Before it gained the option for cellular functionality back in 2018 , the Apple Watch used to be unfavourably compared with rival smartwatches that included LTE support . But is the capableness really that useful ? The a la mode Apple Watch model being capable to process Siri interrogation and requests on - machine , for model , means one less reason why you would need a cellular connection .
When you consider that the cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 10 costs $ 100/£100 more than the standard exemplar ( and that ’s before you pay for data ! ) , you may well be wondering if it ’s deserving the extra expense of getting a cellular Apple Watch . We ’re here to help suffice that interrogation .
Why you need an Apple Watch with cellular
The benefits of cellular connectivity on an Apple Watch are pretty clear - cut . Rather than having to carry both your sentinel and your iPhone around with you , you could go away the theater with just your Apple Watch . There ’s already some functionality that works without any variety of internet connexion — Apple Pay , for object lesson , or fittingness trailing — but birth cellular on the watch expands the roster of features you’re able to expend without your sound .
The Apple Watch Ultra always comes with cellular but you’re able to get the Series 10 and SE in GPS or cellular constellation .
Jim Martin / Foundry
The Apple Watch Ultra always comes with cellular but you can get the Series 10 and SE in GPS or cellular configurations.
Fitness enthusiasts can get a lot from a cellular Apple Watch . runner , for example , can well out euphony from Apple Music or another help , rather than fussing with syncing medicine to the Watch ’s local storehouse . They can also retain to get notification while they work out , let in iMessages and electronic mail — though whether that ’s a benefit or a distraction is a subject for personal penchant .
A cellular Apple Watch will also be capable to make and take in telephone calls without requiring your iPhone . This might not fall upon you as an crucial feature until you think about the Emergency SOS feature , that will call the pinch services if required . The feature will play without cellular , but only if you are capable to associate to Wi - Fi or a nearby iPhone . In the case of an elderly parent with an Apple Watch is there a hazard that they may fall while not in range of a WiFi web rendering the Emergency SOS boast mute ?
Another reason why you might want cellular is if you plan on setting up a equipment using theApple Watch For Your Kids(formerly Family Setup ) lineament . This allows you to fix up an Apple Watch for a family member who does n’t have their own iPhone . “ A cellular plan is n’t necessitate to set up an Apple Watch for a family member , ” Apple explain , “ but is necessary for some feature article . ” To get full functionality you ’ll necessitate an Apple Watch Series 4 or by and by with cellular .
The Apple Watch Ultra always comes with cellular but you can get the Series 10 and SE in GPS or cellular configurations.
Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm)
Why you don’t need an Apple Watch with cellular
Let ’s look at the other side of the coin .
There are mass of thing that your Apple Watch can do without a cellular connection ( or the assistance of an iPhone ) . For many lineament , all you want is to be able to connect to Wi - Fi , which may well be useable . And you might not even need that . One characteristic that used to require a cellular or Wi - Fi connexion was Siri , but the Apple Watch Series 9 and subsequently can process Siri question and request on - equipment , with no web association required . We discourse all the things an Apple Watch can dowithout an iPhonein a separate article .
Whether or not you want cellular will depend a lot on what you intend to use your Apple Watch for . Ask current owners about their usance , and I guarantee that the answers will be far more limited than the Watch ’s full capabilities . But little of that has to do with the lack of cellular connectivity on the Apple Watch — we do n’t think most Apple Watch users are nettle that they ca n’t get their notification when their earpiece is n’t nearby , because most of the metre their phoneisnearby .
Another cause to avoid an Apple Watch with cellular is that the capability may be a drain on electric battery life . The gimmick ’s battery performance will be impacted by the extent that you use cellular , so you might not want all those notifications , and you might not want to pelt Apple Music at the highest timbre , for instance . ( Look atways to maximize battery aliveness on the Apple Watchandways to save data on the Apple Watchfor pertain advice . Or for accessories that could serve , check up on out our round - up of thebest Apple Watch chargers and docks . )
Finally , there ’s the financial doubt . The cellular - enabled mannikin is more expensive than the non - cellular offering , of class . And on top of that toll , no cellular supplier is going to give away data for free , so there will either be an additional monthly data monetary value , or you will be sharing data with your iPhone . Either manner , it ’s likely to cost you more .
On Libra we do n’t remember that those tradeoffs are worth the relatively meager benefit of adding cellular connectivity to the Apple Watch . But it ’s important to reflect on what you need from your smartwatch and consider how the trade-off look for you .
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, 44mm)
How much does a cellular Apple Watch cost?
The cellular Apple Watch Series 10 costs $ 100/$100 more than the standard reading , while the SE cost $ 50/£70 more if you require to include cellular . TheApple follow Ultrais only available with cellular .
Some networks will charge you extra to get data on your Apple Watch , while others permit you to contribute it to an exist iPhone contract and divvy up the data .
In the U.S. you could get a cellular Apple Watch plan withAT&T , T - Mobile , Verizon , Xfinity Mobile , and many more . See Apple ’s exhaustivelist of providers . Most architectural plan cost $ 10 a month for unlimited data point in junction with an existing wireless headphone design .
In the U.K. , you may get a cellular Apple Watch declaration withThree , EE , O2 , andVodafone . ( Only Three and electrical engineering support Family Setup / Apple Watch For Your Kids , though ) .
For more advice on corrupt an Apple Watch , take a expression at our round - up of thebest Apple Watch dealsand our in - depthApple Watch purchase guide .
