My wife has 15PM. She does not have a watch nor does she want one. However we are getting “up there” in age and fall detection is a motivating factor. And she does not like dragging her iPhone around, especially while doing yard work. If she has a GPS only (no LTE) version of SE (or even regular) watch and is not in wifi range, will fall detection call emergency service, presumably via satellite? Or, could she take a walk with a non-cell watch and still have operational fall detection?
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- Thread starter jonh229
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Might want to read this:
Use Fall Detection with Apple Watch - Apple Support
If Apple Watch detects a hard fall, it can help connect you to emergency services if needed.
Thank you. That link did not totally clarify it for me. Quoting "Fall Detection notifications to emergency services may be communicated by the Emergency SOS via satellite system when you're outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, where Emergency SOS via satellite is available." Maybe I'm splitting hairs but if the SE is GPS only, and if the iPhone has been left at home, and the SE is in an area where there is cell coverage but not for the SE, only the absent iPhone, I am still wondering if that is considered outside cell coverage. I'm looking at it as a situation where the watch alone is not capable of cell coverage so it is not (or maybe it is??) capable of activating a satellite call to EMS.
The GPS SE2 does not have a cellular radio at all, so can only make emergency calls when in range of your iPhone or known WiFi. If you are outside of WiFi and cellular range and have an iPhone that supports emergency calls via satellite in a country that supports that feature (like the US) and you have the iPhone with you, the iPhone will try to make an emergency call via satellite.
Bottom-line: in your case, get the cellular model. You can own the cellular model and not activate cellular, but the cell radio will still be usable for emergency calls.
Bottom-line: in your case, get the cellular model. You can own the cellular model and not activate cellular, but the cell radio will still be usable for emergency calls.
To add a bit more detail to doogm's accurate post, Apple Watches don't currently support satellite connectivity. There is a rumor that feature may be added to the Ultra 3, but at the current time the only way an Apple Watch can notify emergency services in an area with no Wi-Fi or cellular coverage is by bringing along an iPhone equipped with that feature (iPhone 14 or newer).
THIS.
If fall risk detection is a real concern, do yourself a favor and get a cellular model. I've had cellular watches since my S4 and never a plan, but do know that I can make 911 calls if necessary.