Kids don't tend to buy their own phones, or if they do they apply for a loan from the bank of Mum&Dad. So kids phones shouldn't cost a fortune, but they should be able to perform all the functions that they need. Here are a few to think about.
ZTE KIS 3 -- £50
For an outrageously small sum the ZTE Kis 3 delivers a surprisingly powerful dual-core processor and the very latest version of Android -- very unusual at this sort of price. It's not much to look at -- very much like a bog-standard HTC midranger from a couple of years ago -- but it feels solid and sturdy enough, and should be able to withstand a few knocks.
The 4-inch screen is just about big enough for easy typing and delivers a sub-HD resolution of 800x480 pixels, which won't set the world alight but looks perfectly fine for the most part.
There's no 4G, but there is reasonably fast 3G and the 1.2GHz processor backed by 512GB RAM keeps it running smoothly whether you're browsing, streaming videos or playing HD games.
The 3-megapixel camera is no world beater but it does come with a decent range of features which stops it feeling like an afterthought.
Wired: Okay screen, decent processor, latest Android, very cheap
Tired: On the chunky side, bland design, no 4G
Tired: On the chunky side, bland design, no 4G
6/10
MOTO E -- £90
Motorola has had a resurgence since being taken over by Google and among a galaxy of budget stars the Moto E is the most basic offering. The casing feels cheap and cheerful but you can swap different colours of the Motorola Shells to suit your style.
The 4.3-inch screen has a resolution of 960x540, so a little better than the others in this group, but not by much.
It's running the latest 4.4 KitKat version of Android and with Motorola being a Google company, the Moto E will be one of the first in line for an upgrade when the new 4.5 Lollipop version rolls round. That makes it one of the cheapest ways to get the latest Android features and fixes.
The 1.2GHz processor is backed by a full 1GB RAM and as such it's a little bit faster and smoother than its rivals here, but you'll only really start to notice if you're doing a lot of multi-tasking.
The 5-megapixel camera is capable of okay pic quality, but there's no autofocus and no flash.
Wired: Decent processor, okay screen, latest Android
Tired: No 4G, so-so screen, camera and battery life not great
Tired: No 4G, so-so screen, camera and battery life not great
6/10
HUAWEI Y530 -- £120
Huawei's Y series has traditionally been the ugly duckling of the group but it's improving, as the neat curves and two-tone screen surround of theY530 prove. The casing is all plastic, but it feels sturdy and more robust than some considerably more expensive models.
The 4.5-inch screen offers a distinctly so-so sub-HD resolution of 854x480 pixels, which seems a little under-specced for the price tag.
It's running the older 4.3 Jelly Bean version of Android, though it's been skimmed with the Huawei Emotion interface to give it a slightly different look. The jury's out on the missing apps section (all your apps automatically appear on the home pages rather than being collected in a separate part of the menu) though we quite liked the 'Simple Home' setting that offers a simplified, clutter-free version of your home pages.
The dual-core 1.2GHz is backed by just 512MB RAM which puts it in direct competition with ZTE's Kis 3, available for less than half the price, but it does come with a fairly decent 5-megapixel camera which is packing both autofocus and flash -- the best one here.
Wired: Neat and sturdy design, good-sized screen, decent camera
Tired: Sub-HD screen, processor not as powerful as it could be, similar spec available for less from rivals, no 4G
Tired: Sub-HD screen, processor not as powerful as it could be, similar spec available for less from rivals, no 4G
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