quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
If rangeme is buying the Watch through a cellular provider, that provider might require a service plan for the watch. A service plan certainly would not be required if the Watch is purchased directly from Apple.

That may be the case, but that is the provider “requiring” cellular activation, not the watch.

Quick check of major providers doesn’t look like they are discounting the watch at all so no reason not to buy direct from Apple and a good time to point out 10% discount from Apple for veterans, gov’t employees, and teachers.

quote:

Originally posted by 911Boss:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
If rangeme is buying the Watch through a cellular provider, that provider might require a service plan for the watch. A service plan certainly would not be required if the Watch is purchased directly from Apple.

That may be the case, but that is the provider “requiring” cellular activation, not the watch.

Quick check of major providers doesn’t look like they are discounting the watch at all so no reason not to buy direct from Apple and a good time to point out 10% discount from Apple for veterans, gov’t employees, and teachers.

Are you talking about a "Service Plan" as in if it needs repair, it will be covered by Apple. Or are you talking about cellular activation? I can see the cellular activation but the service plan doesn't seem reasonable.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:

My thought is if you buy it you really should get the plan. It is an outstanding idea to have basically phone capability without the phone. As a runner/hiker it’s a no brainer to me.

I got gifted one and I don't have a plan for the watch. It's useful because it vibrates slightly on my wrist to let me know if I have an appointment coming up or an email come in. It passes on the notifications that you set on your phone. With the phone, I can't feel the vibrate through my pockets. I can tell Siri to set a timer for me for when I let the dogs out to poop and it reminds me to let them in unless they start barking first. I've used it to talk to people but I don't like the sound quality.

I'm technologically challenged, old and kinda dumb, but my daughter gave me a Series 7 Apple Watch last February. I politely thanked her and made over the watch, but preferred my more rugged diver-styles. My wife set it up and I wore it a couple of days and realized that I loved it. It had so many things that I used plus many of those things you all were talking about that I haven't tried yet.

My hearing stinks, but now I know when I get a call or text because of the vibration of the watch. I can read and answer on the watch (just like Dick Tracy if you are old enough to recall him), since I sometimes forget my phone and leave it in the SUV or in the house when I am out and about.

So, one of our members was selling an identical mate to mine on this forum and I bought it. Now, I wear the daughter's gift during the day and the new buy at night. so one is always charged up and/or charging. both are dead accurate and seem pretty rugged (I can be kinda clumsy). I like a watch all the time, night or day, and these sure fill the bill for me.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:

Are you talking about a "Service Plan" as in if it needs repair, it will be covered by Apple. Or are you talking about cellular activation? I can see the cellular activation but the service plan doesn't seem reasonable.

“Service plan” was the term used by V-Tail. I took that to mean cellular service activation.

As for repair, standard Apple warranty is good for 1 year. AppleCare+ Extends coverage to two years and includes accidental damage (with a co-pay).

quote:

Originally posted by 911Boss:

quote:

Originally posted by rangeme101:
as far as cellular plan i have been told by all major providers that a cellular plan is required for the Ultra…

Absolutely FALSE. The Ultra is only avail in Wi-Fi+Cell version unlike previous Apple watches which offer Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi+Cell versions.

However, you are NOT required to activate the cellular feature on the Ultra. It will do everything without being on a cellular plan that it will do with a cellular plan with the one exception being receiving calls/texts if you don’t have your phone


My first Apple Watch was a 3, then a 5, went to cellular version with a 7 (never activated the cellular feature though) and now have an Ultra, also without activating cellular.


I always have my phone with me so really no reason for me to have an additional cost.

Yes you can still use it as WiFi and tether it to your phone but all the carriers in my area that I've talked to will charge you the $10 add on line fee since it's a cellular device NOT just a WiFi device. Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile and Xfinity Mobile. I don't agree with it but it's what they all tell me.

On my AW3 WiFi/Cellular when I bought it I didn't buy the cellular add on for it and still haven't because it was and hasn't never been required by the providers.

YMMV but that's what my area is telling me.

quote:

Originally posted by rangeme101:


Yes you can still use it as WiFi and tether it to your phone but all the carriers in my area that I've talked to will charge you the $10 add on line fee since it's a cellular device NOT just a WiFi device. Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile and Xfinity Mobile. I don't agree with it but it's what they all tell me.

On my AW3 WiFi/Cellular when I bought it I didn't buy the cellular add on for it and still haven't because it was and hasn't never been required by the providers.

YMMV but that's what my area is telling me.

Don’t buy it from a carrier, buy it from Apple. Carriers aren’t discounting the price at all and if they are forcing you to pay for service you don’t want or need no reason to get it from them.

Set it up as you have in the past and just skip the cellular activation. Can always add on later if you decide you want to.

I’ve got the Ultra and I love it. I have no intention of enabling the cellular featured even though it has them. It’s tethered to my phone. I’m a mechanical watch guy and still wear them often, but being able to check my messages, the weather, see who’s calling without fishing my phone out of my pocket, checking my heart rate, and tracking my sleep are pretty neat and useful tricks that my Sinn and Omega can’t do.