The smartphone remains a safe bet to offer during the end-of-year holidays and a gift that will please a teenager. Choosing the ideal model can, however, quickly become a headache, due to the numerous models available, the specific needs of young people, fashionable functions and the budget to respect. In this buying guide, we try to help you see things more clearly and make the right choice for your teenager.
Advice, model selections, functions to know… we tell you everything
Before rushing to our selection of models, it is important to know what matters most to your teenager. Indeed, the ideal smartphone for your best friend’s teenager will not necessarily be the right one for your child. The main criterion is what use your teenager will make of their smartphone: social networks, video games or viewing online content? All this at once? So many elements that will tip the scales in favor of a particular model… and as our selection is limited, the right model may not appear in the list. If in doubt, we invite you to leave us a comment and we will try to guide you in your choice.
Durability, camera and screen are among the criteria to take into account to make the right choice. For this selection, we have set a budget limit and none of the models exceeds 500 euros. We even opted for many models around 200 or 300 euros, the objective being to have the best quality-Price ratio. Keep in mind that good deals are not rare at the end of the year and that a more expensive model may be within your budget. This is particularly the case for older generation high-end models, still in the race and more accessible as the holidays approach or an announcement from the manufacturer.
Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro: for gaming on a budget
Launched at the start of the year, the Poco X6 Pro opts for power and will be a relevant choice for a teenager who wants to play on their smartphone (or an adult on a modest budget).
This model has a design that does not leave you indifferent and hides a formidable technical sheet. Its large AMOLED screen (6.67 inches, 120 Hz, etc.) is designed to offer a good mobile gaming experience. Above all, its Dimensity 8300 Ultra chip coupled with a good amount of RAM and storage ensures good gaming performance. To make matters worse, this smartphone has fast charging at 67 W and is good at taking photos. With your teenager, we invite you to clean up the pre-installed applications when configuring the smartphone.
Poco X6 Pro 8/256 GB at the best price Base price: €349
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Honor Magic6 Lite: a beautiful and robust smartphone
This smartphone made its mark by focusing on solidity. The brand claimed that it was possible to use it as a hammer to prove that its smartphone was indestructible. A speech that hits the mark and which can appeal to parents, because teenagers are not always the most careful with their belongings.
Tested in our columns, the Honor Magic6 Lite confirms that it is a robust smartphone. However, its presence in our selection is also justified by its attractive design, its very good performance and its 6.78-inch 120 Hz OLED screen. We also appreciate the capabilities of its main sensor during the day.
Honor Magic6 Lite 8+256 GB at the best price Base price: €399
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G: a versatile choice
Xiaomi has a reputation for offering smartphones with excellent value for money. The Chinese manufacturer proves it again with the Redmi Note 13 5G, a model that ticks all the boxes of a good smartphone at an affordable price. Compatible with 5G, it has a large 6.67-inch AMOLED screen and a chip powerful enough for most uses.
The Redmi Note 13 5G has a 108 Mpx main photo sensor offering solid performance. Plus, it adds an interesting selfie camera for social media-savvy teens.
Redmi Note 13 5G 8+256 GB at the best price Base price: €299
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Nothing CMF Phone 1 : un design original
Gone are the days when entry-level smartphones were satisfied with a basic design. The CMF Phone 1 brings color and a modular concept for around 240 euros, without forgetting a more than correct technical sheet.
It offers a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen and offers decent performance for an entry-level. Its autonomy is also worth highlighting and the CMF Phone 1 knows how to take generally successful photos. It represents a fairly original choice at a reasonable price.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 8+128 GB at the best price Base price: €239
Google Pixel 8a: the best for photography
The Google Pixel 8a is the most expensive smartphone in this selection, it is also the best. Launched at 549 euros, it is now possible to find it for less than 400 euros and the Pixel 8a looks like a good deal.
This smartphone has a premium feel thanks to a neat design and its excellent quality 6.1-inch OLED screen. Inside, its Tensor G3 chip allows you to take advantage of Google’s advanced AI features and in particular very good photo quality. The smartphone has two effective modules: a 64 Mpx wide-angle and a 13 Mpx ultra-wide-angle.
If autonomy is not necessarily the strong point of the Pixel 8a, the most expensive smartphone in our selection is also the most durable. Indeed, it benefits from Google’s excellent update policy and will be kept up to date for seven years. This avoids having to change your smartphone too often, and may encourage you to turn to the second-hand market.
Google Pixel 8a 128 GB at the best price Base price: €549
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It’s still too expensive, what to do?
Even though we try to offer relatively affordable models, the prices of the smartphones in our selection may still seem high to you. If you have a more limited budget and are eyeing a new device, the Redmi 14C is a model that should not be overlooked to equip yourself effectively without breaking the bank. It is possible to find it for less than 150 euros! This economical smartphone obviously makes concessions, but it manages to offer a 120 Hz 6.88-inch screen in a rather successful design.
Its limited power allows you to benefit from excellent autonomy and allows your teenager to remain reachable and connected.
They could have been in our selection
If you don’t find what you’re looking for in this list, you might also be interested in Nothing’s models. The brand offers an original design on its models and has a relatively accessible range with the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus.
Samsung is one of the brands favored by the French and the Galaxy A55 is an excellent choice for a teenager. Without major defects, it is complete and balanced.
And an iPhone?
The high price of iPhones does not encourage them to be offered in a selection, but various reasons can lead you to turn to an Apple smartphone. The iPhone SE 2022 is today the most affordable new model in the catalog. This model is aging and is not necessarily a smart choice at the end of 2024…
If you really want to Buy an iPhone for your teenager without breaking the bank too much, we recommend an older generation model from the refurbished shelves.
Finally, if budget is not an issue for you, the question is simpler and flagship models “for adults” like iPhone 16 (Pro, Pro Max), Samsung Galaxy S24 (Ultra), Google Pixel 9 , Honor Magic6 Pro (or Honor 200 Pro) or Xiaomi 14/14T are models to take into account. Even folding models can enter the discussion.
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