If you’re reading this article, you probably haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet (totally normal – neither have I).
The sticking point may be a lack of ideas. What should you get for young people? Trust me, a phone or phone accessory is a safe bet. They’ll certainly use their phone a lot, even if you might think that two hours a day on TikTok isn’t exactly ideal.
As a member of Gen Z, my childhood coincided with the boom in mobile technology. We’ve grown up with phones. When I was at school, the first smartphones were only just beginning to emerge. Now, most of us couldn’t handle life without them.
As Tech Advisor’s Mobile Editor and a member of Gen Z, I know what your younger relatives will value. In this in-depth guide, I’ll run through the top phones and accessories that I’d recommend to my friends.
Each product is available via a trusted retailer in the UK as well as the US (with one exception), and I’ve tried to cater to a range of budgets.
The phone they’ll want: Apple iPhone 17
Let’s face it: if you’re a Gen Z resident of the UK or US, chances are you’ll want an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy handset.
While Samsung is the king of affordable handsets, the iPhone 17 is the obvious choice if you’re willing to spend a little more. However, make sure that they wouldn’t prefer an Android before you go down this route!
Emma Rowley / Foundry
This regular model is the pick of Apple’s 2025 phones, combining premium features with a competitive £799/$799 price tag. Its display is just as good as the Pro models now, while the compact design, top-class performance and all-day battery life are other key highlights.
Cameras are solid in the areas that matter most to Gen Z – the main camera, portraits and the selfie lens. With unmatched video capabilities, the iPhone 17 is perfect for the budding (or even established) content creator in your life.
I’m Android through and through, but even I’d be tempted by the iPhone 17.
The best alternatives
A budget-friendly phone alternative: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
If you’d rather not go down the contract route with an expensive phone, you’ll need one that you can buy outright.
Budget phones are now better than ever, but there’s still a greater chance of buying a dud than a genuinely good one. At £199/$213 at the time of writing, the Galaxy A17 5G is one of the cheaper options around, but it handles all the basics with flying colours.
Chris Martin / Foundry
I think my phone usage is relatively typical of Gen Z. I rely on it for web browsing, watching YouTube and other social media, keeping in touch with friends and family and taking decent photos. The Galaxy A17 5G can handle it all, not to mention its long software support.
And if you’re worried about damage, the phone is impressively durable and well-protected against water and dust, though I’d still highly recommend a case (more on that later).
Other solid options
The most useful (and cheap) phone accessory: Anker 45W fast charger
Currently, no iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel device can charge faster than 45W. That’s much slower than many Chinese brands, and you won’t even get those speeds out of the box.
With no charger included, you’ll have to use whatever you have lying around at home…or buy a proper 45W charger. I’d highly recommend the latter, which is a cheap and easy way to dramatically upgrade anyone’s phone experience.
But how do you decide which one to buy? Pretty much every phone maker sells their own version, but I’d recommend a third-party option that’s compatible with every phone from the top firms.
However, you’ll need to be aware of no-name brands without a trusted reputation, especially if you’re shopping on Amazon. I’d highly recommend Anker – we’ve reviewed dozens of its chargers over the years and are yet to encounter a single issue.
Anker
The Anker Nano is a superb choice. It offers those 45W speeds within a compact yet premium design, while the included 6ft cable means they don’t have to sit right next to the power outlet.
At just £21.99/$25.99 ($34.99 without Amazon Prime), it’s cheap enough to make a great stocking filler.
Other chargers to consider
- Apple 40W charger – perfectly complements the iPhone for £39/$39
- Samsung 45W charger – simple, classic design for £30.80/$34.99
- Google 45W charger – specifically designed for Pixel phones for £29.99/$29.99
The case you should buy: Mous Limitless
A case serves the same purpose regardless of who you are: it protects your phone.
However, if you’re Gen Z, it’s also a great opportunity to show your personality. And when it comes to unique designs, Mous is a great choice.
Its renowned ‘Limitless’ cases are available in dozens of cool patterns and designs – there really is something here to suit everyone. Even as someone who usually goes for a basic black case, the ‘Silver Pearl’, ‘Aramid Fibre’ and ‘Walnut’ (see all three below) have caught my eye.
Mous
Crucially, this isn’t a case that compromises on protection. It offers what Mous calls ‘Extreme AiroShock’ protection, which is designed to protect against major impacts, reducing the chances of significant damage. Subtle raised edges ensure that the screen and cameras stay safe, too.
Another big plus is that it has full compatibility with Apple’s MagSafe and Pixelsnap, the Google Pixel 10 equivalent.
We’ve personally tried Mous Limitless cases in the past and have been impressed with their design and build quality. With prices at around £69.99/$74.99, these cases don’t come cheap, but this one-off purchase will be worth it to keep their phone safe.
Or check out these
- Spigen Tough Armor – more rugged protection and a built-in kickstand from £20.99/$19.99
- Burga Tough – lots of cool designs and strong protection from £45.95/$54.95
The wildcard gift: Rotolight RL48 Ring Light Kit
So, nothing else on this list fits the bill, but you still really want to get something phone-related? A ring light is definitely worth considering.
There are two main situations in which it’s particularly useful for members of Gen Z like me. The first is for content creation, where your face often needs to be brightly illuminated to look good on camera. The second is for video calls, especially in a work context, with natural light gone by mid-afternoon at this time of the year.
Ring lights can be expensive, but this Rotolight model is a great cheap option that still ticks all the boxes.
Rotolight
It offers a flexible yet compact design that can go anywhere with you, including a dedicated mount that fits pretty much any phone and allows you to use its superior rear cameras.
Weighing just 700g, it’s also a great handheld option for vlogging (video blogging) on the likes of TikTok and YouTube. It runs on AA batteries, with each set likely to last around four hours.
And at just £15.48 at the time of writing, it’s the cheapest option in this guide, though there doesn’t appear to be US availability.
Great alternatives
- Razer Kiyo – Ring light and webcam in one for £36.99/$38.88 (refurbished)
- Logitech Litra Glow – Customisable light that directly connects to a phone for £37.99/$49.99
