You can use a smartwatch without a phone for multiple tasks throughout the day, but it’s just not worth it. I’ve owned Apple Watches with cellular capabilities since the Series 3 and its iconic red-dot Digital Crown, and I’ve experienced several iterations and improvements to the ecosystem, cellular capabilities, and functionality of the Apple Watch in general.
I remember when this Apple Watch was released, many journalists tried to go a day without an iPhone, relying solely on their smartwatch. At the time, The Verge described cellular connectivity as a “rare convenience” for the Apple Watch. Nearly ten years later, the story is very different, but some major problems still prevent users from truly abandoning their smartphones. Among the issues, battery life drains much faster with a cellular connection, personal assistants aren’t as smart, and you can’t easily access all your main apps.
For example, WhatsApp finally launched on Apple Watch, and apps like 2Stable’s Authenticator let you quickly access your 2FA codes without your phone. However, if you need to call an Uber, order food, access a banking app, or do something as simple as take a photo, you’ll need another device to make up for the lack of an iPhone.
Using a smart watch without a phone for a long time has become more convenient
However, there is no denying that using a smartwatch, like the Apple Watch, without a phone has become much more reliable. Even though watchOS 26 wants you to have your iPhone handy on every run for Workout Buddy’s sake, there’s no better combo than a cellular Apple Watch with AirPods. With these two products, you can go for a run or go to the gym, pay for purchases, listen to your music and check your way home using Apple Maps. If your city has Express Transit mode, you can simply tap your watch to pay for public transportation.
On the other hand, once you need to start interacting with people online, checking social media, or when you’re in the middle of a long call, you’d wish you had your iPhone nearby. Additionally, some apps are still not available on watchOS, and for those that are, a larger screen is often necessary. Although I still dream of a futuristic Apple Watch with an AI agent that fixes everything for me after a voice command, the reality is still far from that, and it’s impossible to rely on this little guy for too long because battery drain is a problem (and probably always will be).
If you’re not an active person, the only real benefit of a cellular Apple Watch is reminding you that you left your iPhone behind, because you’ll receive messages and realize you don’t have your phone to answer.
Can a connected watch replace a phone?
Even as smartwatches continue to evolve, such as the inclusion of 5G support, it appears that replacing a phone with a smartwatch would require additional technology products to compensate for the features found on phones. For example, you would use a smart watch for health tracking, smart glasses with AI capabilities to help you with multiple tasks, and a tablet for other needs. If you don’t want to wear glasses, you will need a standalone camera to take photos.
That’s why a smartwatch may never replace a phone, although it’s a great tool when you want to give yourself a break from social media and phone notifications. In my experience, using an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity means I can temporarily disconnect from my digital life, because I can message or call my family in case something important or urgent happens, and they can contact me.
With this in mind, using a smartwatch without a phone may be worth it, but only if you do it for a short time. If you’re thinking about completely replacing your phone experience with a smartwatch, it may never really be possible.
