**Full Disclosure: I received the Samsung Galaxy S5 for review purposes. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
What age is the ‘right’ age to give your child a phone?
I wanted to hold off until James was at least 14 – but the necessity of him being able to reach my husband or I is what drove us to change our minds. The fact that we don’t have a house phone and that James will attend a device-friendly middle school were the biggies.
While the Samsung Galaxy S5 was given to us for review, Grandma & Geezer gave James the phone service for Christmas. Before he was really given much access to the phone, James had to read, initial and sign our homemade cell phone contract (click to print).
The contract has been awesome! Every time James uses his phone, he thinks about the contract and what he agreed to. He knows that my job as a responsible parent is to know what he is doing and that I can check is phone anytime I want/need to. So far, James has been very sensible and mature about how he uses his phone. (I hope he stays that way!)
James has been using the Samsung Galaxy S5 for about a month now. He and and my husband wrote this user review. (If you are looking for a technical review this is probably not what you want.)
The first thing I like about this phone is the style. The size, shape and look of this phone is clean, elegant and tough all at once. The flat-ish edge makes it easier for to hold. The next feature I like is the fingerprint scanner – not because I think it makes my phone more secure or because of the geek in me that thinks it’s cool but because it’s just easier to use to get into my phone then a swipe code or pin. Simply wake your phone up, glide your finger across the home button and you’re in. Another feature I find very appealing is the water resistance. Sometimes I forget about but it’s always working for me. If the phone gets wet, I merely wipe it off and I’m good to go. While I really like the water resistance feature, I am not fond of the door over the charging port. I don’t like having to open the door every time I want to charge my phone.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Specs:
OS: Android™
Camera Resolution (Front): CMOS, 2.0 MP
Camera Resolution (Rear): CMOS, 16.0 MP
Internet Use Time: 3G: Up to 11 Hours; 4G: Up to 12 Hours; Wi-Fi: Up to 13 Hours*
Internal Memory: (The actual available capacity of the internal memory is less than the specified capacity because the operating system and default applications occupy part of the memory. The available capacity may change when you upgrade the device.) 2 GB RAM, 16 GB ROM**
Main Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Main Display Size: 5.1″
Do you have the Samsung Galaxy S5? How do you like it?
At what age do you think kids should get phones? Do you think they should sign contracts?
That sounds like a really nice phone. I love the size of it. I have heard great things about this phone and would definitely consider getting one when my current contract is up.
I have tested a few Galaxy’s but once I tested an LG I never looked back. I love the idea of the cell phone contract, I do not have children but if I did I would totally do the same thing!
The age we have talked about as of now is 13, but we will see! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the phone contract!
I hear nothing but good things about Samsung phones. The pictures are supposed to be incredible!
I have heard such great things about this phone. I have liked every Samsung product I’ve ever used!
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this phone. I’m certainly willing to play around with one and check it out.
Both of my older two boys switched their iPhone out for Samsung Galaxies. They’re both very happy w/their decision too. 🙂
I got a new phone a couple weeks ago. I almost got a galaxy, maybe I should have.
This looks like a great phone,I really need to get a new one.
This looks great! I’m eligible for an upgrade soon. I will have to try it out!
At the rate we’re going I’ll be lucky if our son waits until he’s 8 to get his own phone. Even his Grandma wishes he had one now so he could call whenever he wanted. I think that’s a bit much!
But this phone looks stylish and sturdy!
Sounds like a great phone! I have heard a lot about the galaxy’s and people who have them just love them!
Kiddo is going to be 10 tomorrow and I still can’t even think about her having a cell phone. Hubs and I have some old prepaids that are not smartphones we were thinking about reactivating and letting her use that. She would have to earn the minutes and it would be up to her to manage her minutes. Other than that, I don’t really think she needs her own smartphone.
I love that idea! (I don’t think my kiddo NEEDED a smartphone, but that’s what he got.)
With kids being so busy, I think any time you are not going to actively stay at a practice they should have one. I do not have the S5, I am an apple girl but my son has the S4 and really likes it.
My son has a phone now at 10. I resisted but he is going to middle school next year and I think a phone was necessary. I do monitor his use and he can’t take it to school. That is a nice phone!
We don’t have a house phone either, so I see why he would need one. I love that it’s water resistant!
I have heard great things about this phone, I will definitely take a look at it when my current contract expires.
I want an S5 badly! I have an S4 and it’s slowly taking a dump.
Gabe has a phone that he can use when he’s in places without us but he’s not allowed to touch it at any other time. He’s 9, almost 10.
I should have gone with the S5 … the S4 is giving me so much grief!