Kids setup picks. We did the shopping for you.

Two practical ways to get a child connected without automatically adding another oversized monthly phone bill.

See Starter Phone Setup See Watch First Option

Independent guideClear first year mathUse case first

Illustrated TCL smartphone and COSMO kids smartwatch

Front view of the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G in Space Blue

TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G 128GBFreedom to change plans without a long carrier device agreement.

Starter phone setup

A real first phone, one year of service, and no oversized monthly bill.

TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G 128GB + Infimobile 5GB annual plan

A strong fit for a child who is ready to manage a real smartphone for calls, texts, maps, school coordination, and everyday communication. The value works best when browsing, downloads, updates, gaming, and video happen mostly over WiFi.

Unlocked phone purchased separately from the service plan
One year of light cellular service paid upfront
More flexibility than a long carrier device agreement

Phone $179.98+ Annual plan $75= First year $254.98

About $21.25 per month equivalent. The phone and first year of service total $254.98. The $21.25 figure is the first year total divided across 12 months for comparison.

Plan includes 5GB, 2,500 minutes, and 2,500 texts each month. The $75 plan is paid upfront for 12 months.

See the TCL Phone See the 5GB Annual Plan

Watch instead of a phone

Contact without a full smartphone yet.

Current official option: COSMO JrTrack 5 kids smartwatch

Built for a younger child or a family that is intentionally delaying a full smartphone. Calling, messaging, location tools, and parent controls stay inside the COSMO device and service system.

Parent controlled contacts and communication
A simpler school day routine with fewer apps and distractions
A wearable may be less likely to disappear into a backpack

Watch $79.99+ Membership $155.88+ Activation $14.99 First year $250.86

About $20.91 per month equivalent. The membership is $12.99 per month equivalent but paid upfront for one year. Current watch price reflects the certified refurbished black option and may have limited stock.

See COSMO Watch Options Compare Phone vs. Watch

Black COSMO JrTrack 5 kids smartwatch showing an incoming call

A watch, not a smaller phone.A separate wearable, membership, phone number, and parent app.

How to choose

Pick the stage they are actually in.

A child who needs a smartphone and a child who only needs parent controlled contact are not the same shopping problem.

Choose the phone setup if…

The child is ready to manage a real smartphone
They need maps, school apps, normal texting, or broader communication
Most heavy usage can happen over WiFi
The family wants strong value from an unlocked first phone

Choose the watch option if…

The child is younger or not ready for a full phone
Parent controlled contact is the main goal
Fewer apps and fewer distractions matter
A wearable feels like the right first step

Buying both usually makes sense for two children at different stages. It usually does not make sense for one child to use both devices. Each provider still has its own checkout, account, pricing, and terms.

Protection should solve a painful risk, not become automatic bill clutter.

Start with a case and screen protector. Consider protection only when replacing the TCL would genuinely hurt. Compare the annual protection cost plus the deductible with the phone replacement cost. AKKO pricing and eligibility depend on the model, official deductible ranges currently run from $29 to $99, and final terms require a quote. This applies to the phone only and does not imply AKKO coverage for the COSMO watch.

Get an AKKO Quote Read the guide

Useful answers

Before you check out.

Is the monthly equivalent the actual monthly bill?

No. A monthly equivalent divides the first year total by 12 for comparison. The TCL phone and Infimobile plan are separate purchases, and the annual plan is paid upfront. COSMO also has separate device, membership, activation, and checkout terms.

Is 5GB enough for a child?

It can be enough for calls, texts, maps, school coordination, and light app use when most browsing, updates, downloads, gaming, and video happen over WiFi. It is not a strong fit for constant streaming, heavy hotspot use, or frequent large downloads over cellular.

Is the COSMO watch a normal phone plan?

No. JrTrack is a separate wearable with its own service. Each watch needs a COSMO Mobile membership and activation rather than being added as a normal bring your own device line on an existing carrier plan.

Should one child have both the phone and watch?

Usually not. Buying both makes the most sense for two children at different readiness stages. One child typically needs either a real smartphone or a parent controlled watch, not both.

Should I automatically add AKKO?

No. Start with a case and screen protector. Add protection only when the annual cost plus deductible makes sense compared with replacing the phone. Final price and eligibility require an AKKO quote.

Are these official ReadySet bundles?

No. ReadySet Mobile is an independent guide that combines separate recommendations for easier comparison. TCL, Infimobile, COSMO, and AKKO each have separate products, accounts, checkouts, pricing, and terms.

Pick the setup that fits the child, not the one that creates the biggest bill.

Start with readiness, then choose the smallest sensible setup.

Starter Phone Setup Watch First Option

Before purchasing, confirm current price, inventory, shipping, compatibility, coverage, taxes, fees, renewal, financing, activation, membership, eligibility, deductibles, returns, privacy settings, and product and service terms.