Does having cellular data set up on your watch, drain extra battery, even if you’re not using cellular?

[The Cockney Rebel]

As per the title?

I stopped going for my walks, so was thinking of cancelling my mobile data contract.

Was on the verge of doing it, but then thought it’s only £5 a month, so why not keep it, just in case I ever need it.

However, if it causes battery drain, even if I’m connected to my iPhone or WiFi, I may consider cancelling it (for now.)

Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[fwmireault]

Definitely drains extra battery when on LTE. But when it is connected to Wi-Fi or my iPhone, I didn’t notice any extra drain compared to a non-cellular watch. Even if it happens, you can just disable your cellular connection when you’re not using it

 

[Arctic Moose]

This is anecdotal, of course, but I can’t say I have noticed any difference having cellular activated or not, despite frequently using the watch without the phone in range.

 

[BenGoren]

Just having the fact that the watch has an active plan does not cause any additional power usage.

Actually communicating over cellular networks takes a non-trivial additional amount of power over the rest of what the watch does. However, even when you leave the phone behind and you’re not connected to a WiFi network, the watch is smart about how much it talks to the cellular network; the end result is that the only significant battery drain most people will encounter will come from actually placing phone calls. Even then, almost nobody spends more than a minute or two at a time on cellular phone calls with the watch, so the end result is that very few people actually experience a big hit to battery life from cellular usage.

Not saying that it never happens, of course, and I’m sure somebody who’s a special snowflake will chime in with some bizarre situation (or who has an old watch down to 65% battery health or whatever).

But for normal people with normal usage, cellular doesn’t meaningfully shorten battery life.

b&

 

[iStorm]

... just in case I ever need it.

Need it for what? Emergency services? If so, you actually don't need an active cellular plan in order to call emergency services in many countries.

Even if you don't have an active cellular plan, the watch would still be pinging/connecting to cell towers anyway so it's ready to make an emergency call if needed (if it's not connected to your phone).

 

[jaytv111]

No, it keeps cellular off when you don’t use it.

 

[Shirasaki]

Been using cellular Apple Watch for about 4 years, never for once encounter massive battery drain just for the cellular enabled unless:
1. The battery has gone bad. (Have to turn off network and turn on theater Mode to preserve battery)
2. I make a substantial amount of phone calls.
Apple Watch is smart enough to not drain too much battery when you are away from wifi and your phone.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I notice a 10-15% increase in battery usage with cellular turned on on my Series 7.

 

[Ifti]

I noticed little to no difference on my Series 7.....