Can Apple Watch Ultra be used as an independent device?

[andyw715]

What prevents me from carrying the Ultra(or cellular Apple Watch) sans iPhone is no CarPlay. Everything else seems good to go...

 

[blen]

I was frustrated with the inability to bring up/stream a certain podcast, it seems very limited in cellular use cases.

 

[Jackbequickly]

You‘re right! SMS cannot be received without the iPhone.

The Ultra is the largest and most advanced Apple Watch. I don’t see why it should be subject to the same limitations. You can’t compare it to the overpriced luxury watches.

The Ultra has the same hardware/guts inside as a Series 8. No more and no less.

 

[andyw715]

You‘re right! SMS cannot be received without the iPhone.

So is this a carrier limitation? ie ATT numbersync? ie sms delivery to the primary device then the linked ones? Or is it an Apple imposed limitation?

 

[yepp]

I was frustrated with the inability to bring up/stream a certain podcast, it seems very limited in cellular use cases.

Outcast podcast player app allows streaming and downloading any podcast episode from the watch directly using cellular. I use it a lot.