Any downsides to Cellular?

[Fusion79]

I only use my watch for text messages using LTE. Very rarely a call when I 'need' to answer it for a few seconds. Like my wife calling instead of texting me - got to be important.

During work, I take a couple walks of about 10 minutes each with just my watch, no phone. I either go swimming/playing in the pool or bike riding with my kids at night in the summer for about an hour. Just my watch, no phone. I also go for walks with just my watch. Pretty much any activity I do outside, I don't take my phone. A lot more freeing.

I also referee football and lacrosse. I can't take the phone on the field with me, so I'm still connected on the field and know if something is an emergency which I wouldn't know until I got to the locker room. It's also great looking at radar for approaching storms.

For example, I had a situation where I was doing a game, and didn't have any communication on me. My wife went into early labor (before 8 months!)... totally not expecting it... I couldn't be contacted. A friend of mine actually drove to the game, got onto the sidelines and stopped the game to let me know. I left the game and I missed the delivery as I was 2 hours late getting to the hospital. If I would have had an Apple Watch LTE at the time, I wouldn't have missed it. So this situation makes me confident to know that if something like a parent in the hospital, someone dying, or something, I will know and be where I need to be.

This is my exact use case. When I go on walks, go to the pool, ect it is great not to have to worry about my phone while still staying connected. I also coach my son's sports teams and I always hated carrying my phone with me during practices and games. Now I can leave my phone behind and stay connected with my watch for texts and emails. I love it.

 

[bbeagle]

You mentioned storms. Do you use RadarScope? On my S0 it loads so slowly even from the phone. I guess I'm just not sure which apps work without a phone nowadays or if they're all supposed to now? Aside from Macs which last longer, this is probably the longest I've ever gone without updating an Apple product.

I use NOAA Radar Pro. Yes, it's very slow to load up. But once I get an initial map (by holding my wrist out for like 2 minutes), it will update the rest of the time in a few seconds. The initial load of the application is dog slow, even on my Apple Watch Series 3.
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Funny—the only sports photography I've ever done is college football and lacrosse. Good sports!

I love sports where there is a lot of action, get me moving, and throwing flags is fun too. I would do hockey if could skate.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

The basic rule: Apple Watch supports handing off from watch to iPhone only.

In your case, your call will remain on your iPhone that you left behind if the call was on your iPhone with or without Airpods. If you were actually taking the call on your watch with Airpods or watch speaker via a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection to your iPhone, then the call will just drop when you take your watch out of range of your paired iPhone.

If you start a LTE call on your watch and then walk within range of your watch, you can then pick-up the call on your iPhone. Green active call will show on your iPhone lock screen.

Note: you will have to enable the "Handoff" setting. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then tap General and turn on Enable Handoff.

Dave

Thanks good info. That makes sense. I could see not being able to transfer to Apple Watch being annoying in some cases, especially because I assume any time you answer a call while your within range of your iPhone (whether you answer on iPhone or Apple Watch) would always “answer” via the iPhone. Which of course is good for battery related reasons.

I think a phone call can completely drain your watch in an hour.

Wow, seriously? that’s absolutely horrendous. Especially for a battery that antectodally can often last 3 days on a single charge. Even if you are a little off, I think that goes to show that Apple Watch calls are for emergencies and/or super quick calls only. Hopefully the 2nd gen cellular chip will improve on this...

I would still get the LTE version, it is worth it for emergency 911 alone, if you don't turn on the LTE service to me.

Ooo I didn’t realize 911 could still be used without cellular service... that’s definitely a big plus.

 

[rayward]

Wow, seriously? that’s absolutely horrendous. Especially for a battery that antectodally can often last 3 days on a single charge. Even if you are a little off, I think that goes to show that Apple Watch calls are for emergencies and/or super quick calls only. Hopefully the 2nd gen cellular chip will improve on this...

I think cell calls on the iPhone drain its battery badly too, it's just got room for a much bigger battery. Bottom line is that LTE on the watch is not meant for it to be a device for voice calls, other than short (or emergency) calls. The LTE does give you internet/Apple Music and SMS when untethered from the host iPhone, for which it has enough battery to allow you to do this for a good few hours at least.

Also, the watch charges so quickly (again, because the battery is so much smaller) so a quick 15 minutes on the charger will keep you going for a day.

 

[The Game 161]

You’re certainly not always going to use it but very good to have when you do I feel

 

[bbeagle]

Wow, seriously? that’s absolutely horrendous. Especially for a battery that antectodally can often last 3 days on a single charge. Even if you are a little off, I think that goes to show that Apple Watch calls are for emergencies and/or super quick calls only. Hopefully the 2nd gen cellular chip will improve on this...

It depends on how you use your watch. Not every use case is good for the battery. Using it like a fitness watch that keeps you connected via cellular 25% of the time is a use case that will allow the battery to last all day.

For example, if you're using your iPhone to watch youtube outside on cellular for 6 hours, with speakers on and brightness on high, your battery will be gone. That's simply not a use-case that fits the iPhone well.

 

[pedregosa]

I ended up cancelling my cellular service, but for a different reason than I've heard from others. What I found is that with T-Mobile, when my iPhone and Apple Watch were both either turned off, or in airplane mode, or out of cell service range, someone calling my number found that they just got silence for over 12 seconds. I think this also happened with "do not disturb." Eventually, they would get my voice mail. But, with the long wait, people often just thought there was something wrong with my phone or the line and hung up before being connected. When I took this up with T-Mobile, I was told that this was because their system, after finding that the phone was not available, would then take time searching for the watch, before eventually giving up. As soon as I canceled the watch cell service, calls resumed going straight into voice mail when the phone was in airplane mode, etc. I didn't miss the watch cell service very much.

 

[scmill]

I got my LTE model in the Nike sale a few weeks ago, and my rationale for it was a problem with falling. If I am out in the yard when I fall, my helpline is live on my wrist and not dependent on my phone’s location. No regrets.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I ended up cancelling my cellular service, but for a different reason than I've heard from others. What I found is that with T-Mobile, when my iPhone and Apple Watch were both either turned off, or in airplane mode, or out of cell service range, someone calling my number found that they just got silence for over 12 seconds. I think this also happened with "do not disturb." Eventually, they would get my voice mail. But, with the long wait, people often just thought there was something wrong with my phone or the line and hung up before being connected. When I took this up with T-Mobile, I was told that this was because their system, after finding that the phone was not available, would then take time searching for the watch, before eventually giving up. As soon as I canceled the watch cell service, calls resumed going straight into voice mail when the phone was in airplane mode, etc. I didn't miss the watch cell service very much.

Interesting info. Especially as I have T-Mobile. But ultimately, I don’t think this will change my mind either way. Firstly I imagine this is something that could eventually be fixed/changed/reduced... and secondly, I pretty rarely get voicemails these days anyway so not a huge deal. I have to imagine that if it was anything important the person would either text or call back later (assuming they didn’t stay on the line to leave a voicemail). And if they don’t, then oh well.

 

[artfossil]

I got my LTE model in the Nike sale a few weeks ago, and my rationale for it was a problem with falling. If I am out in the yard when I fall, my helpline is live on my wrist and not dependent on my phone’s location. No regrets.

Falls are an issue with me too. As well as forgetting to take my phone when I’m in my car. For me, the peace of mind that I can make a call when my phone is out of Bluetooth range is well worth the monthly fee.

 

[44267547]

I never even thought of that with LTE, if someone were to have an accident where their phone was not reach, clearly the Apple Watch could serve as a median to reach out to a dispatcher or help line service if needed. Again, another great example of how LTE could be beneficial to someone who is prone to Falls or is older. It’s various reasons like that that I see LTE becoming more widespread.

 

[Nell]

It’s falls that make cellular worth it for me too in a way: I care for my elderly mother and want to know I can still be reached if she presses her pendant alarm and my phone is off or elsewhere.

 

[scmill]

I started wanting the LTE watch about a year ago after a particularly bad fall while I was home alone outside. I had left my phone inside, and it took me a while to get up and back in the house to call for help.

 

[perezr10]

I can say that my cellular Series 3 battery life is better than my Series 2 ever was. And I use the cellular function every day for an hour while I’m out running. Running without my iPhone is GLORIOUS.
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I started wanting the LTE watch about a year ago after a particularly bad fall while I was home alone outside. I had left my phone inside, and it took me a while to get up and back in the house to call for help.

This is why I bought my wife a Series 3 that she didn’t ask for. She always left her iPHone on the kitchen counter. She’s been so happy that she has a Series 3 now when she’s at Walmart and realizes that she forgot her iPhone at home and is still getting all of her text messages.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I can say that my cellular Series 3 battery life is better than my Series 2 ever was. And I use the cellular function every day for an hour while I’m out running. Running without my iPhone is GLORIOUS.
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This is why I bought my wife a Series 3 that she didn’t ask for. She always left her iPHone on the kitchen counter. She’s been so happy that she has a Series 3 now when she’s at Walmart and realizes that she forgot her iPhone at home and is still getting all of her text messages.

When you start running, have you ever had any issues getting a GPS lock while the watch is disconnecting from your iPhone?

 

[perezr10]

Not with GPS. Although about one a week, my Cellular doesn’t hook up immediately. A quick airplane mode on/off will cure that quickly though.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I think you were doing it wrong. Phone calls via apple watch are only for quick/intermittent use cases. You'd really need airpods to have regular conversations. That's what I plan on doing anyway

Wrong or not I am not about ready to wear the Airpods all day. 90% of my communications between my company and it's customers is via text, the watch will simply not do. by itself. for me. My X is not a burden to carry.

 

[profmjh]

After having had free cellular service on my AW3 for six months, and then paying £5 per month for the last few months I've cancelled it. I just never used it. I always have my iPhone with me. I have an iPhone 8 (regular size) and it's just so small and light, there's no problem carrying it around in addition to wearing the watch.

 

[cwanja]

I, like others, do not have a need for the LTE. Additionally, I constantly have my iPhone X on me or within range of my hypothetical Apple Watch.

As such, I would likely not pay for it. My problem is, I want the stainless steel version and the technology comes standard in that. And I hate thinking I paid the extra money for wasted technology.

 

[profmjh]

I hate thinking I paid the extra money for wasted technology.

And that's how they get you! It's really hard to say no to activating the LTE. It seems such a waste not to. Yet it's such a waste to do so, too.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I would still get the LTE version, it is worth it for emergency 911 alone, if you don't turn on the LTE service to me.

I, like others, do not have a need for the LTE. Additionally, I constantly have my iPhone X on me or within range of my hypothetical Apple Watch.

As such, I would likely not pay for it. My problem is, I want the stainless steel version and the technology comes standard in that. And I hate thinking I paid the extra money for wasted technology.

Well assuming the above quote is correct, you do get emergency call ability if you ever are out of range of iPhone. So that’s a perk.

Regardless I’m definitely gonna go cellular and at least try to out for a few months. Especially with Apple Watch getting more and more standalone functionality. I can definitely leave myself leaving my phone behind more and more.

 

[cwanja]

Well assuming the above quote is correct, you do get emergency call ability if you ever are out of range of iPhone. So that’s a perk.

Regardless I’m definitely gonna go cellular and at least try to out for a few months. Especially with Apple Watch getting more and more standalone functionality. I can definitely leave myself leaving my phone behind more and more.

You make a great point about the emergency feature, never thought through that workflow. Even deeper than that, I do like your point about more and more standalone features coming down the pipeline. I might have to reconsider when September comes along. I just hate that VW is essentially $16 / month on it. Not $10.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

You make a great point about the emergency feature, never thought through that workflow. Even deeper than that, I do like your point about more and more standalone features coming down the pipeline. I might have to reconsider when September comes along. I just hate that VW is essentially $16 / month on it. Not $10.

Yeah that extra $6 is kinda tough psychologically... Luckily T-Mobile is a straight $10 (w/ taxes and fees). Maybe others will start to follow suit?

 

[scmill]

I’m on a family plan with my sister and brother-in-law with 3 phones and 2 watches. When I added my watch to it a few weeks ago, the fee was $10/mo.