Home › News ›

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Intro Basic Category Killers No Contracts Comments 5

Basic service to call 911 or Mom and Dad.

There seems to be no consensus on how old kids should be before they receive their first cell phone. I know some parents who've given their six-year-olds a cell phone, while other parents hold off at least until age 10. Whatever age is appropriate for that first device, young users don't necessarily need high-end smartphones that will rack up data charges (at least, not yet they don't.) Devices that provide simple calling and text messaging functions, as well as a few games, should be more than enough to make the youngest cell phone owners happy. Phones in this list should be less than $20 (or free) on contract, and can easily be added to a family plan for a minimal extra monthly cost. These devices are also smaller, which should work better for kids' smaller hands.

AT&T
Samsung Rugby II
buy it

Sprint
Kyocera DuraCore
buy it

T-Mobile
Samsung Gravity Txt
buy it

Verizon
Pantech Jest II
buy it

Next page: Voice

Related

Samsung Refreshes Galaxy S Series with S Pen, New Cameras

Feb 9, 2022
Samsung today announced its lineup of flagship phones for 2022: the Galaxy S22 series. The top-end S22 Ultra sees the biggest changes as it essentially absorbs Samsung's Note series with an integrated S Pen stylus and a more Note-like shape and design, instead of the Contour Cut design of the other models.

Hands On with the Motorola edge (2022)

Motorola has a new $500 phone and it's kind of a big deal. While Motorola has been successful with more affordable phones lately, not since 2017 have all of the big three US carriers offered a Motorola phone over $400.

JBL Puts a Touchscreen on its Earbuds Case

Sep 1, 2022
JBL's new Tour PRO 2 true wireless earbuds feature "the world's first smart charging case". The case has a 1.45-inch touch screen that lets users easily and intuitively control features like ANC and ambient sound that would normally require opening a dedicated app on your phone or remembering a complex set of touch gestures.

Google Maps Putting Search Results in AR Live View

Sep 29, 2022
Google has announced an update to the Google Maps app with several interesting new features. The augmented-reality Live View feature now works in a search mode to find and show you specific places nearby, instead of just overlaying walking directions during ongoing navigation.

Motorola Defy Satellite Link Now on Sale

Jun 29, 2023
The motorola defy satellite link from Bullitt is now available in the US for $150. In North America, the price includes a free trial of the Premium messaging plan (300 non-emergency messages per month) until October 1st, and one year of the Essential plan (30 non-emergency messages per month) for free.