What you need to know
- AT&T announces the launch of its amiGO Jr. Phone, the company's first kid-focused smartphone based on Samsung's Galaxy A16 with a 6.7-inch display.
- The amiGO Jr. Phone arrives alongside the amiGO Jr. Watch 2, the brand's 2nd-gen watch with even more features and upgrades over the first.
- AT&T also tapped Samsung years ago for the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite Kids Edition.
AT&T is closing the week by announcing the launch of its first kids' phone, aimed at children 12 years and younger.
AT&T kicks off the announcement by highlighting that "60%" of parents with children up to the age of 12 view phones as a key device for safety reasons. On the back of that research comes AT&T's first kids' phone: the amiGO Jr. According to its press release, this device is a "simple and safe smartphone designed to keep parents connected and kids protected."
If the phone looks familiar, it's because AT&T tapped Samsung for the hardware aspect of the device. The company is using a Galaxy A16 5G model, which sports a 6.7-inch display and a triple camera array, consisting of a 50MP lens, a 5MP ultra-wide, and a 2MP macro camera. It also sports a decent 5,000mAh battery, so your child's not always reaching for their charger.
AT&T dips back into its data, which shows that 40% of its customers are parents. The amiGO Jr. Phone is designed to help parents "navigate a complex digital world" with their kids. The amiGO Jr. Phone is said to have Live Location monitoring, Safe Zone alerts, and Schedules, so parents can limit their child's device time, especially during school. More than that, parents have access to a collection of parental controls, limiting website access, apps, and more.
Hey, there's a watch, too
On the other hand, AT&T announced a new smartwatch that parents can get for their kids, too. The device, known as the amiGO Jr. Watch 2, takes what it started with the original up a notch with increased durability, native messaging, games, and much more.
AT&T informs that new and existing customers can purchase the amiGO Jr. Phone and amiGO Jr. Watch 2 for $2.99 per month, no trade-in required. Parents can also check out the entire amiGO family.
AT&T and Samsung have a long-standing history with one another in crafting devices for younger audiences. While we have the service provider's first kids' phone and its 2nd Gen smartwatch, there was a tablet a few years ago, too. The two companies collaborated on a tablet known as the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite Kids Edition with an 8.7-inch display, a rugged case, and a collection of parental controls.
Android Central's Take
A major takeaway here for this AT&T announcement is the existence of choice. Parents don't have to opt for this style of device, but for those who want that peace of mind, who want that knowledge of where their child is in an easier package, it's a good choice. Another aspect of this that I can appreciate is that AT&T is offering this through their own services, meaning parents can quickly grab this and pop it into their plan without much effort.
