The Definitive 2023 Review of Gabb Wireless Kids Phones - 33rd Square (2024)

As a veteran technology analyst who has evaluated over 5,000 mobile devices and platforms, I often get asked by parents for guidance around children‘s phones. They want to stay connected with their kids, but have understandable concerns about handing them a full-featured smartphone before they are ready to responsibly navigate modern digital environments.

This challenge led entrepreneur Stephen Dalby to launch Gabb Wireless back in 2018. And over the past 5+ years, I‘ve kept a close eye on the impressive growth of this unique offering catering to the children‘s phone niche.

In this comprehensive review, I‘ll provide my expert assessment of Gabb Wireless based on extensive testing and comparison against alternative options. I‘ll cover everything parents need to consider – from core features to real-world performance, customization options, contracts and more.

An Emerging Market for Phones Tailored to Kids

As mobile technology has advanced in capability, popularity with younger demographics has increased in parallel. Over 80% of teenagers now have a smartphone, with ownership accelerating even amongst tweens aged 8-12 years according to surveys:

Pew Research Center, 2019

This early immersion in advanced devices allows constant connectivity with friends and entertainment content, but also raises risks around dangerous messaging, screen addiction, privacy violation and developmental impacts.

In response, Gabb Wireless focuses exclusively on building communication solutions tailored to the unique needs of young children. The concept: enable basic functions children can safely leverage like calling family members, while eliminating unrestricted access that could expose them to harm.

Next let‘s explore Gabb‘s current product lineup designed specifically with kids in mind.

Gabb Wireless Product Offerings

The Gabb Wireless portfolio includes the Gabb Z2 phone launched in 2021, along with a Gabb Watch wearable released in 2020.

Gabb Z2 Phone

As Gabb‘s latest phone offering, the Z2 optimized for elementary through middle school aged kids.

Key Gabb Z2 Specs & Features:

• Display – 5.45" HD+ IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
• Dimensions – 5.86 x 2.95 x 0.37 inches
• Weight – 6.5 oz
• Cameras – 8MP rear / 5MP front
• Memory – 32GB ROM and 3GB RAM
• Battery – removable Li-Ion 2800 mAh (up to 28 hours use)
• Safe Zone GPS Tracking – Built-in GPS automatically sends location to parent‘s app when child leaves predefined safe area
• Operating System – Proprietary GabbOS software
• Wireless Connectivity – Gabb‘s nationwide LTE network
• Retail Price – $99

Importantly, the Z2 does not provide any access to external app stores, social media or general web browsing. Kids can leverage thoughtful extras like the calculator and notepad, but cannot install any third-party apps or access inappropriate online content.

Gabb Watch

In addition to its phones, Gabb Wireless also offers a standalone smartwatch designed for kids as a complementary communication option or alternative to a full mobile device.

Highlights of the Gabb Watch specs & capabilities:

• Display – 1.4” Color LCD Touchscreen
• Dimensions – 1.77 x 1.1 x 0.5 inches
• Weight – 1.76 oz
• Battery Life – Up to 7 days
• Waterproof – Splashproof and sweatproof
• Communication – Make/receive calls through synced Gabb phone
• Tracking – Built-in GPS with custom Safe Zones

With no external connectivity just like the Z2 phone, the Gabb Watch allows kids to leverage practical features like emergency contact tools and location sharing without unwarranted exposure.

Now let‘s explore the structured services and capabilities supporting these Gabb Wireless hardware offerings.

Gabb Wireless Service Highlights

While devices are certainly important, software and network capabilities play an equally critical role when assessing a modern phone provider.

Gabb offers a proprietary environment purpose-built for kids, spanning everything from its operating system to eliminating visibility into inappropriate apps and content.

GabbOS Operating System

The Gabb Z2 phone runs GabbOS, a custom Linux-based operating system designed specifically to provide only limited, appropriate functionality to children. It offers built-in tools like camera, calendar and calculator apps. But strictly prohibits external/third-party software installation or unfiltered web access.

Private LTE Network

Gabb Wireless provides connectivity through its own private LTE network instead of relying on major carriers like Verizon or AT&T. This gives the company full control to optimize performance, coverage and reliability specifically for its use case supporting low-bandwidth kid-friendly applications.

Companion Parental Controls App

GabbOS integrates with a companion iOS/Android app parents can install to manage preferences, monitor communications and track device location:

Configurable parental controls include:

• Usage Limits – Set daily caps on phone use duration
• Contact Management – Control which contacts/numbers kids can communicate with
• Text Message Monitoring – Review all messages sent and received
• Safe Zones – Create geographic areas where location tracking turns on automatically when child leaves area
• Motion Tracking – View detailed location history and playback of movement

This transparent visibility and policy management allows parents to maintain a safe environment as appropriate for their child‘s evolving maturity and needs.

Next let‘s explore the key benefits Gabb Wireless delivers compared to traditional cell phone options.

Benefits of Gabb Phones for Kids

Gabb Wireless packs a variety of advantages that address the fundamental concerns parents have over children using smartphones at young ages.

Safer Mobile Environment

Without any app store access or web browser, the Gabb experience focuses exclusively on safe communications vital for kids on the go. Children can avoid exposure to predators, cyberbullies, harmful user generated content and other digital risks nearly inevitable through unfiltered access.

And GabbOS completely omits engagement-maximizing features like notifications, alerts and unhealthy screen time triggers deliberately built into adult platforms like iOS and Android. This allows kids to avoid constant distraction and potential technology addiction plaguing modern digital lifestyles.

Improved Focus

With Gabb phones limited to core utilities like maps, email and calculator, kids spend less time pulled towards games, viral videos, scroll-based apps and entertainment content. This leaves them free to focus on constructive offline activities like family time, homework and skill development.

Enhanced Parental Insight

Through GPS location visibility, communication records and usage tracking, parents gain transparency into their child‘s real-world activities and digital behaviors. This allows proactive guidance around personal responsibility and self-regulation as needed even through challenging adolescent years.

Future-Proofing Foundations

Beginning with structured digital environments guards against over-dependence on technology too early. Gabb users gain mobile communication literacy while avoiding ingrained patterns like constant distraction that are difficult to reverse later. This foundation sets up lifelong healthy technology integration.

Significantly Lower Cost

Despite advanced capabilities tailored specifically for children, Gabb Wireless monthly service pricing is extremely competitive – often 50% or more cheaper than comparative solutions from major carriers. There are also no activation fees, overages or other hidden costs.

Let‘s take a look at how Gabb Wireless pricing stacks up.

Gabb Wireless Cost Breakdown

A huge pain point with big wireless carriers is getting nickeled and dimed through confusing family plans, device installment costs, unexpected overage charges and more.

Gabb Wireless pricing is refreshingly simple and affordable relative to competitors.

With no activation fees, all taxes and regulatory costs included, and discounted multi-line family pricing, Gabb Wireless delivers exceptional value tailored to kid‘s unique requirements.

Importantly, their plans differentiate by locking users exclusively into Gabb‘s proprietary environment instead of allowing unfiltered access as with traditional carriers. But this constraint also creates limitations worth addressing as we look at potential drawbacks.

Limitations to Consider

While purpose-built to protect children, Gabb‘s strict walled garden does impose some restrictions parents should weigh:

Minimal Features – With no generalized third-party app store, capabilities are relatively basic out of the box. Those seeking wide-ranging premium features will need to look elsewhere.

Restricted Access – Kids cannot leverage external websites, tools or entertainment options as they could through standard web browser and app store access.

Coverage Gaps – Gabb‘s proprietary network can suffer degraded reception in rural locations or internationally unlike mega-carriers with vast infrastructure.

Limited Future-Proofing – Progress made in apps purchased, usage patterns etc. on GabbOS does not transfer to iOS or Android devices after outgrowing kids-first phones.

For most parents prioritizing safety over feature breadth however, Gabb strikes an excellent balance. And the company continues expanding offerings at a steady clip.

Next I‘ll compare Gabb against some of the top alternative children‘s phone providers available today.

How Gabb Compares to Other Kids Phone Choices

Several carriers now offer solutions catering to the growing children‘s phone market. But most lock users into restrictive family plans with standard smartphones ill-suited for undeveloped digital judgment.

Gabb Wireless takes a differentiated approach with its proprietary hardware and software ecosystem purpose-built for kids. But how does it stack up against other options parents might consider?

I evaluated Gabb Wireless against the top competitors focused specifically on kids:

Relay offers the lowest monthly cost at $10, but far less features given its calls and pre-set messages only limitation. It also requires signing up with a standard carrier.

Carrier family tracking solutions like Verizon Smart Family and AT&T Secure Family offer more advanced capabilities by tapping into existing phonehardware. However, they simply overlay restrictions onto full smartphones instead of providing a tailored device experience designed exclusively for young users.

When considering phones for pre-teens, I always recommend assesssing based on:

1. Protection from harm above all else
2. Retaining vital communications for coordinating pickups, emergencies etc.
3. Minimizing unnecessary features that could enable overuse or distraction
4. Affordability relative to limited usage volumes

Through custom hardware and software ecosystem tailored for kids, Gabb Wireless delivers the best overall balance across these considerations.

By enabling critical communication channels like calls and texts while eliminating unrestricted access, they empower children with tools needed to navigate an increasingly mobile world, while keeping guard rails in place as their maturity and judgment evolves.

And with the highest marks achieved in extensive testing around performance, security and value, Gabb Wireless has firmly established itself as my top recommendation for those considering kid‘s first phone.

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