Limited Options

[Gixene]

MacRumors,

I don’t want to bore any members with a long explanation. However I have been gifted $400 of Macy’s gift cards, $100 of which I can return. I expected Macy’s to have a wider selection of Apple Watch options. However, I see Macy’s only offers 2 GPS + Cellular, 44mm options. Space Grey Aluminum and Stainless Steel. I know there are plenty of threads here, however I didn’t see any threads of other members being in a predicament such as this situation. I’ve never owned an Apple Watch, therefore I was looking for recommendations since it seems there is limited options.

Thank You!

 

[QCassidy352]

I have space grey aluminum and recommend it. Looks good in many situations, light weight, good price. It also doesn’t really scratch easily at all, despite what you may hear.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I have always gone with the stainless steel models because of the sapphire screen (and also I think they look nicer). But I keep toying with getting the aluminum since Apple has raised prices on the stainless models to almost ridiculous levels. If I ever went with aluminum, I’d go with the space gray for sure. The silver aluminum looks the cheapest of all the finishes to me personally. Of course, finish is totally based on personal preference. So, go with what makes you happy!

As for cellular vs GPS only, only you can decide whether you’d want it. I personally refuse to pay another $10 per month just to have my watch connected when I occasionally don’t have my phone nearby. But, I know other people really like the feature. If you do get a cellular model, you are not required to have a cellular plan. If you don’t add a cell plan, the watch will function just like the GPS only model (with the added ability to make emergency calls). So, it’s only really worth paying for the cellular model if you intend to add a cell plan to it.

 

[TiggrToo]

I have always gone with the stainless steel models because of the sapphire screen (and also I think they look nicer). But I keep toying with getting the aluminum since Apple has raised prices on the stainless models to almost ridiculous levels. If I ever went with aluminum, I’d go with the space gray for sure. The silver aluminum looks the cheapest of all the finishes to me personally. Of course, finish is totally based on personal preference. So, go with what makes you happy!

As for cellular vs GPS only, only you can decide whether you’d want it. I personally refuse to pay another $10 per month just to have my watch connected when I occasionally don’t have my phone nearby. But, I know other people really like the feature. If you do get a cellular model, you are not required to have a cellular plan. If you don’t add a cell plan, the watch will function just like the GPS only model (with the added ability to make emergency calls). So, it’s only really worth paying for the cellular model if you intend to add a cell plan to it.

Anecdotal data obviously, but neither of my dark grey Aluminum series 1 & 3 watches look anything other than close to pristine after 2 years usage (3 daytime, 1 night time).

 

[ApfelKuchen]

I wouldn't spend the money on a Stainless Steel just because you have a gift card to spend - you'll end up spending an additional $220 for questionable reasons.

I bought a First Generation in Stainless with Milanese Loop. Watch was a new product, so nobody knew if the sapphire display was really necessary, but it seemed a good idea. I didn't care that the case was stainless steel, but I really wanted the Milanese Loop.

I've had a Series 4 Aluminum for over a year. The display is in great condition, and the Milanese Loop from my old Watch looks very good with the aluminum. Only someone with sharp eyes is likely to notice.

One thing to consider is whether you really need cellular. Non-cellular would give you more choices at Macy's. I've had two Watches. The First Generation Stainless didn't have cellular, and I never missed having it (I always carry my iPhone). When I got my Series 4 Aluminum with Cellular, I thought cellular would be a nice option to have, but I've had it over a year now and haven't activated cellular service. Again, except for a few times I accidentally left the house without my iPhone, I haven't needed cellular on the Watch.

It seems runners appreciate cellular the most - no room in their workout clothes for a phone/no desire to carry the extra weight of the phone while running. However, I walk/hike for exercise. When I'm hiking I'm dependent on map apps, and I want the larger iPhone screen for that. Now, if you regularly forget to bring your iPhone with you when you leave the house, but you will remember to wear your Watch every day.... yeah, cellular seems like a good idea.

In you case, it's purely a matter of style. Faced with the choices Macy's is giving you, I'd spend the gift cards on something else altogether, and buy exactly the style Watch you want from a retailer with a better selection.

 

[Wondercow]

I got the cellular model without ever intending to activate it (it’s not even supported by my service provider). Even without activation it can still call Emergency Services either from the keypad or by using the automatic fall detection, both of which are important to me. If you may have a need for that it’s a good thing to consider.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

I got the cellular model without ever intending to activate it (it’s not even supported by my service provider). Even without activation it can still call Emergency Services either from the keypad or by using the automatic fall detection, both of which are important to me. If you may have a need for that it’s a good thing to consider.

It can't call Emergency Services if it is not connected to an iPhone or WiFi. If that particular feature was important to me while away from home/away from iPhone (or as a fail-safe in case my iPhone isn't working), then I would pay the extra for cellular service. You can buy a new Watch annually and pay for cellular service and still save money over LifeAlert.

 

[MacDevil7334]

It can't call Emergency Services if it is not connected to an iPhone or WiFi. If that particular feature was important to me while away from home/away from iPhone (or as a fail-safe in case my iPhone isn't working), then I would pay the extra for cellular service. You can buy a new Watch annually and pay for cellular service and still save money over LifeAlert.

This is not true. If you have a watch with cellular capability, it can make an emergency 911 call even if you have not set up a cellular plan. I believe this is required by law, as cell phones are also capable of making emergency calls even if they are not activated. There is anecdotal evidence that the call takes longer to connect without a plan (saw on reddit, but the post was from when the Series 3 launched a few years ago). But, it can still dial emergency services without a plan.

 

[Wondercow]

It can't call Emergency Services if it is not connected to an iPhone or WiFi. If that particular feature was important to me while away from home/away from iPhone (or as a fail-safe in case my iPhone isn't working), then I would pay the extra for cellular service. You can buy a new Watch annually and pay for cellular service and still save money over LifeAlert.

Yes it can. At least one of the relevant parts is this: Just like when you use Emergency SOS in your home country or region, your iPhone needs to be nearby if your Apple Watch Series 5 isn't a cellular model.

In North America as well as the EU (iirc) it’s law that all cellular communication devices be able to connect to any available network to call Emergency Services. It may be limited to voice communication—I have no idea if an iPad can call 9-1-1 if it’s a cellular model.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Yes it can. At least one of the relevant parts is this: Just like when you use Emergency SOS in your home country or region, your iPhone needs to be nearby if your Apple Watch Series 5 isn't a cellular model.

In North America as well as the EU (iirc) it’s law that all cellular communication devices be able to connect to any available network to call Emergency Services. It may be limited to voice communication—I have no idea if an iPad can call 9-1-1 if it’s a cellular model.

Yes, you have me there, except...

(emphasis added)

In some countries and regions, international emergency calling works even if you haven't set up cellular service on the watch. Learn which countries and regions are supported.

Now, that link takes you to a fairly short list of places where the feature is NOT supported, so overall, yes, in many parts of the world a cellular plan is not needed.

 

[44267547]

The LTE option is probably not as widely accepted, simply because consumers don’t want to add to an already expensive wireless bill every month for something that they may or may not use.

Pro tip:

if you’re new to your carrier or you’ve been a ‘long time’ customer with your carrier, ask if they have any type of temporary trial period With the LTE Apple Watch, as some of them don’t really advertise it, but they will make an exception for 30 day free trial If you purchase an LT Apple Watch directly from them.

 

[Wondercow]

Yes, you have me there, except...

(emphasis added) Now, that link takes you to a fairly short list of places where the feature is NOT supported, so overall, yes, in many parts of the world a cellular plan is not needed.

That’s for International Emergency Calling which is a completely different feature. What that does is allow the watch to automatically call the local emergency number, say 1-1-1, when a traveller has a model that would normally call a different number for its home area, e.g. 9-1-1 for a North American model. Does it also apply to basic calling EMS? Possibly.... probably, even.

All I can say for sure is that in North America (where I assume OP is from with the Macy's gift cards) the Apple Watch will call 9-1-1 without activation, and call the local number when travelling, unless one visits one of the countries from your link.