This post is sponsored by ZTE
If 2018 might be the year you get your child a phone, it’s possible to get them a smartphone without breaking the bank. Look beyond their wish list of devices and ignore their pleas to keep up with their friends in favor of devices by manufacturers who offer phones with impressive specs at far more affordable prices. Once you make your way past the top two manufacturers (you know who I’m talking about!) a world of smartphone possibilities opens up and you’ll be amazed that you can get your kids a real smartphone for under $150.
One brand worth looking at is ZTE. ZTE arrived in the United States from China in 1998 and has become the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer in the US. The company is dedicated to making cost-efficient, quality communication technology accessible to all and their new comes packed with features in a pocket-sized Android smartphone they’ll want and won’t drain your bank account.
How to Get Your Kids a Real Smartphone for Under $150? Meet ZTE Blade X
Priced at $69.99 (with number transfer) or $119.99 for a new number, the from Cricket Wireless provides advanced features and tools that go beyond expectations. With a 5.5” HD display, quad-core processor, Android™ 7.1.1 (Nougat) OS, 3,000 mAh battery with power-saving mode, 4G LTE™ network, and impressive Dolby Audio™ surround sound, the ZTE Blade X is packed with impressive features that will allow your child to text, message, browse the web, play games, stream music and video, and yes, even talk when you decide you want to call them.
With a 13MP rear and 5MP front camera, full HD video and advanced camera settings, they’ll be able to Snap and Gram to their heart’s content or until their data runs out. If you’re concerned about keeping their devices secure in case it gets misplaced, the Blade X features a fingerprint reader for unlocking your device or launching a favorite app.
sounds almost too good to be true but it isn’t. Plans from Cricket Wireless help families stay within their budget with talk and text plans starting at $25/month and data plans beginning at $30/month for 2 GB of high speed data.
With the Blade X priced at $119.99 plus the first month plan (priced at $25 or $30/month), your child’s new phone comes to just under $150, not including tax!
The top two options are great for families with new cell phone users because they provide the convenience of a smartphone but with a limit on talking, texting, or data to help ensure you get your kids a real smartphone and they will act responsibly with their new device. It’s a good idea to limit texting and data to help kids understand how quickly group chats can eat up their allotted texts per month. They’ll also start to realize how quickly 2 GB of data evaporates when sending video messages through Snapchat or Instagram’s direct message features or watching YouTube videos on the school bus.
You can always upgrade your kids to a more expensive plan that features more, or unlimited data, but for a first smartphone user, the ZTE Blade X from Cricket Wireless is a pretty great choice that comes packed with features that will thrill your kid without breaking the bank.
Win Your Own ZTE Blade X
ZTE wants to help you start the year with a new smartphone for your family and is providing one reader with a . To enter, leave a comment sharing the age of your kids and whether or not they own smartphones. For additional entries, follow me on Instagram and like and comment on any of my photos between now and Friday, January 12 at 11:59 pm ET. I’ll choose a winner next Friday and you’ll have 24 hours to email me back with U.S. mailing address and cell phone number for shipping purposes. Good luck!
For more information about ZTE and Blade X, visit and Cricket Wireless. You can also follow ZTE on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and visit the ZTE YouTube channel.
This post was sponsored by ZTE but all opinions are my own.
My boys turn 10 and 13 this month. The oldest has a smart phone and the youngest has a non-smart phone. It may be time to upgrade him.
Thanks for entering and happy I could share the budget friendly feature packed Blade X as an option for when your 10 year old is ready for an upgrade.
Commented on your Snow day pancake breakfast Instagram post.
Forgot my Instagram name. @eswright18
My son is 7, so no cell phone yet. I actually have cricket wireless, and I love it!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Glad to know you love Cricket Wireless! I love how easy they make it to add phones to a plan in an affordable way so when your son is ready, it won’t break the bank!
I follow you on instagram @wildorchid985
No she has no phone yet we have been talking about it and not sure if she needs one!
How old is your daughter?
Follow and commented on https://www.instagram.com/p/BdknWXQBxLD/?taken-by=techsavvymama @gmom2paisley
My son is 12 and owns a smartphone and my daughter is 9 and does not own a smartphone….yet!
My kids are still young, so they’ve got my outdated smartphones to play games and take photos with, but I don’t pay for phone service gor them.
For years our kids used old iPhones connected to wifi to listen to music and playing games via apps so I think this is a great solution for families with younger kids who don’t need the expense of a newer device and monthly service plan.
My son is 14. He does not have a cell phone at this time. I bought him one for Christmas and it will not charge. Waiting on a refund before buying him another.
Oh no! What a disappointment! Good luck on getting your refund and hopefully it comes quickly!
insta follow @jenniferrote commented on beachy thought post.
My son is nine and does not but his friends all do and he keeps asking for one.
How old were his friends when they got phones? Good for you for not caving into wants. I think the decision to get a phone is different for each family and you’ll know when the time is right and get him one when he truly needs one!
Follow on instagram and liked a picture posted today as battybrit
My 17-year-old has a smartphone, but my 11 and 10 year olds do not. The 11 year old will be in middle school next year, and many of the middle school students hang out “uptown” in our university town after school. We’ve been thinking that it would be more convenient for her to have a way to get a hold of us after school and we’re looking at phone options. She’s so desperate she’s said she’d be satisfied with a flip phone like her older brother had in 7th grade years ago! 🙂
We got our kids phones when they started middle school because they were taking the bus for the first time. I do love knowing we can get in touch with them when needed and I also rely on the Life360 app as an unobtrusive way on keeping an eye on them, especially when I’m trying to figure out where the bus is! I know you’ll know when the time is right for your 11 year old to get a phone!
My sons are 8 and 12 and my daughter is 6. Only my oldest son has a cell phone right now.
My son is getting ready to turn 9 on April 9th. He really wants a smart phone but I haven’t decided whether or not if I should get him one. He’s a really good boy, makes good grades, and never gets into trouble. A phone would be a really nice gift I know he would love. I will definitely look into this.
My sons are 12 and 14 and both have their own smartphone.
follow on instagram @dean0234
My daughter is 17 and has a smartphone.
no kids here, but I don’t have a smartphone. Not sure if I’m able to enter? 🙂
Frankie is 14 and Tyler is 12. They both have a phone and have for a few years so they’d quit using
Ours. We have parental control and stay up to date with the lastest secret apps, but we are very lucky to have 2 kids that never take advantage their many privileges
My boys are 6 and 4, and I’m already starting to sense screen addiction.