Worth getting cellular for Apple Watch?

[bruinsrme]

I turned off my cell service to my AW3 for a few months. It was such a relief to turn it back on. I dislike being tied to my phone all the time. I can run to the store and leave the phone at home; all the while receiving and replying to texts, AND paying for my groceries.

It's a tough $13 - $15 dollars a month to swallow But leaving the house to go for a ride or walk or leaving the phone in the truck or desk or wherever the convenience is nice to have.

To the OP - having sold a lot of watches I had far more customers come back and return the WIFI version for the Cellular than I had returning the cellular for the WIFI (maybe three).


If you do not work out or always carry your phone, I don't, then the WIFI is recommended. I will say, I have my phone on me 60% of the time and the watch 90+% of the time.
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I never turn mine off. Its usually off the charger at 0630 & back on by 2230 with about 40-45% battery left. YMMV

That's similar to my experience

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Anyway, since the Watch + Cellular will be on or near you 24/7, how many think it could be compromised and turned into a hot mic like has been proven on iOS and Android in the past? I suspect it has a minimalistic OS so that would lower the attack surface, but if connected to the cellular network 24/7 and it as compromised, I could picture it easily being used as an eavesdropping device. Although I have not verified, I suspect there is a way to turn off the cellular radio with a toggle to save battery life?

Have you read anything, anywhere saying the Apple Watch could be a listening device? Same risk for phone, non cellular watch, etc. I hear ya, just think it is pretty unfounded.

 

[TJ82]

Great! thanks for your replies!

Seems worth it but is costly.

Worth pretty much nothing. People make up scenarios to justify it I find, but don't use it in practise. Most people I know now have a cellular Apple Watch, myself included, but only because they want stainless steel. No-one uses the cellular or pays for it. I tried it during the free trial and here's the main issues.

1: sound is crap and it's goofy talking from your wrist on speaker mode.

2: I always have my phone with me, even when cycling, though short runs are the exception.

3: Anyone worth anything in my life has my WeChat or WhatsApp and use that to talk to me. No-one in my industry texts each other (finance) it's getting to be uncommon for a client or colleague to text. They call, or if they can't get me there, they'll email. If they know me well they'll use WhatsApp in and out of hours.

4: replying on the watch is pants. It's slow and the UI is still a bit busy for such a small screen.

5: Setup in the UK is appalling. They need to simplify the whole process and remove the extra cost. Your cellular plan for the iPhone should be enough for the accessory. The cellular should activate when you first scan your Apple Watch with your phone. The tech isn't there for this yet as networks simply don't have a way of implementing it. Was talking to some guys at EE who were explaining the problems with it. Over time and with investment it'll be sorted, but only if they see it's popular. It's currently not. People are buying the cellular watches, they're not using the feature.

6: Ultras/safety? It's just not good enough a sports device for anything like ultra racing. It doesn't have the features or battery life, and it would only then be used as a secondary device for the safety of getting a call out. Ultra racers are minimalists, so good luck trying to get a decent one to take a second watch.

People who're talking about leaving their phones at home when out where, in the city? They're just experimenting and on a honeymoon period with a new tech feature. They're not adding anything to their lives and the sacrificing the ability to do useful things like the one example above, where some talks of the freedom to go and get groceries without their phone. How funny is that. Not sports or anything where the phone would weigh you down, or have any meaningful impediment, just getting groceries.

Guess what, people with families or house shares often use their phones to take pictures of stuff in the store and ask, is this the right one, or which one you want? Or call to say they don't have this, should I try somewhere else? All that stuff is done so much better with your phone. If you're just nipping out for a moment to grab milk, then guess what, it makes no difference if you have your phone, watch or anything for that matter. Only thing you're doing is making it harder for someone to communicate with you on your smaller screen and speaker phone which isn't private. Oh now you need your headphones to make the call private. Are they synced? Good. Make sure you actually take them with you too. You know, while you're trying to 'free' yourself.

 

[slippery-pete]

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 to send messages to you phone?

Why would you buy a cellular?

Had series 3 with cellular but went with just gps for my series 5. Maybe did the “watch only” thing maybe 5 times with my series 3....

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I think unless you go out running and absolutely have to have a phone connection, it’s a bit pointless.

A friend of mine pays £5 a month for the privilege of a cellular watch and told me she has it in case she leaves her phone at home by accident! How would she cope! Lol

 

[BillGates1969]

I think it is horses for courses. As a few have mentioned in the UK it is £5 extra. To me that is worth it. I probably use it maybe once or twice a week tops, and it is worth it for the convenience.

I walk the dogs everyday and when I am on call with work, rather than carry two iPhones, i leave my personal iPhone at home and have my watch to send/receive personal stuff, all the time contactable by work on my work phone. I could carry two phones, but why bother

There is no right or wrong here, it is down to everybody's use case and/or what they deem acceptable to pay.

Just my 2p worth.

 

[deeddawg]

Anyway, since the Watch + Cellular will be on or near you 24/7, how many think it could be compromised and turned into a hot mic like has been proven on iOS and Android in the past?

anything possible of course, but frankly anyone monitoring me like that would be bored to tears. I'm simply not that interesting.

 

[douglasf13]

The reason I’m upgrading my Series 0 to a Series 5 is the always on display, and I’m getting LTE simply because I want stainless steel.

I did buy an LTE version at one point last year, but I returned it, because I use my Watch pretty simply, which can still be done with a Series 0, and, as others have mentioned, I usually have my phone with me for the camera and my work (in a pinch, I can log into my office computer and use our databases with my phone, albeit somewhat tediously.)

 

[scmill]

I have a problem with falling. The $10/month for peace of mind is trivial.

 

[monkeybagel]

Have you read anything, anywhere saying the Apple Watch could be a listening device? Same risk for phone, non cellular watch, etc. I hear ya, just think it is pretty unfounded.

Specifically pertaining to Apple Watch no, but iOS, yes. I don't think it is unfounded as you have to consider the fact that any device that is on a network 24/7 is vulnerable to pen testing and, in theory, could be compromised.

I do suspect, that you need to be a target by a government intelligence service for your device to be compromised and, in turn, converted into a listening device. As many I am sure are aware, some companies actively advertise the fact that have compromised iOS and market their vulnerabilities to governments. Not anything can be done about it, obviously, if you want the convenience of the device. Just the idea is... creepy being the best word to describe it?

 

[monkeybagel]

anything possible of course, but frankly anyone monitoring me like that would be bored to tears. I'm simply not that interesting.

I am not either, and at this point it would likely require an organization with virtually unlimited funding, and they would not waste time listening to random people (I would not think). I think you would need to be a target for surveillance initially, and if determined you just happened to also wear an Apple Watch, it could, in theory be targeted and possibly compromised. But again, as of now, I have not heard of any published zero-day or anything similar, and the likelihood is extremely low IMO. If I felt otherwise I would not invest in one. I just put the idea out there for discussion to see if anyone else had considered this or had any concern about it - I have nothing to base it on other than SmartPhones are compromised on a regular basis (albeit "regular" is significantly shrinking) and the vulnerabilities are getting harder and harder to find as Apple are staying on the forefront of security so the antisec companies are looking into router vulnerabilities (Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Juniper, etc.) to gather the information their customers are seeking. The number vulnerabilities with complete remote execution vulnerability with no physical access and require no user interaction are on the antisec market less and less, and more and more are paid for them. And this is a very good thing for everyone.

The iOS 12.4 jailbreak may come to mind for some, but it does require physical interaction with the device - you must know what you are doing and know how to install a Profile and accept it for it to work.

I think Apple is headed the right direction with the new 10.15 OS X/macOS (whatever you prefer) as well from my usage of it (which is daily as a primary OS).

 

[oeagleo]

I have a problem with falling. The $10/month for peace of mind is trivial.

Actually, the LTE watch is able to call 911, or emergency services within the US, (I don't know about elsewhere in the world) without being connected to a wireless service. It's required in the US for that capability. So, if that's the only thing you'd use the watch for, then I wouldn't spend the monthly charge. My service (TracFone) doesn't support the watch, but I still have the LTE version for the emergency calling feature.

 

[futurist101]

I ended up cancelling my cellular plan (on Verizon for AW3) after a couple of months because the value wasn't there. I LOVED the freedom it gave me to leave my iPhone 7+ at home and still connect via phone/text if necessary. The biggest problem was the slow performance of the AW3 and the spotty Verizon coverage in certain areas. This led to frustration during the limited times I would depend on it while I didn't have my iPhone.

Right now, I'm debating on whether or not to get the cellular version of the AW5 and give it another try. Verizon cellular service would cost me about $175/year (one time $30 line activation fee). I'd be better off saving some money and getting the AW4 to partly offset the cellular service cost since the processor performance is supposedly the same. But I want that always-on display so it will be the AW5 or nothing for me this year.

 

[Kboy250]

If you go LTE, I would recommend getting the AirPods to go with it. It's a great combination and really lets you use the watch to it's full potential. Voice dictation on the watch for message, siri and the like work extremely well.
To those that say they never leave home without their phone, my response is why do I need to always take my Plus size phone when I have the LTE watch.
I can go on walk, run, or bike ride without the phone and still get all my text messages and calls. I can listen to up to date podcasts and track my workout.
I can go to a football game and leave the phone at home or in the car. I can still text my buddies to let them know I arrived, make calls, get updated scores from other games in real time, get live weather all without a Plus size phone in my pocket.
I can make the trip to the grocery store and get calls/text. Example, call the wife if the favorite brand is not available at the store for substitute.
I can get driving directions on maps without the Iphone if choose.
With that said, I still use my phone on a daily basis for web browsing, twitter, homekit applications and the like but not while I listed the activities above.
As far as some say it's not worth the monthly price, I could say the same for a daily Starbucks coffee. Do away with 3 Starbucks coffee and you've paid the monthly watch LTE bill.
A 3 year upgrade cycle for the Apple Watch is very realistic and if you divide the $100 price by 3, that's 33 per year for having a LTE watch. You can always cancel the cell service if you feel it's not worth it but you can't add a LTE chip to a GPS only watch without getting a new watch.
I've owned a 0, 1 and 3 LTE so I know both sides of the coin so to speak. I'll be getting a 5 LTE as soon as it hits the Apple store.
To me it's worth it, to some it's not. Only you will know if it's worth it to you.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the watch whichever route you go.

 

[brianric]

A couple of questions on getting the cellular model. I have two apps that are very important. One is Medisafe. I have Parkinson's and A-Fib. Parkinson's medicine has to be taken three times a day. A-Fib medication has to be taken twice a day. If I forget to take the meds at a certain time the app will send an alarm and cause the watch to vibrate to remind me to take the meds. The second app is the Tile Bluetooth tracker. I have it set up that if I leave home without my wallet, by the time I get about a mile down the road I get a reminder on the watch that I left home without the wallet. I also can also set four additional places so say I went to the gym with my wallet, but leave the gym without the wallet I'll get a reminder on the watch.

Will the Medisafe work and remind me to take my meds if I leave the phone at home and I'm on the road? I doubt the Tile app will work if I leave both the wallet and phone at home, but how would it work if I left the wallet at the gym? In other words, the phone is at home, I go to the gym with the wallet but leave the gym without the wallet.

 

[Ruggy]

Specifically pertaining to Apple Watch no, but iOS, yes. I don't think it is unfounded as you have to consider the fact that any device that is on a network 24/7 is vulnerable to pen testing and, in theory, could be compromised.

I do suspect, that you need to be a target by a government intelligence service for your device to be compromised and, in turn, converted into a listening device. As many I am sure are aware, some companies actively advertise the fact that have compromised iOS and market their vulnerabilities to governments. Not anything can be done about it, obviously, if you want the convenience of the device. Just the idea is... creepy being the best word to describe it?

On iOS (but not on the watch as far as I know) there's a handy little app called 'Oversight' which notifies you any time your mic or camera go live and gives you the option to allow it or not.
I'm nothing to do with them but thought it might be interesting to mention it for people worried about this in the context of the conversation. It does work when I open face time or whatever but I've never had it go live unexpectedly yet.
https://objective-see.com/products/oversight.html

 

[teidon]

if connected to the cellular network 24/7 and it as compromised, I could picture it easily being used as an eavesdropping device.

It can be used for eavesdropping even without a 24/7 internet connection. It would just store the recorded audio to on-device storage and send it to internet when it next time connects to your phone or known Wi-Fi network.

 

[matrix07]

A couple of questions on getting the cellular model. I have two apps that are very important. One is Medisafe. I have Parkinson's and A-Fib. Parkinson's medicine has to be taken three times a day. A-Fib medication has to be taken twice a day. If I forget to take the meds at a certain time the app will send an alarm and cause the watch to vibrate to remind me to take the meds. The second app is the Tile Bluetooth tracker. I have it set up that if I leave home without my wallet, by the time I get about a mile down the road I get a reminder on the watch that I left home without the wallet. I also can also set four additional places so say I went to the gym with my wallet, but leave the gym without the wallet I'll get a reminder on the watch.

Will the Medisafe work and remind me to take my meds if I leave the phone at home and I'm on the road? I doubt the Tile app will work if I leave both the wallet and phone at home, but how would it work if I left the wallet at the gym? In other words, the phone is at home, I go to the gym with the wallet but leave the gym without the wallet.

Your 1st part, notification is notification. If it send to the phone it will appear on the watch.
2nd part, keep an eye on Tile-like Apple TAG rumoured to be released soon.

I work at home but if I'm going out it will be like this: If I know the place I go has wi-fi I'll bring only the watch and iPad. If I'm not sure I'll bring the phone and leave iPad at home. Cellular watch is that good that I can go out without a phone and without a fear.

 

[brianric]

Your 1st part, notification is notification. If it send to the phone it will appear on the watch.
2nd part, keep an eye on Tile-like Apple TAG rumoured to be released soon.

I work at home but if I'm going out it will be like this: If I know the place I go has wi-fi I'll bring only the watch and iPad. If I'm not sure I'll bring the phone and leave iPad at home. Cellular watch is that good that I can go out without a phone and without a fear.

Thanks. I decided if I was going with the GPS & Celluar that I would go with stainless. Ordered the SS Black. I already have black leather and the Space Black Milanese bands. Got the military discount price of $674. The meds notification is a must. Most of the time I'll have the phone with me. It will be nice to leave the phone in the car when on a photoshoot. I'm a volunteer photographer for five major charities and like using my pockets for carrying spare batteries. I will look into the Apple TAG when it comes out.

 

[jamesschmidtke]

One reason not mentioned yet is the ability to call emergency services, in most countries even if the cellular plan is not activated.

This new feature really got me

 

[Azathoth123]

This new feature really got me

it isn’t a new feature, it’s due to a ruling by the FCC effective in December 1997 for cellular telephones IIRC. Many other countries do the same. There’s a drawback, if you use an unactivated cellular device to call emergency services, you have to stay on the line, if you hang up, they can’t call you back on an unactivated device. Still, it’s very much an important feature IMO.

 

[pasadena]

LTE is the one thing that got me on the AW wagon. I can't imagine not having it, tbh.

 

[beeboy100]

Yes it is for me

 

[Oohara]

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 to send messages to you phone?

Why would you buy a cellular?

It definitely isn't if you travel a lot. I was about to buy an LTE Apple Watch and was definitely looking forward to being able to go out on a run or grocery shopping or whatever moment when it'd be nice to not have to worry about the phone. But then I found out the AW doesn't support roaming - and as I spend at least half my time in other European countries, that makes it completely useless for me.

 

[Nell]

The lack of roaming is really annoying: when on holiday, I’d love to be able to leave my phone in my hotel room and go to the beach but if I’m going to the beach I’m probably abroad.

That said, it’s worth it for me. It’s great backup for when I forget to put my phone in my pocket before leaving home or for when my phone runs out of charge. I look after my elderly mother and I need to know I’m contactable if she presses her pendant alarm.

An unexpected benefit is that my mother hears me better when I answer a call in my watch. No idea why but as she’s pretty hard of hearing phone conversations can be frustrating.

Everyone’s use case is different. It’s worth it for me; it’s not worth it for many people.