One of the biggest advancements for the Apple Watch was Apple’s introduction of cellular connectivity. The first model to benefit from this technology was the Apple Watch Series 3, and since then, Apple has continued to work to improve this feature so that the watch’s battery can last longer and the internet connection becomes faster and more reliable with 4G and 5G upgrades. However, given that users have to pay $100 more for upgraded hardware and, most of the time, pay for a cellular plan for their watch, the cost may be a bit steep for some. For others, the experience of being away from their phone while still being reachable is well worth the price.
I’ve worn an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity since the beginning, so not only have I seen this technology develop over time, but I also know why so many people would rather save money and skip this feature altogether.
Truth be told, Apple only offers the cell-free option on the Apple Watch SE and the aluminum Apple Watch model. So if the customer chooses a stainless steel or titanium Apple Watch, it has cellular capabilities available. However, if you are on a budget, opting for the SE model without cellular may be attractive. Here’s what having an Apple Watch with cellular looks like with the pros, cons, and what you should consider when choosing your next Apple Watch model.
Use Apple Watch to message, call, and navigate
The biggest strength of owning a cellular Apple Watch is how nice it is to step out with your Watch and AirPods and literally forget about the iPhone. I opt for this combo every time I go to my local bakery, while running a few errands or to stream music during a run. Even though I could, in theory, just download some of my favorite tracks to listen to offline, it’s still nice to be connected. Not only can I contact my friends and family members on FaceTime, but I can also text them on iMessage, and now even WhatsApp.
On top of that, since the Apple Watch doesn’t offer as many apps as the iPhone, it’s also a freedom to not constantly check social media apps and any interactions I may have are largely tied to texting and calling platforms.
With a cellular Apple Watch, I can also access Apple Maps with real-time navigation, so venturing to a new location during my run is no problem. If you have a cellular plan that includes a free eSIM for the Apple Watch, upgrading may be an especially worthwhile investment.
The cellular Apple Watch can’t replace your phone
On the other hand, if you have to pay extra for your carrier to grant you access to cellular connectivity on the Apple Watch, you might want to reconsider. After all, you’ll spend more money to get cell service on top of the carrier’s monthly fees to use the service. On top of that, Apple’s smartwatch does more with the iPhone. For example, watchOS 11, watchOS 26, and watchOS 27 all have Apple Intelligence features that require the iPhone.
If you need to call an Uber, access a social media app, or join a call on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc., you’ll also need your phone within reach. As mentioned before, you can go for a run with your Apple Watch with songs already downloaded, and it’s more than good. You can also use Apple Pay even without an active Internet connection.
Ultimately, whether or not to choose a cellular Apple Watch depends on whether your carrier offers it for free (or as a perk of your plan) and how much you could see yourself benefiting from another internet spot. For me, the cellular Apple Watch is a little extra that makes me forget about my iPhone during my workouts and my short runs. It’s not a killer feature, but I’m glad that whenever I don’t have my iPhone handy, I can still have access to important information on my watch.
