Best iPhone for Kids: SE vs. iPhone 12 Compared

Last updated: October 14, 2026

Every parent hits the same wall: the kid wants an iPhone. The harder question is which one and when. Based on Macworld's buying guide, the answer depends more on the child's age and habits than on the spec sheet.

For very young children, the smarter move is to skip the iPhone entirely and hand them a basic iPad, ideally picked up during one of Apple's regular discounts. No cellular plan to manage, bigger screen for developing motor skills, and a much smaller hit if it ends up in the toilet.

Why iPhone SE for younger kids

The SE is the boring choice, and that is exactly why it works. It runs on Apple's A13 Bionic chip, which still handles current apps and years of iOS updates. The 4.7-inch screen fits small hands and small pockets. Touch ID replaces Face ID, which means fewer "why won't this unlock" fights with a face mask or a half-asleep kid.

What you give up: the TrueDepth camera array, so no Animoji or Memoji. For some children, that might sting. For a parent, it is fine. The SE is also cheaper to replace when the inevitable drop happens, even with a solid case and screen protector.

Why iPhone 12 for older kids and teens

Once a child is asking for an iPhone with a real camera, the iPhone 12 is the sweet spot. The 6.1-inch OLED screen is a clear step up, the battery lasts a full day, and the dual rear cameras finally keep up with the ridiculous photo loads young people generate for messaging apps and social.

The iPhone 12 sits in the same generation as the iPhone 13 but costs about $200 less — sometimes $100 less if you compare with the iPhone 13 mini. The newer iPhone 13 chip and a slightly bigger battery are the only material differences, neither of which matters to most teens.

Our analysis

There is a quiet trap in "best for kids" lists: treating it as a hardware decision. Hardware is half of it. Screen Time, Apple's built-in iOS suite for limiting app installs, blocking downloads, scheduling downtime, and locking down purchases, is the half that decides whether the phone actually helps your child or just becomes a bedtime-war device.

The trade-off shifts depending on your child. With younger kids, the iPhone SE's durability-to-price ratio wins. With teens, the camera becomes the deciding factor — not for vanity, but because photos taken today become family memories in a decade. The extra $200 for an iPhone 12 is really an investment in those future albums.

Worth noting: the iPod touch is no longer Apple's cheapest gateway. At $199 it was a fallback for parents who did not want a cellular plan, but the entry-level iPad is now a better long-term value and gets the same apps, including Messages and FaceTime over Wi-Fi.

What to watch next: Apple's next round of mid-tier iPhone refreshes, plus any new parental control tools the company adds in iOS updates each fall. Either could shift the SE-versus-12 math.

Screen Time setup checklist

Before handing over any iPhone:

• [ ] Go to Settings → Screen Time → Use Screen Time Passcode
• [ ] Set a 4-digit code only you know
• [ ] Enable Downtime (e.g., 9 p.m. To 7 a.m.)
• [ ] Set App Limits for social and games (e.g., 1 hour/day)
• [ ] Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions
• [ ] Disable App Store installs and in-app purchases (or require passcode)
• [ ] Configure Communication Limits (calls, texts, contacts)
• [ ] Enable Share Across Devices if using Family Sharing

That ten-minute setup does more to keep the phone safe than any case or screen protector.

Key takeaways

• Younger kids: iPhone SE for size, durability, and price.
• Older kids and teens: iPhone 12 for screen, camera, and battery.
• Skip iPhones entirely until your child actually needs connectivity.
• Set up Screen Time before the device leaves the box.