Samsung Galaxy A17 5G with Family Link review

The Galaxy A17 5G is the lowest-cost route to a full smartphone with free parental controls. Samsung sells it from $249.99 in the US, with a 5000 mAh battery, 4 GB of RAM and, per Samsung, 6 years of security and software updates for A Series devices. Samsung also markets A Series parental controls and durability for kids and teens. In practice, most families will manage it with Google Family Link, which adds daily limits, downtime and school time, per-app limits, Google Play approvals, Chrome site restrictions and location alerts at no cost and on any carrier. It is the same phone Troomi uses for its kids' service, so the hardware is proven for this age group. What you give up against Troomi, Bark or Pinwheel is the locked-down setup and any monitoring of texts, so it fits parents who are comfortable configuring controls and checking them now and then.

Who it is for

Parents who want an inexpensive unlocked Android phone and are willing to set up Family Link themselves.

Price

From $249.99 before trade-in at Samsung's US store when checked; Family Link is free.

From $249.99 before eligible trade in
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Google Family Link screen time limits, school time and app limits
• App approvals in Google Play and website restrictions in Chrome
• 5000 mAh battery
• 6 years of security and software updates for A Series, per Samsung
• Location sharing with arrive and leave alerts through Family Link

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Cheapest full smartphone on this list at $249.99
• Strength: No monthly fee for controls, any carrier
• Strength: Same Galaxy A17 5G hardware Troomi sells as its kids' phone
• Weakness: 4 GB of RAM is modest
• Weakness: No built-in content alerts on texts
• Weakness: Parents must set up and maintain Family Link

Key facts

• Price: From $249.99 when checked
• Battery: 5000 mAh
• RAM: 4 GB
• Updates: 6 years for A Series, per Samsung
• Controls: Google Family Link, free

Where it ranks

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G with Family Link is No. 7 in our Best Phones for Kids verdict.