Best phones for back to school in 2025
These are the best HMD phones for back to school in 2025
It is back to school season and there’s a long list of items to buy so that your child is prepared for the year. Apart from the usual stationary and new set of school shoes, many parents might also be wondering “is this the best time to give my child a smartphone?” Whether you are looking at getting a phone for location safety, keeping in touch or just general peace of mind, the next challenge is choosing which phone is the best for your child.
From smartphones to feature phones and themed phones, the options can be overwhelming. We have created a list of our favorite phones for the back-to-school season and everything that you need to know about them.
Top choice all-rounder: HMD Fuse
The HMD Fuse is the latest smartphone announced by Human Mobile Devices. The HMD Fuse builds upon ideas from the Better Phone Project and conversations with real children and parents. We listened to experts and parents to bring a special feature to the HMD Fuse. The HMD Fuse comes with the added protection of Harmblock+, a powerhouse of protection, consisting of parental controls and HarmBlock AI, that is built directly into the operating system of the phone.
HarmBlock itself is an advanced AI which prevents naked imagery from being shown on the screen, captured by the camera, or stored on the HMD Fuse device. This combines with parental controls which have been revolutionized and are simple to use, putting decisions over app access, screen time and who can contact the phone in the hands of a guardian
Key features:
- Help stop explicit content with the addition of HarmBlock AI constantly scanning on-screen activity, ready to block out explicit images and videos from any app or website, even photos or videos sent to the phone. This also includes blocking the camera app from taking explicit imagery or videos
- As children grow, the guardrails (like screen time and safe contacts) can be lifted. The device grows with your child.
- A teen-friendly design with personalization options
- Real-time location tracking with the ability to set up safe zones and view past location history
- Easy-to-use app and screen time management from the parent’s phone
Our favorite feature: Our favorite feature of the HMD Fuse has to be the ability to grow with your child. The HMD Fuse’s parental controls are completely customizable and can become more relaxed as your child grows, and you are ready to give them more responsibility.
You can find out more about the HMD Fuse here: https://www.hmd.com/en_int/hmd-fuse
Top choice for teens: HMD Fusion X1
The HMD Fusion X1 is another great option as a first smartphone for teens. Like the HMD Fuse, it combines a sleek design that teens will love with built-in safety and parental controls. The HMD Fusion X1 was designed after several global studies, expert sessions and feedback from both teens and parents.
Key features:
- A teen-friendly design with personalization options
- Real-time location tracking with the ability to set up safe zones and view past location history
- Easy-to-use app and screen time management from the parent’s phone
- Safe contact whitelist so that your teens are only texting and calling contacts that are approved from the parent’s phone
- A high-quality back camera and fun camera features like slo-mo and selfie gestures
Our favorite feature: For the HMD Fusion X1, the standout feature is the parental controls available through the Xplora subscription. The parent can manage apps, screen time, location settings and more all from their own device. This gives parents a little more control over their teen’s smartphone experience without having to touch the teen’s device.
You can find out more about the HMD Fusion X1 here: https://www.hmd.com/en_int/hmd-fusion-x1
Top choice flip-phone: HMD 2660 Flip
If a smartphone doesn’t seem like the right choice or you aren’t ready to hand over a smartphone just yet, the HMD 2660 Flip is a great option. What’s best is that the 2660 flip model has been used in schools to keep students off smartphone, meaning it is tried and tested within schooling environments. The HMD 2660 Flip does everything a phone should do. No distractions, just simple calls and texts.
Key features:
- A classic flip phone design so parents can feel nostalgic.
- 4G connectivity for clear calls and texts
- Headphone jack and FM radio
- Built-in camera and torch
- Long-lasting battery life
- Classic snake for some friendly leaderboard competition
Our favorite feature: The HMD 2660 Flip is simple and that’s why we love it. The simplicity is its best feature…and snake of course!
You can find out more about the HMD 2660 Flip here: https://www.hmd.com/en_int/hmd-2660-flip?sku=1GF033CPF1C01
Top choice simple phone: HMD 105 4G
Even simpler than the HMD 2660 Flip, the HMD 105 is simply just a phone. Unlike the phones above, the HMD 105 4G has no access to internet browsers, making it the ideal first-phone or a way to delay the introduction of smartphones.
Key features:
- No internet or app access
- Basic calling and texting capabilities so that you can connected
- Compact and durable design
- Class keypad design, perfect for dialling a phone number or sending a simple text
- No camera, just a classic phone
Our favorite feature: The lack of internet and external distractions on the HMD 105 4G is great! We love being able to switch off and take time to ourselves while still being contactable. It is a great way to get screen time down, giving more time for learning and socializing.
You can find out more information about the HMD 105 4G here: https://www.hmd.com/en_int/hmd-105-4g?sku=1GF029BPH1S01&srsltid=AfmBOoqVje0iVLDdpFk7-ZRpCfz2htLnnEwZ1oZLLD1rSZE9FgsxxYNE
Top choice nostalgic phone: Nokia 3210
This classic phone has returned! The Nokia 3210 created by HMD has had a revamp from the original and is a great phone for the back-to-school season. Whether you are trying to encourage further focus on studies or just aren’t ready for the step to a smartphone, the Nokia 3210 helps limit distractions and keep you and your child in contact.
Key features:
- Nostalgic and simple design with a modern finish
- 4G connectivity for clear calls and fast text messages
- Long battery life so you can have peace of mind that your child is reachable
- USB-CTM charging to fit with your other device cables
- No social media!
Our favorite feature: The simplicity and nostalgia of the Nokia 3210 is the best part. Simple calls and texts and a fresh nostalgia hit every time you see it is all you need.
You can find out more information about the Nokia 3210 here: https://www.hmd.com/en_int/nokia-3210
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