Best Android phones for kids (May 2016)

So, your child is ready for their first smartphone!Android phones are great for kids. There are plenty of cheap smartphones out there, and there’s no shortage of great kid-friendly apps and games. While there aren’t too many notable Android phones out there made specifically for children, we’ve managed to round up some inexpensive options that will be perfect for your child’s first smartphone.Without any further ado, let’s get to it — here are the best Android phones for kids. Don’t miss: Best cheap Android phones378 Editor’s note: We will be updating this list regularly as new devices launch.Update, May 2016: We did not make any changes to our list this month.Motorola Moto E (2015)The 2015 Moto E is the best smartphone you can buy for your child. It’s super cheap, comes with support for 4G LTE connectivity, and it has fantastic battery life. It also sports rear and front-facing cameras, which will allow your kids to video chat as much as they’d like. It’s certainly not the most powerful smartphone out there, but it’s the perfect option if your child has never owned a smartphone.The best part? You can pick one up on Amazon for just $79.Specs4.5-inch display with 960 x 540 resolution, 245ppi1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor1GB of RAM8GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32GB5MP rear camera, VGA front cameraNon-removable 2390mAh batteryAndroid 5.1 Lollipop129.8 x 66.8 x 12.2mm, 145gRead moreMoto E review7 problems with the Moto E and how to fix themBest Moto E CasesBuy now from AmazonMotorola Moto G (2015)Want something a little more powerful than the Moto E? You should definitely check out Motorola’s mid-range option, the Moto G. With its 5.0-inch display, powerful Snapdragon processor and plenty of on-board storage available, the 2015 Moto G is a lot of smartphone for a little bit of money. It’s perfect for watching educational movies and playing games.One of the coolest parts about the Moto G is the ability to customize it any way you’d like. Just head on over to MotoMaker.com, and you’ll be able to customize the back, front, and accent colors. This is also one of the cheaper options on our list. You can purchase it either from Amazon or Motorola for around $165.Specs5.0-inch LCD display with 720 x 1280 resolution, 294ppi1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor1/2GB of RAM8/16GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32GB13MP rear camera, 5MP front cameraNon-removable 2470mAh batteryAndroid 6.0 Marshmallow142.1 x 72.4 x 11.6mm, 155gRead moreMotorola Moto G 2015 reviewMotorola Moto G (2015) hands-on and first impressionsMotorola Moto G (2015) officially announced: what you need to knowBest Moto G (2015) casesBuy now from AmazonBLU Life One XThe BLU Life One X is a newcomer to the budget-friendly space, and it packs quite the punch. It boasts a 5.2-inch Full HD display, a super fast MediaTek MT6753 processor, microSD expansion and a big 2900mAh battery. Not to mention the solid build quality – this device has a real aluminum frame and a plastic back plate that makes it feel durable and premium.We’d normally expect a device of this stature to go for about $200-$250, but that’s not the case here. You can purchase the BLU Life One X for only $149.99 from Amazon.Specs5.2-inch LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 424ppi1.3GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor2GB of RAM16GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 64GB13MP rear camera, 5MP front cameraNon-removable 2900mAh batteryAndroid 5.1 Lollipop149.5 x 73.6 x 8.6mm, 141gRead moreBLU Life One X reviewBLU Life One X vs Motorola Moto G (2015)Buy now from AmazonAlcatel Idol 3The Alcatel Idol 3 (5.5-inch variant) is one of the best budget-friendly smartphones on the market, especially for young ones. It features a simple and elegant design, a solid 13MP rear-facing camera and a fantastic audio experience. For the price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value than the Idol 3 – it has a beautiful 5.5-inch Full HD display, a capable Snapdragon 615 processor, and runs a slightly customized version of Android 5.0 Lollipop.The phone is available from Amazon for around $200, which is quite the steal considering the impressive features this phone brings to the table. Be sure to head to the links below to check out our full review. Trust us, this phone might surprise you.Specs5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401ppi1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 Snapdragon 615 processor2GB of RAM16/32GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128GB13MP rear camera, 5MP front cameraNon-removable 2910mAh batteryAndroid 5.0 Lollipop152.7 x 75.1 x 7.4mm, 141gRead moreAlcatel OneTouch Idol 3 review: one of the best budget phones of the yearAlcatel OneTouch Idol 3 unboxing and first impressionsAlcatel OneTouch Idol 3 hands on and first lookBuy now from AmazonIf you already have an old Android phone lying around and would rather use that, we’d like to offer some tips and tricks on how to make your Android phone safer for your kids. From creating custom profiles to setting limits on mobile data, our how-to guide will give you a number of ways to help keep your kids from doing anything they shouldn’t be doing. See also: How to make your Android device safer for your kids7 How did you like our list? Is there anything you’d like us to add or remove? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comment section below!

Best Android phones for kids (May 2016)