The best smartphone gift guide of 2024

You can run from it, you can try to hide, but it’s here regardless… holiday shopping season. Shopping for people you care about, especially those with unique interests, can be daunting, but there’s no need to fear. We at Mint Mobile have put together a handy gift guide that we think yule appreciate. This will help you pair each of your loved ones with the best smartphone for them, based on the features they care about most. So get cozy, pour yourself a glass of whatever you drink this time of year (we’re big nog-heads over here) and let’s sift through some smart gifts.

Phone gift ideas for those cool people in your life

Shopping for your coolest friends doesn’t need to be intimidating. Whether you’re shopping for your gamer friend who rarely leaves the house, or your amateur documentarian friend who constantly leaves the house—and records every moment—finding the right smartphone is easy, as long as you know your cool friends’ special interests & hobbies.

Gifts for tech-savvy people

That friend who always has a new wireless, voice-activated, 8K something or other to show you when you come to visit? It’s time you gave them the latest & greatest tech to show off to everyone else. We’re talking about iPhone 16. This new iPhone is powered by the A18 chip, making it the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. It’s built for Apple Intelligence, comes with Siri, and boasts a 48MP Fusion camera. Plus, it features a new, customizable “action button,” so users can have a shortcut to their favorite app or feature.

Gifts for photographers

For the photographer in your life, the Google Pixel 9 is one of the best smartphones to give this season. The Pixel 9 is fitted with an amazing triple rear camera and loaded with advanced editing software powered by Google AI, including “Add Me,” a new feature that lets you insert yourself into a photo you just took (perfect for the photogs who refuse to let a stranger snap their family photo). The impressive camera is capable of stunningly high res video even in low lighting and at a distance. Plus, it comes with Gemini, Google’s built-in AI assistant.

Gifts for content creators 

For the up-and-coming influencers, content creation is the name of the game, and these are some of the best smartphones to get them trending. The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is a great option for those looking to make their mark. It’s equipped with a versatile camera including an ultra wide lens, a macro lens and a quad camera setup that makes capturing quality content a breeze. 5G connectivity makes for faster downloads and allows for quick uploads on the go. Plus, the extended battery life is especially valuable for those filming in places where there aren’t always outlets available. Another Android option would be the Google Pixel 7 Pro, with its own amazing camera and user-friendly editing software like Cinematic Blur and Photo Unblur. Capable of up to 17 hours of video playback, it’s ideal for long editing sessions while crafting that master post. You can’t rush art.

Gift for gamers

The gamer in your life would certainly appreciate the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. This foldable phone features a much faster processor than many other smartphones, meaning lag won’t be an issue when taking on even the most complicated side missions. And yes, we said foldable, as it comes with a massive touchscreen to show off some truly impressive graphics, allowing for complete immersion into your favorite games. Plus, if the gamer you know tends to get a little angry when they lose, this phone is built tough with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and it’s IP48 water resistant. That ought to take their mobile gaming experience to…the next level (sorry, we had to).

Gifts for travelers 

Sometimes the best gift isn’t just used, but experienced. For the travel lovers in your life, the OnePlus Nord 30 5G is a great travel companion to bring along on extended trips. 5G ready with a 6.74 inch 120 Hz Super Fluid AMOLED display, this smartphone makes unwanted layovers bearable with high definition video streaming. With its large 5000mAh battery tucked inside, the jetsetters in your life will enjoy hours of continuous use while exploring new destinations. It’s a great gift idea for parents looking for an additional, easy-to-use device for their next getaway.

Phone gift ideas for family members

We’ve got your friends handled, now it’s time to shop for family. You might think your parents are only concerned with calling you in the middle of every meal, but they probably want their phones to do other cool stuff too. And the young ones, well…they’re less likely to immediately lose interest in a smartphone as opposed to most toys on the market nowadays. Let’s go over the best smartphones for your relatives. 

Gifts for parents

Papa’s got a brand new…smartphone? A great holiday gift for Mom or Dad, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold delivers everything and more, presented in a unique, fully foldable touchscreen. The massive display is handy for multitasking, while Google’s software will allow your parents to easily sync family calendars and manage schedules. And Gemini, Google’s built-in AI assistant, will always be there to help. Could they use a new wireless plan too? Learn more about phone plan options for your parents by visiting our Mint 55+ plan page.

Gifts for grandparents

Grandma, Nana, Meemaw, Gram Gram… whatever you call her, call her on iPhone SE next time. This durable iPhone features an impressive 12MP wide camera, a retina HD display and supports Dual SIM (in case your grandparents have a separate number just for you), all powered by a crazy fast A15 Bionic chip. Curious about other features to look for when shopping for cell phones for seniors? We got another blog for you. And if they need affordable service to go with it, take a look at Mint 55+, our wireless plan exclusively for customers 55 and up.   

Best smartphones for kids

When buying a kid’s first phone, there are many things to consider, and the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G ticks a lot of those boxes. This affordable smartphone comes packed with a variety of features any kid is sure to love and includes security controls their parents will appreciate too. This Samsung allows parents to filter out content, manage their kid’s app use, limit their screen time and more. Looking for more recommendations for a great first phone? Our “best phone for kids” blog has just what you need. Then check out our Mint Kids plan—because a kid’s first phone also needs a kid’s first phone plan. Mint Kids includes all the same great features of a regular Mint Mobile plan, while allowing parents to monitor & manage the account.

Best budget smartphones

Whether you’re shopping for someone’s first phone or just looking for the essentials, OnePlus Nord 200 5G or the Motorola G Play are both affordable smartphones that make ideal gifts for an uncle, a sibling or if you just want to be the White Elephant MVP. The OnePlus Nord 200 5G offers the essentials for day-to-day usage: 5G connectivity and a 60Hz display, ideal for browsing social media, streaming YouTube videos, talking, texting and getting directions. Alternatively, the Motorola G Play boasts a 6.5” HD 90Hz display and up to 3 days of battery life — perfect for that friend who’s always losing their charger (even if you’re that friend).

So what’s the best smartphone? 

Before you stuff your stockings, just remember to prioritize the features the smartphone offers over a brand name or a model number. There are highly capable, affordable smartphones out there that will check every box on their wishlist. Ultimately, the “best” smartphone is the one offering the features that matter most to the person you’re gifting it to. And you can find their best smartphone right here at Mint.

_{Originally published November 2022; updated November 2024}