Apple Watch Series 3 Limited to 3G-Like Speeds on T-Mobile [Update: Now 4G LTE]

[nutmac]

Personally I think this makes sense from TMobile's perspective. 512kb down is plenty fast for music / streaming. This prevents someone using the watch as a tethering device for their computer, which I am sure someone is going to figure out how to do shortly after launch.

While 512 Kbps is sufficient for music streaming and voice calls, it will keep data connection alive longer and transfer data for longer sustained period of time, which DECREASES the battery life.

The cellular version of Apple Watch has 16GB of storage (vs. 8GB) so that it can better buffer and store music from Apple Music streaming service.

As for someone possibly jailbreaking the watch for tethering, T-Mobile can throttle such traffic without anyone's help.

 

[tigres]

Seriously on this topic, who cares? What on earth does this watch need at LTE speeds?

 

[zone23]

I wrote John already about it. I hope he is going to reconsider this. $5/month and non-throttled data.

He probably will but after just giving us Netflix for free hope we aren't pushing it. John will probably be on Parascope for slow cooker Sunday if you don't hear anything I'll ask him then, LOL.

 

[sirozha]

What I wonder is why not use the iCloud-assisted "calls on other devices" over cellular data. T-Mobile has a $5/month for wearables with 512 kbps. Just activate the Apple watch as any other wearable. The calls will not be true cellular calls, but they should work just fine if there's data connection.

In fact the T-Mobile FAQ's have a question about the "calls on other devices" feature (not specifically about the LTE Apple Watch), and T-Mobile's answer says that you don't need DIGITS if you want to use the Apple's "call on other devices" feature. So, why not use it with the Apple Watch? The only reason I see why this may not work is if Apple disabled this feature over cellular in the LTE Apple Watch.

 

[zone23]

Seriously on this topic, who cares? What on earth does this watch need at LTE speeds?

Well if I ask Siri a question I want the answer ASAP and your only going to get that with MAXIMUM speed. Actually I can't say that cause I haven't tried it and most of the time I'll be on WiFi anyway.

 

[shk718]

First of all, DIGITS is free. I'm using it for free, and the T-Mobie web site says that every phone number on T-Mobile gets free DIGITS.

T-Mobile uses the moniker DIGITS as an umbrella for several services that allow you either to share the same number among other devices or to add a calling and texting capability to devices like tablet, computers, etc. This is also free as long as you want to share a number that's already assigned to your T-Mobile phone SIM, and as long as other devices utilize either Wi-Fi or non-T-Mobile cellular data connection.

There's also another service under the DIGITS umbrella; this service is to "share a line" with the phone that has no SIM from another provider in it and has no data connection. Such a phone normally doesn't have a calling or texting capability unless it's on Wi-Fi and has the DIGITS app installed. However, this last service allows you to get a SIM from T-Mobile and use the same number that you are already using on a full-fledged T-Mobile SIM in another phone. So, this service costs $10 for each such SIM but it comes with data speeds of 500 kbps. This is EXACTLY how T-Mobile is making the LTE Apple Watch able to make and receive calls. T-Mobile uses the LTE Apple Watch's E-SIM and the Apple Watch magically starts sharing calls and texts with the iPhone. It's basically another phone with no SIM from any provider, and T-Mobile gives you service with unlimited calling and texting and unlimited data at 500 kbps, but you don't get a separate number for this "phone" aka LTE Apple Watch.

The ability of the Apple Watch to receive and make regular cellular phones are done via DIGITS on T-Mobile, just as it's done via NumberSync on Verizon and NumberShare on AT&T.

The 500 kbps data speed is a bummer, and I think T-Mobile needs to change this, but right now, this is a standard offering with DIGITS and it applies to any device; not just Apple Watch. Additionally, I'm not sure that Apple Watch needs more bandwidth than 500 kbps.

And NONE of this has ANYTHING to do with tethering.

https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/t-mobile-digits

t-mobile site says this:

All your existing T-Mobile numbers are now DIGITS lines. You can use them for free on any compatible internet-connected device via the DIGITS app or on phones with the DIGITS functionality built in.

If you want additional DIGITS lines, you can purchase a DIGITS Talk & Text line for $10/month (with AutoPay).

If you want your smartwatch to use the same number as your primary phone, you can purchase Data with Paired DIGITS for your smartwatch for just $10/month (with AutoPay).

so it looks like if you want to use your primary phone number on your watch you have to pay $10

 

[sirozha]

He probably will but after just giving us Netflix for free hope we aren't pushing it. John will probably be on Parascope for slow cooker Sunday if you don't hear anything I'll ask him then, LOL.

The free Netflix is a trick, so he can take it back. It doesn't apply to most people who are on the T-Mobile One plan because this plan was on promotion almost since its inception at $100 for two lines. The free Netflix offer doesn't apply to this price.
[doublepost=1505508082][/doublepost]

t-mobile site says this:

All your existing T-Mobile numbers are now DIGITS lines. You can use them for free on any compatible internet-connected device via the DIGITS app or on phones with the DIGITS functionality built in.

If you want additional DIGITS lines, you can purchase a DIGITS Talk & Text line for $10/month (with AutoPay).

If you want your smartwatch to use the same number as your primary phone, you can purchase Data with Paired DIGITS for your smartwatch for just $10/month (with AutoPay).

so it looks like if you want to use your primary phone number on your watch you have to pay $10

I know my post was too long for you to read it.
[doublepost=1505508152][/doublepost]

Well if I ask Siri a question I want the answer ASAP and your only going to get that with MAXIMUM speed. Actually I can't say that cause I haven't tried it and most of the time I'll be on WiFi anyway.

You may be better off if Siri takes her time to answer since her answers are usually irrelevant to the question asked.

 

[zone23]

The free Netflix is a trick, so he can take it back. It doesn't apply to most people who are on the T-Mobile One plan because this plan was on promotion almost since its inception at $100 for two lines. The free Netflix offer doesn't apply to this price.
[doublepost=1505508082][/doublepost]

I know my post was too long for you to read it.
[doublepost=1505508152][/doublepost]
You may be better off if Siri takes her time to answer since her answers are usually irrelevant to the question asked.

I don't know what all that says but I know I got Netflix for free the other day on my T-Mobile ONE plan. I'm not going to bitch about something I got that I never paid for so not sure what your beef is.

 

[sirozha]

I don't know what all that says but I know I got Netflix for free the other day on my T-Mobile ONE plan. I'm not going to bitch about something I got that I never paid for so not sure what your beef is.

Are you paying $100 for two lines or $120 for two lines?

 

[zone23]

The free Netflix is a trick, so he can take it back. It doesn't apply to most people who are on the T-Mobile One plan because this plan was on promotion almost since its inception at $100 for two lines. The free Netflix offer doesn't apply to this price.
[doublepost=1505508082][/doublepost]

I know my post was too long for you to read it.
[doublepost=1505508152][/doublepost]
You may be better off if Siri takes her time to answer since her answers are usually irrelevant to the question asked.

HAHA na Siri loves me. That said I don't generally ask her questions I'm typically using her to send text, read text, and call people in the car I get her to start playlist or songs/albums. She is good at that stuff.
[doublepost=1505508557][/doublepost]

Are you paying $100 for two lines or $120 for two lines?

I pay 160 (all in) for 4 lines.

Edit: guess I should add with Autopay (thats the trick).

 

[sirozha]

HAHA na Siri loves me. That said I don't generally ask her questions I'm typically using her to send text, read text, and call people in the car I get her to start playlist or songs/albums. She is good at that stuff.
[doublepost=1505508557][/doublepost]

I pay 160 (all in) for 4 lines.

Edit: guess I should add with Autopay (thats the trick).

OK. So, $160 for four lines is their regular price.
$100 for two lines was a long-standing promotion that is now over.

 

[Ortiz7983]

Sucks but glad I have AT&T. Still a high price provider but oh well, I still pay for it.

 

[zone23]

OK. So, $160 for four lines is their regular price.
$100 for two lines was a long-standing promotion that is now over.

Well I think I like the new price better, its cheaper unless I'm really bad at math.

 

[lamanzana]

mm... "Unlimited everything in Mexico and Canada". In a newer macrumors post it said that calls are supported only in the country where the phone was bought. Unless that information is not completely accurate, T-Mobile will do calls only in US but the rest (text & data) in Mexico and Canada.

 

[zone23]

Sucks but glad I have AT&T. Still a high price provider but oh well, I still pay for it.

Don't forget and crappy speeds, higher price and crappy speeds.. LOL maybe not you might have good speeds.

 

[Syk]

This is called "setting a precedent." This way, the same people who opt in now for a watch+LTE plan don't have to be grandfathered on an Apple Watch 4 with FaceTime Video (or whenever that inevitably comes out). If they limit it now, it is likely to be barely noticeable to most users yet still makes a "true LTE for $15" plan on a Watch 4 or later seem like a better upgrade and a reason to switch plans.

My issue with that is they already allow phones to do FaceTime skype or whatever. You have way more phone users than wearable

 

[cult hero]

Well, its very similar to when carriers would charge $0.15+ per text message. They did it because the public (in the US at least) was willing to accept that. If they don't, then better options will become available. T-Mobile probably feels that it is unlikely that people will switch all their phones to another carrier simply because their watch costs $9 more than it should on their plan.

They're also hitting a niche market. Not a lot of customers are going to be affected so they'll squeeze that group. Plus, I imagine someone is going, "Consider the demographic with an LTE Apple Watch. These people can clearly afford to spend a latte and a half worth of their hard-earned cash on us each month." All the carriers are charging anyway so there's nowhere else to go. I'm surprised at least one of them didn't offer it for free or for WAY cheaper than the competition, but then again, collusion price-fixing is all the rage in the industry.

When more people are wearing connected wearables, I imagine it'll either be cheaper or free. It's a matter of critical mass.

 

[MacClueless]

Seriously. These watches are hardly going to use any data/bandwidth on any carrier. They should be full lte and 5 a month max.

I have to agree, but I kinda get it. The plan isn't device specific, and other devices using the same plan could use a lot more data.

 

[Ortiz7983]

Don't forget and crappy speeds, higher price and crappy speeds.. LOL maybe not you might have good speeds.

I'm not bias. But fortunately, I have been getting good speeds. Sucks that I have to pay $10 for my sons iPad Pro, my wife's iPad Pro and now for my watch when I get. Fudge it, it is what it is. I'll continue to pay because I want it.

 

[sirozha]

Well I think I like the new price better, its cheaper unless I'm really bad at math.

Yes, it seems you are bad at math. How is this better? I am paying $100 for two lines and $10 for Netflix. A person on the non-promotion two-line plan is paying $120 for two lines and free Netflix. Seems like I'm $10 ahead.

The $160 per four line plan is unchanged; it was not on a promotion before.

 

[Z400Racer37]

Doesn't matter. If the carrier is charging full price for the connection they shouldn't be throttling service based on the type of device. Period.

Why? And if you don't like it, as I don't, then go complain to them on Twitter, as I did. This company is known for changing its policies based on things like that.

No you can’t. You’re either lying, or are clueless. Either way you shouldn’t be commenting. Unless you’re happy waiting for several minutes to buffer. Even googles official website states that to stream 720p from YouTube you need 2-2.5mbps. Not even taking into acount 1080p. Granted this speed should be fast enough to stream music with little interruption, it is still a dick move on T-Mobile’s part.

Shut your arrogant hole.

No you're not. 512Kbps is 0.5Mbps. For reference, you need 5.0Mbps to stream HD video on Netflix, which is 10x the speed.

At 512Kbps is barely higher than high quality audio which is around 320Kbps.



It's not about speed snobs. It's about battery life and buffering of audio. With full speed, you can download a song within several seconds, allowing for the LTE modem to then be in a power save mode. By limiting it to 512Kbps you're basically forcing the watch to keep a constant stream of data going for at least half the song, plus it will take that much longer to play after you press play while it buffers.

That's a good point, although I have contacted the customer service and they assured me that it was 512KB not Kb... I'm not sure if either their website, or the CS people I spoke to were wrong... It could be just a typo, but I don't have a means of testing it out at the moment.

Thank you for nailing it on the head.

However, charging the same access fee as a full data use LTE iPad is a bit... overreaching.

For me, all this is an access fee to get on their network. The data use is coming from my roll-over bucket, and is, effectively, another hole in the data "boat".

I think I'm just going to order the Series 3 non LTE.

Yeah I agree that it sucks if it's throttled to extremely slow speeds, and requires long connectivity times, but seeing as how watches don't come anywhere close to the impact that phones make, it just seems like an oversight or a typo. If it's not, there's plenty of other carrier options to choose from, but if people notice a problem, and they make a stink about it on social media, this company is known for pivoting quickly when customer pain points are voiced in that fashion. Time will tell though.

 

[rjp1]

$1/mo would annoy me, but I would probably do that.

$10/mo just makes me laugh.

 

[gnomeisland]

Seriously. These watches are hardly going to use any data/bandwidth on any carrier. They should be full lte and 5 a month max.

Plus because of the nature of how they use LTE (only when your iPhone is out of range) you shouldn't (theoretically) be taxing the network with two devices. Serious double dipping her from T-Mo. Lost opportunity to lock in more high-paying and desirable iPhone users...
[doublepost=1505510292][/doublepost]

The only way I can justify this is that perhaps T-Mobile is about to say "all wearables are free at a tethered 512k or you can pay $10/mo to have full LTE."

THAT would be brilliant. Great way to lock in existing phone/tablet users who ARE paying a decent rate. Personally I don't have a bit issue with the speed cap except that T-Mo is also charge the same overpriced $10/mo. fee.

 

[socalspartano5]

I have T-Mobile and have the digits paired with data for free due to the promotion they had when it first launched. The speeds are not capped at 512kbps, or at least I haven't noticed when I do speed tests. My s7 edge which I use my second sim card in sometimes benches faster than my iPhone 7+

I have that same promotion. Is there a way to switch that paired data on the second phone to the apple watch 3 and still keep it free? I have the apple watch pre-ordered on Bestbuy and not on tmobile cause it was asking me to add a wearable line for $10.

 

[4jasontv]

Seriously on this topic, who cares? What on earth does this watch need at LTE speeds?

Exactly. That's why Apple saved money by not including LTE in the Apple Watch.