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.
LTE vs. Standard
- Thread starter Elektrofone
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Most carriers are offering a free 90 day trial with LTE. So even if you do purchase the Series 3 Apple Watch, you can take advantage of that. And to use the Series 3 Apple Watch, you also don't have to enable LTE if you don't want to. You can simply use it normally as you would with any other Apple Watch.
Thanks. That's good info. I guess I'm wondering if it's worth the extra $70 initial cost to have the option.
Ultimately, that's up to you. Ask yourself this, Do you feel you would truly appreciate not being tethered to your iPhone and having the freedom of LTE on your Apple Watch? Or situations where you want to leave your iPhone behind and just use your Apple Watch? Such as for fitness or leaving your iPhone in the car while you go to the store, etc.
If you think you can justify the needs for LTE where you would appreciate it enough, then I would opt for it. If you're someone that relies more heavily on your iPhone and prefers that, then I would consider the GPS model.
Last edited:
Correct the Cellular model has 16 GB vs 8 GB on the base Series 3. And in addition, you also get the ceramic back on the cellular model. The base model has a composite back. All this for only $70 more than the base Series 3.
Note: this is not a sales add for the cellular model.
Dave
Note: this is not a sales add for the cellular model.
Dave
Ugh, I'm going through the same dilemma..I can't decide which I want for Christmas lol. Right now, I don't really want the LTE for the monthly charge (holiday shopping has made me broke enough haha), but it'd be nice to have the option in the future I suppose..Idk.. I appreciate this post though, that's all I came to say!
I have an LTE model but do not have any interest in using the LTE functionality.
I was originally going to buy a non-LTE silver aluminum S3, but then I decided I really liked the coppery color of the S3 gold watch, especially when worn with darker bands. I may be female, but I really dislike the baby pink sport band color that comes with the gold version. I also wanted a sport loop band (and the pink sand version of that one is more neutral)
So, I had a choice of a non-LTE that came with a pink band I would never wear + $50 for a sport loop, or get the lte version with the sport loop (not the perfect color, but neutral enough to wear). At that point there is only a $20 difference between the two and $20 is reasonable for the upgraded back and storage.
I was originally going to buy a non-LTE silver aluminum S3, but then I decided I really liked the coppery color of the S3 gold watch, especially when worn with darker bands. I may be female, but I really dislike the baby pink sport band color that comes with the gold version. I also wanted a sport loop band (and the pink sand version of that one is more neutral)
So, I had a choice of a non-LTE that came with a pink band I would never wear + $50 for a sport loop, or get the lte version with the sport loop (not the perfect color, but neutral enough to wear). At that point there is only a $20 difference between the two and $20 is reasonable for the upgraded back and storage.
The LTE:
1. Twice the internal storage.
2. Very small increased battery size.
3. Ceramic back that resists scratches better than the composite back (plastic).
4. The red crown.
5. Very, very slightly heavier.
1. Twice the internal storage.
2. Very small increased battery size.
3. Ceramic back that resists scratches better than the composite back (plastic).
4. The red crown.
5. Very, very slightly heavier.
Think also that some of that $70 may be recouped on resale.
In the UK price difference is £70 which is a bit much but $70 I think it’s worth it.
In the UK price difference is £70 which is a bit much but $70 I think it’s worth it.
To me the biggest difference and the major advantage is the ability to make an emergency 911 call on the watch, even without paying for the monthly service, if that rare and hopefully unlikely event happens in which you may need to call 911 but you don't have your phone (or it gets lost or smashed, etc).
Wasn't an issue for me, I really wanted the Stainless version, because of the more durable case, and the Sapphire crystal. It only comes with the LTE chip, but I haven't enabled it, nor do I intend to.
FWIW, your mileage may vary.
FWIW, your mileage may vary.
Can you make an emergency call without having LTE active? I figured it needed to be active.
Well you are in the UK, so not sure about that, and we are not really sure in the US either, but US cellular companies are required by regulation to respond to any cell call to 911, even if not active or not having a plan. At least one forum user here tested calling 911 in the US (but I think that is disfavored and may be illegal is some places so don't try that).
Any phone and now, any LTE enabled watch whether the service is activated or not, is able to make an emergency 911 call here in the US.
You are doing it by pressing on the two bottoms at the same time
Last edited:
My wife and I went with the GPS only model because of the $50+ price difference plus the monthly fee with Verizon x2 (wife+myself). So $100 plus $20/mo? We decided to get GPS only. This is our first Apple Watch. Very happy with it. Will probably go LTE in two years because finances will be better and lte should be better.
I have a series 2 sport. I want the Nike watch because I like the faces. I'm thinking about getting the LTE version as others said. It's best to have than not and you get three months of it to really decide.
I'm also thinking about keeping the LTE active just because I got to the gym multiple times a week and I have an iPhone X that I keep in a thin case with no drop protection. I could leave my phone at home, rather than taking it out and sitting on the floor next to my stuff. During the summer. Can leave the phone at home when going swimming or going to 6 flags
I need Amazon to get off their butts and release an App so I can stream Prime music from the watch if I get the LTE version
I'm also thinking about keeping the LTE active just because I got to the gym multiple times a week and I have an iPhone X that I keep in a thin case with no drop protection. I could leave my phone at home, rather than taking it out and sitting on the floor next to my stuff. During the summer. Can leave the phone at home when going swimming or going to 6 flags
I need Amazon to get off their butts and release an App so I can stream Prime music from the watch if I get the LTE version