There are two primary forms of an Apple Watch, the GPS and the GPS + cellular. Choosing one is a critical decision to make as a first-time buyer, and many new users get confused about the two watches’ functionalities. This guide looks closely at the two wearables’ cellular capabilities to tell you how each model works.
So, can the Apple Watch get texts without cellular? An Apple watch without cellular capabilities will receive texts and calls as long as it links to the iPhone through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Your GPS-only smartwatch can still function like a cellular-enabled version by pairing to your phone, but it has to be within range for either connection method to work. Unlike the cellular version, you must always have your phone around for the GPS watch to receive notifications or perform other cellular tasks.
The Apple Watch is an incredible innovation that helps you simplify tasks and minimize overreliance on the iPhone. Apple Watches come in two versions whose cellular functionalities may confuse users. One frequent question is whether the smartwatch can receive texts if it is not cellular-enabled.
Your Apple Watch will get texts provided that it links to an iPhone through Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth; otherwise, it must have cellular capabilities. Regardless of your Apple Watch type, you can reply to and receive messages without necessarily having cellular capabilities on the device. Therefore, you will only miss your texts when you have not paired the wearable to the designated iPhone if you have a GPS version or are in a remote area without Wi-Fi or network if your watch is cellular.
If you have a GPS Apple Watch, you can still get texts and reply to them; all you need is a link with your iPhone through Bluetooth. This way, you will access your phone’s notifications, make calls, and do other phone-specific tasks as long as you are within range. Additionally, the same watch can tether with your iPhone through Wi-Fi if the Bluetooth is not as strong. Whenever the two devices share the same internet, texts will always pop up on both ends.
While using Wi-Fi, the iPhone should be in range, but sometimes it may be impossible to carry both gadgets with you all the time. Luckily, even without your handset, you can connect the watch to the Wi-Fi network the two devices last shared, ensuring that the iPhone is active on cellular or Wi-Fi in its current location. Therefore, with both of them connected to the internet, you can still receive notifications on the watch, although they are in different places.
This trick will only work for previous automatic connections, but your Apple Watch won’t link with a new Wi-Fi that requires a password. On the other hand, cellular Apple Watches can tether your iPhone and get messages. Like the GPS watches, the wearable also allows Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connections and will function the same way, only with the added advantage of using a data plan.
Ultimately, you can receive texts without cellular connections, no matter your Apple Watch design. The rule is that without a plan on your device, you must have reliable internet or a Bluetooth connection to pair the two gadgets.
Even if you bought a cellular option, there are instances where you will find it more convenient to pair with the phone. If you always have your iPhone with you, it will be easier to use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
The most desirable aspect of the cellular option is that it offers you the freedom to use it independently without connecting with the phone. However, subscribing to a plan is more expensive than using Wi-Fi and may not be a great idea if you are on a budget. Thankfully, you don’t need cellular capabilities to get the best out of your Apple Watch.
If you don’t have a plan, you can still text, make calls, check the weather, control other gadgets at home, and do more amazing things with your watch. It explains why many users would rather not incur the extra costs for a cellular version because you can still enjoy using the wearable by tethering it to your phone when you want to receive messages.
Can You Use an Apple Watch Without Cellular Service?
Essential factors come to play before choosing the perfect Apple Watch. The cellular model is an improved version allowing owners to use their watches independently without connecting to their iPhones. It begs whether these wearables can work without service.
You can use an apple watch without cellular service as long as you can connect it to your iPhone. It functions perfectly without a network or a data plan, provided it links to the phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and the two operate within the same network.
The primary advantage of the cellular watch is that it doesn’t have to attach to the phone, and you can leave your iPhone behind and still receive notifications and calls. Otherwise, both GPS and cellular models perform similar tasks within Wi-Fi and Bluetooth range without cellular capabilities.
If you frequently travel, exercise for hours, or have duties that make it hectic to carry your phone, the ideal solution would be to buy a cellular Apple Watch. You can make calls, text, and listen to your favorite music without pairing it to your phone.
However, many people always have their handsets with them and see no need for a cellular watch. They prefer the GPS version that lacks exclusive cellular capabilities but can work the same through pairing.
Even without cellular service, you can still do many fantastic things on your Apple watch. Luckily, you can link it wirelessly to your phone and enjoy cellular capabilities. Besides, there are several non-cellular functions, like listening to music on your playlists and using it for tracking during workouts. You don’t need a cellular plan for any of these and will still find the watch handy for your everyday needs.
If you are away from your phone and don’t have a cellular connection, you can link to it through Wi-Fi. If you are confident that the phone is on and has connected to the internet via hotspot, Wi-Fi or data, you can turn on the network that your watch and iPhone last used. If you can link it automatically and it doesn’t require a password, you may be lucky if you still have a connection with your iPhone, regardless of the distance.
What Is the Difference Between an Apple Watch With or Without Cellular?
Tech companies strive to provide for all their customers’ needs, even creating different product versions. Apple launched the GPS and GPS + cellular designs targeting various users, appealing to prospective buyers. The following comparison breaks everything down if you want one but are unsure of which way to go.
The Apple Watch, with and without cellular, are different in matters of cost, flexibility, battery life, carrier restriction, and Family Setup capabilities. The cellular watch gives you freedom of use because you don’t have to carry your phone all the time as all your texts and calls can transfer directly to the device.
You can also configure Family Setup if there is no iPhone to connect. On the other hand, the non-cellular Apple watch is cheaper to buy and maintain since it doesn’t have any data plan charges, and it helps that it has longer battery life.
Before going into the details of contrasting the two watches, it is critical to understand their unique aspects first. The version without cellular is called the GPS, which is less advanced than its counterpart but still offers the user exceptional capabilities.
It is lightweight, very comfortable to wear, and relies on your phone’s proximity to work. However, Apple launched it before releasing the other version, making it lose out on some unique features of the cellular model.
Many first owners prefer it because it is affordable and straightforward to use. On the other hand, the cellular design modifies the GPS-only version. It boasts incredible new features that improve how a smartwatch works with your mobile phone, the iPhone in this case.
It accesses the network even when you don’t have your phone with you, making it the perfect companion for outdoor activities like running or jogging. You can tell that the two are unique and will serve your needs, but they don’t work the same.
By digging deep into their construction, user experience, and functionalities, the following is a detailed comparison between the Apple watches with and without cellular.
- Cost
The first and most notable difference between the two watches is their price points, making it one of the most significant deciding factors for prospective buyers. Since the conventional GPS-only version is less advanced, it comes cheaper than the cellular model by around $100.
The other option with cellular support is more expensive due to the added functionalities and is generally costly to maintain when subscribing to data plans. Whichever model you buy, you will pay more if you want the GPS + cellular feature.
- Battery Life
Judging by the cellular watch’s high performance, it is no wonder its counterpart has better battery life. Apple conducted tests on various cellular and non-cellular wearables and noted a disparity in how long they can hold a single charge. Statistically, GPS versions stay on longer, although the time may vary depending on the frequency of use and other factors.
Conclusively, pairing a GPS smartwatch to your iPhone guarantees around 18 hours with the Bluetooth on, 10 hours of audio from the storage playlist, and 6 hours of workout outdoors. In contrast, GPS + cellular has the same 18 hours when connected to the phone but offers only 7 hours of music streaming, 5 hours of workout outdoors, and 1.5 hours of talk time, all over LTE. Therefore, lacking cellular capabilities enables the Apple Watch to serve you longer.
- Network Restrictions
All the cellular smartwatches have LTE connection capabilities allowing owners to use the iPhone’s carrier plan or subscription. Most users have these subscriptions on their phones, paying a small monthly fee for internet and other needs. Your watch will automatically latch onto the same network and save you money in the long run instead of making a subscription.
While the GPS version doesn’t have any carrier restrictions, the cellular option gives users the freedom to perform tasks that the iPhone usually does. You can make calls, receive texts, use Maps to navigate, hence you can go anywhere without your phone. The only rule is that you cannot use a different plan besides your phone’s subscription.
- Family Setup
Many users worry that they have to buy an iPhone alongside an Apple Watch if they want to gift their family members. If your loved one doesn’t have an iPhone, you will be glad to know that they can still utilize the smartwatch, thanks to the Family Setup feature in the cellular watch.
However, the non-cellular version doesn’t have this setting, requiring users to always connect to a compatible phone. When buying an expensive cellular watch, you may, later on, want to hand it down to another person, and you can make the configuration if they don’t have an iPhone for pairing.
- Flexibility
If you are particular about buying a smartwatch that works independent of the phone, you may incline more to the cellular Apple Watch. It replaces the phone in many instances and works best if you don’t want to carry both devices around. By wearing it around your wrist, it performs any other tasks that the phone does. You will not miss any important calls or texts even when away from your phone.
You can do all your outdoor tasks or go out and have fun without worrying about carrying a phone. Since it connects to the internet, you can also stream content, use Maps for directions and get Siri’s help. Unfortunately, the non-cellular model doesn’t give the user as much freedom. It must always tether to the phone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to receive messages or calls.
Finally
The cellular and without cellular Apple watches may have some differences, but they ultimately work the same. You can pair them to your iPhone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and have cellular capabilities.
The only challenge with this setup is that your phone must always be in range. Luckily, you don’t have to buy the expensive GPS + cellular model to enjoy all the great features. The only impressive aspect is that the cellular device works independently of the phone, allowing you to call and receive messages.
Therefore, you can wear it while outdoors and leave your phone behind; all the incoming notifications will go straight to the device. However, the watch version is more expensive than the GPS-only and has lower battery life.
