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CocoPops

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 10, 2007
122
49
So I’m a Vodafone UK subscriber, which doesn’t (currently) support LTE Apple Watch.

So, do I buy an LTE Watch now, but use it only as Wi-fi attached, or do I save money now, but then have to upgrade later?

Thoughts?
 
When’s your contract up?

When it’s up, would you switch to EE?

None of the other networks seem in any hurry to support the watch so I’d only consider an LTE model if you’ll switch to EE in a reasonable time frame.
 
Nope, would never switch to EE.

I guess it’s more, I see other advantages to LTE model, such as increase capacity.

I assume that if I don’t (can’t) enable LTE, then it will just disable the LTE antenna etc.
 
the increased capacity is mainly good for loading music onto your watch.
watch apps typically aren't that big.

the main thing to ask yourself is "Do i always have my phone close" and a follow up is "If my phone isn't close, is there wi-fi that my watch can join"

since your provider doesn't support the watch... if your phone was close, the music would be stored, and played from that.
if you don't have your phone, you could store a bit more music on the watch.

if your provider did support the watch, then you could stream music, and receive notifications if the phone wasn't close.
 
So I’m a Vodafone UK subscriber, which doesn’t (currently) support LTE Apple Watch.

So, do I buy an LTE Watch now, but use it only as Wi-fi attached, or do I save money now, but then have to upgrade later?

Thoughts?

Vodafone are not going to support the Apple Watch eSIM, or at least not anytime soon. Unless you need the extra capacity, I’d save your money and get the GPS only version.
 
How would I decide --

Two years ago, when I lived in downtown Washington, DC, I would have liked to leave my phone at home while I walked to the corner market or post office, or on a jog, while still being reachable if my wife or workplace wanted to contact me.

These days, because I live in part of suburbia with few sidewalks -- let alone anyplace that's worth walking to -- I drive all the time, and I almost always use my phone in the car via CarPlay. So, I always have my phone with me, too.

So, in the first scenario, I could get a lot of use out of an LTE Apple Watch. In the second, I'd hardly use the LTE at all.

In neither of these scenarios do I mention any need for any extra song-carrying capacity.
 
Nope, would never switch to EE.

I guess it’s more, I see other advantages to LTE model, such as increase capacity.

I assume that if I don’t (can’t) enable LTE, then it will just disable the LTE antenna etc.

Also, you have the Ceramic backing with the LTE model as well aside from the 16GB storage.
 
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I just went through this decision and purchased the watch without LTE since I knew I did not want an extra monthly data fee. In terms of the watch I think the extra storage is mostly a gimmick at this point as finding and playing music on your phone is way too time consuming. Everything fun and useful with the watch is quick and simple data/personal stats oriented. For everything else the phone is easier. I also thought the ceramic back would bug me but now that I have the watch it also seems like a non issue. Just me 2 cents
 
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Surprisely, I use my watch essentially for the fitness stuff and the acrivity app well integrated between the watch and my phone. For the rest, I think the screen is just too small. I'm glad I just bought the non-LTE version because 1- I always have my phone in my pocket, 2-Notifications are practical but I always end up responding to them on my phone so its just good to just see what it is and answer later if you are with some people. 3- I never answer calls with my watch - again, just good to see who's calling without picking up my phone first, but I rarely have calls anymore these days, so. and 4- the non-LTE one just do anything the LYE version does, but its cheaper.

The only negative point with the non-LTE one is it take a little battery on my phone on standby mode but even if I had the LTE version, it would be paired mist of the time with my phone so...

I can only recommend the LTE only version for those who don't use their phone alot and never have their phones on their pocket or close to them and forgot their phone at home a couple of times a month or for those who do many outdoor training and really don't want to miss anything for an hour or two.
 
I take it you’ve had a bad experience with EE?

Personally, its rare for me to not have my phone on or nearby, so I wouldn’t upgrade to get LTE. The only time my phone isn’t nearby is when at work, and I wouldn’t want to be disturbed by calls, texts etc when working (I appreciate that isn’t an option for some people).

So for me it’s an easy question: if you could get LTE on Vodafone, would you be prepared to pay extra for it (and if you always have your phone with you, do you actually need it)?
 
So I’m a Vodafone UK subscriber, which doesn’t (currently) support LTE Apple Watch.

So, do I buy an LTE Watch now, but use it only as Wi-fi attached, or do I save money now, but then have to upgrade later?

Thoughts?
I’m on o2 which also do not support the LTE Apple Watch. I bought the LTE version in the hope that o2 will support it soon. It was only £50 more and I kept my last Apple Watch (series 0) for 2.5 years so I might as well try and future proof myself as I intend to keep this for a few years again.
 
I don’t need it but, I have LTE because, I wanted SS watch. No choice although I didn’t have to activate it. I do appreciate the extra storage as I have loaded playlists on my watch as I don’t have Apple Music to stream. I can stream onboard playlists to my AirPods.
 
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