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Activating Cellular worth it?
- Thread starter GrandCiel
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I didn't read whole thread. Worth it to me. I have it on one of my SS watches. Note though that AT&T in my area is $10, but close to $15 with taxes.
For me, running with it adds connectivity and security without phone. Also, the cellular watches can dial 911 even if no plan active on them.
For me, running with it adds connectivity and security without phone. Also, the cellular watches can dial 911 even if no plan active on them.
Worth it for me. I'm on T-Mobile so my $10/mo is $10/mo.
A really key thing for me is using Siri whenever I want such as walking the dogs or on a run or down at the dock. I'll often think of something I need to do later, or something to add to a shopping list. Used to be I'd forget them half the time before I got back - now a quick "hey siri" takes care of it. Same with seeing / acknowledging texts with family members.
Then there's all the streaming-a-podcast while on a run, being able to check a map when on a run or walk in a new city when travelling, and all the other usual stuff.
A really key thing for me is using Siri whenever I want such as walking the dogs or on a run or down at the dock. I'll often think of something I need to do later, or something to add to a shopping list. Used to be I'd forget them half the time before I got back - now a quick "hey siri" takes care of it. Same with seeing / acknowledging texts with family members.
Then there's all the streaming-a-podcast while on a run, being able to check a map when on a run or walk in a new city when travelling, and all the other usual stuff.
I am thinking about cellular for my watch. However con my iPhone, cellular reception at work is very poor at best. I don’t have WiFi at work.
if the cellular reception on my iPhone at work, is very poor, is it likely to be an issue for the watch as well?
if the cellular reception on my iPhone at work, is very poor, is it likely to be an issue for the watch as well?
Apple Watches don't turn on the cellular portion unless they have no wifi or bluetooth connection to the phone. (and they don't turn on the wifi portion unless they lose bluetooth connection to the phone).
So unless you plan to leave your phone at home or in your car, it shouldn't be an issue.
Also - if your work has a guest wifi your watch may be able to use it (learns the config from the phone) for times you're away from your work area and left your phone at your desk. depends on specifics of how the wifi is configured at your work though so it's a big YMMV
If you had chargers strategically placed in various spots (home, work, car) -
could you go like a whole week *only* using the watch?
seems like it would make it worth it and a good way to cut out the non-important things we do on our phones.
could you go like a whole week *only* using the watch?
seems like it would make it worth it and a good way to cut out the non-important things we do on our phones.
I had it activated for about 6 months with S3. Never used it hardly. Waste of money to be honest. Maybe if you take runs in mornings?
I left daughters on for her school for when I take her phone as punishment. Although the drawback is poor reception. Often a message “can’t be sent” for some reason. Still it’s like a backup since she seems to let her phone die too often so I leave it activated.
I left daughters on for her school for when I take her phone as punishment. Although the drawback is poor reception. Often a message “can’t be sent” for some reason. Still it’s like a backup since she seems to let her phone die too often so I leave it activated.
It’s an interesting experiment but probably not sustainable for day to day use. I mean if you really want to cut out the smart element of the phone then just get a cheap normal phone.
It’s an interesting experiment but probably not sustainable for day to day use. I mean if you really want to cut out the smart element of the phone then just get a cheap normal phone.
Great news. Lots of reports of this happening. Hasn’t happened to me yet but good on ya.
Im in the uk and with vodafone it cost £5 a month to add my apple watch 'cellular'. This however added 15gb of data as well so it was well worth it.
It is worth noting though that my series 4? (2018) the first one with ecg is terrible for battery life without the phone. If I leave the phone in my car during the day my watch will always run out of charge before I finish work.
It is worth noting though that my series 4? (2018) the first one with ecg is terrible for battery life without the phone. If I leave the phone in my car during the day my watch will always run out of charge before I finish work.
I am from cellular s4 to non cellular s5. my Apple Pay still work even I don’t bring my phone. All my gym centre are wifi ready and I can still seeing my msg and reply, and my family FaceTime call.
I only see the need of maybe emergency respond. And with the bad battery life on series 5, stream music?!...
I only see the need of maybe emergency respond. And with the bad battery life on series 5, stream music?!...
I wish my gym didn’t have an access point auth page. Then my watch would have worked without the phone. But alas!
It’s an interesting experiment but probably not sustainable for day to day use. I mean if you really want to cut out the smart element of the phone then just get a cheap normal phone.
true. Just figured if we really want to be living in the future, watch only + Siri to invoke everything might be where it’s headed. Was curious if anyone has tried.
I have cellular activated on my AW3, but truthfully I rarely ever use it. Sure, it is nice to have when you do need it, but is using it 6 times a year worth $120? I think I'm going to cancel my Watch's cellular service...
Well it depends on how critical even just that one time you need it, is. I can come up with several scenarios.
I used it all the time on my S3 & S4 - ironically I haven't really used it on my S5 that much due to battery worries, only a few walks with the dogs. Now my battery has settled down (about 30 hours now) I will probably use it more again
Everyones use case is different though and it just isn't worth it for some. I mainly use it on weekends when I am on call at work as I hate carrying my iPhone 8+ and my work iPhone 7+ around with me - so I leave my personal phone at home and just take the work one and my watch.
Everyones use case is different though and it just isn't worth it for some. I mainly use it on weekends when I am on call at work as I hate carrying my iPhone 8+ and my work iPhone 7+ around with me - so I leave my personal phone at home and just take the work one and my watch.
Having had cellular on my AW S5 for a week now, I find it pointless. Will try it for a bit longer and cancel if I don’t see any value in paying $10 plus tax
I did, as well as another guy in this forum. You can read his experience (and mine too) here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-as-my-primary-device.2080307/
I don't think AW is ready yet, it's still have too many limitations, even using Siri (impossible to create a contact, even through SIRI), but that's the direction the watch is heading I think...
I’ve activated mine, but really only because it doesn’t cost me any extra to do so. It’s nice to have as a just in case kind of thing I suppose. But considering I’ve never forgotten to have my phone with me since I first got a mobile phone, way, way, way back in the old days. I don’t suppose I’ll use it all that much, except for playing around with.
It’ll be better for certain forms of activities, running springs to mind, more convenient than taking a bulky phone.
It’ll be better for certain forms of activities, running springs to mind, more convenient than taking a bulky phone.