Interested in the cellular version of the Apple Watch? Check out How Apple Watch Cellular Works to make an informed decision when buying one.

As an amateur athlete, I have always looked for ways to get some personal work done during my workout sessions. At first, this was not an easy task to pull off considering I had to carry my iPhone around with me wherever I went. But when Apple launched the Cellular variant of the Apple Watch I found it to be the most convenient device to own.

Have you ever wondered if it was possible to leave your iPhone at home and still remain connected to everyone around you? With the Apple Watch Cellular, all that is possible.

Yes.. feeling like James Bond when I talk into my watch or while it’s connected to my AirPods is what life is all about. But did you know how it works? The features or the functionality? 

This article will cover just that and I will break down how Apple Watch Cellular works.

Related: Apple Watch Cellular vs GPS

How Apple Watch Cellular Works

Apple Watch cellular is a name given to the Apple Watch with a built-in eSim apart from its regular GPS and WiFi. This began with the Apple Watch Series 3 back in 2017 and has been included in the Watch Series 4 and 5 so far. But how does Apple Watch Cellular work?

With the cellular variant of the Apple Watch, you have access to the network even when your iPhone is not nearby and you’re not connected to any WiFi network, this happens automatically within the Apple Watch. This is possible thanks to the additional parts Apple included in the Watch Series variants;

• the UMTS radio (Universal Telecommunications Systems)
• An eSim
• A built-in antenna. 

Apple Watch Cellular primarily works due to the eSim, in this case, is a virtual Sim card, a copy of the Sim card which is currently sitting in your iPhone. This eSIM can store the IMSO (International Mobile Subscriber identity) and the relevant authentication keys generated by your network provider.

It does everything a traditional Sim card does, the only major difference is that the eSim is extremely small and does not change the way the Apple Watch looks.

Apple cellular can be switched on or off through the Apple Watch and it’s relatively easy to set up your cellular network on the Apple Watch with the help of the Watch App on your iPhone. With a load of capabilities and advantages, the Apple Watch Cellular variants are sure to fly right off the shelves.

Apple Watch Cellular vs GPS

There are some significant differences between how the Apple Watch cellular works and the Apple Watch GPS; and this is mainly to do with their connectivity. Check out how apple watch cellular work in detail in this article.

• The GPS-only variant requires you to stay near your iPhone or connected to a strong WiFi connection to use the internet-based functions on the Apple Watch. However, the Cellular variant lets you connect directly to your cellular network letting it act as a standalone device. 

• Since you do not require your iPhone at all times, the cellular variant lets you stream Apple Music, listen to Podcasts, access radio shows and check your weather.

• Another great feature of the cellular variant is that as an Apple Watch user you can share messages and make calls with members of your family who do not have an iPhone but use the Apple Watch. This feature is called Family Setup and can only be accessed on the Apple Watch Cellular version and not the GPS version. 

• Another main difference between both versions is the battery life. With the Apple Watch cellular variant, you can’t expect a longer lifetime of the Watches battery because it has to connect to the internet via LTE and does require quite a bit of power to do so. The GPS variant on the other hand boasts a longer battery life simply because it uses Bluetooth and does not come with a cellular chip.

	Apple Watch Cellular + GPS	Apple Watch GPS
Minimum Requirement	iOS 14 on the iPhone 6s and later for Watch Series 4 onward.	iOS 14 on the iPhone 6s and later for Watch Series 3 onward.
Battery Life - Audio	Up to 7 hours; 5 hours of live streaming on Apple Music	Up to 10 hours
Battery Life - Talk Time	Up to 90 minutes	N/A
Workout battery life	Up to 11 hours of indoor workout Up to 7 hours of outdoor workout with GPS	Up to 11 hours of indoor workout Up to 6 hours of outdoor workout with GPS + Cellular
Charge times	About 45 minutes to 80% (Series 7) About 75 minutes to 100% (Series 7) About 1.5 hours to 80% (SE) About 2.5 hours to 100% (SE)	About 45 minutes to 80% (Series 7) About 75 minutes to 100% (Series 7) About 1.5 hours to 80% (SE) About 2.5 hours to 100% (SE)
Siri Support	Yes	Yes
Family Setup Support	Yes	No
Storage Variants	32GB (Series 4, 5, 6)	8GB (Series 3); 32 GB (Series 4, 5, 6)
Monthly Expenses	Approx $10 each month, depending on individual network providers	$0.00

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Case, screen material and Bands

Apple Watches generally come in two different sizes with the Cellular variant being much larger than the GPS version. So, while the GPS version does have its advantages in terms of price, it has considerable limitations when it comes to the cases, screen guards, and even watch bands.

For example, the Apple Watch GPS variant is only limited to the Aluminum Sport and Nike + cases, in addition, to various third-party cases. However, with the GPS + Cellular Watch, you can get Stainless Steel and Titanium cases in addition to the Aluminum Sport and Nike + cases.

Of course, from the price perspective, a GPS + Cellular watch will sap a lot of money in the long run. For example, not only do you have to pay a hefty amount for the Apple watch itself but you'll also have to pay the carrier charges every month.

In addition to this, the Apple Watch Cellular + GPS accessories, such as the cases, screen guards, and bands tend to be more expensive. Especially due to size. The bands especially are extremely limited, making them more expensive.

The screen guards for the Apple Watch GPS+ Cellular are limited to the Ion-X glass display and the Sapphire crystal. You should go for the Saphhire Crystal if you tend not to be extremely physically active. This is because the Saphhire Crystal can easily protect your watch from scratches.

However, if you're extremely active and if you're worried that you might band your watch against something, then the Ion-X glass display is your friend. This display is soft and can protect the watch, unlike the sapphire crystal display that's extremely easy to crack. However, it's important to note that the Ion-X glass display is more susceptible to scratches than the Sapphire Crystal display.

How Apple Watch Cellular Works - Set Up

Though your Apple Watch does have an eSim embedded inside, the device does not come pre-activated right from the get-go. You will have to follow a few steps in order to activate this feature, these are relatively easy to understand but here are a few prerequisites that have to be checked before setting up Cellular on your Apple Watch.

• The iPhone and Apple Watch should be running on the latest software version.
• Make sure the latest carrier settings are downloaded on the iPhone from Settings > General > About.
• Your iPhone should be connected to a working and active Sim card. If there is no Sim card or if the service has been canceled, you will not be able to set up cellular services on your Apple Watch.

If these three requirements are met you can proceed to activate cellular service on your Apple Watch. This can be enabled on the Watch App found on the iPhone; 

• Open the "Watch App" and tap on the "My Watch "tab.
• Tap on "Cellular" and proceed to set up the service on your Apple Watch.
• Make sure the instructions listed by the carrier are followed. 

If there are issues or doubts pertaining to the instructions listed by your carrier it’ll be wise to contact your carrier directly for any queries.

How to Set up cellular on a family member's Apple Watch

You can also set up a cellular Apple Watch for a family member who doesn't own or use an iPhone. If your carrier supports it, then you can add the watch when you set it up. If your carrier doesn't support it, then you will have to choose another carrier. 

To set up a cellular Apple Watch for a family member, follow these steps,

Step 1 Open the Watch app on your iPhone.

Step 2 Tap on All Watches, 

Step 3 Select your family members' Apple Watch, and then tap on Done.

Step 4 Now, tap on Cellular and tap on Set Up Cellular.

Step 5 Now follow the instruction for your respective carrier. Contact your carrier for further help.

You can see the phone number assigned to your family member's Apple Watch by, Settings on the watch ->  then Phone. 

Connecting to a Cellular Network

Once the Apple Watch has been configured, you are able to toggle between GPS and the cellular network automatically depending on whether your Apple Watch is in close proximity to your iPhone and WiFi connections or if you’re outside, far from both. 

Once connected to the cellular network, you’re able to check the signal strength from the Control Center. In order to open the control center, tap and hold on to the bottom of the display and swipe up.

Changing the network carrier on your Apple Watch

The rule of thumb is that both your iPhone and Apple Watch must run on the same network carrier. The only exception to this rule is while setting up the Watch for a family member. Here, if you’re planning on changing the carrier on your iPhone, you will have to deactivate the current service plan and sign up for a new plan for the Apple Watch. 

• Begin by opening the Apple Watch App on your iPhone.
• Proceed to tap on My Watch and select Cellular from the list provided.
• If it is a new plan you’re trying to activate, complete the setup and follow the onscreen instructions. 

There may be instances where the previous carrier's plan will appear on the Apple Watch application. This can be removed from within the Apple Watch App

• Tap on the ‘i’ information button located next to the name of the cellular plan. 
• Click on “Remove” and tap on “Confirm”

Once done you may have to reach out to your service provider to cancel the subscription for your Apple Watch.

How to check the cellular signal strength on Apple Watch

If you want to check the signal strength of the cellular network on your Apple Watch, do this,

• Use the Explorer watch face. This watch face uses green dots to indicate the signal strength of the cellular network on the Apple Watch. Four dots mean a good connection while one dot means the connection is poor. 
• Or you can open Control Center on your Apple Watch and see the green bars that indicate signal strength.
• Add the Cellular complication to a watch face. 

How to check cellular data usage on Apple Watch

To check data usage on your cellular Apple Watch, follow these steps,

Step 1 Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.

Step 2 Now, tap on Cellular and scroll down till you can see the amount of data used. 

Carrier restrictions

Since there is no sim card slot in the Apple watch it is impossible for it to have its own network carrier. Meaning it uses the carrier network and data from your iPhone. So, you won't be able to sign up for a different sim card or even a different Carrier.

As mentioned earlier, if your iPhone is on Sprint then your Apple Watch should also be on sprint. Based on the type of plan, your network carrier may allot a separate account number for your Apple watch. However, this does not mean you get a different phone number.

If you get the GPS + Cellular Apple Watch then you can access LTE connectivity. This will let you call, use Siri, navigate and use the internet on your Apple watch using the iPhone's carrier plan. Even if you don't have the phone with you. This is primarily due to the eSIM. However, availing of this option requires you to get in touch with a carrier and pay them a bit more.

How Apple Watch Cellular Works - Capabilities

The cellular variant of the Apple Watch series will provide you with access to everything internet based on your Apple Watch. When your Apple Watch and iPhone are not in close proximity to being connected via Bluetooth or there is no WiFi connection nearby, the Apple Watch will automatically switch to cellular mode giving you access to all the internet-based applications on the Apple Watch. Your Apple Watch will be able to do the following

• With a Cellular network, you will be able to use Siri to send or read messages, get directions to places, and answer questions about a certain topic.
• You can send and receive iMessages on the Apple Watch.
• You’re able to make and receive phone calls, if the Apple Watch is paired with AirPods then the whole process becomes easier and more convenient. 
• You can check the weather on the Apple Watch with cellular by locating your position and displaying the details on the screen.
• You can control your Home devices via the Apple Watch.
• Locate and find your friends nearby.
• You’re able to set reminders on a daily basis.
• You can access and listen to podcasts, stream music and listen to the radio while on cellular networks with the Apple Watch Series.

Cellular vs GPS Apple Watch: Battery Life, Storage and Price

Battery Life

The battery life of the cellular version of the Apple Watch 6 is fairly decent and it, unfortunately, is lower than the regular GPS version. This is naturally due to the influence of the carrier on the watch. Out of the overall 18-hour battery life, 4 hours are sapped by the carrier network. The other 14 are split between the time checks, notifications, app use, workouts, and the Bluetooth connection to the phone.

The Regular GPS variant on the other hand can allocate a lot more juice to the above tasks. So, you actually use the other features of the watch for a longer period of time. While 4 hours is a considerably huge difference, I personally value the fact you can make calls more. However, this is only if you actually do have to get on-call all the time.

If not, you are better off with the regular version of the Apple Watch. Especially, if fitness is your primary concern. Unlike their predecessors, the Apple Watch 6 and the Apple Watch 7 Cellular come with a better CPU that allocates power more efficiently. So, It's better to get the latest Apple Watches even though the price is a bit higher.

One more thing to note is that the battery life is dependent on a lot of factors like use, cellular network, configuration, and even signal strength. So, the 4 hours is more of an average estimate.

Storage

Of course, the Apple Cellular variants also have a huge range when it comes to storage space. For example, Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Series 5 cellular variant come with a 32GB storage space. However, the Apple Watch Series 4 only comes with a 16GB variant.

But then again, Apple doesn't sell the Apple Watch Series 4 in an official capacity anymore. You can find it through a third-party vendor or through Apple's Renewed/Refurbished platform.

Anyway, we recommend you go for the 32 GB variant as it's not only affordable but it comes with enough space for the majority of your playlist and apps. It also gives you that little leeway to have games and even store some photos and videos.

Price

Price is extremely vital. Now, you are going to be paying slightly more for the cellular variant. However, it's definitely worth the price when you consider all the features. However, if you don't need to make calls or if you can connect to Wi-Fi constantly, even without your Hotspot, then you really aren't missing out on much.

So, please go through all the features of the cellular variant and take your decision if you think it's absolutely worth it.

As for the Price, the GPS-only Apple Watch Series 6 started at $399 and it comes with a 40mm aluminum case. The Cellular variant of the Apple Watch Series 6 starts at $499, which is $100 more. The GPS-only Apple Watch SE, on the other hand, is $279 and its cellular variant is $329, which is $50 more. Which is surprisingly the better deal. However, we do recommend the Apple Watch 6 series.

Apple Watch Cellular Variants

Since the launch of the first Apple Watch 3 with Cellular service, Apple has released variants of all their smartwatches in the series. Let’s take a look at what each variant has in store for us.

Apple Watch Series 4

The Apple Watch Series 4 was the successor to the Series 3 with a larger display and louder speaker. The Watch Series 4 comes with 

• A proactive health monitor (ECG) that tracks your heart rate and rhythm and a comprehensive activity tracker with personalized coaching allows you to achieve rewards from your activity every day.
• An updated fall detection system notifies your emergency contacts if you’re unresponsive after a fall.
• The Watch Series 4 is cellular enabled and can let you use the device as a Walkie-Talkie, respond to messages, pick up calls and ask Siri for anything when you’re away from your iPhone.

Apple Watch Series 5

Available in 40mm and 44mm, the Apple Watch Series 5 is an extremely sought-after device that is capable of switching from GPS to cellular for a seamless network connection. The Series 5 came with 

• The Always-On display that never sleeps, an updated ECG application to track your heart rhythm, and comes with a built-in compass.
• The Apple Watch Series 5 can be taken on your daily or weekly swim to track your strokes and swim styles. 
• Features the same build as the Series 4 but the most notable upgrade here is the Retina display. 
• With the Apple Watch Series 5, you’re able to connect to your network carrier and access all your internet-based applications on it. This is a handy feature that lets you find your way home or can be used to contact the last person you were with in case you think that you lost or misplaced your iPhone.

Apple Watch Series 6

The latest in the series, the Apple Watch Series 6 is a monster in terms of performance. The device was launched with 

• An SPO2 tracker apart from the ECG and Health tracker. This gives a whole new meaning to what’s the max a smartwatch can do.
• With a new sleep tracker, Apple wants to make sure that its users benefit from the sleep they get by tracking sleep data and setting up sleep goals. 
• The Watch Series 6 runs on the Always-On Retina display and is water resistant for up to 50 meters.
• Available in two new color schemes, the Series 6 is the most innovative Apple Watch in the series and can be used standalone without an iPhone present nearby by connecting to the registered cellular carrier that is running on your iPhone. This lets you handle your work calls and will remind you of your important meetings so you’re never late again.

Conclusion

The Apple Watch Cellular Series is one of the best in its segment. With the features Apple is slowly embedding in their devices, we’re sure to reach the stage where we will never use a smartphone again and stick only to our watches. 

Having a cellular option for the Apple Watch Series is a godsend as it’s better to always stay connected even though your iPhone is not close by. Though the only things you can’t do on the Apple Watch are, browse the internet, ask Siri to complete a task for you or simply reply to an email.

This being said, the article How Apple Watch Cellular works, covers everything about the functionality and connectivity of the Apple Watch. Hope this was able to help you understand just how the cellular mode works in the Apple Watch.

Turn cellular off or on

When your iPhone is close, a Wi-Fi network you've already connected to on your iPhone, or a cellular connection is available, your Apple Watch with cellular makes use of the strongest network connection it can. You can disable cellular service to conserve battery life, for instance. Just do the following,

Step 1 To open Control Center, tap and hold the bottom of the screen and then swipe upward.

Step 2 Turn Cellular on or off by tapping the tower icon.

When your Apple Watch has a cellular connection but your iPhone is not close by, the Cellular button becomes green.

Note: Long-term cellular use drains batteries more quickly (see the Apple Watch General Battery Information website for more information). Additionally, without a connection to your iPhone, some apps could not update.

Check cellular signal strength

If you are linked to a cellular network, try one of the following:

• Use the Explorer watch face, which displays cellular signal strength as green dots. A good link consists of four dots. Poor one dot.
• Activate Control Center. The status of the cellular connection is displayed in the top green bars.
• A cellular complication should be added to the watch face.

Check cellular data usage

To check cellular data usage, follow these steps,

Step 1 Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.

Step 2 Tap on Cellular, then scroll down to see the amount of data.

How Apple Watch Cellular Works: FAQs