My First Fone R2 Review- An upgrade to the Smartwatch for kids

My First Fone has an upgrade!

Time flies. It has been close to 2 years since we last reviewed My First Fone R1. That was a smartphone that is perfect for parents with young kids. Not only does it function as a watch, but it also comes with a host of features such as a phone, a camera, a music player, and my favourite function, a GPS tracker. The last was especially important to me as I had experienced 'losing a child' momentarily while on a holiday.

2 years had passed, and My First Fone has an upgrade!

My First Fone R2 had thrown in the kitchen sink for this upgrade, with claims that this is the ultimate all-in-one wearable smartwatch aimed at kids 5 to 12. Combining the functionalists of a watch, a phone, a GPS tracker, a music player, a camera and a fitness tracker into a single device,  this is not a smartwatch you get to play games with. Rather, it is a  smartwatch that would provide the best functionality for the child. 

First impression

The unit we received has a pinkish-grey watch face with a purple strap. Build-wise, it is more plastic than metallic. Since this is targeted at younger kids 5-12, the build reflects that. 

There are also two side buttons to control most functions. There is also a bigger SOS button on the side and a magic button on top for customised functions.

The charger has not changed and is still using an in-house charging wire. We hope the next version will adopt a more universal option like USBC charging.

Setting up

Setting up with the quick start guide was as easy as one, two, or three. However, the quick start guide comes with picture illustrations without any word explanation. It took a while to figure out what was needed, but it was easy to proceed once that was done.

First we must download the available app in Android and Apple Store. Once the app is installed, you must register for a new account.  Once done, you can pair the watch with the phone by scanning a QR code.

The watch can be used without pairing, but pairing will unlock all the features of the watch.

Features

With a new model, there are bound to be improvements; here's what we think are the highlights for My First Fone R2.

AMOLED Display with intelligent Brightness

A step up from the previous model will be the AMOLED Display. You get a brilliant 1.3-inch AMOLED screen with an enhanced resolution of 360 x 360. This means you will get a sharper and brighter image than your predecessors. 

Whether indoors or outdoors, you will get a vivid display. With the auto ambient light sensor, the display can auto-adjust the brightness rounding to surrounding conditions to save battery.

Music Player

My First Fone comes with a music player that you can play without needing any headphones. The sound from the phone is surprisingly clear and decent.

Lighter, Smaller

My First Fone R2 has lost some bulk compared to the predecessor,  slimming from a 16.5mm profile to 13.6mm and now light by 7 grams compared to the previous R1. It feels like a watch now, though the big screen may still be a tad big for smaller kids. 

Updated Technology - use of eSIM connection

No more fiddling with physical SIM. My First Fone R2 comes with eSIM. This is a subscription-based plan with no cancellation fee.

Water Resistance and Water Lock Mode

The Water resistance is enhanced to protect up to 3 meters for 5 minutes.

Magic Button

There is a Magic Button on top that lets you access custom functions. This is a shortcut to your most used or important functions. For example, a long press can open a camera, a triple click to play music and more.

Better Camera 

The camera has been upgraded from 2 MP to 5 MP with an 82-degree wide-angle lens. Operating is easy; you can create a shortcut using the Magic Button. 

Fitness Tracking with a comprehensive heart rate tracker

Like a smartwatch, you can monitor heart rate and fitness stats such as the number of steps taken, calories burned, and distance covered. Should the heart rate levels rise above your reset threshold, the watch will notify the wearer to take it easy.

Innovative Clock Faces

Need to change the face of the phone?

We know children have a short attention span, and with the range of analogue and digital clock faces available, you can change your clock face to suit your child's mood.

More colour options

Credit:  My First Fone R2

The My First Fone R2 we reviewed is in the signature cotton candy mix. You can also opt for other variations to suit your child with more colours to choose from.

Extra Fun through the App

Using the My first Circle App, you can use Momoji for more interactive fun with added Giphy Stickers. There is also a 'knock knock' feature to discover what others are up to, as users who receive a 'knock knock can respond with a camera snapshot from their watch or phone, sharing the current moment. Lastly, Smart location enhances tracking precision without draining battery life by using advanced sensors and WiFi signals.

Final Thoughts

Are these features worth an upgrade? Like any technology, upgrading might be a worthy consideration if the need calls for it. This would be the best time to consider getting one for those who have yet to get one. As a functional smartphone, My First Fone R2 will be a good introduction to the world of Smartwatches. Given how technology is evolving, it would not be surprising to see a smartwatch on every other wrist in a decade.

You can order your My First Fone R2 here