If you are interested in buying a new Apple Watch with a cellular upgrade, this article might help. We do not want to change your mind, but do you need cellular on Apple Watch? If you need this feature, prepare yourself to pay an extra $100 for it.
If you are a busy person whose work does not allow phone usage, the cellular upgrade on Apple Watch might be a good investment. But, if you need the smartwatch for basic needs and as a stylish accessory, the cellular feature might not be a clever option.
We will compare the regular GPS Apple Watch and upgraded cellular versions. There are dozens of reasons why you should not spend money on this upgrade and several more reasons why cellular might be useful in specific situations. Let’s get started and discover more about it!
Do You Need Cellular on Apple Watch?
Apple Watch might replace your phone in situations when you can not take your phone out or just need a tiny version that will also be a stylish accessory and a workout buddy. You need a WiFi connection and your iPhone in range to use the Apple Watch.
On the other hand, the cellular Apple Watch can work independently, without Wi-Fi or iPhone connection. This upgrade makes the smartwatch a real phone that is more handy and accessible when you don’t have time or can’t get your smartphone.
It sounds like a great idea, but it will cost you more than you think. Despite the extra $100 you have to pay for the upgrade, you should know that you will have to pay an additional $10 (more or less) for the cellular plans for a year or more.
Calculated roughly, the cellular Apple Watch might cost twice the price you pay for the regular GPS Apple smartwatch.
However, not all Cellular Apple Watch will need more electricity because the battery will drain out ten times faster than the GPS version. Now, let’s take a look at the difference between GPS and Cellular Apple Watch!
Cellular vs. GPS Apple Watch
Clock case material
We will begin the comparison with the watch’s external look. At first sight, both watches look the same; identical size, color, display theme, etc.
Nonetheless, the actual difference is in the body material of the watch. The GPS model is made of aluminum, while the cellular one comes in three options: titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum. The titanium and stainless steel make the watch more resistant and durable than the aluminum.
The cellular version is made with stronger materials because it should replace your iPhone in most cases. Individuals who choose the cellular Apple Watch are often people who need a more handy smartphone to carry with them under many conditions.
Read more: Do I Need an Apple Watch?
Price
No matter what Apple Watch model you choose, you should pay an extra $100 if you want to upgrade the smartwatch with cellular service. So, if the GPS Apple Watch costs $399, the cellular version of the exact watch will cost you $499.
The price difference is pretty high, so think do you need cellular on Apple Watch again? Suppose you need this service and decide to purchase the cellular version. The costs would not stop there, buddy.
Since the cellular Apple smartwatch replaces the entire phone, you will have to pay an additional $10 each month for the network provider. The contract you make with the network service lasts at least two years. You will have to pay approximately $800 for the cellular service on a smartwatch that costs half that price.
Internet connection
GPS Apple Watch supports WiFi network connection. To use the Internet on the watch, you can easily turn on the WiFi setting, and your watch will connect to the network you choose. You can use your watch for researching and streaming until you have a WiFI connection.
Conversely, the cellular version of the Apple Watch lets you have unlimited internet access without a WiFi connection. The cellular service upgrade lets you use the watch like a phone and turn on the mobile data instead of searching for WiFi.
If you don’t use your iPhone often, the cellular Apple Watch might be the best option since you will have access to everything from your smartwatch. But, if you use the phone 90% of the time, it is not worth spending money on the cellular feature.
Battery
Both versions come with the same battery power and life. How long will your Apple Watch battery last depends on how often you use the watch.
If the Apple Watch is more like your handy assistant for counting steps, checking the clock, or quick notification review, the battery will last pretty long. In other words, the GPS Apple Watch battery life is pretty long.
However, the cellular version replaces the entire phone and supports much more functions than the GPS version. This automatically means you will use the Apple Watch for more purposes and more often than the GPS version, thus spending the battery much faster.
So, you will have to charge your cellular Apple Watch more often throughout the day than the GPS version, which is an extra expense on the electricity bill.
Also read: Does Apple Watch Come With Charger?
Conclusion
Well, we have come to the very end of this short article. So to recap, the cellular Apple Watch might not be a good choice if you are on a budget. Plus, if you use your phone 90% of the time and the watch for only 10%, why would you pay extra for a single feature?
We will be happy if our guide helps you clarify the dilemma about do you need cellular on Apple Watch or not; nevertheless, the final decision is on you.
Therefore, do not hesitate more, and good luck with your Apple Watch purchase!