Apple Watch

[rramsr]

I am a Samsung gal but my kids have Apple phones. I may get them the Apple watch for Christmas but have a few questions. I see on them some just have gps and some have gps and cellular. What is the difference? Is the series 4 basically the same as the series 5?

Thanks

 

[mar7967]

Series 4 and 5 are very similar - slightly different screens and series 5 has an "always on" option for the screen.

the GPS watches require a cell phone within bluetooth range (or wifi) to work (send receive data/calls/texts/etc).

GPS + Cellular watches have their own data plan effectively, and can be used on a cell network when the phone is not present - I see the value here for people who run but leave their phone at home, using their watch for music and workout tracking. The benefit to having the GPS + Cellular watch here is that they can make a phone call for help if needed without having their phone on them.

 

[rramsr]

Series 4 and 5 are very similar - slightly different screens and series 5 has an "always on" option for the screen.

the GPS watches require a cell phone within bluetooth range (or wifi) to work (send receive data/calls/texts/etc).

GPS + Cellular watches have their own data plan effectively, and can be used on a cell network when the phone is not present - I see the value here for people who run but leave their phone at home, using their watch for music and workout tracking. The benefit to having the GPS + Cellular watch here is that they can make a phone call for help if needed without having their phone on them.

Thank you very much for the quick response. So for the kids just the gps one would be fine then.

 

[elgerber]

Thank you very much for the quick response. So for the kids just the gps one would be fine then.

Yes. I have cellular on mine, I have had it for two years, I have never used it once. I finally had my plan turned off after the first 6 months or so because I was paying for service I wasn't using, and it was not easy to get it cancelled. Next time I get a new watch, I will go back to GPS only.

 

[rramsr]

Yes. I have cellular on mine, I have had it for two years, I have never used it once. I finally had my plan turned off after the first 6 months or so because I was paying for service I wasn't using, and it was not easy to get it cancelled. Next time I get a new watch, I will go back to GPS only.

Great thanks

 

[wenrob]

I am a Samsung gal but my kids have Apple phones. I may get them the Apple watch for Christmas but have a few questions. I see on them some just have gps and some have gps and cellular. What is the difference? Is the series 4 basically the same as the series 5?

Thanks

With cellular you don’t have to have the phone with you for it to work. It also needs a data subscription and costs a couple hundred dollars more. Very little difference between the series 4 and the series 5. The biggest difference is the 5 has an “always on” display. It’s something a lot of people wanted but initial reports are that the battery life is terrible. I wouldn’t hesitate to go with Series 4 as gifts. There should be decent deals closer to the holidays.

 

[cvjw]

Just got a series 5 last week and the battery does seem to drain pretty quickly. This is my first Apple Watch and I absolutely love it.

 

[rramsr]

With cellular you don’t have to have the phone with you for it to work. It also needs a data subscription and costs a couple hundred dollars more. Very little difference between the series 4 and the series 5. The biggest difference is the 5 has an “always on” display. It’s something a lot of people wanted but initial reports are that the battery life is terrible. I wouldn’t hesitate to go with Series 4 as gifts. There should be decent deals closer to the holidays.

Thanks, I'm hoping black Friday has some good deals to get them then but doing research now.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I wouldn't buy it without cell service. What's the point of it if you need to be tied to your phone all the time? I like that my watch is its own "phone". I love not having to bring my phone with me every single place I go. Also, because I ride public transport through very sketchy areas (green line, for those that know) and someone snatches my phone or bag....i have my watch with me to make a call for help, or as I "sold" my mom on it, you're never alone in case you slip and fall at home, you have your watch on. its the modern day answer to "I've fallen and I can't get up".

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I wouldn't buy it without cell service. What's the point of it if you need to be tied to your phone all the time? I like that my watch is its own "phone". I love not having to bring my phone with me every single place I go. Also, because I ride public transport through very sketchy areas (green line, for those that know) and someone snatches my phone or bag....i have my watch with me to make a call for help, or as I "sold" my mom on it, you're never alone in case you slip and fall at home, you have your watch on. its the modern day answer to "I've fallen and I can't get up".

I had a series 3 with cellular and when I upgraded to series 4, I got the GPS only version. I never once used the cellular option because it turns out I do take my phone wherever I go, I guess. It wasn't worth the couple hundred extra dollars. But it will likely be very person-specific.

 

[SueInBoston]

I was one that didn't think i would use the cellular and had planned to turn it off after a couple months, but I now love it. I never miss any calls or texts (that I want to take, lol)

because I ride public transport through very sketchy areas (green line, for those that know) and someone snatches my phone or bag

the MBTA Green line? how is that sketchy?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I was one that didn't think i would use the cellular and had planned to turn it off after a couple months, but I now love it. I never miss any calls or texts (that I want to take, lol)


the MBTA Green line? how is that sketchy?

Chicago Green line

 

[CarlisleMom]

A great question..we are in the same position.

 

[UmmGooD]

GPS + Cellular watches have their own data plan effectively, and can be used on a cell network when the phone is not present - I see the value here for people who run but leave their phone at home, using their watch for music and workout tracking. The benefit to having the GPS + Cellular watch here is that they can make a phone call for help if needed without having their phone on them.

Just to be clear you don't need to have your phone to track workouts or listen to music. I have a GPS only series 4. You can have a playlist stored on your watch and listen to that using bluetooth headphones without your phone present. The watch will track your workout and when you return to where your phone is at it will upload the data to the phone. All the cellular version gets you is the ability to stream music without putting the music on the watch (and this is just a recent addition) and the ability to get text messages or phone calls while you don't have your phone. I personally like not getting those while I am running because it distracts me anyway.

 

[rramsr]

Just to be clear you don't need to have your phone to track workouts or listen to music. I have a GPS only series 4. You can have a playlist stored on your watch and listen to that using bluetooth headphones without your phone present. The watch will track your workout and when you return to where your phone is at it will upload the data to the phone. All the cellular version gets you is the ability to stream music without putting the music on the watch (and this is just a recent addition) and the ability to get text messages or phone calls while you don't have your phone. I personally like not getting those while I am running because it distracts me anyway.

so you need cellular to get text messages and calls on the watch, correct?

 

[mar7967]

so you need cellular to get text messages and calls on the watch, correct?

ONLY if your watch is out of bluetooth range of your phone (50-100 feet is a good estimate). If your phone is nearby and your watch is on, you can get calls/texts on your watch without having the cellular watch

 

[rramsr]

ONLY if your watch is out of bluetooth range of your phone (50-100 feet is a good estimate). If your phone is nearby and your watch is on, you can get calls/texts on your watch without having the cellular watch

Great, thank you