Children can use the Gabb phone Z2 without the internet or any apps. Its simple layout aims to cut down on screen time and protect kids from dangers online.

However, the Gabb phone is deficient in a few areas, such as geofencing and contact monitoring, and there is no way to add parental control software to fill in the blanks.

To find all the things kids can do with the Gabb Z2 phone, we tested it and read through its manual. Keep reading

Pros And Cons

Pros

• No internet and no app store
• GPS tracking and geofencing
• Unlimited talk and text
• Good battery life
• MicroSD card compatible
• Great battery life
• Fingerprint reader
• 3.5mm headphone jack

Cons

• Incompatible with other parental controls
• Pricey service
• No screen time management
• No text monitoring
• The camera is hit-and-miss for good photos
• The screen doesn’t get bright enough
• No water resistance

Design Of Gabb Phone Z2

A restricted version of Android 10 powers the Z2, a basic smartphone. It has a 5.45-inch, 720p LCD on the front and measures 5.5 by 2.8 by 0.4 inches (HWD). Because of the plastic screen cover, which definitely dims the brightness a little, the display isn’t dazzlingly bright.

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There is a fingerprint scanner and an 8-megapixel camera on the back. Both the battery and the back panel are detachable. Although it is not waterproof, the phone is fairly durable when dropped because it is made entirely of plastic.

Music Player And Cameras

The Gabb Z2 probably sounds boring to your child given the lack of games and the internet. It helps to limit screen time, so that’s kind of the point.

However, the Z2 is not entirely sterile. It has a radio, a music player, a radio, front and back camera, a photo and video editor.

It is difficult for children to listen to any song on the planet because music files need to be transferred to the phone via a computer. They just need some unsupervised computer time, so it’s not impossible either. It makes sense to occasionally check their music collection.

The Z2 has a headphone jack but also supports Bluetooth headphones.

Limited Parental Controls

Due to the Gabb Z2’s lack of internet connectivity, you are unable to download a parental control app to track your child’s smartphone usage. You are unable to set limits on your child’s screen time, turn off their phone remotely, or manage who can contact them (and vice versa).

If you want these features with an internet-free device, consider a kids smartwatch like the Gabb Watch. Otherwise, you’ll need to pair a fully functional smartphone with a parental control app (we really like Bark).

GPS Tracking And Geofencing Of Gabb Phone Z2

Gabb Wireless’s decision to develop its own GPS tracking system in order to eliminate privacy concerns from third parties is impressive. To view the phone’s current location, parents can use the MyGabb app they created.

“You can ping the Gabb phone to get their current location, or you can schedule automatic location updates,” our tester said.

Yes, The Gabb Z2 Has Safe Zones

Regarding the geofencing capabilities of the Z2 phone, the Gabb Wireless website provides some conflicting information. Based on Gabb’s own comparison charts, we previously noted that you couldn’t set up Gabb phone “safe zones”

Although Suzi, one of our testers, was able to set up geofencing for the Gabb phone, she was unable to get the safe zone as small as she had hoped.

Gabb Phone Z2 Price And Availability

In August 2020, the Gabb Phone Z2 went on sale for $99 at the Gabb Wireless shop. Black is the only color available for the phone, but Gabb does offer four different case options on its website. The $12.99 cases are offered in the colors Rad Red, Poppin Purple, Galaxy Green, and Blast Black. On the Gabb Wireless website, you can purchase the Gabb Phone Z2 for $149.99 right now.

Gabb Z1 Vs. Z2

Upgrade to the Gabb Z2 if your child currently has the older Gabb Z1. Here are the major improvements released with the latest version of the Gabb phone:

• Fingerprint reader
• Bluetooth compatibility
• Radio
• Music player
• Two times as much storage (32 GB vs. 16 GB)
• longer battery life (2,650 mAh as opposed to 1,500 mAh). 2,200 mAh)
• Display that is marginally bigger and clearer (5.45 inches vs. 5 inches; 720p vs. 480p; 196 PPI vs. 295 PPI)
• different processor (2.00 GHz MediaTek Helio vs. 1.10 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon)

Gabb Phone Z2: Competition

Gabb isn’t your only choice for kid-friendly smartphones. Although you could simply buy any phone from a carrier and hand it to your child, that’s probably not the best or most economical way to handle it. If you do go that route, it is worth setting up an account for your child through Google’s Family Link.

Troomi and Pinwheel are two additional brands in the field of children’s smartphones that provide a compelling package. Both of these companies offer inexpensive phone options and offer a number of software features that help to make sure your child has a fun and secure experience. In the future, look for reviews of the products offered by each of these brands.

Smartwatches for children are a worthwhile alternative. There are options besides the Gabb Watch, just like with smartphones. For a child between too young for a smartphone and too old for a basic watch, the TickTalk 4 is a fantastic choice from a software and hardware standpoint.

With its cellular connection, the TickTalk 4 is a watch that can send text messages, voice messages, and voice and video calls. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, IP67 water resistance, and two cameras are all features of the watch. Even free music streaming from iHeart Radio Family is included. The companion app is full of parental controls like location tracking and contact management

Should You Buy It?

You should buy this if:

• You are getting your kid their first smartphone.
• You need a phone that won’t expose your kid to apps and social media distractions.
• You are in an area with good Verizon coverage.

You shouldn’t buy this if:

• A phone with numerous parental control options is what you need.
• Social media access is now appropriate for your child.
• It must be waterproof for the phone.

Because it is simple to use, the Gabb Phone Z2 is a good choice for a child’s first cell phone. There is no access to the internet or social media because the phone can only use the 14 basic apps that are already pre-installed. For a younger child, this is acceptable; however, a high school student would probably feel very constrained. There are parental controls, but they are very minimal. It’s nice that there is an add-on service called Gabb Guard, but you have to pay an extra $.99 for it if you want to keep spam off your phone.

Gabb Wireless isn’t going to be recognized by the average person, but it is one of the few small companies that is making an effort in the kids’ tech space. Both thrilling and terrifying, the thought of giving my 9-year-old a smartphone. The Gabb Phone Z2 is a fantastic way for me to introduce my son to mobile technology in a responsible manner.

Aside from the lack of water resistance and the dim display, the phone isn’t particularly remarkable but it is exactly what it should be for a young child. While still small enough for smaller hands to use, it is big enough to make touchpoints easy to use. The cameras work well and the battery lasts all day.

The software is good at limiting access to apps and other resources that worry parents. To give even greater peace of mind, it might benefit from a few additional features. Finally, if you’re looking for a child’s first smartphone, the Gabb Phone Z2 is a great option.

Final Words

The Gabb Z2 makes it largely there. Although GPS tracking is coming and there is no internet access, I would prefer to see more monitoring and controls for calls and texts.

It is not the same as being prepared for the internet to use a cell phone. The Gabb Z2 is a great stepping stone between a too-basic flip phone and a too-chaotic smartphone.

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