First cellphone for teens: which device best suits their profile?

• The essentials teen
• The pics and social media teen
• The gamer teen
• The sporty and outdoorsy teen
• Giving an old phone a second life
• What’s the right age to give a child their first cellphone?
• Protecting the device right from the start
• Choosing the right Mobile plan

The essentials teen

Some teens need just the basics: calling, texting, and occasional browsing. However, other features will quickly become useful for communicating with friends. For this profile, focus on simplicity, autonomy, and economy.

The most basic phone to introduce teens to the digital world

Basic TCL and Motorola phones are ideal for beginners. Even when just starting to use a cellphone, some basic features are a must.

• Calling friends on WhatsApp
• Enabling the location feature for safety purposes
• Creating memories with photos and videos

The highly affordable TCL K70 XE smartphone can connect to a Wi-Fi network and charges in just 2 hours.

It’s the ideal starting choice, and you can activate all the necessary parental controls on it.

Check out TCL K70 XE

Otherwise, the most economical option remains the Motorola moto g play LTE, and it comes with all the most practical features your child needs.

• A large HD+ display
• Stereo speakers to listen to music
• A long-lasting battery

Discover Motorola moto g play LTE

The pics and social media teen

For teens looking to become top content creators, picture quality is a top priority.

• A good main sensor (50 megapixels or more)
• A sleek portrait mode
• A high-performance front camera for selfies and video calls

These elements make all the difference in ensuring they can really enjoy their first device.

An accessible option

No need to break the bank to get a good camera. Several entry-level Android devices hold their own against more expensive models. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE does an awesome job of this.

Check out Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

A mid-range option

For teens who are passionate about content creation, a mid-range Android device should at the very least meet these criteria:

• Optical image stabilization
• Cinematic mode
• Ultra-wide-angle sensor
• More storage

This opens a world of clearly superior possibilities. The Samsung Galaxy A17 is perfect for this role.

Good to know: Parental control and screen-time management tools are available on both Android and iOS devices. Configuring these tools right from the start helps establish healthy habits.

Discover Samsung Galaxy A17 5G

The gamer teen

Playing on a phone requires fluidity, power, and good battery life. A display with a high refresh rate (90 Hz or 120 Hz) significantly improves the gaming experience. The heat generated by intense games is also worth noting: devices with less ventilation capacity get hot quickly.

An accessible option

An Android device with a recent processor, 128 GB of storage, and a 120 Hz display offers a smooth gaming experience. Motorola and Samsung have models in this bracket that hold up well.

Discover the Motorola moto g – 2026

A mid-range option

For the more advanced techno teen, the Google Pixel stands out, as it offers the most recent technologies.

The Google Pixel 10a is sure to satisfy their needs:

• It features the latest AI advances
• It offers 30 hours of battery life in normal mode and up to 120 hours in power-saving mode
• It is robust and water- and dust-resistant

Plus, this cellphone offers up to seven major operating system updates.

For gamers specifically, its Google Tensor chip and the quality of its lag-free display provide excellent online gaming performance.

Discover Google Pixel 10a

The sporty and outdoorsy teen

Teens who spend all their weekends outdoors need a phone that can keep up: in the rain, on a bike, at the cottage. Water and dust resistance (IP64 or IP68 certification) is not optional here: the battery needs to last for the entire hike.

An accessible option

Not everyone is familiar with the often-underestimated TCL K70 NXTPAPER device. And yet, it’s a real gem. In addition to its unique display resembling an e-reader, it features two quality speakers, perfect for sports fans.

• The blue light is filtered, but the brightness and contrast are enhanced
• It is water- and dust-resistant
• Its integrated Google Lens application makes it possible to scan QR codes, translate texts, and add appointments to the calendar

Check out TCL K70 NXTPAPER

Giving an old phone a second life

Have an old phone lying around? Before buying a new one, check if it can still be used. A two or three-year-old phone can work great as a first phone, as long as it undergoes all the necessary prep.

Before giving it to your teen, check that:

• The battery can still last a full day
• The operating system still gets the security updates
• The display and buttons work properly

Next, prepare the phone carefully.

• Reset it to factory settings
• Install any available updates
• Configure an account that is age appropriate for your child
• Add a protective case and screen protector

For phone repairs, Videotron’s Counter Services can help.

If you’re looking for a certified refurbished device, check out our selection of certified refurbished phones.

What’s the right age to give a child their first cellphone?

There’s no clear-cut answer to this question. The “ideal” age really depends on your child’s maturity and your own expectations. Here are a few useful questions to guide you:

• Does your child commute on their own (walk to school, after-school activities, etc.)?
• Are they capable of respecting the cellphone use rules you have established together?
• Do you need to be able to reach them easily throughout the day?

If you answered yes to at least two of these questions, your child is probably ready for a phone. The key is to accompany their first phone with open conversations about digital habits and limits.

Protecting the device right from the start

The life expectancy of a teen’s phone is directly linked to how it is protected. A few simple actions taken from day 1 can make a huge difference in this sense:

• Sturdy case: a model with reinforced corners to absorb the shock of everyday drops.
• Tempered glass screen protector: prevents cracks that make the display unusable.
• Lock code: PIN or biometrics, from the initial configuration.
• Location enabled: “Find my iPhone” or “Find My Device” on Android.
• Automatic backup: iCloud or Google Drive, not to lose anything in case of a break.

For a complete guide, check out our 9 steps to protect your teen’s phone.

Choosing the right Mobile plan

To choose a Mobile plan for your teen, base yourself on the same factors you did when choosing their device: its uses and your budget.

• Talk and text plan: ideal for a first phone, to limit access to the Internet when not on Wi-Fi.
• Data plan: necessary as soon as your teen uses apps, messaging, or browsing outside the home.
• Canada–International plan: useful if you travel.

Your teen is growing, and so are their needs. At Videotron, you can always change plans and enjoy savings for the whole family.

To choose the right first cellphone for your teen, watch how they use technology. A gamer doesn’t share the same needs as a sporty teen, and someone looking just for the basics doesn’t necessarily want what a budding photographer is looking for. Start from their profile, add a sturdy case and a plan adapted to their needs, and you will have a solid base to accompany them as they start on their digital journey.

Learn more

For more practical tips and tools designed for connected families, explore Videotron's Family Space.