Club Benefits
User-friendly, kid-centric smartwatches with parental controls and safety features are increasingly being seen by parents as the favored alternative to smartphones, particularly for pre-teens and younger.
While these devices still require a data plan — usually around $10 a month — they tend to offer better battery life than smartphones, in a lighter, always-with-you package. I just got my hands on the latest entry to the space, TCL’s Movietime MT48 smartwatch for kids, at MWC 2026, Europe’s largest tech show, and it checks all the right boxes, from build quality to battery life, smart features to tracking modes.
Here are the five biggest reasons parents should check out the TCL Movietime MT48 smartwatch for kids if they’re in the market for such a device.
1. Aggressively priced
While the MovieTime MT48 has yet to officially launch in the U.S., it can still be acquired via European markets. I’ve reached out to TCL to inquire about U.S. availability and will update this story when I know more.
The MT48 is on the affordable side, for a smartwatch, roughly $150 for the device itself + monthly data costs (check with your carrier; data plans tend to range from $5 to $15 per month). By comparison, the Fitbit ACE LTE, another popular kids’ smartwatch, starts at $179 (though it often goes on sale).
It’s also a little cheaper than the Pinwheel smartwatch ($159) and a lot more affordable than the Garmin Bounce 2, a $300 kid-friendly smartwatch.
2. Dual-band GPS with geofencing
Not all smartwatch GPS antennas are created equally; some offer better precision and reliability, particularly when the user is indoors. For peace of mind, the TCL Movietime MT48 sports a dual-band GPS antenna (more bands = better) with location data that refreshes every single second.
Like other popular kids’ smartwatches, parents can set up geofenced areas — like their child’s school or home — and receive notifications whenever they arrive at or depart from that location.
3. Ample parental controls
Parental controls go beyond geofencing alerts. Adults can also set whether or not the watch user has access to games, messages, and more. You can additionally monitor usage and even restrict access to certain features during specific time blocks, like the school day.
Parents additionally approve who can contact their child’s TCL Movietime MT48, ensuring no spammy/creepy calls or messages.
4. Dedicated SOS button
One safety feature you won’t necessarily find on other smartwatches for kids is the MT48’s dedicated emergency SOS button. When pressed, it instantly connects the users with their parents' or guardians' phones, while sharing their last logged GPS location.
5. Excellent battery life
The TCL Movietime MT48 smartwatch for kids is rated to last for roughly 2.5 days per charge. That’s better than even the latest Apple Watch Series 11 and a whole lot better than the Fibit Ace LTE, which is rated at just 16 hours per charge.
Meanwhile, in 'standby mode,' the MT48's battery life is good for up to seven days per charge.
6. Solid build quality
With a water resistance rating of two meters and an IP68 rating against dust and moisture, the TCL Movietime MT48 should stand up well to the rigors of everyday life. I wouldn’t wear it swimming, though, but for hand washing, etc., the watch should be good to go.
Despite an impressively lightweight case design, the MT48 definitely struck me as well constructed with responsive buttons and a decent-enough display.
The TCL Movietime MT48 smartwatch for kids is available now in most markets, outside the U.S., for around €130, depending on the retailer.
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