TCL Introduces Movetime MT48 Smartwatch and Nxtpaper 5G Junior Smartphone for Kids

The children’s tech market has become a fast-moving battlefield, with companies racing to offer devices that promise safety, learning, and entertainment without overwhelming parents with yet another source of digital anxiety. TCL is the latest player to step into this space with two new launches: the Movetime MT48 smartwatch for younger children and the Nxtpaper 5G Junior smartphone for older kids.

Both products are crafted to strike a delicate balance between modern connectivity and parental control, a combination that’s becoming increasingly essential in households navigating digital childhood.

The Movetime MT48 Smartwatch: A safety-first wearable

For parents introducing their children to connected devices, a smartwatch often feels like the safest and simplest step. TCL’s Movetime MT48 has been built with this in mind, focusing on dependable features rather than entertainment. The standout element here is its advanced dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5), technology more commonly reserved for premium adult wearables. This system delivers highly accurate location tracking, even in dense urban environments where normal GPS can falter. For parents, that means fewer worries about misleading location updates and greater confidence when their child is out of sight.

But TCL didn’t stop at GPS. The MT48 also includes 4G calling capabilities, so children can reach parents directly, along with a dedicated SOS button for emergencies. Its IP68 rating ensures resistance to water and dust, adding durability to everyday use. Compared to competitors like Google’s Fitbit Ace LTE, which emphasizes gamified fitness and requires an ongoing subscription, the MT48 is refreshingly straightforward. It avoids monthly fees and instead doubles down on reliability, making it an attractive option for families prioritizing safety over gamification.

Launching across major European markets – including Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, and France – the Movetime MT48 will hit shelves in late October with a retail price of €150 (approximately $175 USD). It positions itself as a budget-friendly yet highly capable safety tool, giving parents peace of mind without stretching family finances.

The Nxtpaper 5G Junior Smartphone: Screen-time with safeguards

As children grow, their needs evolve, and so do parental concerns. Once kids are old enough for a smartphone, the conversation shifts from basic safety to questions about screen health, responsible usage, and exposure to apps. TCL addresses these issues head-on with the Nxtpaper 5G Junior. The device’s crown jewel is its 6.67-inch Nxtpaper display, which offers a matte, paper-like finish designed to minimize glare and reduce harmful blue light. This design not only makes reading more comfortable but also alleviates concerns about prolonged screen time affecting eye health – a growing worry in today’s digital-first classrooms and playtimes.

Beneath the display, the Nxtpaper 5G Junior packs surprisingly robust specs. It runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM expandable by an additional 10GB. Storage is another strength, offering 256GB built-in and microSD support up to a massive 2TB. With this setup, the phone easily keeps up with educational apps, games, and media while leaving room to grow. A 5200mAh battery ensures it can last through long school days, while extras like 5G connectivity, NFC payments, a 50MP main camera, and even a classic 3.5mm headphone jack make the phone feel like a fully-fledged modern device rather than a watered-down version for kids.

Crucially, TCL has integrated strong parental controls, giving guardians tools to monitor usage, restrict certain apps, or manage screen time schedules. At €249 (around $290 USD), the Nxtpaper 5G Junior will launch across Europe in October 2025, providing a middle ground between stripped-down kid phones and high-end devices that might feel too grown-up too soon.

How TCL positions itself in a crowded kids’ tech market

TCL’s dual launch highlights two distinct phases of digital childhood: the first taste of connectivity through a wearable and the leap to independence with a smartphone. By clearly distinguishing between these milestones, TCL is not just selling gadgets but offering a roadmap for parents navigating their child’s digital journey. Unlike some competitors that lock families into subscription ecosystems, TCL emphasizes affordability and practicality, focusing on the features that matter most to parents – safety, durability, and wellness.

While the Movetime MT48 and the Nxtpaper 5G Junior won’t be the only kid-focused devices hitting shelves, they stand out by targeting specific age ranges and concerns with thoughtful design. In a market where parental trust is the ultimate currency, TCL’s combination of robust hardware and accessible pricing could prove a winning formula.