If you’re planning to buy an Apple Watch and are confused if you want to spend an extra $100 on the Cellular version, you might wanna think again.
For as long as I can remember, I have been a dedicated user of the Apple Watch, but with its recent upgrade, I found myself reaching for the Cellular version, only for the purpose of reducing my mobile screen time.
But I quickly realized that the Cellular version was not for me. Before we discuss why, let’s clarify what you’ll be getting in the GPS model vs the GPS + Cellular model.
What is the difference between GPS and GPS + Cellular Apple Watch?
| Specifications | Apple Watch GPS | Apple Watch GPS + Cellular |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Aluminium | Aluminum and Titanium |
| Weight | 42mm, aluminium- 30g 46mm, aluminium- 336.4g | 42mm, aluminium- 29.3g 42mm, titanium- 34.4g 46mm, aluminium- 35.3g46mm, titanium- 41.7g |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Audio playback | Up to 11 hours (from Apple Watch storage) | Up to 11 hours (from Apple Watch storage) and up to 8 hours of streaming playlist with LTE |
| Workout battery life | Up to 11 hours (without GPS) and up to 7 hours (with GPS) | Up to 11 hours (without GPS) and up to 6 hours (with GPS + Cellular) |
| Family Setup battery life | N/A | Up to 14 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 4 | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 4, LTE and UMTS |
| Price | Starts $399 | Starts $499 |
| Monthly cost | $0 | From $10 per month, depending on the carrier |
With the GPS Apple Watch, I need to have my phone with me wherever I go in order to receive calls, texts, and notifications. To play music and listen to podcasts at the gym, a connection to my iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is required. That being said, the in-built GPS works with or without my phone and tracks the distance, route, and pace of my morning runs and workouts.
With my newest Apple Watch Series 10 and a cellular plan, I could leave my phone at home and go about my day without missing out on anything since all the calls, texts, and notifications were sent right to my watch. Even jamming to my Spotify playlist didn’t require me to carry my phone.
The best part is that the GPS + Cellular model comes with a choice of Aluminium or a Titanium finish. The Titanium finish looks very premium but, sadly, is not available for the GPS model. So, why did I not find it worth the extra dollars?
Why Was the GPS + Cellular Apple Watch a Waste For Me?
I carry my phone everywhere
I know I said the main reason to get a Cellular version of the Apple Watch was to use my phone less, but hey, let’s be honest, how long did I actually think that was going to last? I had to consciously make an effort to leave my phone at home.
And although it was nice in the beginning, answering calls from a watch just feels weird, especially if I wasn’t carrying my AirPods. Not that the sound quality is bad in any way, it’s just weird to talk to a watch.
Wi-Fi availability
If my iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and my Apple Watch is in the Bluetooth range, the watch also gets access to that W-iFi. This helps with notifications, music, maps, etc. Since I mostly only leave my phone away at the gym, I don’t need my watch for much else.
I get notifications even without the cellular version when my phone is connected to a Wi-Fi. Anyway, I wasn’t able to do much about the notifications from Instagram or Snapchat without a phone in my hand.
It tracks my workouts either way
The built-in GPS tracks my workouts even with no connection at all. For long walks, the pace, route mapping, distance, and heart rate all work fine. So, what’s the point of having a cellular version of the Apple Watch?
Added cost
In order for the Cellular Apple Watch to work, an added cellular plan needs to be activated. Most of these plans start around $10 per month, which does not seem to be an extravagant cost. However, the GPS + Cellular model itself is approximately an additional $100 than the GPS version.
The monthly cellular plan, along with the additional cost of the GPS + Cellular version of the Apple watch, will only increase its price over the years. If you still want a cellular version, there might be a deal if you buy the Apple Watch directly from their providers, such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
Battery
If I’m out of the house with just my Apple Watch vs my iPhone, and it dies on me, chances are, I will find someone carrying an iPhone charger to help me out in a pinch. I honestly don’t think anyone is walking around with an Apple Watch charger on them, which makes it risky if you’re out alone.
You Should Buy The Cellular Apple Watch If:
- If you’re someone who doesn’t want to take your phone everywhere.
- The Apple Watch has an emergency SOS, which is available for both– GPS as well as the GPS + Cellular version. However, for calling the emergency services without the need for an iPhone, you will need the cellular version. Also, even if you do not have an active plan on your cellular model, by law in the US, the watch can still be used to call 911 in case of an emergency.
- If you’re more into outdoor workouts like running and hiking and don’t want a phone strapped to you, a cellular version would make a great choice.
- If you want a Family Setup for your kids who don’t have an iPhone, a cellular Apple Watch is necessary.
Wrap Up
While the cellular Apple Watch does provide value, such as the Emergency SOS, even when not carrying a phone, I rarely see myself using it independently. The additional cost is definitely something I considered before buying the cellular version, but the advantages made up for it to some extent.
Listen, at times when I genuinely forget to take my phone with me while heading out the door, the cellular has been really helpful in staying connected. But is it absolutely necessary? Not for me. What I would have preferred, though, is the option to buy a GPS version to save the cost and activate the cellular later on, if required. That being said, buying a cellular version without activating it is something you have the option of.
