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Series 3 LTE Model without Cell Plan

Briggsdn2001

Briggsdn2001

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 11, 2017
5
1
Chicago
Hi!

Perhaps an odd question, but can you purchase a Cell model and not use the cell plan? The reason I ask this is that I want to use the watch for exercise and I Love the idea of running outside without my phone but still being connected, however, as I live in a cold weather climate, I will be moving to an indoor exercise bike for the winter months where my phone can be nearby.

Essentially, I am willing to pay for the cell connection from April - October, but the rest of the year, I’m not sure it’s worth it. Anyone have any insight on this?

Thanks so much!
 
Briggsdn2001 said:
Hi!

Perhaps an odd question, but can you purchase a Cell model and not use the cell plan? The reason I ask this is that I want to use the watch for exercise and I Love the idea of running outside without my phone but still being connected, however, as I live in a cold weather climate, I will be moving to an indoor exercise bike for the winter months where my phone can be nearby.

Essentially, I am willing to pay for the cell connection from April - October, but the rest of the year, I’m not sure it’s worth it. Anyone have any insight on this?

Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

For T-Mobile, the watch plan is on monthly contract and you can cancel it anytime and activate when you need!
 
Leica Dad said:
For T-Mobile, the watch plan is on monthly contract and you can cancel it anytime and activate when you need!
Click to expand...
This is exactly what I am looking for. I am on ATT right now....would I have to switch everything over to make that work. Any ATT people have experience with this
 
One more thing, I believe the activation fee is currently waived under promotion period, so you might be charge the fee in the future to re-activated. Which you might still end up saving $20-30 compared to keep the plan all year.
 
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I want the SS watch but I really don’t need the cell plan but maybe will use in future. Can I pair the series 3 watch with my phone and use it without a cell plan? Thanks
 
LMMAACC said:
I want the SS watch but I really don’t need the cell plan but maybe will use in future. Can I pair the series 3 watch with my phone and use it without a cell plan? Thanks
Click to expand...
Yes, just skip the cellular setup then it will just work like normal Apple Watch!
 
I would check with ATT. I was told that since it is an electronic sim, that once you cancel the plan on the watch, it cannot be activated again. I’m not 100% sure the rep knew what they were talking about though.
 
Chacocliff said:
I would check with ATT. I was told that since it is an electronic sim, that once you cancel the plan on the watch, it cannot be activated again. I’m not 100% sure the rep knew what they were talking about though.
Click to expand...

Does the sim self-destruct? ;)
 
No the eSIM does not self-destruct but on the iPad Pro with the eSIM, AT&T was / is able to lock the eSIM to AT&T. The good news in the case of the iPad Pro is that it also has a nano-SIM so you can just put a nano-SIM from the Carrier of your choice and keep moving.

Dave
 
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Briggsdn2001 said:
This is exactly what I am looking for. I am on ATT right now....would I have to switch everything over to make that work. Any ATT people have experience with this
Click to expand...

From the fine print, it looks like there could be a $25 activation fee each time. For me, I think of $120/year as cheap insurance to have a cellular backup should I forget my iPhone occasionally.
 
co1f said:
From the fine print, it looks like there could be a $25 activation fee each time. For me, I think of $120/year as cheap insurance to have a cellular backup should I forget my iPhone occasionally.
Click to expand...
Don't forget the Plus taxes, Federal fees, local taxes, etc.
 
DotCom2 said:
Don't forget the Plus taxes, Federal fees, local taxes, etc.
Click to expand...

Yes, that’s an excellent point. I’m guessing my monthly bill for this will probably be closer to $15 per month. Still reasonable to me for an extra device I’m most likely to have with me when I forget my phone... but outrageous nonetheless. Shame on whoever tacks on all the added fees/taxes. :)
 
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No it should be less that a dollar. One of the lines on my plan is $40 and the added fees and taxes are only $2.81. Don't you people ever look at a bill?

Dave
 
dave006 said:
No it should be less that a dollar. One of the lines on my plan is $40 and the added fees and taxes are only $2.81. Don't you people ever look at a bill?

Dave
Click to expand...
I think it depends of where you live. For instance, the city right next to me charges local taxes on cell plans but my city does not. And yes, I do look at my phone bill every single month.
EDIT: I just looked on my bill and my fee to join our plan is $15.00 a month but with the added taxes it's $18.52.
 
dave006 said:
No it should be less that a dollar. One of the lines on my plan is $40 and the added fees and taxes are only $2.81. Don't you people ever look at a bill?

Dave
Click to expand...

I do :)
I’ll try to remember to post back here after my next bill.
My current bill has the $10 + $25 + prorated monthly + taxes/fees comes to $41.xx
Extra iPhones on my Att plan are $15/mo, but with taxes/fees comes to $21.xx
So that’s where my “about $15/mo” for my watch came from.
Happy for it to be less than that of course!
 
dave006 said:
No it should be less that a dollar. One of the lines on my plan is $40 and the added fees and taxes are only $2.81. Don't you people ever look at a bill?

Dave
Click to expand...
Where I am, it is close to $7 in fees and taxes.
 
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