ConsFirst / Kids' smartwatches / Compare
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) vs TickTalk 5
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on location accuracy, calls & messages, parental controls. TickTalk 5 wins on battery.
The biggest complaint about the Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) is battery may not last the day; for the TickTalk 5 it's battery drains fast with use. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) | TickTalk 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in kids' smartwatches | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Parent-managed smartwatch | Cellular kids watch |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | — | — |
| Overall score | 3.7 | 3.4 |
| Location accuracy | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Calls & messages | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Parental controls | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Battery | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Plan cost | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $120 · $$ $120–250 · $$$ over $250 (watch only, before the plan). Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular)
- Battery may not last the day
Apple rates it at up to 18 hours. Tom's Guide says it often doesn't last the full 18 hours, and Wirecutter says it can run out before the day ends if a child messages friends and uses apps a lot. Parents' tester got a full day with average use.
- More distraction than kid-only watches
Wirecutter says kids can use Siri to find apps and games, join group chats and view photos and videos. You can block downloads and Siri, but kids can exit Schooltime with the crown, group chats can't be turned off, and per-app time limits aren't available.
- Pricey to break, confusing to set up
Wirecutter's tester's then-10-year-old scratched the screen within two weeks. Wirecutter also found parental controls more confusing to set up, since they're split between Screen Time and the Watch app. Tom's Guide notes most health features are switched off when the watch is assigned to a child.
TickTalk 5
- Battery drains fast with use
Parents lists limited battery life as its con, saying it can drain very quickly depending on use. Wirecutter notes the radio can drain the battery, which is why you can limit it with parental controls.
- App setup and live location are clunky
Wirecutter says the TickTalk app can be a pain to set up, is more basic than Gizmo's, and doesn't let you refresh and see the child's live location quickly. Parents' tester, by contrast, set it up in under 10 minutes.
- Glitchy touchscreen
Wirecutter found the touchscreen sometimes too sensitive and other times not responsive at all.
Who should pick which
Pick the Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) if
Older kids and teens in iPhone families
Normal texting and family group chats
A watch that doesn't look 'babyish'
Skip it if: You use an Android phone; Your child is rough on gear or likely to lose it; You want a watch with few distractions
Pick the TickTalk 5 if
Kids who will make lots of voice and video calls
Kids who want music (iHeartRadio Family included)
Parents who want long location history
Skip it if: You need all-day battery with heavy use; You want to check live location instantly; You'd rather have the newer TickTalk 6
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