aswell prefferably glass

 

also helps if your phone is plastic frame and plastic back as those seem to always be the most durable, not only the lack of back glass to break (though usually cheap to fix) but its lighter aswell and plastic isnt as hard as metal so itll do abit of shock absorbing

 

 

3 hours ago, GarlicDeliverySystem said:

Good Camera

unfortunately midrangers dont really have the best of cameras, sure theres ones with decent cameras but where they might compete in picture quality vs a flagship they cut down on image stabilization (easier to focus photos, videos, less shaky videos) or the other cameras (telephoto, macro, etc.) and maybe even its low light capabilities

 

they also tend to cut down on things like the audio and display so if she does movie watching or something itll be a pretty subpar experience compared to a flagship (no stereo speakers, non oled display) not to mention the soc so anything cpu intensive like gaming is a no go with whatever lowend < 8 series snapdragon (excl 7+) or <9000 series dimensity unless its a flagship killer like the poco f6 but cameras are probably cut down

 

if possible id look for a used flagship like a pixel 7/8 pro or xperia 1/5 IV or even a used s20-22 ultra, but if you want it new the pixel 8a seems to be the best bet with an soc comparable to the snapdragon 8 gen 2, good display + speakers, alongside a very good camera, it even has the long support from google alongside a large modding community

 

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

9 hours ago, worstalentscout said:

i've heard a lot of people saying they dropped their Vivo phones many times and it's okay........

 

7 hours ago, Somerandomtechyboi said:

your best bet would be having a case which is probably why my vivo lasted so long before inevitably ruining the display even without the screen protector as i played alot of minecraft and that screen protector was messing with my inputs but if there wont be any competitive gaming or things that need ultra precise inputs yes definitely get a screen protector aswell prefferably glass

Thanks for the replies, I will have a look at Vivo phones. But most likely a good case will have to suffice. Maybe I also overstated the need for robustness, it is hard to judge with kids. Some things they lose/forget/drop all the time, others they take really good care off.

Who knows, maybe with a phone that is useful and she likes it will be taken care of more.

 

I'll give the Pixel 8a a good look, since I would prefer new. It appears to be on amazon.de for ~400EUR right now, without sim lock. It would definitely be a huge upgrade over what she currently uses.

[Commodus]

8 hours ago, GarlicDeliverySystem said:

 

Thanks for the replies, I will have a look at Vivo phones. But most likely a good case will have to suffice. Maybe I also overstated the need for robustness, it is hard to judge with kids. Some things they lose/forget/drop all the time, others they take really good care off.

Who knows, maybe with a phone that is useful and she likes it will be taken care of more.

 

I'll give the Pixel 8a a good look, since I would prefer new. It appears to be on amazon.de for ~400EUR right now, without sim lock. It would definitely be a huge upgrade over what she currently uses.

I'll echo the Pixel 8a recommendation. That and a reasonably rugged case should do the trick.

[kim921]

I think that the Galaxy a34/33 is a great choice, when paired with a good case and screen protector.

 

I have this exact setup, but with the a32, and it's been doing great for a year.

[ToboRobot]

I think kids don't really need phones but if they do, it should be a feature phone like the basic old Nokia phones.

https://www.hmd.com/en_int/feature-phones

 

Smartphones are dangerous tools for young minds.

If she wants a good camera, buy a point and shoot.