Fitbit has updated a kid-friendly smartwatch version of its Ace tracker, including movement motivation, safe calls and device location services. Here’s everything you need to know about the Fibit Ace LTE.
The Fitbit Ace LTE, aimed at kids aged 7 and above, will be available at the Google Store and Amazon starting June 5, initially in the U.S. only.
Fitbit has been selling a dedicated fitness tracker aimed at children since 2018 (read our Fitbit Ace 3 review), but the new Fitbit Ace LTE is a smartwatch rather than a simple tracker, and most notably it brings calls and messages into play—much like the other Fitbit watches: read our Fitbit Versa 4 review, Fitbit Sense 2 review and Google Pixel Watch 2.
Like those Fitbit smartwatches, the new Ace LTE features a range of sophisticated sensors, including an optical heart rate sensor.
Fitbit
Fitbit
Fitbit
Working with calls, texts and voice messages, the Fitbit Ace LTE means kids can stay in touch without their phone always being to hand.
The Ace LTE can be set up for calla and messages up to 20 trusted people. Parents download the iOS or Android Fitbit Ace app to their phone to set up the Ace LTE for their kids. There is no need to buy a SIM card, pay an activation fee or visit a carrier, but parents will need to sign up and pay using the Fitbit data plan, the Fitbit Ace Pass, which enables built-in LTE connectivity for calling, messaging and location sharing.
For safety and privacy, there are no third-party apps, and only contacts added by a parent can call or message the device.
In the Fitbit Ace app, parents are able to manage settings such as School Time to help reduce distractions during class. Fitbit promises a new Tap to Pay feature that will allow kids to have safe access to pocket money in “a couple of months”. Using this feature, parents can add money to a supported child’s debit card from Greenlight or GoHenry. Kids can then use their Fitbit Ace LTE to pay.
While there’s no other carrier fees, the Fitbit Ace data plan that enables the built-in LTE connectivity for calling, messaging and location sharing, comes at a relatively high price point.
The Fitbit Ace Pass is $9.99 a month, or $119.99 for an annual subscription, with annual subscribers incentivized with a collectable Ace Band (valued at $34.99). Fitbit is further promoting the Ace Pass with a 50% discount if you buy the annual plan between now and August 31.
This is on top of the original $229.95 price-tag for the Ace LTE itself.
Location finder
The Fitbit Ace LTE also allows parents to keep track of their children via a real-time location finder built using advanced location technology powered by Google. Fitbit promises that only parents will be shown a child’s location or activity data in their app, and that location data will be deleted after 24 hours and activity data is deleted after a maximum of 35 days.
Fitbit
Fitbit
Fitbit
Fitbit Arcade
Fitbit Ace LTE brings together physical movement and video games with immersive, interactive 3D games on their wrist. The more they move, the more game time they can unlock.
Each game is built specifically for the Fitbit Ace LTE, using haptic responses, sounds, and the watch’s accelerometer.
Games include Smokey Lake where kids fish for a Soy Sauce Snapper, Jelly Jam, alien golf game Kaiju, and something involving a chicken in a bathtub racing through Space.
Fitbit promises to bring “fresh new games every few months” to the Fitbit Arcade.
Fitbit calls the Noodle its “weirdest activity ring yet”. This lives on the watch’s home screen and celebrates when kids reach their daily move goals. It records steps, jumps and bounces.
Fitbit
Fitbit
Fitbit
Eejie examples
Another new name for Fitbit, Eejies are customizable virtual creatures that feed off kids’ daily activity, so that the more kids reach their movement goals, the more healthy and happy their eejie gets.
Ace LTE wearers earn arcade tickets to customize their eejie’s look with new outfits or deck out its home in Bit Valley by completing their daily activities and moving through each game.
Band together
There are six collectable—and sold separately—Ace LTS bands with built-in technology that unlocks different items, styles, rooms and Noodles when attached for the first time. You can connect the blue Courtside band to immerse the eejie in a world of basketball, or plug in the green band to meet Wally, Bit Valley’s resident cosplay-obsessed Spooky Pug.
Fitbit claims that the Ace LTE is bump, scratch and dust resistant, and can be submerged up to 50 meters. The color OLED screen is made with tough Corning Gorilla Glass and comes in a protective bumper case.
Fitbit Ace LTE battery life
The Fitbit Ace LTE has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery (328mAh), and boasts over 16 hours of battery life, so will need charging at the end of each day.
The 16-hour battery life was estimated using default settings across a mix of talk, data, standby and use of other features.
Fitbit claims that it can be charged to 60% (11 hours) in 30 minutes, and to 100% in 70 minutes; these speeds were calculated using at least a 30W USB-C charger.
Fitbit Ace LTE phone compatibility
It works with phones running Android 11.0 or newer or iOS 15 or newer.
Fitbit
Fitbit
Fitbit
Where to buy the Fitbit Ace LTE
Fitbit Ace LTE can be pre-ordered exclusively at the Google Store or Amazon for $229.99.
It is currently available in the U.S. only due to the LTE Ace Pass.
Fitbit Ace LTE tech specs
Sensors
- Sensors & Components
- Accelerometer
- Optical heart rate sensor
- Altimeter
- Magnetometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Gyroscope
Dimensions
- 41.04 x 44.89 x 13.35mm
- Weight (without band): 28.03g
Fitbit Ace LTE features
- Built-in 4G LTE
- Calling & Messaging Services
- Location Services
- GPS
- Built-in microphone
- Built-in speaker
- Alarms, Timers & Stopwatch
- Emergency Contacts
- Fitbit Ace App
- Fitbit Ace Pass
- Interval-Based Gaming
- Noodle
- Daily Quests
- Move Goal
- The Eejie
- Bit Valley
- Tickets
- Fitbit Ace LTE Bands
- Fitbit Arcade
- School Time
- Tap To Pay
What’s Included with Fitbit Ace LTE
- Fitbit Ace LTE
- Protective bumper
- Fitbit Ace LTE Band
- USB-C Fast Charging Cable
- Quick Start Guide
- Fitbit Ace Sticker Pack
Author: Simon Jary, Contributor
Simon was Editor of Macworld from the dark days of 1995 to the triumphant return of Steve Jobs and the launch of the iPhone. His desk is a test bench for tech accessories, from USB-C and Thunderbolt docks to chargers, batteries, Powerline adaptors and Fitbits.