At what age are my child's peers going to expect my kid to have a recent top of the line smartphone?

[Anonymous]

Sure, get your kids exactly what they always want..and what their friends expect. UGH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by "top of the line" cellphone? Your child's peers will expect him to have a cellphone in middle school, but there is no expectation for it to be top of the line my kids have and iPhone 5s and 6s and no one has given them shit about it.

How about "not the bare minimum," then? An iPhone costs about $300 more than a Galaxy, assuming you're buying the cheapest version out there. And my kids get the cheapest version out there.

I'm not telling you how to spend your money or what to discuss with your kids. I'm saying that kids do notice who has what, and I am teaching mine to understand the thought process behind our spending decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by "top of the line" cellphone? Your child's peers will expect him to have a cellphone in middle school, but there is no expectation for it to be top of the line my kids have and iPhone 5s and 6s and no one has given them shit about it.

How about "not the bare minimum," then? An iPhone costs about $300 more than a Galaxy, assuming you're buying the cheapest version out there. And my kids get the cheapest version out there.

I'm not telling you how to spend your money or what to discuss with your kids. I'm saying that kids do notice who has what, and I am teaching mine to understand the thought process behind our spending decisions.

Having just bought a brand new Iphone SE (the cheapest new iPhone out there) for $159, from a pay as you go provider (so no comittment), I'm really curious where you're seeing a Galaxy that costs -$141. Let me know and I'll buy several!

[Anonymous]

Probably 9.

[Anonymous]

Not reading this many responses to so basic a question.

Why do you, an adult and a parent, care what your child's peers expect? You get your child the phone you can afford which is also appropriate for your child's particular needs. If your child has friends who would be snotty about which brand or version your kid has, then your kid needs to be guided toward new and better friends. At any age.