Gizmo Watch 4 Review (2026): What's New vs the Watch 3?

The Gizmo Watch 4, which Verizon launched on July 13, 2026, is a genuine upgrade over the Gizmo Watch 3 -- most notably a jump to true 5ATM swim-proofing and a new Watch Removal Detection alert -- but it keeps the same catch: it only works on Verizon. If you're a Verizon family, it's the most capable Gizmo yet. If you're not, it isn't an option at any price, and you'll want a carrier-flexible watch instead.

A note on this review: I've spent months testing the Gizmo Watch 3 with my own kids, but I have not had the Watch 4 on a wrist yet -- Verizon only released it in July. So consider this a first look grounded in Verizon's official specs and everything I learned living with the Watch 3, which shares most of the Watch 4's DNA. I'll update it with hands-on testing once I've put one through real kid life.

Disclosure: The Gizmo Watch 4 link in this article goes directly to Verizon's website. It is NOT an affiliate link -- we earn no commission if you buy through it (the Gizmo is a Verizon exclusive and isn't sold on Amazon), and we have no sponsorship relationship with Verizon or Qualcomm.

What's actually new vs the Gizmo Watch 3

The Watch 4 isn't a reinvention -- it's a sensible generational bump. Here's what Verizon changed, and which changes actually matter:

• True swim-proofing (the big one). The Watch 4 is rated 5ATM (water-resistant to 50 meters, with a Water Lock mode), up from the Watch 3's IP68 splash-and-dust rating. IP68 handles rain and handwashing; 5ATM handles the pool. For a kid, that's a meaningful durability upgrade -- the Watch 3 had to come off before swimming, and the Watch 4 doesn't.
• Watch Removal Detection (new). The watch can now alert a guardian if the child takes it off the wrist. No prior Gizmo did this, and it's the standout new safety feature -- useful for younger kids or situations where you want to know the watch is actually being worn.
• Faster internals. A newer Qualcomm SW5100 processor, 32 GB storage and 2 GB RAM (up from 8 GB / 1 GB on the Watch 3). You won't see benchmark numbers on a kids watch, but more headroom generally means a snappier interface and a longer useful life.
• More approved contacts. Up to 40 trusted contacts, double the Watch 3's 20 -- helpful for bigger extended families.
• A rebranded app. Parental controls now run through the Verizon Family app (which replaces the old GizmoHub app). Same job, new name.
• A slightly bigger 1.6-inch AMOLED display as standard, plus a marginally larger 530 mAh battery.

What did not change: video calling and its roughly 3-minute per-call cap, and the watch having its own phone number, both carry over from the Watch 3.

Gizmo Watch 4 specs at a glance

The honest caveats

I'd rather flag what I'm not sure about than pretend I am:

• Price is a moving target. Verizon doesn't publish a clean sticker price -- you'll see it as about $4.99/month over 36 months (roughly $179.99), and there have been launch promos that can lower or waive the device cost entirely. A couple of sources list $99.99, which I couldn't reconcile with Verizon's own page. Confirm the price in the checkout flow before you commit.
• The camera situation is murky. Verizon's spec sheet doesn't list a camera, yet the watch does two-way video calling -- which normally needs a front camera. My read: it has a camera for calls but Verizon isn't marketing it as a photo camera. Don't buy it expecting your kid to take pictures; I'll confirm the details hands-on.
• Battery reality vs marketing. Verizon's "up to 3 days" is standby time. Active use is rated around 36 hours, and in my experience with the Watch 3, live GPS tracking and video calls drain it fastest -- plan on charging it roughly every day to day-and-a-half.
• The SOS button calls a preset contact, not 911. This is true of the whole Gizmo line. Make sure your emergency contact is someone who will actually answer.
• Kid-safe AI: reports differ on whether the Watch 4 includes a "Gizmo Ask & Learn" style AI assistant. I'm not going to state it does until I can confirm it.

The Verizon catch (unchanged, and it's the whole ballgame)

Every Gizmo -- the Watch 3, the Watch 4, all of them -- runs only on Verizon's network and requires a Verizon watch line (about $10/month). There is no bring-your-own-SIM option and no way to use it on AT&T or T-Mobile.

So the buying decision is simple:

• You're a Verizon family: the Watch 4 is the newest, most capable Gizmo, and it slots right onto your account.
• You're not on Verizon: skip it entirely and get a carrier-flexible watch. The TickTalk 5 (video calling, runs on AT&T/T-Mobile) or the Xplora X6Play are the closest equivalents. Our carrier compatibility guide lays out which watch works on which network.

Watch 4 or the cheaper Watch 3?

Here's a wrinkle a lot of shoppers miss: Verizon still sells the Gizmo Watch 3 alongside the Watch 4. So if the Watch 4's swim-proofing and Watch Removal Detection don't matter for your kid, the Watch 3 -- often available for less -- covers the same core safety job (GPS, calling, video calls, SOS, school mode). Get the Watch 4 if you want the water rating and the removal alert; save with the Watch 3 if you don't.

The bottom line (first look)

For Verizon families, the Gizmo Watch 4 is the best Gizmo to date -- the swim-rating and Watch Removal Detection are real, useful upgrades, and the core experience (nationwide LTE, video calling, strong parental controls) is proven from the Watch 3. It earns a provisional 3.8 out of 5 on the strength of those specs and my time with its predecessor; I'll finalize the score once I've tested one. The only true dealbreaker is the one that's always defined the Gizmo: it's Verizon or nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Gizmo Watch 4 work without Verizon?

No -- the Gizmo Watch 4 is Verizon-exclusive and requires a Verizon watch line (about $10/month); it will not work on AT&T, T-Mobile, or any other carrier. If your family isn't on Verizon, choose a carrier-flexible watch like the TickTalk 5 or Xplora X6Play instead.

What's the difference between the Gizmo Watch 4 and Watch 3?

The Watch 4 adds true 5ATM swim-proofing (the Watch 3 is IP68 splash-only), a new Watch Removal Detection alert, a faster processor with more storage, and up to 40 contacts -- but video calling and the Verizon-only requirement are the same on both. If swim-proofing and the removal alert don't matter to you, the still-sold Watch 3 does the same core job for less.

Can the Gizmo Watch 4 go in the pool?

Yes -- the Watch 4 is rated 5ATM (water-resistant to 50 meters) with a Water Lock mode, so it's swim-safe, unlike the splash-only Watch 3. It's one of the headline upgrades this generation.

Does the Gizmo Watch 4 have a camera?

Verizon does not list a camera in the Watch 4's official specs, but the watch does support two-way video calling -- which suggests a front-facing camera for calls rather than a photo camera. Don't buy it expecting your child to take photos; treat the camera as call-only until Verizon confirms otherwise.

How much does the Gizmo Watch 4 cost?

Verizon prices the Watch 4 at roughly $179.99, usually shown as about $4.99/month over 36 months, plus a ~$10/month watch line -- and there are frequent promos that can lower or waive the device cost. Verizon doesn't publish a clean sticker price, so confirm the current price and any promo in the checkout flow before buying.

Not on Verizon? See our best kids smartwatches for 2026, compare the Gizmo Watch 3 (still sold, often cheaper), or check which watches run on your network in our carrier compatibility guide.