Verizon or Apple

[philrock]

I'm finally seriously considering an Apple Watch. For the better part of the last 18 years I have worked in areas where security protocol restricted wearing smart watches or having phones on your person. As much as I have wanted an AW, I couldn't justify one knowing it would not be on my wrist the majority of the day.
In a few weeks I will be starting a job where that isn't the case so I have decided to finally pull the trigger
Verizon is offering $150 off right now. It comes in the form of monthly credits. I could pay outright less the $150 and that's a great deal. I wouldn't get the exact configuration I want though so I would most likely end up buying the band I want eventually. Probably still come out ahead.
Any reason I should NOT purchase through Verizon? Thanks!

 

[QueenTyrone]

Buy from Apple, yeah you get the 150 off but you’re stuck with cellular service on a watch you 8/10 won’t use after the first 2 months. 15 adds up quick.

 

[wolfe48]

Go with Apple. My first AW was a Series 3 GPS. Upgraded to a Series 5 LTE with Verizon. I don't use or rely on the LTE as much as I thought I would.

If I could go back and do it over, I would stick with a GPS model for the cost savings. In the 3.5 years of wearing an AW I could not ever tell you a single difference between GPS/LTE except that with LTE you will still get your phone calls and text messages if you ever leave your phone behind. Because of my jobs.... I tend to have to keep my phone on me at all times.

When my AW is paid of with Verizon, I'll most likely disconnect the LTE service unless I upgrade to a GPS model sooner.

 

[philrock]

Thanks for the input. I should have clarified that the primary reason I want an AW is so i can leave my phone at home and still have some connectivity. I prefer not to have my phone when I go on runs, bike rides, hikes, etc.

 

[tcphoto1]

I chose the GPS model because I don't want to be available 24/7, if it's important they'll leave a message. Besides, how often are you without your phone? I would buy from whomever had the lowest price available. In my case, it was Best Buy shortly after release.

 

[mk313]

I was in your shoes a year and a half ago, I ended up buying it from Sprint & aside from the $ I saved (assuming that you are planning to activate the cellular anyways-which you're already stated you are), there was zero difference buying from Sprint vs Apple. I'd recommend buying it from Verizon & saving the $

 

[rojocrandall]

Much of the LTE/no LTE question is based on personal preference. For me the $15 a month for
LTE on my AW is wonderful. I leave my phone behind quite often, while exercising, while eating out,
while hanging out with friends, meetings, etc. as I can stay in touch and screen calls and messages
without having the distraction of breaking out the phone.

 

[kltmom]

For your use case then, I'd get it through Verizon for the discount. My husband got a cellular version through Sprint because they offered 50% off the retail price, but now we're locked into a contract for 24 months and pay $10/mo for service for the watch. But he regrets getting the cellular version (he thought he'd need it) because over the past year he's used it, he ended up always having his iPhone with him at all times anyway. He's never used the cellular connection, ever. The minute the contract is over, we've cutting off the service for it. But since you're clearly going to use the watch without a phone in several situations, it's worth it for you.

 

[318iphone]

I'm finally seriously considering an Apple Watch. For the better part of the last 18 years I have worked in areas where security protocol restricted wearing smart watches or having phones on your person. As much as I have wanted an AW, I couldn't justify one knowing it would not be on my wrist the majority of the day.
In a few weeks I will be starting a job where that isn't the case so I have decided to finally pull the trigger
Verizon is offering $150 off right now. It comes in the form of monthly credits. I could pay outright less the $150 and that's a great deal. I wouldn't get the exact configuration I want though so I would most likely end up buying the band I want eventually. Probably still come out ahead.
Any reason I should NOT purchase through Verizon? Thanks!

I did exactly what you are suggesting back in December. Got the $150 credit from Verizon. I think its a good deal. The only drawback is what you mentioned you can't get the exact model/band that you want. Also you can't return it. If you buy from Apple you can return for any reason with 14 days I believe.

 

[mebehere]

I will never buy anything from Verizon other than a phone. I bought AirPods Pro through them and the cost came out of my monthly bill instead of a direct purchase.

I ended up returning them and the refund was a total confusing mess.

 

[philrock]

I did exactly what you are suggesting back in December. Got the $150 credit from Verizon. I think its a good deal. The only drawback is what you mentioned you can't get the exact model/band that you want. Also you can't return it. If you buy from Apple you can return for any reason with 14 days I believe.

I feel like even buying a $50 band I would come out ahead. Thanks for sharing.