If your looking to introduce your child to a smartwatch there are several brands you can consider that produce smartwatches like Imoo and Xplora.
In this review, we are covering the Xplora XGO3 GPS which is the upgrade on the previous model the XGO2 GPS. The Xplora XGO3 landed back in July last year and the key upgrades include:
- Improved camera
- Longer lasting battery
- Improved water resistance
First Impressions
The XPO3 is currently available for £139.99 via Amazon and is suitable for an age range from 5-12. The watch is currently available in 5 colours:
- Orange
- Green
- Pink
- Blue
- Black
The XPO3 just like the XPO2 still comes with features like text messages, voice messages, phone, GPS, Safety zone, SOS mode, School mode, Step counter, stopwatch, and camera. When you compare both models the key improvements are the camera now comes with a 2MP camera. The battery life has been increased with an 850mAh battery capacity and water resistance has been increased to IP68 meaning it can handle being caught in the rain or even a messy play session outdoors.
The phone is also compatible with Wi-Fi and comes with 2G to 4G connectivity to ensure you are always connected. The Xplora XGO3 also comes with a 4G sim card which is already installed in the watch and can be used from the off. Xplora also allows you to also purchase Xplora connect system for a monthly fee of £7.99 and provides you data all the time even when overseas.
Design
The overall design of the XGO3 compared to the previous model they are quite similar. The main differences are the screen is now larger with a thinner bezel for the face and the positioning of the camera is a little less obvious. The screen is also a touchscreen measuring 1.3 inches.
The colour of the watch is black around the body of the watch and is paired with that rubber strap. In our review, we have the all-black option but all the other options look great. It looks good that kids will want to wear it and also feels solid in terms of the build.
The XGO3 still has that rugged and sporty build just like the previous model. This will allow your child to wear it at all times of the day and will survive all the bumps and tumbles your child will have. The added IP68 will also prevent the watch in the shape of it being water resistant.
The XGO3 has also upgraded the camera it comes with a 2-megapixel camera compared to the 0.3-megapixel camera in the previous model. This will provide a better quality picture taken.
Features
The XGO3 continues to keep features such as the parental and security features seen in the previous model of this watch. This watch includes GPS tracking with SOS and also comes with location features such as safety zones.
To be able to use these features you need the 4G sim card which comes installed already. Now Xplora offers something called connect saver which provides the user unlimited calls and data for the upfront cost of £89.88 which is the equivalent of £7.49 per month.
When your child has GPS enabled on the watch you the parent can check the location of the watch in real-time via the Xplora app you will have uploaded on your phone. Parental control also allows the parent to have full control over the watch for example who your child could call and also specific settings for a location such as a school mode.
The watch also comes with an SOS button that if your child is in danger they can press the button which will send a message notifying their emergency contact of the watch’s location.
You will also be pleased that all communication on the watch between the cloud server and the parental app has secure encryption. Plus you have the fact this watch does not offer an internet connection meaning you can do your part to prevent the watch from being hacked or your child from being a victim of cyberbullying.
School Mode
To prevent your child from just playing with their watch while they should be learning Xplora has its school mode which you can set via the app on the parent’s phone and you can set the days and hours you want this feature live. When the watch is in school mode your child can simply view the time and access the SOS feature if required.
The Parents can view the location of the watch so you will know they are at school but you won’t be able to communicate unless the SOS feature is used.
Xpolora GoPlay Ecosystem
Moving to the more fun features XGO 3 comes with Xpolora’s GoPlay ecosystem. What this feature does is reward children for being active so the more active the more rewards they can earn to rise up the online leaderboard if they do really well they could win actual prizes.
How it works a child gets 1 Xplora coin for every 1000 steps they take. These coins are valid in the Goplay platform allowing your child to claim fun games and enter exciting campaigns from the likes of Warner Bros, Universal Pictures and Netflix to name a few. This should get your child out of their rooms and excited to get active.
Performance
We have been testing this watch with my young nephew for a few weeks now and we found giving him a way to contact family if needed. Plus with the rugged design, you do not need to be concerned about the watch getting a bash if he fell off his bike due to its rugged build.
Set up of the watch is very simple however you might struggle a little with the installation of the app. However, you will be requested to update the software once complete you will be able to use the watch without any issues. You will, however, have to activate the sim card that comes already installed but this is easy to do. Simply scan the included QR code and pick your contact plan and then your child will be able to make and receive calls. Once set up the watch is very easy to use and we did not find any problems with this watch during the testing period.
Verdict
The Xplora XGO3 is a fantastic upgrade on what was a great option for a child’s first smartwatch in the shape of the XGO2 which is still available to buy if you wish. However, The XGO3 provides you with a larger screen, and a better camera now offering 2MP and even the battery life has been improved which should give the user about 2 days of use. They have also reduced the overall size and even made the watch lighter and included IP68 waterproofing making this watch perfect for a young user.
When you consider the cost of £139 for the watch plus the subscription cost it might put some users off as having to pay an extra cost in a time that all your bills are going to you really want to add another. If that extra cost is not a problem and you want to introduce your child to technology this is an excellent option before they move onto a smartphone or tablet you can not go wrong with the XGO3.
I also felt the GoPlay feature is the star of the show as this feature will get the interest of your child and reward them for being active. So if your looking for your child’s first smartwatch this watch with its features and design has to be something to really consider.
Product Rating:
Design: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Features: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Performance: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Value for Money: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Overall ranking: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars – 4.7 Stars
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