Apple Watch LTE in markets without support?

[caelius]

Hey there,

firstly: sorry if there's already a similar thread. I looked through the forums but either I'm blind or there really isn't one.

Anyways. Since my S0 Apple Watch now starts to painfully show its age, I'm finally in for an upgrade to that lovely new S4. Yay. I was set on going with the Nike+ model in SG, but man, that SS version looks so much sexier in real life.

The problem is: here in Austria, Apple only sells the Aluminium watch since there isn't any carrier which supports the LTE functionality. And therefore, Apple doesn't sell it here. Now I wonder if I'm able to simply import one from, let's say, Germany and use it here in Austria? I'm fully aware that the LTE functionality obviously won't work here, but how about the Apple Watch in general? How does it behave if it's used in a market where there's no such thing as carrier support? Will it work in general or completely refuse to do so?

Thanks a lot for your time and answers.

Cheers,
Christoph

 

[JT2002TJ]

It will work fine without LTE service, but from what I understand you will not be able to bring it in for warranty issues at your local apple store. You would have to travel back to the country you purchased it.

 

[caelius]

Geez, that would suck (even if I trust it not to fail)...

 

[tehStickMan]

If you import it from an EU country, then you should have some purchase protections in Austria as it's EU. I don't live there, you'll have to check the laws.

 

[matrix07]

It will work fine without LTE service, but from what I understand you will not be able to bring it in for warranty issues at your local apple store. You would have to travel back to the country you purchased it.

I bought my HomePod from England and Apple service here has no problem taking care of it.

 

[Lennyvalentin]

It will work fine without LTE service, but from what I understand you will not be able to bring it in for warranty issues at your local apple store.

Apple warranty is worldwide. You can turn in your gadget at a certified service center or apple store on a different continent if you want. You'll be fine.

And LTE watches from germany (for example) are the same as all other LTE watches in europe. When austria gets LTE support (IE, when carriers there start supporting eSIM, which should happen pretty soon thanks to iphone X max), and has been activated, then it will work 100% as an LTE standalone watch.

 

[m-a]

Apple warranty is worldwide. You can turn in your gadget at a certified service center or apple store on a different continent if you want. You'll be fine.

And LTE watches from germany (for example) are the same as all other LTE watches in europe. When austria gets LTE support (IE, when carriers there start supporting eSIM, which should happen pretty soon thanks to iphone X max), and has been activated, then it will work 100% as an LTE standalone watch.

... I am using the  Watch Series 4 LTE here in Austria and it works just fine. LTE is not working as of now.

TMobile Austria will start with eSIM support on Oct 22nd (with the release of iOS 12.1) - but only for the new iPhones and for Android watches. As far as I know the support for the eSIM in the  Watch will start some time in Q1 2019; A1 support should start in Q2-Q3 2019.

Besides that (and missing ECG) you have full functionality of the  watch series 4 LTE in Austria. I bought mine in the German  store and it arrived yesterday.

 

[caelius]

Thank you very much for your answers! Great to see that I'll be able to usw one of the SS models.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Apple warranty is worldwide. You can turn in your gadget at a certified service center or apple store on a different continent if you want. You'll be fine.

And LTE watches from germany (for example) are the same as all other LTE watches in europe. When austria gets LTE support (IE, when carriers there start supporting eSIM, which should happen pretty soon thanks to iphone X max), and has been activated, then it will work 100% as an LTE standalone watch.

Just an FYI, there are many Macrumors members who report not being able to have their warranties honored in other countries. I am not saying they will not honor their warranty, just that it may be limited to the country of purchase.

I did say may... It doesn't mean they wont, just that it is a risk you have to take, where you may have to ship it in, or return to the original country.

Someone posted this on line:

"Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device."

 

[Lennyvalentin]

Someone posted this on line:

"Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device."

Ok, it's not what the sales staff at the premium retailer I buy most of my Apple junk at say though. Maybe it varies from country to country, but why Apple would want to mess with some of their customers like that is beyond me. *shrug*

 

[m-a]

Just an FYI, there are many Macrumors members who report not being able to have their warranties honored in other countries. I am not saying they will not honor their warranty, just that it may be limited to the country of purchase.

I did say may... It doesn't mean they wont, just that it is a risk you have to take, where you may have to ship it in, or return to the original country.

Someone posted this on line:

"Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device."

... 'may restrict' is not 'will restrict' ... - it would be interesting to know if Apple Care + has the same potential restriction ...

 

[JT2002TJ]

... 'may restrict' is not 'will restrict' ... - it would be interesting to know if Apple Care + has the same potential restriction ...

True.

I’m not sure how AppleCare+ would be, since there are different warranty requirements based on different local laws. Some places get 2 years, while here in the US we get 1 year before AppleCare+.

 

[caelius]

FYI: I just called Apple to ask them directly. I was told that AC+ is valid worldwide and that there won't be any problems whatsoever.

Haha, great. Now I will have to make my mind up if I value the sleeker looking SBSS or the Nike+ watchfaces and strap more. Guess I'll have to order both and then decide.

 

[m-a]

FYI: I just called Apple to ask them directly. I was told that AC+ is valid worldwide and that there won't be any problems whatsoever.

Haha, great. Now I will have to make my mind up if I value the sleeker looking SBSS or the Nike+ watchfaces and strap more. Guess I'll have to order both and then decide.

... thank you for asking ! I already thought so concerning AC+ ...