Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
GPS or Cellular?
- Thread starter GIZBUG
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
My first AW (S5) was gps. I realized early on I wanted cellular. It’s much cheaper to get gps tho.
Only need to decide if you’re buying aluminum
I love it. Siri works when walking the dogs so I can easily add something to the grocery list I think of, or add a reminder for something. Stream music while on a run. Connectivity when doing yard work outside WiFi range. Tons of other situations where I just don’t have to remember to grab my phone. Or where I specifically don’t want to carry my phone.
YMMV.
Also remember a cellular watch can dial 911 without a plan in the US. I believe this is true elsewhere it don’t have direct knowledge
I love it. Siri works when walking the dogs so I can easily add something to the grocery list I think of, or add a reminder for something. Stream music while on a run. Connectivity when doing yard work outside WiFi range. Tons of other situations where I just don’t have to remember to grab my phone. Or where I specifically don’t want to carry my phone.
YMMV.
Also remember a cellular watch can dial 911 without a plan in the US. I believe this is true elsewhere it don’t have direct knowledge
Last edited:
I always have my phone so cellular is of little value to me. It's a personal decision for anyone.
I have the cellular version. It comes in really handy. I also like not having to take my phone with me everywhere. And even when I do have my phone in my pocket, it is much easier and quicker to use the watch (most times) than pull the phone out of the pocket.
I have cellular SS series 5. I use it a lot for calls. But it all depends on what, when and how you use your watch. Mine is mostly for work and workouts. At work I do not have the the ability to pick up a phone if I am busy but that is when the watch comes in handy. It allows me to continue to concentrate on my job at hand and converse as well. Saves me a lot of time.
AFAIK there’s never been an cellular vs WiFi choice for stainless. Since cellular was available it’s been standard on SS models.
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/13/apple-watch-series-3-collections/
Sapphire thing is following last years pattern. Website doesn’t have info at first. Chat support tells people it’s sapphire. They post the info here. Apple fixes website in a couple days.
My first watch, which I returned was a SS without cellular. But yes, when cell became available to the AW you never had a choice with SS, which is IMO a shame. The cost jumped on the SS model because of it, and for some it’s unneeded.
understood, though perhaps considering the added cost as insurance of being able to make a 911 call may help assuage the hurt to the wallet.
I love my S4 LTE, I love not having to have my phone on me when I leave for the field at work. Probably the reason my XS is still mint after 2 years.
I used to buy the GPS model but my Series 5 was my first cellular model. I love it and will never go back. I leave the phone at home when walking the dog, going to do groceries or any short trips and times I just don’t want to bring the phone. It’s good to try at least once and see if it works for you.
I'd suggest you research this a bit more. I'm not a swimmer, but I do plenty of floating in the lake off my dock.
My S5 definitely looses bluetooth and LTE connectivity when underwater by even a few inches.
While maybe it might reconnect / buffer during the above water parts of your strong, I'd be surprised if this worked well.
You are saying you have the cellular model and you consistently lose connectivity? That would stink.
I had the cellular for my S4 and I think I only used it 2 or 3 times. I only bought it because I wanted to blush gold stainless steel and they didn't have a non cellular option. I went for the GPS only this time.
Cellular, bluetooth, and wifi signals don't propogate through water to any real extent, so yes, when my watch is underwater in the lake it loses connectivity.
That's why I wanted to give you a heads up to maybe ask other swimmers if they've had success doing what you're considering.
He may not be in the water. I took "pool work" to mean cleaning pools, repairing pools etc. but who knows 🤔
I thought this also, but after talking with support at Apple, I was told that if you don't have an active plan, the phone needs to be within BT distance. However, I do know that an actual phone can dial 911 without having it activated. I suspect the truth lies somewhere in between. It would be nice to verify whether this is true or not, if for nothing else than confidence for those who don't have a cell plan activated.
I suspect the support rep was confused.
If you don't have an LTE watch model, then yes you need to be within range of your phone to call.
Otherwise, all US carriers are required to carry 911 calls even from non-subscribers as I recall, and thus an unactivated LTE watch should be capable of dialing 911.
Various sources have confirmed that LTE models can call 911 without a plan - and Apple themselves indicates similarly as part of their discussion of international emergency services dialing without a plan.
Use Emergency SOS on your Apple Watch - Apple Support
With Emergency SOS, you can quickly and easily call for help and alert your emergency contacts from your Apple Watch.
How to call 911 from the Apple Watch, without a cell plan
The Apple Watch 3, 4 and 5 with GPS and an antenna can place an emergency call, in most cases.
www.gearbrain.com
Dialing 911 using series 3 LTE without activating data (Works)
I have the series 3 LTE and not planning to activate the data for now. Does anyone know if I can dial 911 in case of an emergency if I don't have data plan on the watch and it's not pair with the iPhone? Say if I go running with only the Apple Watch leaving the iPhone at home and I need to call...
forums.macrumors.com
there was at least this one story of someone calling 911 on the watch.
9to5mac.com
I regularly do stuff outdoors, like hike and kayak, and while I would normally have my phone, you can't count on that. So calling 911 on the watch is a key feature for me; saving my life once is worth the price. I don't plan to activate cellular and didn't with my S3.
Woman shares story of paddle boarding with Apple Watch - 9to5Mac
This week, a woman from Massachusetts has shared a unique story of how the Apple Watch saved her life while paddle boarding off the Nahant Beach
9to5mac.com
I regularly do stuff outdoors, like hike and kayak, and while I would normally have my phone, you can't count on that. So calling 911 on the watch is a key feature for me; saving my life once is worth the price. I don't plan to activate cellular and didn't with my S3.