The cellular Apple Watch gives you more freedom to go without your iPhone, but is this variant worth the money for you?
Quick Links
- Connectivity and Added Features
- Which Apple Watch Variant Should You Buy?
Key Takeaways
- Upgrading to a cellular Apple Watch comes with added cost, but it allows you to leave your iPhone behind while continuing to make phone calls and stream music.
- Both the cellular and GPS-only Apple Watch models have the same hardware, but the cellular version unlocks Family Setup and exclusive watch faces.
- Battery life is roughly 18 hours for both models, but heavily relying on a cellular connection will deplete the battery faster.
Apple offers GPS and cellular connectivity options for its Apple Watch models, but the latter costs more. Should you spend extra on the cellular variant, or will the GPS-only model suffice? We'll compare the two and help you decide.
Price
First and foremost, upgrading to a cellular Apple Watch will pose an added cost unless you're buying the more expensive stainless steel variant or an Apple Watch Ultra; these models come with cellular connectivity by default.
To put the increased cost into numbers, upgrading to a cellular Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) will cost an additional $50, while a cellular Apple Watch Series 9 will set you back $100 more.
Also, keep in mind that to make the most of this cellular connectivity, you will need to link your Apple Watch with an ongoing mobile plan. While there are cheap data plans for Apple Watch, the recurring fee is still a factor to consider.
Connectivity and Added Features
Besides the fact that the cellular Apple Watch can use an eSIM to connect with mobile networks, there aren't any hardware differences to note. Both models feature the same GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth hardware.
However, these two models differ in the features that are available to you. For example, cellular models can stream music, use navigation apps, and even make phone calls while away from their connected iPhones.
On the other hand, those with a GPS-only Apple Watch need to have music pre-downloaded. Using other internet-based apps or taking calls is limited to when the paired iPhone is in range or connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple Watch.
Another notable feature that's exclusive to the cellular Apple Watch is Family Setup, which allows you to set up an Apple Watch for someone without an iPhone—like your child.
So while there are a lot of things an Apple Watch can do without an iPhone, cellular connectivity does unlock some nifty use cases. That's especially the case if you're a parent who wants to stay in touch with your kids.
Battery
When it comes to battery life, Apple claims 18 hours of use, irrespective of the Apple Watch variant you own. While your usage patterns affect how long your Apple Watch lasts between charges, you should remember that using a cellular network on your Apple Watch will tax its battery a bit more.
Apple's claim of 18 hours for the cellular model involves four hours of usage over LTE and 14 hours of connection to an iPhone via Bluetooth. In the case of the GPS model, all 18 hours of testing involved being connected to an iPhone via Bluetooth. Using Low Power Mode will also extend usage of either variant to 36 hours.
Watch Faces and More
When you purchase a cellular Apple Watch, you'll notice an extra Explorer set of watch faces. This series features a combination of red hour and minute hands—other watch faces feature white hour and minute hands—along with an indicator for signal strength. It's a nifty little add-on for cellular users that helps differentiate their watch and puts essential information at the front.
But when it comes to choosing between case materials and band options, there aren't any differences in the user experience. The only noticeable detail is the red ring on the Digital Crown, which identifies cellular variants.
Which Apple Watch Variant Should You Buy?
The primary advantages of the cellular Apple Watch include the ability to leave your iPhone behind and using Family Setup to allow a family member without an iPhone to use the wearable.
So if you're looking to cut your phone out of the equation or are looking for a solution to keep in touch with your children—and don't want to bother with the added cost—a cellular Apple Watch is a reasonable purchase.
But if you rarely find yourself without your iPhone and don't mind the tethered lifestyle offered by a GPS-only Apple Watch, we recommend saving your hard-earned money. Perhaps you can use those funds towards new bands or protective accessories for your Apple Watch.
FAQs
Yes, it is definitely worth having a cellular Apple Watch. But, it comes down to your preferences. If you plan to use it with your Wi-Fi and your iPhone, the GPS version is the right choice for you. However, If you plan to leave your phone behind and explore the world, the GPS + Cellular version is a brilliant choice.
Do you really need cellular on an Apple Watch? ›
For those people who want to get into a habit of leaving their iPhone behind in favor of an Apple Watch, it makes sense to have a cellular plan. Especially for those who run or take walks – with a cellular model, you don't need to keep a bulky iPhone with you to have access to calling, texting, music, and more.
Can you answer calls on an Apple Watch without cellular? ›
If your cellular carrier offers Wi-Fi calling, you can use your Apple Watch to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network—even when your paired iPhone isn't with you or is turned off. Your Apple Watch just has to be within range of a Wi-Fi network that your iPhone has connected to in the past.
Is there a monthly fee for Apple Watch cellular? ›
No, you do not have to pay a monthly charge to use your watch. As long as you have your paired iPhone with you, you can answer and make calls from your watch, send messages, etc., without paying the $10 monthly fee.
Can an Apple Watch get texts without cellular? ›
To receive SMS, MMS, or push notifications from third-party apps on your cellular Apple Watch, your paired iPhone must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular, but it doesn't need to be nearby. You also need to be signed in to iMessage on your iPhone to use Messages on your watch.
Does it cost extra to add an Apple Watch to a cellular plan? ›
It is not necessary to get the Watch cellular activated if one intends to have their paired iPhone nearby whenever using the Watch. The additional charge for the Watch should only be around $10/month, not the regular cost for another line.
Is it better to buy an Apple Watch with cellular or GPS? ›
To put it simply, if you want to save a little bit of money and tend to bring your phone with you everywhere you go, you should be just fine with the cheaper GPS model. However, if you are one to leave your phone at home and still want access to important information while you do, the Cellular watch is the way to go.
Can you make calls on Apple Watch GPS only? ›
Can you make calls on Apple Watch with GPS only? Yes, you can place and answer phone calls with your GPS-only Apple Watch. Other than that, you can receive and send texts, and receive notifications while it is connected to your iPhone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Can you add cellular to Apple Watch later? ›
You can activate cellular when you first set up your Apple Watch, or when you set up a watch for a family member. During setup, look for the option to set up cellular, then follow the onscreen steps. You can also set up cellular later from the Apple Watch app: On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
Can I leave my phone at home and use my Apple Watch? ›
Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby
With Apple Watch with cellular and an activated cellular plan, you can stay connected even when away from your iPhone. For all other models of Apple Watch, there are still things you can do even when you are away from your iPhone and not connected to Wi-Fi.
With Family Setup, your family member who doesn't have their own iPhone can use their Apple Watch to do things like make phone calls, send messages, and share their location with you. After you set up a watch for a family member, you can use your iPhone to manage some of the watch's capabilities.
Does adding an Apple Watch increase your phone bill? ›
Any calls placed, text messages sent and/or cellular data used by Apple Watch are provided via the paired iPhone, so are charged as part of your iPhone's plan and bill. Whether or not it will cost you any more monthly depends on your usage.
Why get Apple Watch with cellular? ›
With Apple Watch with cellular and a cellular connection to the same carrier used by your iPhone, you can make calls, reply to messages, use Walkie-Talkie, stream music and podcasts, receive notifications, and more, even when you don't have your iPhone or a Wi-Fi connection.
How much does Verizon charge to add Apple Watch to plan? ›
There is a $10/month charge for the service to be added to your plan.
Can I use Apple Watch as phone without cellular? ›
If your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi
Send messages. Make phone calls (make phone calls if you have Wi-Fi calling enabled or want to make a FaceTime audio call and you're within range of a Wi-Fi network) Use Walkie-Talkie. Stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks to your Apple Watch.
Does Apple Watch increase phone bill? ›
Any calls placed, text messages sent and/or cellular data used by Apple Watch are provided via the paired iPhone, so are charged as part of your iPhone's plan and bill. Whether or not it will cost you any more monthly depends on your usage.
Do I need to add my Apple Watch to my phone plan? ›
A cellular plan isn't required to set up an Apple Watch for a family member, but is necessary for some features.
Do I need cellular on my Apple Watch to listen to music? ›
To listen to music over cellular, you must be using Apple Watch with cellular. On your iPhone go to Settings > Music, then turn on Cellular Data. Tap Audio Quality, tap Cellular Streaming, then choose a quality. Note: Higher quality settings consume significantly more data.
