Hands-On With the New LTE-Enabled Apple Watch Series 3

[chriscrowlee]

The only reason I would like LTE while working out is to stream music but honestly that’s not worth another $120 p/y IMO.
Taking calls, no thanks if I take my seriously I don’t want to be interrupted.
That said, I can put my music on my AW, so I see not much of an advantage of LTE. If it was without the additional plan cost, sure why not.

I agree with you 100%... $120 a year is absurd for the feature set it adds vs not having it. It'll just take one carrier to add it as a one-time fee for the longevity of having a voice line tied to it, and they'll all have to do the same.

I can't imagine many people are going to be taking serious calls from their watch when they're away from their phone. Sure it's nice to have, but is it really that big of a deal to justify an additional monthly fee to use the service you already pay for? Not to me.

And how often are you really away from your phone? Maybe if you go for a jog? 30-60 minutes a day? And the music streaming ... meh, when most people work out they want to control the music that's played and not just go with whatever songs come up. Everyone I know has workout mixes because if you're working out and a couple of crap songs come on, it really harshes the buzz.

 

[ani4ani]

It's amazing how fast we've gone from a Watch that was disappointingly slow to a Watch so fast and so full featured that it could become someone's daily driver computer — in just under 3 years.

Now, before you of little imagination outside of your own use cases call me crazy, yes, I'm planning on using my Apple Watch LTE as my main device. The one that I always have on me.

• I use my iPhone to communicate — mostly iMessage. Email is less urgent and I need to be reachable by phone. The Apple Watch ticks all three boxes.

• I use my iPhone to manage my to do list, my schedule and reminders. The Apple Watch ticks those three boxes as well.

• I use my iPhone to get quick information or to make a quick calculation most of which I ask Siri and get an answer. Apple Watch does that too.

• I use my iPhone to control my home with HomeKit, to pay for things with ApplePay and to listen to music with AirPods. Yep, Apple Watch does all of those.

• I use my iPhone to stay connected with the world. I like to know about breaking news. I check Twitter periodically and have a few news apps that send me notifications when there's breaking news. Well, the Apple Watch does that.

• I also use my iPhone for things I'd rather not waste my time on but do so because it's right there: scrolling through Facebook/Instagram newsfeeds and watching videos that do nothing but kill time. I don't need my Apple Watch to do any of those and I'm looking forward to not having that temptation in my pocket. Facebook/Instagram/YouTube can wait until I'm in front of my computer or sitting on the couch with an iPad.

So, why do I need an iPhone again? For work. But work is a scheduled activity and since it’s predictable, I can do better than an iPhone: I can carry an iPad when I'm working.
How about a camera? Ok, now we're on to something. I like having a camera with me when something photo worthy shows up. But I'm a photographer and I'm picky. So I usually carry a much better equipped SLR with me.

Now, all this is to say that my Apple Watch can become my daily driver, not that I will forbid myself from ever carrying an iPhone. But just like most of us don't carry our MacBooks around everywhere, choosing to grab my iPhone can become just that, a choice, not a critical must carry device.

If the AW3 can become your daily driver, you never needed a smartphone in the first place? Are you not concerned the your watch is probably a hourly driver rather than a daily driver given LTE drain on the battery?

 

[Keirasplace]

Thats how I went about it give it a chance knowing that Apple was aware of the problem, and is in the process of fixing it. Though my BIG concern is what happens if apple comes out and states that this is the order of how it was made to connect and nothing can/will be done, but they take past the 14day return policy on Verizon, and Att etc...I may want to bring it back if I cannot use LTE whenever/wherever?

The "problem" is overblown. Just purge of crap WIFI cruft connections (this happens after a long while, you have dozens of dodgy wifis in there) and the issue will mostly be a moot point.

 

[Gameboy70]

View attachment 720332Yeah, Apple. How dare you put a red crown on a wristwatch!

Looks even worse than Apple’s dot with that logo.

 

[simidene]

The "problem" is overblown. Just purge of crap WIFI cruft connections (this happens after a long while, you have dozens of dodgy wifis in there) and the issue will mostly be a moot point.

Its not overblown as Apple insider put it"LTE has been the main selling point of the Series 3, despite Wi-Fi-only models being available. The technology allows the Watch to operate more independently of an iPhone, for instance making calls, sending texts, and using Siri and Apple Maps."
And the wifi is my wifi at my house that it connects to even if my phone is off! I bought the watch primarily because I was under the assumption that if I wanted too, I could have it on LTE all day, if I wanted, with the knowledge that if I used it for phone calls I would be in for a rude awaking with the battery life!

 

[MOONPIG]

With the new LTE Series 3 Apple Watches now out in the wild, we got our hands on one of the new devices to give MacRumors readers a closer look at its design, features, and improvements compared to previous-generation Apple Watch models.

In the video below, we took a look at one of the new 42mm Aluminum Sport models connected to the AT&T network.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

Design wise, the new Apple Watch LTE models are almost identical to the Series 2 models, with the exception of a 0.25mm thicker back glass that houses the heart rate sensors and the glaringly red Digital Crown that denotes its LTE status.

That red Digital Crown definitely stands out, and it's kind of a love it or hate it aspect of the new Apple Watch.

Inside, the Apple Watch Series 3 is sporting an upgraded S3 processor, and this thing is fast. It's noticeably quicker than the Series 2 Apple Watch and if you're coming from a Series 0 or a Series 1, you're going to see some serious speed gains.

Quite a few new LTE Apple Watch owners have been running into activation issues trying to get their new devices set up, but we had no problems getting it connected to the AT&T network and up and running. When using cellular, it's going to drain a decent amount of battery, so while this watch can work without an iPhone, you're still going to want one around at least some of the time.

The Series 3 Apple Watch can be purchased from the online Apple Store and Apple retail stores around the world starting today. There are both LTE and non-LTE models available, with LTE models starting at $399 and non-LTE models starting at $329. LTE models are largely sold out and harder to come by, so you may need to wait a few weeks to get your hands on one.

Article Link: Hands-On With the New LTE-Enabled Apple Watch Series 3

I’m loving my LTE Apple Watch. I’m in the UK using EE.

I have been using it all day today it’s now almost 10pm and it’s on 32%

LTE only for 4 hours and a cycle tracked with the GPS using the Strava app for another hour. If I did not do the cycle I think it would be on about 50% as it did drain the battery a little.

I used Apple Pay a number of times, sent some texts and made a few voice calls too.

Very happy with the battery life. Some reviews said they had to charge the watch half way through the day, but I have not had that problem.

I don’t want to carry a phone so the watch is a great option for me.

 

[simidene]

I’m loving my LTE Apple Watch. I’m in the UK using EE.

I have been using it all day today it’s now almost 10pm and it’s on 32%

LTE only for 4 hours and a cycle tracked with the GPS using the Strava app for another hour. If I did not do the cycle I think it would be on about 50% as it did drain the battery a little.

I used Apple Pay a number of times, sent some texts and made a few voice calls too.

Very happy with the battery life. Some reviews said they had to charge the watch half way through the day, but I have not had that problem.

I don’t want to carry a phone so the watch is a great option for me.

Thank you for that; there are some out their who cannot fathom/ see that some may only want to use their watch and not be forced to carry there phone. I would say that 90% of us who have jobs can go to work with just the watch for the day and get emails, texts etc, and make the occasional phone call. I am in the medical field and my time is limited and the watch would do just fine, if I choose.

 

[coolbreeze]

$10/month to wear it and 1 hour of battery on a call?

LMAO. Bye Felicia. Nope.

 

[andrewstirling]

Its not overblown as Apple insider put it"LTE has been the main selling point of the Series 3, despite Wi-Fi-only models being available. The technology allows the Watch to operate more independently of an iPhone, for instance making calls, sending texts, and using Siri and Apple Maps."
And the wifi is my wifi at my house that it connects to even if my phone is off! I bought the watch primarily because I was under the assumption that if I wanted too, I could have it on LTE all day, if I wanted, with the knowledge that if I used it for phone calls I would be in for a rude awaking with the battery life!

I’m not sure this is the problem they’re trying to fix. What they’re trying to fix is the watch having no connection when it’s out and about because it’s connecting to poor WiFi connections. It will always connect to trusted WiFi connections....much like your phone does. Otherwise it’d use data needlessly and the battery would plummet.

Anyway...don’t you have WiFi calling?

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

My experience - on T-Mobile:
While out shopping, turned off my phone, then used Siri on the watch to:
Make two 2 minute phone calls
Give me directions for 15 minutes.
Send 6 iMessages.
Got home, and the watch connected to my home WiFi.
Turned my phone back on, and the watch connected to it in seconds.
Battery drain was about 18% for the two hours the watch was on LTE.
It behaved exactly as advertised. Happy so far.

Oh, and Siri is SO FAST compared to the Series 0, even on LTE.

 

[dwsolberg]

I couldn't stand the red dot. They went from classy black onyx like a traditional watch and replaced it with a ridiculous red color.

Looks like a kids toy watch. Not a classy digital smartwatch which the series 2 is. Thanks tim cook. Next year it will be a rainbow color.

Pretty sure Johnny is the one responsible for the red dot, at least based on his sock choices. Tim doesn’t seem like he’s a big designnperson.

 

[simidene]

I’m not sure this is the problem they’re trying to fix. What they’re trying to fix is the watch having no connection when it’s out and about because it’s connecting to poor WiFi connections. It will always connect to trusted WiFi connections....much like your phone does. Otherwise it’d use data needlessly and the battery would plummet.

Anyway...don’t you have WiFi calling?

That may be but others are experiencing this-when some are out/or at home and it finds a trusted wifi connection that you have been on before and it will drop the LTE. If you do not have your phone with you wifi calling does not function? People are very aware of the battery issue, they still purchased it primarily because of the LTE...if we wanted wifi primarily than we would have purchased just that model? Consumers want the choice to be able to choose from one or the other!!!! I called Apple last night and they said that this is a problem as well. Once the phone is turned off or left behind it should always be on LTE and not connect to wifi.

 

[andrewstirling]

That may be but others are experiencing this-when some are out/or at home and it finds a trusted wifi connection that you have been on before and it will drop the LTE. If you do not have your phone with you wifi calling does not function? People are very aware of the battery issue, they still purchased it primarily because of the LTE...if we wanted wifi primarily than we would have purchased just that model? Consumers want the choice to be able to choose from one or the other!!!! I called Apple last night and they said that this is a problem as well. Once the phone is turned off or left behind it should always be on LTE and not connect to wifi.

That’s absolutely not how I’d like it to work! I don’t even want my phone on LTE if WiFi is available.

 

[840quadra]

I agree with you 100%... $120 a year is absurd for the feature set it adds vs not having it. It'll just take one carrier to add it as a one-time fee for the longevity of having a voice line tied to it, and they'll all have to do the same.

I can't imagine many people are going to be taking serious calls from their watch when they're away from their phone. Sure it's nice to have, but is it really that big of a deal to justify an additional monthly fee to use the service you already pay for? Not to me.

And how often are you really away from your phone? Maybe if you go for a jog? 30-60 minutes a day? And the music streaming ... meh, when most people work out they want to control the music that's played and not just go with whatever songs come up. Everyone I know has workout mixes because if you're working out and a couple of crap songs come on, it really harshes the buzz.

Let’s all remember people have different use cases.

Been away from my phone for most of the day, having to only carry air pods with me. In the event of a call, it is a lot better than having to have my phone with, and less things to break!

If you are on call for Family or work, and want to travel ultra light, this is a great combination. The Apple Watch series 0 I have only shows minor wear after years of heavy abuse, these devices can handle more of my active lifestyle than a phone. Picking up a 2u+ server, installing components while leaning against a hard surface, etc. in those cases I always had to remove my phone from my pocket. Now I have cellular throughout the building, and remain connected.

In some cases, I am sure employers will foot the extra $10 to assure critical people remain connected.

 

[simidene]

That’s absolutely not how I’d like it to work! I don’t even want my phone on LTE if WiFi is available.

But thats apparently how apple intended it to work! YOU CAN TURN OFF LTE ON YOUR WATCH! Again, If one wants to turn off there phone at night to charge it as you should each night, like a computer..give it a rest, then you can depend on the watch to accept any phone calls that come through!!!! Why is it so difficult for some to understand this point!
Are people so strapped to their phones that they cannot imagine just having a watch with them if their out and about for half the day, shopping, going out for dinner etc...
I can bet that many purchased this watch so they could be free of their phone if they wanted to, what the heck is the point of carrying a phone and watch that both have LTE?? We are then back to the same issue then of the silliness of a watch that cannot function fully without the phone, and this is why I returned the other earlier iterations!

 

[Dr Kevorkian94]

Coming from a series 0 the speed gain is very noticeable and the battery (w/o the LTE turned on) is fantastic.

 

[artfossil]

My experience - on T-Mobile:
While out shopping, turned off my phone, then used Siri on the watch to:
Make two 2 minute phone calls
Give me directions for 15 minutes.
Send 6 iMessages.
Got home, and the watch connected to my home WiFi.
Turned my phone back on, and the watch connected to it in seconds.
Battery drain was about 18% for the two hours the watch was on LTE.
It behaved exactly as advertised. Happy so far.

Oh, and Siri is SO FAST compared to the Series 0, even on LTE.

That’s great! (And I’m so jealous!)

 

[andrewstirling]

But thats apparently how apple intended it to work! YOU CAN TURN OFF LTE ON YOUR WATCH! Again, If one wants to turn off there phone at night to charge it as you should each night, like a computer..give it a rest, then you can depend on the watch to accept any phone calls that come through!!!! Why is it so difficult for some to understand this point!
Are people so strapped to their phones that they cannot imagine just having a watch with them if their out and about for half the day, shopping, going out for dinner etc...
I can bet that many purchased this watch so they could be free of their phone if they wanted to, what the heck is the point of carrying a phone and watch that both have LTE?? We are then back to the same issue then of the silliness of a watch that cannot function with the phone, and this is why I returned the other earlier iterations!

I think you’re being a bit dramatic. How many public WiFi networks are you actually connected to? And who on earth switches their phone off to charge it?!! The watch absolutely isn’t meant to be replacing the phone so I don’t accept that your suggested usage is how Apple intended it to work. The connection is just to keep you in the loop in places where you wouldn’t take your phone. Like when you’re out for a run. Remember the demo of the girl out on the water? They didn’t pick a demo of a guy with their phone off whilst charging.

Besides...the phone auto connects to WiFi networks so why do you expect the watch to be any different? Especially when previous versions of the watch have auto connected to WiFi.

 

[dgdosen]

my grandfather always told me - only 3 types of watches. Disposable, Dress and the ones you buy to leave your grandkids.

A $399 chunky gadget watch made in Taiwan is non of those. well, unless you the kind of person who thinks coca-cola is a dinner drink.

Yes, but your grandfather and his fathers for generations before him probably didn't foreshadow connecting the
internet to your wrist. I think he'd evolve his thoughts accordingly. I most definitely agree it makes no sense to buy a luxury edition watch that will be obsolete in one or two years - but three or four hundred - depends on how much use you get out of it and you can still hand it down

 

[simidene]

I think you’re being a bit dramatic. How many public WiFi networks are you actually connected to? And who on earth switches their phone off to charge it?!! The watch absolutely isn’t meant to be replacing the phone so I don’t accept that your suggested usage is how Apple intended it to work. The connection is just to keep you in the loop in places where you wouldn’t take your phone. Like when you’re out for a run. Remember the demo of the girl out on the water?

Besides...the phone auto connects to WiFi networks so why do you expect the watch to be any different? Especially when previous versions of the watch have auto connected to WiFi.

Not Dramatic at all, its reasonable. Exactly I told by apple that the phone should be periodically turned off, and why is that so hard to imagine...? I have wifi at work, and at home. never said it was meant to replace it, but was made to be able to be used as a stand alone device for hours at a time???

 

[AppleScruff1]

Not Dramatic at all, its reasonable. Exactly I told by apple that the phone should be periodically turned off, and why is that so hard to imagine...? I have wifi at work, and at home. never said it was meant to replace it, but was made to be able to be used as a stand alone device for hours at a time???

Periodically turned off and restarted about once a month is what I was told. Ditto for the iPad. Nothing about turning it off while charging. My phones have been on 24/7 for the past 20 years.

 

[andrewstirling]

Periodically turned off and restarted about once a month is what I was told. Ditto for the iPad. Nothing about turning it off while charging. My phones have been on 24/7 for the past 20 years.

They must be feeling really tired seeing as you’re not ‘resting them’

 

[Robert.Walter]

my grandfather always told me - only 3 types of watches. Disposable, Dress and the ones you buy to leave your grandkids.

A $399 chunky gadget watch made in Taiwan is non of those. well, unless you the kind of person who thinks coca-cola is a dinner drink.

I live in Switzerland, plenty of Swiss drink coke with dinner. The “heirloom watch” meme is just marketing b.s. just like “a diamond is forever” (like your love) marketing b.s.

Folks I know that have multiple lux watches are just like the folks with a single cheap watch. The Apple Watch has proven this. Once you have an Apple Watch it displaces all others.

 

[demodave]

For sure. While it might work for a sport watch, those of us who went with stainless steel, Hermes, etc. or who want to wear the Apple Watch in a boardroom-type situation simply couldn't do so with the red dot. And for those suggesting a Sharpie, that's not exactly the ideal solution with a nice watch. The red dot is an abomination and must be destroyed.

No-one in a boardroom can tell whether your Rolex ticks 5 times or once a second, either. You're being stupid.

They might notice the red dot, but they also can't tell if it is a "regular" black watch or a stainless steel black watch. There is a bigger price differential there (~$700) than there is between Series One or Series Two and Series Three.

 

[Whit1906]

The red dot sticks out like a sore thumb. Anyone else hopes it gets removed for Series 4?

I have the new watch and when the it is on your wrist you can't see the red dot unless you purposely turn it over to look at it