Yes—Garmin’s Bounce 2 costs $299.99, which is $50.99 more than the $249 entry-level Apple Watch SE 3. But that cheaper Apple is GPS-only. For a child to use an Apple Watch independently through Apple Watch For Your Kids, Apple requires a cellular model, which starts at $299. The fair comparison is therefore Garmin’s $299.99 watch plus its $9.99 monthly service versus Apple’s $299 cellular watch plus carrier service.
At a glance: the price depends on which Apple Watch you mean
| Model | U.S. hardware price | Independent connectivity for a child | Ongoing service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE 3, 40mm GPS | $249 | No; calls and messages require a nearby iPhone | No watch cellular service included |
| Apple Watch SE 3, 44mm GPS | $279 | No; calls and messages require a nearby iPhone | No watch cellular service included |
| Apple Watch SE 3, 40mm GPS + Cellular | $299 | Yes, with Apple Watch For Your Kids and a supported carrier | Carrier service costs extra |
| Garmin Bounce 2 | $299.99 | Yes, with an active Garmin LTE subscription | $9.99 per month |
These are U.S. list prices shown by the manufacturers; taxes, carrier charges, promotions, and regional availability can change the amount a family pays. Apple’s current SE 3 buying page lists the GPS and cellular models separately. Apple explains the cellular requirement for Apple Watch For Your Kids. Garmin’s Bounce 2 announcement gives its price and subscription terms.
What the Garmin Bounce 2 is built to do
Garmin announced the Bounce 2 in 2025 as a child-focused smartwatch intended to provide communication and location features without giving a child a smartphone. It has LTE connectivity for two-way calling and messaging, GPS location features, and parental controls managed through Garmin’s kid-oriented ecosystem. Garmin also highlights activity features, chores, and rewards.
The watch has a round 1.2-inch AMOLED display, a swim-friendly design, and comes in light purple, turquoise, and slate gray. Garmin says battery life is up to two days; that is a manufacturer claim, not a guarantee, and connected-feature use and network conditions can affect it.
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- Kids smartwatch sends messages and tracks their location to help encourage an active lifestyle while offering parents peace of mind (active subscription and LTE connectivity required)
- Durable, swim-friendly smartwatch features a bright color touchscreen display and up to 2 days of battery life between charges (connected feature usage and LTE network conditions will significantly impact battery life)
- Easily stay in contact with your child via text and voice messaging from the Garmin Jr. app on your compatible smartphone to the Bounce smartwatch and from Bounce to the Garmin Jr. app (active subscription and LTE connectivity required)
- Real-time location tracking lets you check in on your child’s whereabouts through the Garmin Jr. app on your compatible smartphone and even receive notifications when your child enters or leaves parent-defined boundaries (active subscription and LTE connectivity required)
- For added peace of mind, the Assistance feature lets your child quickly trigger a message with their live location to their family contacts (requires setup and your child to be in an area with network coverage where data connectivity is available)
Its main appeal is specialization: the feature set and parent-facing management are designed around a child’s communication, activity, and routines. The trade-off is a narrower smartwatch experience than Apple’s general-purpose platform, plus a recurring Garmin service charge for LTE features.
What changes with the Apple Watch SE 3
GPS models are cheaper but rely on a nearby iPhone
The $249 40mm and $279 44mm GPS models are the least expensive ways into the SE 3 lineup. They are not the like-for-like choice if the child needs to call, message, or be located independently while away from an iPhone.
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- Kids smartwatch sends messages and tracks their location to help encourage an active lifestyle while offering parents peace of mind (active subscription and LTE connectivity required)
- Durable, swim-friendly smartwatch features a bright color touchscreen display and up to 2 days of battery life between charges (connected feature usage and LTE network conditions will significantly impact battery life)
- Easily stay in contact with your child via text and voice messaging from the Garmin Jr. app on your compatible smartphone to the Bounce smartwatch and from Bounce to the Garmin Jr. app (active subscription and LTE connectivity required)
- Real-time location tracking lets you check in on your child’s whereabouts through the Garmin Jr. app on your compatible smartphone and even receive notifications when your child enters or leaves parent-defined boundaries (active subscription and LTE connectivity required)
- For added peace of mind, the Assistance feature lets your child quickly trigger a message with their live location to their family contacts (requires setup and your child to be in an area with network coverage where data connectivity is available)
Cellular is the relevant Apple comparison
Apple Watch For Your Kids lets a child use a cellular Apple Watch without having their own iPhone. An adult iPhone is still needed for setup and management, and the family must use a supported carrier and meet the applicable account and regional requirements. Apple lists AT&T, Boost Mobile, T-Mobile, and Verizon among the carrier options on its U.S. purchase materials; check current carrier eligibility and plan terms before buying.
Apple’s advantage is a broader smartwatch platform and integration with the iPhone ecosystem. That can suit a family seeking more general-purpose smartwatch capabilities or a device the child may continue using as they grow. It also means more features to configure and manage than on a purpose-built kids’ watch. Do not assume every Apple feature or app is available in the same way under a child’s family setup; check the current configuration details.
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- Kids smartwatch sends messages and tracks their location to help encourage an active lifestyle while offering parents peace of mind (active subscription and LTE connectivity required)
- Durable, swim-friendly smartwatch features a bright color touchscreen display and up to 2 days of battery life between charges (connected feature usage and LTE network conditions will significantly impact battery life)
- Easily stay in contact with your child via text and voice messaging from the Garmin Jr. app on your compatible smartphone to the Bounce smartwatch and from Bounce to the Garmin Jr. app (active subscription and LTE connectivity required)
- Real-time location tracking lets you check in on your child’s whereabouts through the Garmin Jr. app on your compatible smartphone and even receive notifications when your child enters or leaves parent-defined boundaries (active subscription and LTE connectivity required)
- For added peace of mind, the Assistance feature lets your child quickly trigger a message with their live location to their family contacts (requires setup and your child to be in an area with network coverage where data connectivity is available)
First-year cost: Garmin is calculable; Apple depends on the carrier
Garmin Bounce 2
At Garmin’s stated U.S. hardware price and monthly subscription rate, the first 12 months add up to $419.87 before tax: $299.99 for the watch plus 12 months at $9.99, or $119.88 in service. Garmin says LTE features require an active subscription and network connectivity. Buyers should confirm what functions remain if service is canceled rather than assuming the watch continues as a fully connected safety device.
Apple Watch SE 3 cellular
The cellular hardware starts at $299, but there is no single reliable first-year total because carrier service pricing and eligibility vary by carrier, account, promotions, and whether the watch is added as a separate line or configured for a family member. Ask the carrier for the specific monthly charge and activation requirements before comparing totals. Apple’s cellular watch also needs an active carrier arrangement for independent cellular use.
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- Real-time location tracking lets parents check in on their child’s whereabouts through the Garmin Jr. smartphone app and even receive alerts when their child enters or leaves parent-defined boundaries (an active subscription and LTE connectivity are required)
- Up to 2 days of battery life means less time charging and more time wearing (connected feature use significantly impacts battery life)
- Two-way calling and voice messaging between the Bounce 2 smartwatch and the Garmin Jr. smartphone app let parents and kids stay in contact easily (an active subscription and LTE connectivity are required)
- Easily send text messages between the Bounce 2 smartwatch and the Garmin Jr. smartphone app (an active subscription and LTE connectivity are required)
- For added peace of mind, the assistance feature lets children quickly trigger a message with their live location and a call to their family contacts (requires setup and your child to be in an area with data network coverage)
So Garmin’s subscription is a clear recurring cost, but comparing Garmin’s complete connected price with Apple’s bare $249 GPS price leaves out the service and connectivity difference. The useful comparison is Garmin hardware plus Garmin service against Apple cellular hardware plus carrier service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which watch fits your family?
Choose Garmin when the priority is a kid-focused device without a child’s iPhone
- Your child needs calling, messaging, and location features, but you do not want to provide a smartphone.
- You prefer a child-oriented ecosystem with activity, chores, and rewards rather than a broad general-purpose app platform.
- The family accepts the $9.99 monthly Garmin plan and values Garmin’s stated up-to-two-day battery life.
- You want to manage the watch through Garmin Jr.; check current app compatibility and account requirements for your phones and region before purchase.
Choose Apple cellular when your household is already built around iPhone
- An adult has an iPhone for setup and management, and the carrier supports the intended family configuration.
- You want a wider smartwatch platform and are willing to manage its additional capabilities.
- You are comfortable checking carrier costs and activation rules rather than relying on a single universal service price.
- You expect the child may benefit from a general-purpose smartwatch as they get older.
Choose Apple GPS only when a nearby iPhone is enough
The $249 model makes sense if the child will usually be near an iPhone and does not need independent calls, messages, or location connectivity. It is the low-upfront-cost choice, not the direct substitute for a standalone LTE kids’ watch.
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- Real-time location tracking lets parents check in on their child’s whereabouts through the Garmin Jr. smartphone app and even receive alerts when their child enters or leaves parent-defined boundaries (an active subscription and LTE connectivity are required)
- Up to 2 days of battery life means less time charging and more time wearing (connected feature use significantly impacts battery life)
- Two-way calling and voice messaging between the Bounce 2 smartwatch and the Garmin Jr. smartphone app let parents and kids stay in contact easily (an active subscription and LTE connectivity are required)
- Easily send text messages between the Bounce 2 smartwatch and the Garmin Jr. smartphone app (an active subscription and LTE connectivity are required)
- For added peace of mind, the assistance feature lets children quickly trigger a message with their live location and a call to their family contacts (requires setup and your child to be in an area with data network coverage)
Battery, coverage, and safety limits to plan for
Apple rates the SE 3 for up to 24 hours of battery life, or up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. Garmin claims up to two days for Bounce 2. These are manufacturer-stated figures under their respective conditions, not a promise of identical real-world endurance. Cellular use, calls, messaging, location features, network conditions, and settings can change battery life. Apple’s figure is on its SE 3 buying page; Garmin’s is in its product announcement.
Neither watch guarantees that a child can always be reached or located. LTE functions depend on active service and compatible network coverage; GPS performance can vary by surroundings, and a depleted battery ends tracking and communication. Set a charging routine before school, travel, or activities, and do not treat a watch as a substitute for supervision or emergency planning.
Before choosing either device, review how contacts are approved or restricted, who can see location, and how the family can change those settings. Also check current manufacturer documentation for data handling, location-sharing controls, and what remains available if service is paused. The product category alone does not establish that one watch is more private or safer than the other.
Bottom line: the $50.99 difference is only part of the decision
The headline is accurate if it compares Bounce 2 with the cheapest Apple Watch SE 3. For independent child connectivity, however, Apple’s cellular SE starts at $299—nearly the same hardware price as Garmin. Garmin’s known service cost is $9.99 a month; Apple’s ongoing cost depends on the carrier. Choose based less on the GPS-model sticker price than on the family’s phone ecosystem, desired level of control, and willingness to pay for service.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
