S6 GPS vs Cellular

[sparkie7]

In your opinion is it worth the extra cost to get the cellular version?

One reason I would get the cellular is to be able to pass it on to a family member and use the family sharing feature when I upgrade to a newer model

So doesn’t that mean that any watch I want to give to a child or older parent and want to have full location notification, fall alert, SMS & iMessage functionality and calls – must be a cellular version?

I’m trying to decide whether to get it. It means I can go out for a run or ride or play basketball without my phone. I carry my phone all the time but it may mean I can change my habits and not need to carry it as much (the phone)

Your thoughts?

 

[rKunda]

AW5 was my first and I got without cellular. I wasn’t even sure if I’d like the AW. I did and now I’m upgrading to the 6, because I want cellular.

Will not be amazingly useful. But we occasionally go biking and taking the phone is a minor annoyance and I’d like to go on walks or even leave my desk and not lose connection.

 

[oeagleo]

As a 72 year old man, I got the cellular version because even if it's not connected to a carrier, and a fall happens that renders me incapacitated, if the phone is in bluetooth range, the phone will automagically call 911, and my emergency contacts. Since I generally have my phone with me, it's kind of like having a "Life Alert", but without the monthly cost.

 

[sparkie7]

Will not be amazingly useful. But we occasionally go biking and taking the phone is a minor annoyance and I’d like to go on walks or even leave my desk and not lose connection.

Yeah, that would be handy. I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max so it would be good to not have to carry it all the time

 

[jdb8167]

I like the peace of mind of having another cellular connection even at a purchase premium (not me since I bought a Titanium) and a $10/month carrier fee. I rarely actually use the cellular service but I will keep paying for it and when I upgrade the watch, I'll buy another cellular.

 

[sparkie7]

As a 72 year old man, I got the cellular version because even if it's not connected to a carrier, and a fall happens that renders me incapacitated, if the phone is in bluetooth range, the phone will automagically call 911, and my emergency contacts. Since I generally have my phone with me, it's kind of like having a "Life Alert", but without the monthly cost.

Good point, but doesn't the cheaper GPS (non cellular) version & SE have the fall detection feature as well?

 

[sparkie7]

I like the piece of mind of having another cellular connection even at a purchase premium (not me since I bought a Titanium) and a $10/month carrier fee. I rarely actually use the cellular service but I will keep paying for it and when I upgrade the watch, I'll buy another cellular.

Speaking of peace of mind, if your iPhone runs out of battery, will your cellular watch still have connection? I read that the phone has to 'on' to work as it shares the phone's number

 

[chabig]

Good point, but doesn't the cheaper GPS (non cellular) version & SE have the fall detection feature as well?

It does, but a non-cellular Watch needs to be connected to a phone to make a call. A cellular Watch can call emergency services without a phone nearby. That's a big plus to me, not necessarily needing my phone nearby.
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Speaking of peace of mind, if your iPhone runs out of battery, will your cellular watch still have connection? I read that the phone has to 'on' to work as it shares the phone's number

No. The cellular Watch doesn't need a phone to have a cellular connection. That's why you're paying extra for the radio in the Watch.

 

[deeddawg]

In your opinion is it worth the extra cost to get the cellular version?

Yes.

I don't feel like typing out my reasons yet again, so I'd suggest checking out the various other threads covering this exact questions.

Some search results to get you started:

GPS or Cellular?

Most users on here save money going GPS? Or is cellular the new popular option?

forums.macrumors.com

Worth getting cellular for Apple Watch?

Sorry for my english, I am from Sweden. I was thinking that if you have cellular you doesn´t need the phone. But if someone sends an sms it would still go to your phone because the sim in your watch would have a different number. How far from you phone can you be from the phone if it is going...

forums.macrumors.com

LTE vs. GPS - In what scenarios does LTE connectivity actually come into play?

Hi guys, I'm considering a new 5 series Apple Watch. Since this would be my first experience with a "wearable", I'm planning on starting "easy" by going aluminum. Probably 40mm, since I like smaller watches. I wear mechanical watches everyday and love them, but I am attracted by the added...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[chabig]

As a 72 year old man, I got the cellular version because even if it's not connected to a carrier, and a fall happens that renders me incapacitated, if the phone is in bluetooth range, the phone will automagically call 911, and my emergency contacts. Since I generally have my phone with me, it's kind of like having a "Life Alert", but without the monthly cost.

Your cellular Watch doesn't need to be in bluetooth range of a phone. It has its own cellular radio, and it can call emergency services all by itself (even without a cellular subscription).

 

[sparkie7]

Your cellular Watch doesn't need to be in bluetooth range of a phone. It has its own cellular radio, and it can call emergency services all by itself (even without a cellular subscription).

I wasn't sure, but kind of sounded like he didn't have a e-sim plan on it

 

[sparkie7]

No. The cellular Watch doesn't need a phone to have a cellular connection. That's why you're paying extra for the radio in the Watch.

Are you 100% sure? Link?

 

[deeddawg]

Are you 100% sure? Link?

Well, considering that I can stream music and receive texts or make calls on my watch while out on a run a couple miles away from my phone, I'm reasonably sure the watch can utilize a cellular connection without the phone.

Specifications here: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP826?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

 

[deeddawg]

I wasn't sure, but kind of sounded like he didn't have a e-sim plan on it

At least in the US, cellular carriers are legally required to carry 911 calls even if the device does not have a service plan with them.

 

[sparkie7]

Well, considering that I can stream music and receive texts or make calls on my watch while a couple miles away from my phone, I'm reasonably sure the watch can utilize a cellular connection without the phone.

Specifications here: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP826?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Ok try turning your phone Off. See is it still works

 

[chabig]

Ok try turning your phone Off. See is it still works

It works.

 

[deeddawg]

Ok try turning your phone Off. See is it still works

I have. It does.

BTW - Just how exactly were you thinking the watch might communicate with the phone two miles away if it weren't for the watch's cellular connection?

Edit - for clarification I'm talking the context of being out for a run or a walk with no wifi available

 

[dave006]

So doesn’t that mean that any watch I want to give to a child or older parent and want to have full location notification, fall alert, SMS & iMessage functionality and calls – must be a cellular version?

Yes if you want those functions when the Watch is not within range of the paired iPhone. As long as the Watch is within Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range (know Wi-Fi) then these functions work via the paired Watch.

I’m trying to decide whether to get it. It means I can go out for a run or ride or play basketball without my phone. I carry my phone all the time but it may mean I can change my habits and not need to carry it as much (the phone)

Your thoughts?

It really comes down to a personal decision. I use my Watch with it's LTE connection about 3-4 hours per day while my iPhone sits on the counter at home while I walk the dog and exercise. I still can receive calls, SMS Txts, iMessages, use Apple Pay if needed.

I can also make any quick phone calls directly from my watch. So in addition to the initial investement of an additional $100 please consider that you will need a Cellular Carrier plan that supports the Apple Watch and pay the $10 per month + tax.

Dave

 

[deeddawg]

So in addition to the initial investement of an additional $100 please consider that you will need a Cellular Carrier plan that supports the Apple Watch and pay the $10 per month + tax.

Yes, do research what your carrier's *actual* cost will be for the cellular add on. Also as I recall few/no carriers allow watch plan addons for prepaid customers or MVNO customers, need to be on a postpaid plan. This may have changed, I haven't looked.

Taxes and fees can vary by locale and carrier. In my case, on T-Mobile, the watch plan is a flat $10 inclusive of any fees or taxes.

 

[sparkie7]

I have. It does.

BTW - Just how exactly were you thinking the watch might communicate with the phone two miles away if it weren't for the watch's cellular connection?

Ok was getting conflicting info. See link below 2nd to last poster says...

can i still use my watch to make a call e… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

& apple link...

Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

Learn what you can do with your Apple Watch when your iPhone isn't with you.

support.apple.com

"1. To receive SMS, MMS, or push notifications from third-party apps on your cellular Apple Watch, your paired iPhone must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular, but it doesn't need to be nearby. "
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It works.

Interesting. See above reply..

 

[dave006]

Also as I recall few/no carriers allow watch plan addons for prepaid customers or MVNO customers, need to be on a postpaid plan. This may have changed, I haven't looked.

Great point here is the link that Apple provides for Carrier support the the cellular feature of the Watches.

https://www.apple.com/watch/cellular/

Dave

 

[sparkie7]

I can also make any quick phone calls directly from my watch. So in addition to the initial investement of an additional $100 please consider that you will need a Cellular Carrier plan that supports the Apple Watch and pay the $10 per month + tax.

Dave

When you make calls from your watch, do you make them using airpods? A lot of people say trying to call with just the watch is difficult

 

[BigMcGuire]

When you make calls from your watch, do you make them using airpods? A lot of people say trying to call with just the watch is difficult

I have done both calls via watch with my airpods. I've done quite a few calls with my GPS watch via watch speaker (when in range of wifi). But I much prefer Airpods for calls.

 

[dave006]

BTW - Just how exactly were you thinking the watch might communicate with the phone two miles away if it weren't for the watch's cellular connection?

One small point of clarification. The Apple Watch can use either LTE or a know Wi-Fi connection to communicate with the paired iPhone when out of Bluetooth range. For example, I use the current free Xfinity Wi-Fi in one specific area where I have no Cell coverage.

Dave

 

[dave006]

When you make calls from your watch, do you make them using airpods? A lot of people say trying to call with just the watch is difficult

When alone it is easier for me to just use my watch, just raise to talk like "Dick Tracy" on the old Comics (very old reference from my Grandfather but fun as it came true). In mixed company or in a busy or noisy environment Air Pods are the winner.

Dave