The Fitbit Ace LTE is a great smartwatch for kids who aren't quite ready for their first smartphone. It has cute games, a fun little activity tracker, location tracking, and allows kids to call or text pre-selected contacts. There is no app store, no internet access, no smartphone connection and no way to receive spam calls or text messages. During the current random shopping event, the price has dropped from $229.99 on Amazon to $170.95 in both sharp (green and gray, with a purple and green band) and mild (gray, with a gray) colors and black ribbon). My daughter has been using it since this summer and we both recommend it.
The Ace LTE is a cross-platform standalone watch; Parents or guardians set it up using the Fitbit Ace app on Android or iOS. In this app you can also choose who your child can call or text (these people also need the Ace app), set school hours (no games or incoming calls), and check location (although location sharing is also available in Google is displayed). Maps app, which is nice). Calls, text messages, and location sharing require Ace Pass, which costs $9.99 per month and allows LTE access. No carrier integration is required.
The watch also features interchangeable straps for $40 each that unlock new games and activities when connected. It's a shameless attempt to engage “gotta-catch-them-all” mode – or at least encourage changing wristbands on break – and it will probably work.
The edge's Vee Song tried the Ace LTE earlier this year, and my family has been testing it since June. What I like best about it is that it allows my nine year old to text me, which I really appreciated over the summer when she was at day camp. For example, she could tell me that her brother needed dry shoes or that the toys at the toy museum they visited looked scary and smelled funny. Compared to the preset text responses and 20-second audio clips she had to work with on the Garmin Bounce, it opened up a whole new way of communicating.
The Ace LTE is best suited for children between the ages of 7 and 11. At this age, they'll probably start to resent the limitations compared to an Apple Watch or a real phone. But for now, I appreciate these limitations. Check out my full review soon.