What phone?

[Mama1980]

Hi am after some opinions please. Long story short My very lovely teen nephew who never asks for anything has mentioned to his dad (my brother) that he could love a 'cool' phone at some point in the further.
My brother has asked me if I would mind getting him one (for reasons not relevant here I can afford to) no problem, that's what money is for.
But what phone is 'cool' for teens these days?
Is the latest model best or is there some kind of particular model that is popular?

Definitely an iPhone. I'd say you don't need to get the absolute latest model though and you'll find some good deals on the 11 or earlier

Agree, iPhone 11

Thanks. How much memory would you say is necessary/ monthly data/minutes etc? Sorry but I really don't have much of a clue.
My friend has confusingly said go straight for the latest model which I think is 13 - will that date less than the 11 do you think?

If you can afford it then, yes the 13 is the newest phone.
You can either buy it out right and then leave the sim contract to the family to pay monthly or get it on a contract yourself and pay monthly (it will need to be a 24 month contract so you will be paying it for 2 years).

Dependant on age as to how much 4g to buy.

@Mama1980

Thanks. How much memory would you say is necessary/ monthly data/minutes etc? Sorry but I really don't have much of a clue. My friend has confusingly said go straight for the latest model which I think is 13 - will that date less than the 11 do you think?

The 13 was only out in September so it will definitely age well enough, but there's often not that significantly different between the previous versions but a big difference in price - so really depends on whether your looking to get the absolute newest model or can compromise slightly for cheaper.

Regarding a plan - definitely get as much data as you can. I'd say minimum 50GB data but you will find not much different in price for those va ones with unlimited data. Pretty much everything uses data now when not on Wi-Fi (even messages and calls eg. WhatsApp) and so you want to make sure there's enough there that it doesn't cost more on top.

The iPhone 13 pro max would be the best 'cool phone' but it's around £1200 +*.

Which is great if you can afford it but I wouldn't buy for a teen especially not a brand new one or I'd make sure it was insured - my insurance is thriugh my bank and needed fixing this year as dh dropped something in it. .

I'd go for a refurbed 12 or 11 (I have a 12 that I bought new and would prefer the pro max but it so much more expensive.)

Music magpie do refurbed phones and a few people in here say they are good.

Some teens don't like Apple either and would prefer an android.

Unlimited.

Hi thanks this is really helpful
We are leaning towards the iPhone Pro 3 I really want to maximise the 'cool' factor. Nephew is 15. I hadn't thought of insurance but that's a great idea thanks!
Do you think 512GB storage would be enough?
I'm leaning towards buying the thing outright and then letting my brother decide how much data etc he wants him to have, before getting a SIM only contract.
Will any company SIM work on a iPhone?
And should I get those wireless ear things to go with it - do teens use them?
Thanks so much!

If Apple do a deal with free airpods then that would be a good gift. If not cheaper ones from Amazon can be just as good.

Data, get a lot. Honestly, as much as you can with unlimited texts and calls. You might be better looking at a contract bundling it all together.

If you buy from Apple direct then the phone should be unlocked to any network provider. If you buy from Vodafone, they are generally Vodafone sims only. Ditto o2 etc.

Thanks.
I've been looking and there's an unlimited data plan with EE but some say the speed is affected by an unlimited plan?
Would I be better off getting the largest plan but not unlimited?
I will probably buy direct from Apple I think, they offer no deals really but I am happy to add the earphones if people think he will use them.
Brother has unhelpfully said whatever I think is best is fine

iPhone 11 upwards. He'll be over the moon with that.

The storage will be fine from 64 onwards.

My DC and I were over the moon with an iPhone XR each and they were all reconditioned. They were amazing compared to our iPhone 6 and 7's.

I'd love a new iPhone 13 though. Goals.

Does he already have a SIM card ?

In which case just buy it new straight from Apple or John Lewis.

My teens love AirPods

If your brother is strapped for cash then a phone case is also a good idea. Something plain is safest like clear or black

@Mama1980

Thanks. I've been looking and there's an unlimited data plan with EE but some say the speed is affected by an unlimited plan? Would I be better off getting the largest plan but not unlimited? I will probably buy direct from Apple I think, they offer no deals really but I am happy to add the earphones if people think he will use them. Brother has unhelpfully said whatever I think is best is fine

Something might come up next week for Black Friday in terms of deals. May be.

Buy an iphone13 direct from Apple or John Lewis. After sales care is good and I think it’s probably safer than getting it from somewhere like Amazon (I’d worry about problems with delivery - there have been threads where people have ordered laptops and had the boxes delivered but filled with bedding!)
From Apple, the phone is unlocked so his parents could sort out a SIM card from any network (which might depend on coverage on their area).

Can I recommend sky as the provider? Some greats deals on their website too. I am with sky for my iPhone and my daughter is too I can give her data when she runs out it's a great set up

Thanks again, all brilliant ideas.
I'm going to order direct from apple I think and have added air pods as well.
I didn't think of checking service coverage, I'll ask. Nephew currently has a sim only deal (and a very old phone) but it's out of contract and the current deal won't cope with the amount of use a all-singing new iPhone will get apparently (According to brother who I think secretly brother would like to play with this new phone too lol) I'll check out sky, hadn't thought of them as a provider so thanks.
A case is another good shout - my nephew won't know phone is from me, he'll think it's from his parents. I'll ask my brother to sort that one out though!
Do you think I should order before Black Friday, is there likely to a shortage afterwards?

I bought an iPhone 13 mini direct from Apple. Ordered last week and it took a week to arrive. If I were you, I'd buy now as lead times may be longer as Xmas demand ramps up.

You sound so lovely op.

Get the AirPods if you can, case and screen protector too! You can get these from Amazon but if it's easier and no budget constraints a just get them with the phone from Apple. I'd just get a back cover. It the flap over ones.

Maybe get Apple care + which I think is the insurance package.

Not sure about the 13, 13 pro or 13 pro max. Like I say my 12 is great.

As for sim deal - I don't use that much data as 99% of time I'm on wifi. My data is 10gb but i use about 1gb!

Your nephew is very lucky to have such an amazing aunt

I bought the iphone 13 recently and have a sim from giff gaff... it's so cheap to use them!