The Apple Watch lineup offers a variety of options and configurations, including case materials, colors, and sizes. However, one of the most important things to consider is whether you need to buy an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity.
Apple Watch with cellular capabilities lets you stay connected and explore the world without your iPhone. It’s a useful feature, but it comes at a cost.
Which Apple Watch models offer cellular functionality?
According to Apple:
Apple Watch cellular models with an active service plan let you make calls, send text messages, and more without using your iPhone. International roaming allows you to make calls, send texts, stream music, and call for help in emergencies in many places you travel. Even when traveling abroad, you can complete an emergency call by simply pressing and holding the side button. Additionally, Apple Watch For Your Kids lets families who don’t own an iPhone use Apple Watch.
Apple currently sells the Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra. Apple Watch SE starts at $249 with GPS connectivity and $299 with GPS and cellular. Apple Watch Series 11, on the other hand, starts at $399 for GPS and $499 for cellular and GPS. This year, Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra have also been upgraded with 5G connectivity.
However, there is one thing to consider. Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Series 11 Hermès, and Apple Watch Ultra are made of titanium. only Available with GPS and mobile phone connectivity. This means that the Apple Watch has the necessary hardware for cellular connectivity, but you have to decide if you want to pay a monthly fee.
costs associated with mobile phones
Most plans cost around $10 to $15 per month, which is still much cheaper than many iPhone plans. If you purchase your watch directly from a carrier like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, you may be eligible for a cell phone plan.
Additionally, if you purchase a standard Apple Watch with GPS, You cannot add a cell phone plan later. To access the plan now or in the future, you must purchase Apple Watch GPS + Cellular.
No need to carry your iPhone around
Having a cellular plan makes sense for people who want to get into the habit of forgetting their iPhone and using their Apple Watch. Especially for people who run or walk, cellular models eliminate the need to carry around a bulky iPhone to access calls, texts, music, and more. Pair with AirPods to make calls and listen to music without your iPhone.
However, if you always carry your iPhone with you, it may not be worth it to use your phone. When making your decision, consider your current iPhone usage to see if a cellular Apple Watch is warranted.
Emergency SOS for Apple Watch
Apple explains that Emergency SOS requires a satellite connection, cellular connection, or Wi-Fi calling. If you have a cellular Apple Watch without it You can make emergency calls in most locations even if you have a valid cell phone plan. If you have an Apple Watch without cellular capabilities, you’ll need to have your iPhone nearby or set up Wi-Fi calling.
Emergency SOS requires a Wi-Fi call using a satellite connection, cellular connection, or internet connection from your Apple Watch or nearby iPhone.
If cellular service is available, you can use the cellular model of Apple Watch to make emergency calls in many locations. Some cellular networks may not accept emergency calls from Apple Watch if Apple Watch is not activated, if Apple Watch is not compatible with or configured to work with a specific cellular network, if it is not configured for cellular service, or if the cellular network does not support emergency calls through IMS.
This is one of the biggest things to consider. If you’re planning on going without your iPhone, you can rely on the cellular Apple Watch. The Apple Watch offers a variety of health features, and cellular is probably one of them.
family setup
Family Setup is popular with parents who want to be able to keep in touch with their kids without having to have an iPhone. This feature allows parents to set up their child’s cellular Apple Watch on their iPhone. Your child can then use their phone number and Apple ID to use Apple Watch to make calls, send text messages, and use other available features. With Family Setup, your parents’ iPhones don’t need to be nearby.
Reasons for choosing this option include the fact that it is cost-effective. Not only is this device cheaper than most iPhones, it’s even cheaper with an additional data plan and Apple Care+. Additionally, since the Apple Watch is worn on the wrist, it is less likely to be lost.
Finally, choosing an Apple Watch instead of an iPhone reduces screen exposure for your child. This is what many parents strive for. There are parental controls to help you use your Apple Watch. For example, there’s a School Time feature that turns off access to apps and notifications while your child is at school.
Overall impression
For most people, an Apple Watch with cellular capabilities is probably the right decision. Although it costs more, it unlocks many great features of the Apple Watch and allows it to become completely independent from the iPhone.
Also note that you don’t have to activate your Apple Watch if you purchase it over cellular. If you plan on keeping your Apple Watch for a few years, this could be a good option since you may end up wanting or needing cellular at some point.
My hope is that one day we won’t even need to have this discussion, and all Apple Watch models will come standard with cellular functionality, and it will be up to each individual to decide whether to activate it or not. But for now, that’s the decision you have to make when purchasing an Apple Watch.
For me, the cellular connectivity on the Apple Watch is definitely worth it. You can listen to your favorite music and podcasts even when you go for a walk without your iPhone. It’s also a great backup option in case you go somewhere with your iPhone and it breaks or gets lost.
Do you think cellular on Apple Watch is worth it? Let us know in the comments.
My favorite Apple Watch links:
follow chance: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, Mastodon.
