When it comes to smartwatches for kids that allow calling and location tracking, two top options are the Gabb Watch and the SyncUP Watch. Both watches aim to give parents peace of mind while allowing kids greater independence, but they have some key differences.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Gabb Watch | SyncUP Watch |
| Calling | Yes – 3 preset contacts | Yes – any number in address book |
| GPS Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Fitness Tracking | No | Yes – steps and active minutes |
| Standalone | Yes – no smartphone required | No – requires syncing to parent’s smartphone app |
| Price | $199 plus $10/month | $149.99 plus $14.99/month |
| Age Range | 5-12 years | 4-11 years (or over 55 lbs) |
| Water Resistance Rating | IP68 – swimproof design | IP67 – water resistant, not fully swimproof |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 days | Up to 2 days |
An Overview of the Gabb Watch
The Gabb Watch was created by parents for parents with a focus on safety, simplicity, and building responsible independence in kids ages 5-12. It serves as a standalone smartwatch without the need to pair it to a parent’s smartphone.
Some standout features of the Gabb Watch include:
- Calling capabilities to connect directly with 3 pre-set contacts
- Built-in GPS/cellular connectivity for location tracking
- No wifi, cameras, social media, ads, or open internet
- Swimproof design with a secure snap band
- 5 day battery life on a single charge
The watch comes in fun color options that kids love. And it provides just the right amount of utility like alarms/timers, a calendar, and activity challenges without going overboard on “smart” features.
The service works on its own cellular data plan through Verizon starting at $10/month for basic service.
There are no contracts or commitments required.
Pros of the Gabb Watch
- Simplicity – Easy for kids to use while limiting distracting features
- Safety – Lack of internet access, wifi, social media reduces risks
- Standalone design – No need to sync or pair with parent’s smartphone
- Longer battery life – Up to 5 days between charges
- Swimproof and durable design for active kids
Cons
- Higher price point both upfront and monthly
- Calling limited to just 3 pre-set contacts
- No fitness/health tracking features
- Requires its own cellular plan adding recurring fees
What Is the SyncUP Watch?
The SyncUP Watch by T-Mobile is a comprehensive kid’s smartwatch enabling both communication and safety tracking features. It needs to be used in conjunction with an iOS/Android compatible smartphone and the SyncUP app.
Some key details about the SyncUP Watch:
- Make and receive calls from parent-approved contacts
- Built-in GPS, WiFi, and 4G LTE connectivity
- Location tracking with geofences and alerts
- Step counter and active minute tracking
- Two-way chat messaging with images and emojis
- IP67 water resistance rating
This full service smartwatch does require syncing with a parent’s smartphone plan rather than having its own standalone cellular service.
Pricing is $149.99 for the device plus $14.99 per month added to a postpaid cell plan.
Pros of the SyncUP Watch
- More affordable upfront cost
- Full calling capabilities to parent-approved contacts
- Fitness and wellness tracking with steps and active minutes
- Two-way messaging with chat, images, and emojis
- Geofencing location alerts if kids leave designated areas
Cons
- Shorter battery life at up to 2 days max
- Not fully swimproof with IP67 rating
- Requires pairing to parent’s smartphone and cellular plan
- Features like wifi and internet access may present risks
Standalone And Connected: Key Differences
The biggest difference when considering the Gabb Watch vs the SyncUP watch comes down to the standalone functionality of the Gabb Watch compared to the connected nature of the SyncUP model.
The Gabb Watch has its own cellular data plan through Verizon, so it does not require pairing or syncing to a parent’s smartphone. It also lacks wifi connectivity, access to social media, the internet, or cameras. This provides greater simplicity and safety.
On the flip side, the SyncUP Watch unlocks more robust features given its ability to leverage a parent’s smartphone plan and connectivity. Things like expanded calling capabilities, fitness tracking, geofencing alerts, and two-way messaging require this constant connectivity to deliver the full experience.
So in short:
- The Gabb Watchvalues simplicity and safety as a standalone device.
- The SyncUP Watch prioritizes more smart features needing smartphone connectivity.
Durability and Water Resistance
When shopping for the best kids smartwatch, being able to withstand daily activities is a must. Both the Gabb and SyncUP watches have solid durability, but they differ in their water resistance ratings.
The Gabb Watch is fully swimproof with an IP68 rating meaning it is waterproof at depths of 5 feet for 60 minutes. Parents can rest assured it can handle swimming, beach days, rainy play, and more without damaging the watch.
The SyncUP Watch has decent water protection at IP67, making it water resistant but not fully swimproof. It can handle splashes, brief submersions, and light rain but is not designed for swimming or shower use. For the beach or pool, the SyncUP would need to be taken off.
So for the utmost protection during active kid fun, the Gabb Watch edges out as the winner. But the SyncUP should still hold up fine to typical play as long as deep, prolonged water exposure is avoided.
Calling and Messaging Functions
One of the main selling points for any kid’s smartwatch is the ability to call and message right from their wrist. This allows kids to stay in touch while parents have peace of mind.
The Gabb Watch enables simplified calling to 3 pre-set parent-approved contacts.
The contacts cannot be changed by the child adding an extra layer of safety.
But communication is limited to just those individuals.
With the SyncUP Watch, parents can customize a full address book inside the app with approved friends and family members their child can connect with.
It also features two-way messaging allowing kids and parents to have conversations right on the watch via chat, emojis, images, and voice notes.
If streamlined contacts are enough, the Gabb Watch offers a simplified approach to calling. But for more customizable communications, the SyncUP unlocks more expansive messaging capabilities.
Battery Life and Charging
Kids are not known for being easy on their devices, so having long battery life is pivotal for their smartwatches. Frequent charging leads to frustration and potentially lost or damaged watches.
Here is how the watches compare:
- Gabb Watch – Up to 5 days of battery life per charge
- SyncUP Watch – Up to 2 days max per charge
The Gabb Watch is the clear leader when it comes to battery performance. Its ability to last up to 5 days allows kids to set it and forget it instead of needing to charge it almost daily.
While 2 days for the SyncUP Watch meets the minimum standard, it’s not ideal for forgetful kids. Extra charging discipline would be required which parents may need to enforce. For travel or camping trips without reliable power, the Gabb also has a leg up.
GPS Location Tracking and Safety Features
Modern parents love the peace of mind that comes with GPS tracking abilities on kid watches. Both the Gabb and SyncUP watches provide real-time location visibility via built-in GPS. Parents can see where their kids are or review location history through the watch apps.
The SyncUP Watch also incorporates wifi, 4G LTE, geofencing, and alerts when kids enter or leave specified areas. So it offers added safety measures that the Gabb lacks. However, these connectivity avenues could pose risks if the watch fell into the wrong hands.
At the end of the day, having GPS visibility plus geofences and alerts provides comprehensive monitoring to give kids more independence while preventing wanderers. But the Gabb still delivers reliable GPS tracking in a simplified, standalone package.
Price and Subscription Fees
When reviewing the costs of these kids smartwatches, both the upfront and ongoing monthly fees need to factor in.
Gabb Watch Pricing
- Device: $199
- Basic Service Plan: $10/month
- Premium Service Plan: $12.50/month
SyncUP Watch Pricing
- Device: $149.99
- Added to Postpaid Cell Plan: $14.99/month
The SyncUP Watch is more affordable upfront at nearly $50 less than the Gabb Watch device itself. However, the SyncUP adds an extra $14.99 monthly charge per active watch on a parent’s existing postpaid cell plan.
The Gabb Watch is pricier at the outset but starts at just $10/month for its standalone cellular service.
So while you pay more initially, the ongoing costs can be lower in the long run.
Both watches require an ongoing service plan subscription for cellular and GPS capabilities to function. So these added costs are unavoidable no matter which direction you go.
Also Read: Comparison of Gabb And Gizmo Watches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are answers to some common questions about the Gabb Watch and SyncUP Watch:
Both the Gabb and SyncUP watches allow kids to make calls to approved contacts. They also have built-in GPS tracking so parents can see a child’s location in real-time and enable location sharing with additional contacts.
The Gabb Watch is likely the safer choice when it comes to internet risks. It has no wifi connectivity, social media access, internet browsing capabilities, or cameras. The SyncUP Watch does have wifi and LTE data connectivity which could present risks if misused. However, parents can set restrictions through the app.
No, neither the Gabb nor SyncUP Watch enables emergency calling features. They both only allow calling and messaging approved parent contacts. For true emergency communications, a cell phone or another connected device would still be required.
The Gabb Watch runs on its own cellular plan through Verizon, so you would activate service directly with them. The SyncUP Watch gets added to a parent’s existing T-Mobile postpaid cell phone plan by sharing the same phone number and data limits.
With both the Gabb and SyncUP watches, kids remain aware when location tracking is active. Responsible monitoring with notifications is beneficial in building trust and giving kids more independence. Completely covert tracking could undermine those goals. However, parents can access location histories at any time.
Both watches can be remotely locked or wiped if misplaced or stolen to secure personal data and disable usability. This allows parents to protect their child’s information and privacy even in lost watch situations. Contact customer service right away if your child’s watch goes missing.
Also Read: Differences Between Gizmo And SyncUP Kid’s Smartwatches.
Closing Remarks
When comparing the Gabb Watch and the SyncUP Watch For Kids, I would likely recommend the Gabb Watch as the best option based on its more versatile compatibility and positive reputation.
Unlike the T-Mobile exclusive SyncUP, the Gabb Watch works seamlessly with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. This cross-carrier functionality makes it easy to use an existing plan or switch providers if needed. Gabb also edges out SyncUP for its longer 3-day battery life, swim-proof design, and interactive gaming app for kids.
For core features, both watches enable emergency calling, location tracking, and communication with approved contacts. But in testing, independent reviewers report faster, more accurate GPS tracking from Gabb. The companion parent app also receives higher marks for its intuitive layout and reliability.
Finally, Gabb Watch retails for a similar $199 price point as SyncUP’s $96-$144 range. Yet Gabb offers more well-rounded capabilities from swim-proofing to crisper call quality and better optimized software. While SyncUP provides the bare essentials, Gabb aims to perfect them while adding bonus perks.
If budget is your greatest concern, SyncUP remains reasonably affordable. But for the most flexible, full-featured kid’s smartwatch, Gabb Watch is worth the investment. From carrier flexibility to robust features and polish, Gabb outshines SyncUP for a stellar family-friendly device.
