Cellular or non cellular (gps)

[Ugene425]

Is it worth spending another £100 plus additional £60 per annum with network provider (02) for having cellular on one's watch?

I like the idea of not having to have your iphone with you and the watch can work to its best without. I will be using watch for running outdoors 3-4 weekly as well as general activity day to day.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thank you.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

I own an AW3SS, with mobile option. However, I do not have it activated.
As you stated, based on your use case, to me, you'd have to consider if while out and about, would you need to 'contact' or 'communicate' with anyone via mobile...

 

[weeesss]

I went back to cellular. I got the 5 earlier this year without cellular but bought a 6 cellular because I started running again. As well, when I walk the dogs I can leave my phone at home.

 

[waw74]

Don't assume like I did that you'll be able to stream or sync music in any app.

Currently I believe it's only Apple Music that allows either syncing or streaming.
I don't really do podcasts, but I believe your options are a bit more varied

 

[Freakonomics101]

I have the Series 5 cellular model. It came in handy when I went to the gym but now that they are currently closed down and it’s getting colder out, I don’t have the need for it to be activated right now. I did have it activated but last month I deactivated it since I haven’t used the service on it for the past couple of months.

It just depends on how you use your watch.

 

[Ugene425]

Don't assume like I did that you'll be able to stream or sync music in any app.

Currently I believe it's only Apple Music that allows either syncing or streaming.
I don't really do podcasts, but I believe your options are a bit more varied

I have music on itunes, so I will create some playlists for running, and then sync these to the watch. Yes it is a shame you cannot get Amazon music app for the watch.

 

[Ugene425]

I have the Series 5 cellular model. It came in handy when I went to the gym but now that they are currently closed down and it’s getting colder out, I don’t have the need for it to be activated right now. I did have it activated but last month I deactivated it since I haven’t used the service on it for the past couple of months.

It just depends on how you use your watch.

Mainly buying it to listen to music whilst running (outdoors). I own an iphone, ipad etc so fair to say I do like the Apple ecosystem/products. The only thing I do not like with Apple is the cost! That said I am open to other makes and was thinking about the Garmin fenix Pro. This offers better stats on health, better battery etc. However I don't think I need the 'pro' features as it is not like I am training to run a marathon every year! Re cellular, well no harm in buying the cellular watch and then you can cancel the cellular contract if you are not using it. Better to have the option of activating it perhaps? With 02 it is only £5 per month.

 

[Ugene425]

I went back to cellular. I got the 5 earlier this year without cellular but bought a 6 cellular because I started running again. As well, when I walk the dogs I can leave my phone at home.

Interesting to hear that. Nice to be able to leave your phone at home at times. Well that is what I think.

 

[Fatyank]

I think it’s worth it. I pay $10/month “access fee” on Verizon. I walk 4 miles every day and leave my phone at home. I listen to Apple Music thru my Air Pods Pro and I do, at times, make or receive calls. It’s also nice when I go to the shops and leave my phone in the car. My shopping list are in the “Bear Notes” app on the phone and watch. I can make or take calls and that’s with or without Air Pods.
As for music, Google Play is now You Tube Music and there is a watch app. I haven’t use it because they make you subscribe to the “Premium” plan at $13/mo to be able to use it on the watch. 😡 There was also an issue when the music transfer occurred. Music was transferred from Google Play Music to You Tube Music but only the music I had purchased transferred not any I had uploaded to Google (from CDs I have). This transfer was required because you lose access to Google Play Music.
Only you know how often you use the calling features on your phone and that will tell you if it’s worth it to use it on your watch. It’s a small price for convenience.
I am using a Series5 Cellular/GPS and my wife is also with cellular activated on both.

 

[Mw0103]

I have had cellular since the Series 4. I run outside every day without my phone (hate it bouncing around in a pocket or belt). Being able to stay in contact with my family while out on a run is a great feature. And being reachable for work means I can get a run in at my convenience. If there is a run where I want to be disconnected, I can toggle on ‘do not disturb.’

I think the value in the cellular feature on the watch is entirely dependent on one’s individual use. For me now, it is one of my favorite features. Before I started running, I was never out of the house without my phone, so I never would have considered a cellular watch.

 

[deeddawg]

Is it worth spending another £100 plus additional £60 per annum with network provider (02) for having cellular on one's watch?

I like the idea of not having to have your iphone with you and the watch can work to its best without. I will be using watch for running outdoors 3-4 weekly as well as general activity day to day.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thank you.

Worth is an individual thing. Some won't think it's worth it, others will. What's right for you is dependent on you.

I think it's entirely worth it.

As I don't much feel like retyping the "why" yet again, I'd suggest reading through the various other threads in which this question has been asked and answered.

 

[wolfe48]

I had a GPS only Series 3 and traded it in for a Series 5 LTE. I, like you, was on the fence. So I went with the LTE and so far do not regret it. It certainly is a comfort that the wife/kids/family can reach me if I choose to not carry my iphone intentionally when I go for a walk or run around with the kids.

You could consider my S5 a minimalist device for me considering it's endless capabilties... weather, activity tracking, heart rate, SMS, phone, calendar notifications, and 1 VIP email notification only... I never forget my iphone, good habit caused by both my jobs. But I do intentionally leave it on the charger when I occasionally disconnect from the rabbit hole.

If you can afford the extra cost... go for it.

My only wish is the ability to set VIP notifications for SMS and phone.

 

[MJ22]

I had the LTE service since 2017 but with my recent upgrade dropped it for just GPS. For one, I think non-LTE GPS is more accurate. Second, I’m trying to cut down my monthly expenses and with taxes and fees the cell service was costing me an extra $16 per month. I rarely used it because I keep my watch on Workout Do Not Disturb anyway, and I’m not stopping on my run to chit chat. I would note, though, that my routes are pretty well lit and not desolate at all - I’m never very far from homes or businesses. So if I have an emergency I feel comfortable that I could get to where people are quickly. If I was out on the trails a lot, or running places where there are long stretches without businesses or homes, I’d probably have kept it.

 

[compwiz1202]

Worth is an individual thing. Some won't think it's worth it, others will. What's right for you is dependent on you.

I think it's entirely worth it.

As I don't much feel like retyping the "why" yet again, I'd suggest reading through the various other threads in which this question has been asked and answered.

Agree not worth it for me either. The one thing that annoys me though is that they "force" you to get cellular if you want a better material. Not only do you have to pay extra for SS, you need to pay another $100 for cellular. Guess you could avoid the monthly if you just don't activate...

 

[deeddawg]

Agree not worth it for me either. The one thing that annoys me though is that they "force" you to get cellular if you want a better material. Not only do you have to pay extra for SS, you need to pay another $100 for cellular. Guess you could avoid the monthly if you just don't activate...

Correct - you don't have to activate the LTE service. It's also monthly so you can try it and cancel if you don't like it - at least on AT&T and T-Mobile in the US.

One thing to also remember though - an unactivated LTE watch can still contact emergency services.

 

[spooklog]

I've owned a Series 4 LTE watch for two years and believe it is a tremendous value for everything it does, and for its killer feature, the ECG heart monitor. For some the ECG is invaluable. It's approved by the FDA to detect atrial fibrillation (not heart attacks) and it works quite well. The ECG it generates is saved as a PDF on the iPhone for easy sharing with a doctor or hospital. I've had atrial fibrillation on three or four occasions -- each time the watch detected it -- and was able to notify my doctor.

I just wanted to give a shout-out to the ECG. If this would be useful to you, be assured that it really does work well.

 

[wvayens]

both the 3 and the 4 that I bought were LTE. However, I realized about the only time I was away from my phone was when I reached the far end of the pool or if I went for a walk without my phone and in neither situation did I really want to take phone calls. So I cancelled my LTE service and when I bought the 6 went with the non-LTE model.

 

[Kaelbron]

I borrowed this thread,

Is it like on the iPad Cellular that you can take advantage of it's GPS even though you do not have any esim installed?
If yes, do you need to have e-as to take part of it or can you run without esim? I cycle quite a lot and golf so would have liked to be able to see distance to greens, bunkers and other obstacles on the course.

and one more thing,

How does Cellular experience battery life? Should pull less on the phone's battery than a GPS model does?

 

[rdavis41]

I borrowed this thread,

Is it like on the iPad Cellular that you can take advantage of it's GPS even though you do not have any esim installed?
If yes, do you need to have e-as to take part of it or can you run without esim? I cycle quite a lot and golf so would have liked to be able to see distance to greens, bunkers and other obstacles on the course.

and one more thing,

How does Cellular experience battery life? Should pull less on the phone's battery than a GPS model does?

Cellular DRAINS the battery when in use. Also, if using it for a long time it can make the watch feel quite warm.

 

[Adoeete]

With a cellular apple watch, without a monthly cellular payment, without even the phone connected near by or wifi, it can solely contact emergency service like 911 anytime anywhere(most countries) in the world. I think this feature itself is easily worth extra cellular price.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I pay $10 a month total for cellular watch service. I don’t have a need to use it every single day. However, the days that it does get used, makes my life just a little bit easier. I also like the safety aspect of having cellular service when out and about without my phone.

 

[Runs For Fun]

Not worth it for me. I’m never without my phone.

 

[firedept]

It's well worth it. I walk every day for exercise and it's nice to be able to leave my phone at home.

 

[DiCaprioAngel]

I’m never without my phone so it makes no sense for me to spend extra money on a service that I’m not going to use. I can imagine it’ll be useful if you intend on being without your phone

 

[EugW]

I’m never without my phone so it makes no sense for me to spend extra money on a service that I’m not going to use. I can imagine it’ll be useful if you intend on being without your phone

The Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales pushed me to get cellular. In my case I was "forced" to buy cellular to get the always-on display.

I could get an SE 40 mm for CAD$369 + tax on the whole amount - an 22% of retail price in store points, so $417 minus $81 in money that was locked that one store. I originally was gonna get this, but then decided I wanted the always-on display.

Or I could get the Series 5 40 mm for CAD$425 + tax, or effective cost $480. That works out to a CAD$144 price difference

Alternatively I could get the Series 6 40 mm for $529 + tax - 22% of retail price in store points, so $598 - $116 in store points.

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So, either CAD$482 (if you consider store points equivalent to real money) for Series 6 GPS, or else $480 for Series 5 GPS + cellular. I went with the latter. That's about $375 US BTW.