My wife wants a new Apple Watch, her current barely makes it a full day before needing a charge.

Do the cell+wifi models require cell svc to function fully?

I'm not read up on iDevices, is a Series 8 the just ended model? Looking online, looks like 9 & Ultra are the current offerings.

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Originally posted by P250UA5:
Do the cell+wifi models require cell svc to function fully?

I do not believe they do. I believe the only thing that wouldn't work would be being able to use the Watch to receive and initiate calls w/o the iPhone with which it's associated in Bluetooth or same WiFi network range.

But, why would one pay for a cellular version if they weren't going to get cellular service for it?

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Originally posted by P250UA5:
Looking online, looks like 9 & Ultra are the current offerings.

Yes. And the SE, which is the economy version.

All things equal, if the wifi only & the cell+wifi were the same price, would getting the cell capable be worth having over the wifi only?

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Originally posted by P250UA5:
All things equal, if the wifi only & the cell+wifi were the same price, would getting the cell capable be worth having over the wifi only?

Not for any reason I can imagine. Here's a counter-reason, though: The cell version would have less runtime, as it'd be powering the (unused) cellular chip.

I am not an iThings guru, though. So it's possible there's something I'm missing.

I have an Apple watch that is cell-capable but not turned on with my provider. My wife has the watch without the cell chip.

Both watches have all the other services.

No, cell activation is not required.

I have the Ultra, no non-cell version avail.

Not activated as I can’t envision not having my phone with me.

If your iPhone is always nearby just get the wifi-only Watch as you can communicate through your Watch as long as it's within Bluetooth range of your iPhone.

Having a cell capable Apple Watch allows you to call 911 even without a plan or phone nearby……I know runners that buy them so they don’t have to carry a phone.

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Originally posted by Orguss:
If your iPhone is always nearby just get the wifi-only Watch as you can communicate through your Watch as long as it's within Bluetooth range of your iPhone.

You don't even have to be w/in Bluetooth range if you set up WiFi on the Watch. Then, when the Watch goes out of BT range it'll fail-over to WiFi.

And you only need to set it up once. From then on, whenever your iPhone switches to a new WiFi network it automatically shares the credentials with the Watch. (Assuming they're w/in Bluetooth range when the iPhone gets on the new WiFi network.)

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Originally posted by Roguepilot:
Having a cell capable Apple Watch allows you to call 911 even without a plan or phone nearby...

Yes, but, that requires the Watch be provisioned with the carrier. He said they didn't plan to do that.

Thanks gents, all good to know

For her use, sounds like the wifi model will suffice.

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Originally posted by P250UA5:
For her use, sounds like the wifi model will suffice.

If she's never going to want communications capability independent of her (I assume) iPhone: Then, yes: I should think so.

In the case of my recent iPad upgrade to an iPad Air, what the 5G cell capability would've also given me was GPS on the iPad. I couldn't see paying $150 just for GPS on my tablet, so I passed.

For the Apple Watch, though, the cellular chip isn't needed for GPS.

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Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by Roguepilot:
Having a cell capable Apple Watch allows you to call 911 even without a plan or phone nearby...

Yes, but, that requires the Watch be provisioned with the carrier. He said they didn't plan to do that.

Hmm, inactive cell phones with no carrier can still call 911. I’d have to check but a non-activated cellular capable watch might be able to do the same. It is call out only though, if disconnected 911 can’t call you back.

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Originally posted by 911Boss:
Hmm, inactive cell phones with no carrier can still call 911.

"Inactive" and "never provisioned" aren't the same thing. A device that's never been provisioned won't have a SIM. ICBW, but, I believe there's no way for a device lacking a SIM to access a cell network at all.

(The Apple Watch doesn't have a physical SIM slot. I believe it gets its SIM in electronic form from the iPhone?)

Ok, this article: How to call 911 from the Apple Watch, without a cell plan claims it's possible, but, ...

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Because of the antenna, the Apple Watch 3, Apple Watch 4 and Apple Watch 5 can place an emergency call, even if someone hasn't paid for the extra phone line. The system isn't perfect — Apple even notes that the cellular network may reject the call. But it is possible.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Thanks gents, all good to know

For her use, sounds like the wifi model will suffice.

Yeah the cellular version is for those of us who want to leave the phone at home or in the vehicle. That’s how I use mine. Short little errands and such, I have my watch on. Phone stays at home so I don’t have to carry it. My truck has wireless Apple Carplay so I need the phone for audio source so I’ll take it with me but the phone stays in it. I don’t carry it around. The cellular watch lets you detach while still retaining actual phone functions, SMS, notifications/alerts like for a home alarm, surveillance cameras, basically home automation stuff. Phones have gotten so big (and heavy), and if you conceal carry, one less thing to tote around. And they are like a grand in price so don’t want to break it, lose it, etc. Phone is a necessary evil for most of us, work, etc, but the cellular watch gives you another option for basic comms. I carry some of the Apple Pro ear pods, whatever they are called in my pocket, in case a call comes through or I need to make one. Otherwise it can wait. If you tote the phone around with you 24/7, just get the WiFi one and save some $.

I have a Galaxy Watch with cell service. I've made and received calls on it when I've forgotten my phone at home or in the car. It's pretty convenient.

Has the battery just weakened over time? They are replaceable. You would have to research the cost, it's not user replaceable but can be taken to an Apple Store.

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Not activated as I can’t envision not having my phone with me.

Presumably someone with an Ultra fits the desired demographic as a person who enjoys outdoor sports—-.e.g. hiking in the mountains, skiing.

What if your phone falls out and breaks or is lost and not retrievable by Find My? Or you go on a mountain bike ride and don’t want to take your phone?

I consider having cellular service a big advantage. E.g. on a bike ride, not having to take my phone.

The watch will use the cellphone it’s paired to wireless plan.

I pay an extra $10/mo to add the watch.

It’s just an extension of the phones cell service.

quote:

Originally posted by Patriot:
The watch will use the cellphone it’s paired to wireless plan.

I pay an extra $10/mo to add the watch.

It’s just an extension of the phones cell service.

Interesting, so the watch doesn’t require its own cellular plan? I figured it did.

The first two iPads I ever owned I got the cellular + WiFi and had to pay a whole new cellular plan for the iPad. I rarely ever used the cellular as WiFi was usually available so I cancelled it and any iPad thereafter has been Wi-Fi only.

I have only bought an iWatch without cellular for the reason I always have my phone on me.

As far as I know, the iWatch is not like the iPad without cellular. The iPad without cellular can connect to any available Wi-Fi. The iWatch can only connect to YOUR iPhone via Bluetooth and not any available Wi-Fi without the phone around.

ETA: shows how much I know about my iWatch! I have the iWatch 6 and see NOW that it CAN function on Wi-Fi without the phone around! Awesome!!

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Originally posted by sjtill:

quote:

Not activated as I can’t envision not having my phone with me.

Presumably someone with an Ultra fits the desired demographic as a person who enjoys outdoor sports—-.e.g. hiking in the mountains, skiing.

What if your phone falls out and breaks or is lost and not retrievable by Find My? Or you go on a mountain bike ride and don’t want to take your phone?

I consider having cellular service a big advantage. E.g. on a bike ride, not having to take my phone.

Do you have an iWatch with cellular? If so, do you also only pay an extra $10 a month for the cellular service like Patriot mentioned?

If that is the case, then I will absolutely get a cellular iWatch for my next one. I just figured they needed their own cellular plan like the iPad, which was not worth it for me. If I can have an iWatch that can make cellular calls and use data with my iPhone no where around for only $10 a month then I will do that!