Upgrading my Watch4, questions

[kingston73]

I have had a 4 (wifi only model) for years and I'm planning on upgrading to a cellular model. Is it worth it to upgrade now or should I wait a while to see what the newest model this fall will be?

And are ALL new models cellular capable? Is there enough difference between the 4 and the SE to even notice?

 

[kingston73]

I'll add that I'm on tmobile and there's a tempting offer for $200 off if I buy an SE and add a watch line.

 

[Howard2k]

There it always a new model coming. If you want it now buy it now, if not wait.
Yes, all models have either cellular (Ultra, S8 SS) or a cellular option (S8 Alu).

The new SE has the faster processor, but it won't be light years ahead of the S4. To be honest I'd wait, if the S4 is working well. Just my opinion. I'm not sure that the new SE has enough features over the S4 if the S4 is still working well.

 

[leifp]

the past few years had very minor boosts in capabilities and performance. With the Ultra having launched last year, I'd expect some larger updates to the regular line(s) this autumn.

That said, the upgrades from the S4 that you have will absolutely be huge already. Why are you upgrading? Is there a feature that appeals or is the S4 starting to feel a bit unresponsive?

 

[kingston73]

My biggest reason for wanting an upgrade is wanting cellular. I've realized that wifi only is pretty limiting.

 

[jz0309]

My biggest reason for wanting an upgrade is wanting cellular. I've realized that wifi only is pretty limiting.

in what sense? I've had the cellular model starting with my SBSS S4, S7 Ti and now Ultra and never activated it, and I don't feel "limited" at all.
Here's what you should look at re features:

Apple Watch - Compare Models

Compare specs for the latest Apple Watch models: Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch SE.

www.apple.com

Personally I would never go back to non-AOD nor would I want to miss out on some of the health features, but that's just me

 

[bricktop_at]

I've had the cellular model starting with my SBSS S4, S7 Ti and now Ultra and never activated it, and I don't feel "limited" at all.

Same here, never saw any benefit from having cell service active on my watches

 

[jbjarko]

Unless something drastic happens with the new models, I'll be upgrading my S4 to either an 8 or an Ultra this fall when I order a 15. Conceivable the prices on the 8 and Ultra will drop and I'll just be a year behind the boat.

 

[okieoutwest]

You already have the straight forward answer you were looking for but I thought I'd add some other thoughts as someone with a S4 cellular watch on t-mobile who has used it nearly everyday since release.

In the first two years I really liked the cellular standalone feature and would use it often, taking phone calls while on walks or feeling comfortable leaving my phone at home for short bus trips to the grocery story or some other pre-determined destination whose route I did regularly.

As battery capacity has shortened, the LTE watch becomes more and more like a GPS only watch, but for me at least I'd say this was at least sometime into year 3 with it. I started noticing that an hour phone call would greatly reduce my battery- enough where I'd have to recharge it afterwards to get through the rest of the day. Without LTE phone calls, it has only been this year that I've begun to notice not being able to get a full, long day charge out of it.

YMMV but that's something to consider with regard to the overall life of the watch and your uses.