Kids need cheap communication phones

[mmfox316]

What is the most inexpensive phone, even WiFi only, that you have recently run across that could be used on the ships. Kids are tweens without phones currently and I’m looking to give alittle freedom on ship but not willing to go full on cell plan. Cost is definitely an issue

 

[dreamer17555]

Talk to family and friends. I bet they have some old iPhones that could be borrowed for the cruise

 

[Snowwhyt]

I thought you could rent on the ship. Down payment or something.

 

[Girl of the South]

A $60 Amazon Fire 7 might work? Or an old iPhone 6 or 7 from eBay? You don’t need a cell phone plan. Just WiFi enabled for the ship WiFi.

 

[Girl of the South]

And lots of cheap iPod Touch devices on eBay from $20 and on up.

 

[sponica]

We figured we'd just bring an old phone, that the imperfect DCL app messaging was better than nothing.

 

[auntlynne]

If it’s an Apple phone, it needs iOS 15.0 or later for the DCL app. Look for an unlocked used phone.



Some of these (like 6, 6 Plus, SE first generation) cannot go past iOS 15.0. I have no idea how often the app would change minimum system operating system requirements.

I see refreshed, unlocked iPhone SE 2nd gen phones on Amazon for $100-125. Still not cheap, but if your kid will need it for more than a cruise in the next few years, this could be a good choice.

When I wanted a new iPhone a few years ago, my niece, who worked at the A store, recommended the SE 2nd gen. It is a solid phone, but lacks some of the features of the $1K+ models. The camera takes nice photos.

I just updated it to iOS 18 today. I do not expect to replace it for many years to come.

I’ll leave Android phone talk to someone who knows/ uses one.

 

[Calantha]

My son (9) has my mom's old iphone 8 for ship use only (only has wifi). She had an older one, but I couldn't get the DCL app to install.

 

[RedHead0186]

Whatever phone you get, make sure that the operating system is compatible with the DCL app. A lot of older phones may not be (adding on to @auntlynne 's point, but it's an issue not just for iPhones).

 

[LAX]

If it’s an Apple phone, it needs iOS 15.0 or later for the DCL app. Look for an unlocked used phone.

View attachment 898063

Some of these (like 6, 6 Plus, SE first generation) cannot go past iOS 15.0. I have no idea how often the app would change minimum system operating system requirements.

I see refreshed, unlocked iPhone SE 2nd gen phones on Amazon for $100-125. Still not cheap, but if your kid will need it for more than a cruise in the next few years, this could be a good choice.

When I wanted a new iPhone a few years ago, my niece, who worked at the A store, recommended the SE 2nd gen. It is a solid phone, but lacks some of the features of the $1K+ models. The camera takes nice photos.

I just updated it to iOS 18 today. I do not expect to replace it for many years to come.

I’ll leave Android phone talk to someone who knows/ uses one.

I don't think it matters if the phone is locked vs. unlocked when using wifi.

LAX

 

[randumb0]

I bought a cheap Android off of eBay for around $30

 

[auntlynne]

I don't think it matters if the phone is locked vs. unlocked when using wifi.

LAX

Thanks. I don’t buy phones often, so not the most tech savvy. But when I do, it’s to use as my phone service - and it’s not as a part of an ongoing “plan” from a service provider (Verizon, Sprint…) - ie, get an iPhone “free.”

Possibly still not a bad idea to buy unlocked if the kids might get phone service in the next few years.

But for their stated needs, good to know.

 

[ramee]

I thought about a smart watch so they don’t need to lug around a phone and most likely lose it. I was looking at gps vs gps + unlocked cellular to be able to add a plan to it in the future.

I may still get a watch, but for now I’ve settled on upgrading my phone and letting my tween use the old phone on the ship.

I ordered a small phone crossbody bag for them to wear when they go to the kid’s club. Not sure how practical that is. I’ve read they can leave the bag at the check in desk if they don’t want to wear it the whole time.

 

[ramee]

Also, I’ve read about getting a free google voice number for WhatsApp, as that may be more reliable than the dcl messaging and iMessage.

Edit: I just tried to use a google voice number for WhatsApp and it doesn’t work. I’m seeing on a Reddit from 4 months ago that it’s a recent change. Bummer.

 

[randumb0]

I thought about a smart watch so they don’t need to lug around a phone and most likely lose it. I was looking at gps vs gps + unlocked cellular to be able to add a plan to it in the future.

I may still get a watch, but for now I’ve settled on upgrading my phone and letting my tween use the old phone on the ship.

I ordered a small phone crossbody bag for them to wear when they go to the kid’s club. Not sure how practical that is. I’ve read they can leave the bag at the check in desk if they don’t want to wear it the whole time.

I don't think the app works on a watch

 

[ramee]

I don't think the app works on a watch

I was hoping WhatsApp would work on a watch. We’ll probably just stick with an old phone for the cruise.

 

[Girl of the South]

I just read that although What's App does NOT have an Apple Watch App
"But, you can still read and reply to notifications on Apple Watch."
Not sure if that is enough for you? Although DCL app won't work on the Watch.

If you Google "What's App Apple Watch" you can read about requirements, etc.

 

[ramee]

Yep. I saw that, too. Thanks for confirming. I can’t keep up with technology. I just saw with the new ios 18 update, anyone with an iPhone 14 pro and up can use satellite messaging instead of cellular or wi-fi….

I thought that maybe a $30 smart watch from Amazon to link with a phone could be a cheap option for OP, too, but now I’m not trusting that will work.

I’ll have an extra phone. We’ll have a plan and expectations worked out before activities and maybe they won’t need to use it.

@mmfox316 did you figure out what you’re going to do?

 

[Carohs]

If your kids are tweens they're not that far from having their own phone plan. Around here almost all kids have a cell by middle school and I've seen kids as young as 4 with their own device if not also on a plan. Anyway, I would purchase a cheap unlocked phone for now that will work on your network. No reason to have to buy a second device in the near future. Otoh, if you weren't planning on adding them to your plan for a few years then get any cheap phone since technology becomes outdated super quick.

 

[OpieDoodle]

I'd ask around for family to see if anyone has a old phone laying around. You'd be surprised how many people have a spare lying around!