Here at EFTM the most read articles of the year are always smartphones you might not have considered for yourself, let alone your kids. Sure everyone talks about Samsung and Apple flagship phones, but the other players in the market are offering outstanding quality, design and features at far better prices.
We know there are some great phones under $500, but for our pick of best First Smartphone we’re going to go mid-range, to the Oppo Reno 10 5G. This phone at $749 (or find it cheaper on sale) offers literally everything you could need.
A great camera, outstanding battery life, super fast charging, even an IR Blaster.

It’s a really nice design, and I’d like to think if your child’s first phone is an Oppo, then they’ll realise quickly there’s no disadvantage to having an “alternative” brand in your pocket.
Honestly, it’s a tight race between everything on the market under $800, but we’ll give the 2023 EFTM BEST Award for BEST FIRST SMARTPHONE to the Oppo Reno 10 5G.
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair.
Father of three, he is often found down in his Man Cave.