There are some business moments you don’t forget.
Seeing the Funkyfing Jr2 in the Hot Stuff pages of Stuff Magazine was definitely one of them. But it got even better.
Stuff didn’t just feature our kids' GPS smartwatch in their physical magazine. Their tech team also got their hands on a Jr2, set it up, used it and published an independent review of what they really thought.
And this is what happened...
FIRST, WE MADE THE HOT STUFF!🔥🔥
Seeing Funkyfing in the physical pages of Stuff Magazine felt pretty surreal.
The Jr2 appeared in their Hot Stuff section under the headline: “PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC”
The feature introduced Stuff readers to the technology packed into our little watch, from GPS and calling to the camera, storage and wellness features.
For a proudly South African brand that started with one mom looking for a safer way to stay connected to her child, seeing the Jr2 in those pages was a pretty special milestone.
But then Stuff took things a step further. They decided to put the Jr2 to the test.
WHAT DID THE TECH EXPERTS ACTUALLY THINK?
One description in the review immediately caught our attention.
Stuff called the Jr2 a: “SMARTPHONE IN MINIATURE.”
And we can see why. They tested the voice and video calling, 2MP camera, built-in GPS, wellness sensors and the redesigned smartwatch interface. They also noted that the Jr2 has 8GB of storage and 1GB of RAM, with its own GPS built directly into the watch.
That last part is important.
Your child doesn’t need to carry a companion smartphone for the watch’s GPS functionality because avoiding the need for a smartphone in their pocket is exactly why Funkyfing exists.
Stuff did think the watch face was fairly substantial for a child’s wrist. But then they noticed something interesting.
Despite everything packed inside it, the Jr2 weighs just 53g with its strap, and Stuff found it lighter than the adult smartwatch they compared it with.
TRACKING CAME OUT ON TOP
With GPS built directly into the watch, there’s no companion phone needed for its location functionality.
Stuff noted that the tracking may not match specialist Garmin devices, but said it “will do the job.”
The result? Tracking received the highest score of the review at 8/10
“THE IMPORTANT BIT FOR PARENTS”
That’s how Stuff described the Funkyfing app.
The review highlighted the ability to set Safety Zones, manage who a child can call, receive location updates, chat through the app and call the watch directly.
Stuff also tested the setup process, including activating the Melon Mobile SIM and pairing the watch using its registration QR code, which it described as happening “rather easily.”
SETUP TAKES A LITTLE TIME
Stuff was also honest about the initial setup.
Activating the SIM, loading data and configuring the watch takes some effort upfront. But once everything is connected, the review said that effort “tends to pay off well.”
From there, it mainly comes down to keeping the watch charged and the SIM topped up with data.
CLASSROOM MODE + SOS
The review also highlighted Classroom Mode, which limits normal contact during selected times.
If help is needed, the SOS function remains available and can contact up to three configured numbers in sequence.
Stuff called it a “handy little backstop.”
THE FINAL VERDICT
After putting the Jr2 through its paces, Stuff scored it:
- Design — 7/10
- Features — 7.5/10
- Battery — 7.5/10
- Tracking — 8/10
- Value — 7.5/10
Overall — 7.5/10
If you’ve been looking for a way to stay connected to your child without handing over a smartphone too soon, the Jr2 was built for exactly that. And now, with an independent 7.5/10 review from Stuff and 8/10 for tracking, you don’t just have to take our word for it.
Give them more independence. Keep the connection. Delay the smartphone.
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