AT&T will charge $10/month extra to add Apple watch

[Buddhake]

Not in SS. I don't like the Sport watches.

You can buy the SS with LTE on the device (it only comes that way), but decide not to activate it on an LTE network.
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Coming from AW 0, the Series 2 waterproofing was a game changer for me. The way AW2 accurately tracks your yardage by different strokes in the water is almost uncanny. It’s also great for biking and running. So much so that I haven’t strapped on my Garmin 920XT in months. I can’t wait for watchOS 4 with it’s quick workout changing feature.

Having LTE on AW will be icing on an already tasty cake. I’ll be ordering two this Friday.

Are you using a swim app on the Apple Watch? I'm still going back to my Fenix 5 for swims and have not relied on the Apple Watch yet. Glad you are happy with it for swimming tracking - maybe the time has come for me!

 

[eagleglen]

I'm still on the grandfathered unlimited data plan for my iPhone. I called AT&T and I'll have to move to one of the new unlimited plans, which for me would cost an extra $15/Mo if I choose the one without a speed cap. So to add the watch would cost an additional $25/Mo (although after two months I can join autopay and save $5). I'll be getting the non-LTE S3. Kind-of bummed it doesn't have the ceramic back and sapphire crystal.

 

[RyCan3]

I'm still on the grandfathered unlimited data plan for my iPhone. I called AT&T and I'll have to move to one of the new unlimited plans, which for me would cost an extra $15/Mo if I choose the one without a speed cap. So to add the watch would cost an additional $25/Mo (although after two months I can join autopay and save $5). I'll be getting the non-LTE S3. Kind-of bummed it doesn't have the ceramic back and sapphire crystal.

I spoke to att today and they told me the opposite. They said I can remain on the grandfathered plan and it would have no impact.

 

[chanerz]

No thanks!

 

[ScottC7]

Very greedy, this is not a stand alone device like an iPad, it’s a companion device, number is the same as the phone.

Should be zero considering what we pay, but heck $5 sounds ok, but 10 is an absolute slap in the face, ohhh and they say no activation fee... what? It’s the same number!!

If everyone protested and didn’t add the plan, they would change.

I think I’ll call and let them know how happy I am they are not charging me an activation fee for the same number

Well said; this is exactly the issue. It's not the monthly amount, on its own, that makes this so awful. Putting aside the fact that it's ridiculous to have to pay monthly per-device fees at all when we are already paying for the data, I pay $10/month for my cellular-enabled iPad because it enables the iPad to fully function outside of Wi-Fi, anytime I want to use it. But the Apple Watch LTE will have nowhere near that level of functionality and should not come with the same monthly charge as devices such as phones and tablets. This is the American carrier companies again giving the big "F-U" to consumers.

I went into this figuring we'd get hit with a $5/month fee - which probably still screws over customers - but I would have tolerated it. $10/month is flat-out robbery.

I am going to upgrade to the Series 3 but am still not certain I'm willing to pay $120/year for this. I run a lot and have been waiting for the day when I could head out with nothing more than my watch and AirPods, and it's disappointing that now that it's possible to do so, I would have to fork over so much money for the privilege. I hope the carriers see blowback from this and come up with more reasonable pricing.

 

[StarShot]

most likely.

If its easy to add/remove the device from the plan , you can try adding it only when you know you’ll need it

That's a YES from what I was told at my local ATT store. However, I was also told if you bought on a monthly payment plan verses $400 upfront, it would go on a contract until it was paid off.

 

[Peter K.]

Well said; this is exactly the issue. It's not the monthly amount, on its own, that makes this so awful. Putting aside the fact that it's ridiculous to have to pay monthly per-device fees at all when we are already paying for the data, I pay $10/month for my cellular-enabled iPad because it enables the iPad to fully function outside of Wi-Fi, anytime I want to use it. But the Apple Watch LTE will have nowhere near that level of functionality and should not come with the same monthly charge as devices such as phones and tablets. This is the American carrier companies again giving the big "F-U" to consumers.

I went into this figuring we'd get hit with a $5/month fee - which probably still screws over customers - but I would have tolerated it. $10/month is flat-out robbery.

I am going to upgrade to the Series 3 but am still not certain I'm willing to pay $120/month for this. I run a lot and have been waiting for the day when I could head out with nothing more than my watch and AirPods, and it's disappointing that now that it's possible to do so, I would have to fork over so much money for the privilege. I hope the carriers see blowback from this and come up with more reasonable pricing.

Excellent point!

 

[ANTAWNM26]

I'm sure someone will start tweeting John legere and he will make a move. They charge $5 month for the Samsung gear s3 on all carriers

 

[StarShot]

I wonder if it’s locked to the carrier you choose?

My understanding is that it has to be on the same account as your phone.

 

[edhchoe]

My understanding is that it has to be on the same account as your phone.

The answer to his question will imply whether you can sell a watch bought from ATT to a Verizon customer as a used watch.

 

[dave006]

My understanding is that it has to be on the same account as your phone.

Correct. Your iPhone and Apple Watch must be on the same billing account. We don't know about reusing the e SIM with another Carrier for the Watch but AT&T did lock the e SIM on iPAD's that were activated.

Dave

 

[noteple]

But its never just $10 bucks.

State & Federal taxes and fees.

And Its the same number and uses the data plan allocated to your iPhone.

So as a previous poster said Upwards of $120 to wear a new watch....not this cycle.

 

[dave006]

But its never just $10 bucks.

State & Federal taxes and fees.

And Its the same number and uses the data plan allocated to your iPhone.

So as a previous poster said Upwards of $120 to wear a new watch....not this cycle.

It allows you to use your iPhone phone number for ease of use with your contacts. It does not use the data plan allocated to your iPhone. That's why there is a "wearable" service plan. The Apple Watch Series 3 Cellular uses LTE for voice and data on it's on $10 plan.

Special Note: In order to send or receive text messages your iPhone must be on and connected to the AT&T network (Cellular or Wi-Fi).

Dave

 

[eagleglen]

I spoke to att today and they told me the opposite. They said I can remain on the grandfathered plan and it would have no impact.

Wow, are you serious??? And is the fee to add the watch $10/month? I spoke to them at length and the rep seemed quite knowledgeable. I wasn't expecting to be able to, particularly since other options such as tethering aren't available. I may call them again, but I'm honestly leaning towards the non-LTE anyways.

 

[matrix07]

Crazy. It should be $3 a month.

 

[RyCan3]

AT&T is telling me now that we have to buy a separate data plan. Told me it would be $65/month plus the $10/month fee. They have no clue what they are talking about.

 

[macnmac]

AT&T is telling me now that we have to buy a separate data plan. Told me it would be $65/month plus the $10/month fee. They have no clue what they are talking about.

cant wait

 

[Juanefny]

So I've had both gens of apple watches and I can count with one hand the times I've only had the watch and not the phone. I'm sorry but the watch does not replace the phone. I can't see myself conversations on the watch while on a run. I can already listen to playlists while on the go. And it's not just $120. There's also the $70 upcharge for the lte version.
So this will be the first year I'll sit it out and keep my series 2. I'd T-Mobile had come out with free service or even $5/month service I would have considered it.

 

[Luba]

I will get the LTE version and try it with service. I would assume as long as you are not under contract you can cancel it anytime (like a tablet).

but I wonder, if we can cancel, how easy the process would be to turn it on and off? as easy as with iPad with cellular?

 

[PackFan]

I'm still on the grandfathered unlimited data plan for my iPhone. I called AT&T and I'll have to move to one of the new unlimited plans, which for me would cost an extra $15/Mo if I choose the one without a speed cap. So to add the watch would cost an additional $25/Mo (although after two months I can join autopay and save $5). I'll be getting the non-LTE S3. Kind-of bummed it doesn't have the ceramic back and sapphire crystal.

I spoke to att today and they told me the opposite. They said I can remain on the grandfathered plan and it would have no impact.

AT&T is telling me now that we have to buy a separate data plan. Told me it would be $65/month plus the $10/month fee. They have no clue what they are talking about.

Isn't it awesome how well informed the customer support reps are? I swear it is the same with calling in for help with anything DirecTV related... One person tells you one thing, and then another tells you the complete opposite.

 

[RyCan3]

Isn't it awesome how well informed the customer support reps are? I swear it is the same with calling in for help with anything DirecTV related... One person tells you one thing, and then another tells you the complete opposite.

Yep. I spoke to a third person saying I would need to put an unlimited choice line for the apple watch. Once watch is added to line, the choice plan will go away and my grandfather plan will remain. Not sure what I am going to do at this point...

 

[turtlebud]

I'd like to thank Verizon for charging $10 for this wearable when they've charged $5 for wearables up until now. It made the decision to stick with my series 2 much easier. In all honesty, I wasn't hankering for the series 3, but it at $5/month to add to my account, it was interesting. However at $10/month the decision was pretty much made for me. My wife thanks you Verizon.

 

[dave006]

Try the online purchase process of the Samsung Gear S2 from AT&T procedures to see if your current plan supports "wearables".

It uses the same $10 add-on to existing plans. Just log in and go through the workflow and stop before you actually complete the purchase.

Dave

 

[turtlebud]

Sorry for thread hijacking - didn't find one for verizon and seemed like this thread was covering all carriers. Verizon only charges $5 for current wearables like the samsung gear, but I guess that was different than other carriers that charged $10. Apparently the apple watch just brings them in line with the other carriers, but it just makes it less appealing for me. Having said that I think it really depends on what you are using the watch for - the series 2 was perfect for me because I swim. If you are a runner and have apple music, maybe the $10/month is worth it for the ability to listen to music without having your phone around while running.

 

[RyCan3]

Try the online purchase process of the Samsung Gear S2 from AT&T procedures to see if your current plan supports "wearables".

It uses the same $10 add-on to existing plans. Just log in and go through the workflow and stop before you actually complete the purchase.

Dave

JUst tried this. Says it's not compatible...