Sure, they love cash and gift cards, but beyond that, teens are not the easiest group to buy for. This guide helps make the task a little easier by not only focusing only on gift ideas, but also breaking down detailed reasons why we think they’re a great choice. Let’s go!
iPhone 16: The gift of Apple
With the latest tech tools baked-in and one of the latest and greatest chips to power it all, it’s hard to ignore iPhone 16. And while it’s the entry-level player in the latest 16 series, it’s hardly a novice when it comes to the powerful features. Plus, it’s a no-brainer for Apple-loving teens who crave seamless integration with other products in the Apple ecosystem.
Why It's Great for Teens:
- Stunning display and equally stunning design: The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display is housed in a stunning aluminum shell with a color-infused glass back and some ultra-cool color options, including Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, and Black.
- Upgraded processor, long-lasting battery: While teens may not care much about what’s “under the hood,” they’ll appreciate the seamless connectivity, multitasking capabilities and the ability to stay powered up, no matter where their day takes them. This phone has Apple’s latest A18 chip, a 3,561 mAh battery, up-to 22 hours of video playback USB-C charging, and plenty of storage choices (128GB, 256GB, 512GB).
- Pro-camera system: Whether they love social media, photography, or just snapping selfies and videos with their friends,this phone packs a48MP Fusion camera with 12MP Ultra Wide Telephoto lens and cool features that help power it all, including thelatest-generation Photographic Styles.
- Camera Control button: The new, cutting-edge Camera Control button allows them to capture flawless photos and videos with a simple slide of their finger.
iPhone 15: Strong performance and capabilities at a great price
While iPhone 16 is a top choice, it’s worth mentioning that the previous generation iPhone 15 is no slouch. While it doesn’t have as powerful of a processor or camera, it’s still an excellent choice. Plus, you can probably get a great deal on the phone since it’s last-year’s model.
Why It's Great for Teens:
- Display and design are equally stunning. Boasting the same basic display as iPhone 16 (6.1-inch Super Retina XDR) and the same aluminum design with color-infused back glass, your teens may never notice the difference at first glance, especially with nice colors like Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue or Basic Black to choose from.
- Formidable processor, battery power, and more. The A16 Bionic chip may not be the latest and greatest, but it’s still powerful enough to keep most teens happy. The dual-camera system with a 48MP Main camera and 12MP Ultra Wide is also nice, although it won’t have the exact same capabilities and features as the newer model. The 3,349 mAh battery should keep most teens nicely powered up. And with up-to 20 hours of video playback and the same storage options (128GB, 256GB, 512GB) it’s worth considering.
- Price, price, price. As we mentioned, the previous year’s models are almost always a steal for those who are budget conscious—but still want some nice bells and whistles for the teens on their list. If your favorite teen can live without the latest features, iPhone 15 is a great choice for them and you!
Google Pixel 9: Powerful AI & Cool Camera Capabilities Teens will Love
Like the latest iPhone, the Pixel 9 has some seriously groundbreaking changes in the form of AI, thanks Google’s ultra-advanced, built-in Gemini AI. Sweetening the pot, it has some pretty amazing new camera features that any teen would swoon over. Plus, if your teen is already immersed in the Google product ecosystem (Home Assistant, Google Watch, etc.), this phone is a must-have.
Why It's Great for Teens:
- Durable and beautiful. With a huge, 6.3-inch Actua OLED display, enveloped in an aluminum design with polished metal sides and silky matte glass back, this phone is stunning in any color, whether it’s Peony, Wintergreen, Porcelain, or Obsidian. It’s twice as durable as previous models, too.
- Powerful processor and battery life. Teens are always on the move, and so is the Pixel 9. Its 4,700 mAh battery and powerful Google Tensor G4 chipset keeps pace with their dynamic lifestyle, ensuring they're always connected seamlessly, whether at school, hanging out with friends, or exploring new hobbies.
- Revolutionary Gemini AI. This is the first series designed specifically for the Gemini era, which means Gemini is fully integrated into pretty much everything they do, all powered by the upgraded Google Tensor G4 chipset. So, how does this look exactly? Much like Apple AI, they can chat back and forth with a virtual assistant, in their choice of voices and in an eerily lifelike way, using Gemini Live. They can ask Gemini to summarize unopened emails in Gmail or Google Docs, or, if they’re watching a YouTube cooking video, for example, they can ask Gemini to make a grocery list based on what’s in the video.
- Camera capabilities: The Pixel 9 has a 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide lens and a 10.5MP selfie camera setup with advanced AI and machine learning, turning every snapshot into a masterpiece. Here are a few of the things we think teens, in particular, will appreciate:
- Add Me: Now they can take a group photo and then add themselves. Just snap the photo and hand the phone to someone else. Augmented reality saves the shot after they step in.
- Pixel Studio: This image generator lets them describe them image they want to create (e.g., summer pool party invitations with people laughing and splashing in the pool) and it pops up instantly.
- Upscale Video: They can upscale to 8K from 4K and create high-quality thumbnails from any frame, perfect for influencers.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6: Phones that Flip or Fold!
These unique phones offer an eye-catching blend of style and functionality, just right for teens who want a smartphone that really stands out. They also pack powerful shared features that sync with the on-the-go lifestyle of teenagers, including the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, IP48 rating, and amazing camera setups. Here are just some of the different things they’ll get on each of the devices.
Why It's Great for Teens:
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
- Two displays:6.3-inch external screen and a 7.6-inch main screen, each with 2,600 nits brightness
- Amazing camera set-up: 10MP Front, 50MP Wide, 10MP Telephoto, 12MP Ultra Wide with 2X Optical quality Zoom (Enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor), 3X Optical Zoom, 30X Space Zoom
- Features that keep teens going: 4,400 mAh battery, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage, and 12GB of RAM
- S-Pen compatibility: They can draw, write, create, jot down notes, annotate images, charts or documents, turn writing into text and so much more.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
- Two displays:3.4-inch external with 1,600 nits brightness and a 6.7-inch main display with 2,600 nits brightness
- Nice camera set-up: 10MP Front, 50MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide with 2X Optical quality Zoom (Enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) and 10X Digital Zoom
- Features that keep teens going: 4,000 mAh battery, 256GB or 512GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM
Key DIfferences:
While there are major differences between the ZFold6 and ZFlip6, including battery size, storage options, and beyond, the biggest differences are the price and the size. After all, the Z Fold6 is a large foldable device with a formidable outer screen that transforms into what is basically a small tablet with a compatible S-Pen, while the Flip6 can flip into an easy-to-handle pocket-sized device. Because of that, you’ll pay a sizeable amount more for the Z Fold6 than for the Z Flip6.
SyncUP Drive: Connectivity and Safety On-the-Go
SyncUP Drive is an innovative device that offers vehicle tracking and diagnostic features, making it a practical gift for teens who are new drivers. It provides peace of mind to both teens and loved ones by ensuring safety and connectivity on the road.
Why It's Great for Teens:
- Vehicle monitoring: Helps teens keep track of their vehicle's location and condition.
- Maintenance alerts: Sends notifications for car maintenance, promoting responsible vehicle ownership.
- Roadside assistance: Offers added security in case of vehicle breakdowns or emergencies.
- Wi-Fi hotspot: Allows teens to stay connected, even on-the-go.
- Key Features:
- Real-time tracking: Monitors the vehicle's location and movement.
- Vehicle health reports: Provides insights into the car's performance and potential issues.
- Easy installation: Plugs into the car's OBD-II port, making it simple to set up.
- Parental peace of mind: Gives parents a way to monitor their teen's driving habits and vehicle location.
Meta Quest 3S: Immersive Virtual- and Mixed-Reality Experience
Meta Quest 3S offers an unparalleled virtual- and mixed-reality experience that any teen is sure to love. Now, they can turn their bedroom, basement, family room and beyond into their own immersive world, where games, learning, playing, hanging out with friends (virtually), and staying active becomes an instant reality. Plus, it’s ultra-light and wireless, so they have the freedom to move around naturally and unincumbered. With your choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage, they’ll have just the right amount of space for games and apps, based on their needs.
Why It's Great for Teens:
- Immersive gaming: Brings games to life with stunning graphics and intuitive controls.
- Fun, healthy workouts: Helps them stay active, healthy, and engaged in the comfort of their own home.
- Educational experiences: Educational content suddenly becomes fun, since it’s more immersive, interactive, and memorable.
- Social connectivity: Allows teens to connect with friends in virtual spaces, enhancing their social experience.
Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen: Smart and Trendy
Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen is a smartwatch that combines functionality with style. It's perfect for teens who want to stay connected and track their fitness activities.
Why It's Great for Teens:
- Health and fitness tracking: Monitors activity levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns.
- Keeps them connected: Allows teens to receive notifications, messages, and calls on their wrist.
- It’s customizable: Offers a range of watch faces to match personal style and preferences.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 5G: Versatile and Portable
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is a multipurpose tablet built for school and fun. It has an upgraded chipset and storage, a bright, engaging screen and more—all in a slim, light, durable design that’s perfect for on-the-go.
Why It's Great for Teens:
- Educational tool: Good for research, note-taking, and online meeting/learning.
- Entertainment hub: Big 11-inch screen and multi-active windows are ideal for multitasking, streaming videos, playing games, reading e-books, and more.
- Portable design: Slim and lightweight, it’s easy to carry around.
- Teen friendly: Quad speakers provide nice audio for playing games and listening to music, plus an 8MP main camera and 5MP selfie camera setup lets them capture it all.
Apple iPad Air 11-inch M2: Work, Play and Create On-the-Go
The perfect choice for Apple-loving teens, iPad Air has a fast Apple M2 chip, a stunning 11-inch Liquid Retina display, a landscape camera (perfect for FaceTime and video calls), and it works with the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard (sold separately), so they can multitask, study, work, play, and create just about anywhere.
Why It's Great for Teens:
- Education meets fun: Boost their note-taking, online learning, and research skills, and keep them connected with friends and family with a superfast tablet that makes it easy to multitask.
- Entertainment comes alive: 11-inch screen, plus a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage and a 12MP Wide back camera with True Tone flash brings everything to life in living color
- Portable design: Slim and lightweight, it’s easy to carry around.
- Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro & Magic Keyboard: These accessories (sold separately) make precise typing, doodling, taking notes, drawing, sketching, or creating works of art easier and more intuitive than ever.
Headphones, Speakers & More: Immersive Audio Experiences
Headphones, speakers, and ear buds are pretty much essential accessories for teens. They offer an oasis of sound, whether for diving into their favorite tunes, binge-watching a series, or gaming. Here are a few of our favorite picks based on a range of a factors, including superior sound quality, comfort, durability, style, battery life, noise cancellation capabilities and more:
- Apple AirPods 4 w/ Active Noise Cancellation
- Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Apple AirPods Max USB-C
- Bose QC Ultra Headphones
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2
- Beats Pill
- JBL Clip 5
- JBL Authentics 200
Why It's Great for Teens:
These popular, high-quality audio accessories provide teens with everything from immersive, fun group experiences to deeply personal moments that can transport them to another world, making them a perfect gift for just about any music lover on your list.
Accessories: To Protect Devices & Keep Teens Connected
From tags and trackers, to chargers, cases and beyond, not only are these accessories budget-friendly gifts, they’re also thoughtful and often-overlooked items that your teen will appreciate, especially in a bind. Here are a few of our go-to ideas:
- Phone cases & covers
- Chargers & adapters
- Screen protectors
- SIM cards
- Apple AirTags
- Chipolo CARD Spot Item Tracker for Apple Find My iOS
Why It's Great for Teens:
If you’re on a budget and you need a nice gift that you know they’ll really appreciate in a pinch, these accessories are the perfect solution. Not only do they help protect their devices—they can also help keep the teen in your life seamlessly connected on-the-go.
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*Please note that product availability may vary, and some items mentioned may no longer be in stock or available at the time of reading. Browse all of our latest phones, devices and accessories here.