Top Cell Phones for Tweens

Technology today is constantly increasing, and the pressure to keep up with the latest trends is felt by many consumers. Cell phones are a great example of a product that is constantly updated to keep up with demands and trends; in fact, the desire to have a fashionable phone can be noted in many age groups. One group that particularly clamors for a hot phone is tweens, who range in age from 11 to 13. Although some parents may be hesitant to purchase a phone for teens, the fact remains that cell phones are convenient for arranging schedules and necessary in an emergency. Here are five top picks for phones that will leave teens excited and parents sighing with relief.

1. T-Mobile Sidekick, offered exclusively through T-Mobile. The Sidekick is a trendy phone than many tweens might be drawn to, though the price tag may seem a bit hefty for parents. Current promotions list Sidekicks ranging from $149.99 to $299.99 for a special edition Tony Hawk phone. The Sidekick has a flip screen and a full Qwerty keyboard. However, the real kicker (no pun intended) is that this phone caters to tweens and their desire to be connected to friends at all times. It's easy to IM, text message, picture message, and take pictures. The Sidekick can also be customized by purchasing different cases to change the color and the look. For parents who don't want to get hit with a massive phone bill due to all the chatting, T-Mobile now offers a prepaid Sidekick plan, which averages out to about $1 per day. The Sidekick is fun and stylish, though it may seem a bit bulky to some.

2. Rumor by LG, from Sprint. With a two-year contract, the Rumor will only run $49.99, which is a steal. The Rumor has a neat sliding screen and a Qwerty keyboard, making texting easy. The phone would fit easily in a pocket or in a book bag due to its small size and features a camera, Internet capabilities, Bluetooth, and a GPS system. Parents may want to consider the Talk/Message plan, which is $49.99 a month for 450 minutes and unlimited messaging (text, video, or picture).

3. Pantech Duo, AT&T. This phone is revolutionary because it can slide open vertically or horizontally, depending on the function the caller wants to accomplish. The Pantech Duo retails for $449.99, but with a 2-year contract and additional savings, it only costs $99.99. A standard Qwerty keyboard and messaging features are also here, but what really stands out is the ability to access Microsoft Office Mobile, which students can use for schoolwork. Parents may want to check out a Family Plan, which offers 550 minutes shared between two lines for $59.99 a month. This gives parents a good excuse to pick up a new phone as well.

4. LG UX260, sold through US Cellular. This phone offers functionality with a reasonable price tag; it runs $89.95 after a two-year contract is signed. The Qwerty keyboard is a great feature of this phone, along with a 1.3 megapixel camera and an MP3 player. The LG UX260 may not be s fancy as other phones out there, but it has features that will be attractive to both parents and teens. The most reasonable plan is $49.99 a month for 450 minutes; unlimited text messaging can be added for $14.95 per month.

5. LG Chocolate, sold by Verizon Wireless. For a teen who loves music, the Chocolate is the ultimate portable MP3 player. At the moment, Verizon is offering a deal that makes this phone free with a 2-year contract. One standout feature is the ability to add music from a computer onto the phone. Other features include text/video/picture messaging, along with Instant Messaging. Verizon offers a truly unique service called Chaperone, in which parents designate a specific zone that a tween can go. If the tween leaves this zone, a parent will be alerted. For an additional $9.95 a month, this additional feature seems well worth it so that parents don't have to worry. A family plan will run $69.99 a month for two shared lines.

The above represent my picks for the best tween phones; each offers features that both parents and teens will enjoy. Of course, as soon as this article comes out, there will most likely be an abundance of new phones to sort through! However, these phones represent the best of both worlds - a bit of freedom and communication for teens, and safety and reliability for parents.