Can using the cellular Apple Watch be used as an effective way to use your iPhone less?

[0989382]

I was thinking, the big issue for me is always being glued to it and distracted by it at work. A smaller display only notifying me of calls and texts, which, are really the only notifications I NEED during the day / could be important, and then later, when I'm home I could sit at the iPad and work through personal affairs with the attention they deserve. I like the health aspect of Apple Watch too, and the encouragement to get out and get moving more. Not having the iPhone on me would physically stop me from being as distracted. I believe Watch apps lack the depth and 'easy ability' to reply , e.g. texting more than a few words..?

My question is should I get the Cellular model for the extra £100, leave my iPhone at home and become more 'free', or will buying the Watch actually tie me in more to the digital world?

 

[cics]

Hello, very interesting topic, some users on macrumors already "tested" going Apple Watch solo... including myself.

TL;DR In my opinion, Cellular AW is not ready yet to be the one and only cellular device we need, but definitely is heading to that direction.

There are still some limitations... e.g. you can't pair with an iPad, no notes app, WatchOS interactions sometimes are counterintuitive and inconsistent... example... when looking at one calendar event, I want to get directions to the location event by tapping on the address... nope. You have to force touch. On other places force touch doesn't produce anything... and so on.

Overall it can work, but again I don't think it's ready. But i honestly think AW will accomplish the goal to make consumers connected in a more natural and less invasive way.

Here you can find more:

Apple Watch As My Primary Device

Jony Ive was recently quoted when asked what he regrets about the iPhone is "Perhaps its constant use." I've wondered about that and how to return to living in the real world while still having access to the power of the internet with me wherever I go. The answer is the Apple Watch. Unlike an...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[nippyjun]

I do find it liberating when I go about town with just my cellular apple watch.

 

[8012R3]

I think it can absolutely achieve this purpose.

I recently upgraded from a S3 GPS to a S5 LTE for this exact reason.

Whenever I have my phone on me it’s just so tempting to browse aimlessly and pick it up every 5 minutes for no particular reason.

Now I can leave the house without my phone but still be able to call and text when necessary. I have AirPods & Apple Music for the gym or walks.

It’s just nice to be able to leave the phone at home for when I feel I need a break from the internet but still be contactable to family.

ps. I’ve only used it twice but the dictation feature seems to work quite well for sending text messages!

 

[cics]

ps. I’ve only used it twice but the dictation feature seems to work quite well for sending text messages!

It does indeed, also in my main language (italian). The only catch I have found is that I must have in mind clearly what I want to say, otherwise it messes up.

 

[bbeagle]

I find it very freeing to use the Apple Watch on it's own. I've been doing it for the past 2 years.

I found that if I brought my phone to the gym with me, I would look at twitter, check emails, etc. - wasting time. With just the watch, I get another 10 minutes productively working out. I go for bike rides, and my phone is in my front satchel and I just look at the watch. When I go for walks, the same thing - just the watch.

The only time I miss my phone is when I want to take a picture. It's rare.

If you aren't someone who exercises, or takes walks or bike rides, I don't know how much away-from-the-phone time you will get.

 

[Itinj24]

Hello, very interesting topic, some users on macrumors already "tested" going Apple Watch solo... including myself.

TL;DR In my opinion, Cellular AW is not ready yet to be the one and only cellular device we need, but definitely is heading to that direction.

There are still some limitations... e.g. you can't pair with an iPad, no notes app, WatchOS interactions sometimes are counterintuitive and inconsistent... example... when looking at one calendar event, I want to get directions to the location event by tapping on the address... nope. You have to force touch. On other places force touch doesn't produce anything... and so on.

Overall it can work, but again I don't think it's ready. But i honestly think AW will accomplish the goal to make consumers connected in a more natural and less invasive way.

Here you can find more:

Apple Watch As My Primary Device

Jony Ive was recently quoted when asked what he regrets about the iPhone is "Perhaps its constant use." I've wondered about that and how to return to living in the real world while still having access to the power of the internet with me wherever I go. The answer is the Apple Watch. Unlike an...

forums.macrumors.com

Great points here but just to reiterate, there are notes apps available for the Watch, just not Apple Notes which is a bummer. I use an app called Cheatsheet that has a complication and you can put a quick note right on the complication of the watch face.

 

[parseckadet]

Hello, very interesting topic, some users on macrumors already "tested" going Apple Watch solo... including myself.

TL;DR In my opinion, Cellular AW is not ready yet to be the one and only cellular device we need, but definitely is heading to that direction.

There are still some limitations... e.g. you can't pair with an iPad, no notes app, WatchOS interactions sometimes are counterintuitive and inconsistent... example... when looking at one calendar event, I want to get directions to the location event by tapping on the address... nope. You have to force touch. On other places force touch doesn't produce anything... and so on.

Overall it can work, but again I don't think it's ready. But i honestly think AW will accomplish the goal to make consumers connected in a more natural and less invasive way.

Here you can find more:

Apple Watch As My Primary Device

Jony Ive was recently quoted when asked what he regrets about the iPhone is "Perhaps its constant use." I've wondered about that and how to return to living in the real world while still having access to the power of the internet with me wherever I go. The answer is the Apple Watch. Unlike an...

forums.macrumors.com

I think the main thing you're missing is that the OP is not asking if the watch can become his main device. He's asking if it can REDUCE his use of a smart device overall during certain times. I think that's a significant distinction. It means he's almost expecting that the watch can't do everything the phone can, and they may be a good thing him.

To the OP, I do believe the watch can do what you're looking for, especially if you take the time to configure the notification settings. Further, you may not even have to leave the phone behind. If you set the watch and phone Do Not Disturb settings so that they don't mirror each other, then you could put the phone in DND and not the watch. This would result in notifications that you configure to notify you on your watch still coming through, but ones that are meant to stay on your phone would be delivered silently. Then it would just be a question of whether you would be too tempted to check your phone if you just had it with you, but at least the phone wouldn't be buzzing and beeping and distracting you that way.

 

[razmonster]

i think as long as you have your phone with you you'll continue to use it in addition to your watch

 

[Renho]

First time watch owner. i have used my phone (11promax) alot less. My pockets thank me as well by not having this bulky thing in it. The combo of bigger battery and the watch makes my phone last 2 days now. I am a heavy user as well. Not sure if its cause the bigger battery and dark mode or the watch. But both together makes a big difference. also means no more phone in the gym which i am in 6 days a week. I also play sports and now can text on the field...lol..that may not be a good thing. So yes it will make you have your phone alot less and it is nice.....I would do it.

 

[cics]

I think the main thing you're missing is that the OP is not asking if the watch can become his main device. He's asking if it can REDUCE his use of a smart device overall during certain times. I think that's a significant distinction. It means he's almost expecting that the watch can't do everything the phone can, and they may be a good thing him.

To the OP, I do believe the watch can do what you're looking for, especially if you take the time to configure the notification settings. Further, you may not even have to leave the phone behind. If you set the watch and phone Do Not Disturb settings so that they don't mirror each other, then you could put the phone in DND and not the watch. This would result in notifications that you configure to notify you on your watch still coming through, but ones that are meant to stay on your phone would be delivered silently. Then it would just be a question of whether you would be too tempted to check your phone if you just had it with you, but at least the phone wouldn't be buzzing and beeping and distracting you that way.

I agree, but the OP is asking if he can leave the phone behind. He can, but he will miss something. And sometimes is something very basic (like, for example, adding a new contact).
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i think as long as you have your phone with you you'll continue to use it in addition to your watch

This is very true.

 

[Strangedream]

It depends on your needs. You can use your AW as your main phone and text device, or to stream music even. The best case I can make for LTE on the AW is when you go to the gym or for a jog and want to be as lightweight as possible by leaving your phone at home.

If you intend to completely replace your phone with your AW, you will forfeit most social media (e.g. FB), conveniently browsing the news, video streaming (e.g. Netflix).

 

[J-Dogg]

It definitely works for me. I don't leave my phone at home all the time, but there are times when I prefer to be more present, so I only bring the watch.