Sticker shock! $$ for cell phone plans… Looking for advice.

[Saturn007]

I’ve been deciding which Apple Watch to get. That's been a fun exploration. Fitness functions, podcasts, weather, etc. would be good to have. Would particularly like the emergency calling function.

That’s why I'm focusing on a cellular Watch and exploring cell phone options.

An EKG function would be good, too. A Watch with that would be the 7, which is pricey.

Suddenly, though, I realized that the BIGGEST cost would be for the cell phone service!

Here's the rub. Our phones are now on low-cost prepaid plans, $8/month. (One essentially costs $0 as we can text message donations of accumulated funds to our favorite charities.) My iPhone is attached to a non-Watch carrier. We make very few cell phone calls — and even fewer during the pandemic.

If I understand things correctly, I’d need to have a regular cell phone plan (postpaid) with the iPhone and, then, might have to add a dedicated Watch plan, too.

I've been staggered by how quickly all this adds up. The cheapest cell phone plans I've found are something like $30/month for TWO phone lines — that is, $60 per month! I rummaged AT&T's site for a while and finally found a $65 per month (!) starter plan for a SINGLE line! Verizon's is $70 per month. And, that's not including monthly fees, taxes, etc.

Then, the Watch cell plan added would be another $10 plus line fees and taxes, which could run another $5-7. People often write about $10/month extra for the Watch, but it's more like $15-17. So, I’m up to $80+ a month just to get the Watch's cellular functions working.

Even if I don't set up a Watch plan — supposedly emergency calling should still work — we're still talking a HUGE monthly cost — not just the $65, but fees and taxes to boot. So, say $70+ per month. $840 per year. Or, about $2,500+ over three years! Add in $620 for a Watch 7 plus Apple Care and we're looking at over three grand!!

Besides which, Apple has a big disclaimer about emergency calling from the Watch without prior activation and configuration.

“Some cellular networks may not accept an emergency call from your Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, or Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular) if your Apple Watch isn’t activated, if it isn’t compatible with or configured to operate on a particular cellular network, or if isn’t set up for cellular service.” https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/make-an-emergency-phone-call-apd4ea933124/watchos​

It seems like the Watch is a great proposition if you already have a family cell phone plan but, otherwise, it's an outrageously expensive proposition.

I'm hoping you all can correct my misunderstandings or point me to a cheaper approach to all this! I'd really like to get a Watch, but this cell phone plan biz is now the big obstacle!

 

[Phone Junky]

Unless you want to be able to use the watch without having your iPhone with you, there's no need to have a 'watch plan'.

 

[pk0]

Do you actually need Cellular on your watch? You can get a GPS version or opt not to add a plan to a GPS+Cellular watch and still use the watch paired with your phone.

 

[Saturn007]

I'd really like to have the emergency call function; hence, need a Watch with cellular. I'm often taking hikes in the woods and it'd be good to have the emergency calling. I've edited my original post to highlight that!

Even if I can skip the cell plan, emergency calls are supposedly possible without it per various MR threads (though there is Apple’s disclaimer), it still means getting involved with VERY COSTLY cell phone postpaid plans! $70 per month! Three grand over three years when one adds in the AW 7's cost…

[insert head shake]

Is there any low cost cell phone plan that works with the Watch?!

 

[pk0]

Emergency calling still works if your phone is nearby. Are you planning on hiking without your phone?

 

[Saturn007]

Scenario #1:

I could certainly take my iPhone with me, although it is on a prepaid, non-Watch carrier. Can the Watch use a prepaid phone, on a non-Watch carrier, to make a call?

Can someone confirm that works?

Can I even set up a Watch to work with an iPhone on a non-Watch cell carrier?!

Of course, that means I'd have to get into the habit of turning on the phone and turning on its cell functions whenever I leave the house. The phone is usually off and in Airplane mode. But I could probably get used to that. I know this is all foreign to most of you who have your phones on 24-7, always with you, etc. But we really have our phones just as backups, and off.

Scenario #2:

I expect that family members would borrow the Watch for their solo hikes but, as they have a non-Apple phone, things would get tricky. The Watch couldn't use their phone. There'd have to be a postpaid cellular phone plan at a minimum.

Alternatively, though, if the Watch could call through a prepaid phone, then I suppose they could borrow both the Watch and the phone!

Inconvenient, but could be well worth $2,500 over 3 years!

 

[pk0]

Yes, Emergency calling on GPS and GPS+Cellular watches still work when a phone is nearby even without a ceullar plan. I assume this still works with prepaid plans as well but I do not have experience with it.

Use Emergency SOS on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

With Emergency SOS, you can quickly and easily call for help and alert your emergency contacts from your Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

"To use Emergency SOS on an Apple Watch that doesn't have cellular, your iPhone needs to be nearby. If your iPhone isn't nearby, your Apple Watch needs to be connected to a known Wi-Fi network and you must set up Wi-Fi Calling."

As for pairing with another phone, you are asking a lot at that point. The Apple Watch is only meant to be paired with one device. Add on that Apple Watches don't work with non-Apple devices well so I wouldn't buy a watch expecting it to work.

 

[Saturn007]

I assume this still works with prepaid plans as well but I do not have experience with it.

You've nailed it. That's the key question!

Of course, Apple neglects to say that the Watch and iPhone must be paired, with iPhone AND Bluetooth on, and iPhone cell phone service on!

As to Scenario #2, I realize that Watch cannot work with a non-Apple phone…

The Watch couldn't use their phone.

The question is, again, whether the Watch could do emergency calling through the prepaid service iPhone on a NON-Watch supporting carrier.

I've been rummaging back threads, but no luck so far in finding an answer.

 

[chabig]

I'd really like to have the emergency call function; hence, need a Watch with cellular

You don’t a cell plan to make emergency calls. Just buy the cellular watch and use it without a plan. If you ever need emergency services, it’ll work because the law requires it to.

 

[Saturn007]

Chabig, yeah, I've read that many times on MR… but see Apple's disclaimer I posted earlier. I've also never seen anyone actually cite the law in question! And, that it specifically refers to secondary, or subsidiary, devices such as a Watch attached to a phone.

It's also not clear that emergency calling will work with a carrier that doesn't support the Watch!

Just found this Apple page which adds to my confusion!

”Before you start

• Make sure that you have the latest software on your iPhone and your Apple Watch.
• Check for updates to your carrier settings.
• Make sure that you have an eligible cellular service plan with a supported carrier. Your iPhone and Apple Watch must use the same carrier,* and you must be within your carrier's network when you set up cellular on your watch.”

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207578

“Eligible cellular service plan with a supported carrier”!

That's the rub…

 

[BigBlur]

Yes, a GPS only watch can do emergency calling through the prepaid service from the iPhone. The watch tells the phone to make the call, and the phone is just relaying the call back to the watch. (Think of it as a fancy bluetooth headset.) It's not much different using my wifi-only iPad or Mac to make a phone call.

Or as other people have mentioned, a cellular watch can do emergency calling without a plan.

Chabig, yeah, I've read that many times on MR… but see Apple's disclaimer I posted earlier. I've never seen anyone actually cite the law in question! And, that it specifically refers to secondary, or subsidiary, devices such as a Watch attached to a phone.

It's also not clear that emergency calling will work with a carrier that doesn't support the Watch!

Just found this Apple page which adds to my confusion!

”Before you start

• Make sure that you have the latest software on your iPhone and your Apple Watch.
• Check for updates to your carrier settings.
• Make sure that you have an eligible cellular service plan with a supported carrier. Your iPhone and Apple Watch must use the same carrier,* and you must be within your carrier's network when you set up cellular on your watch.”

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207578

“Eligible cellular service plan with a supported carrier”!

That's the rub…

This doesn't really have anything to do with emergency calling. The “Eligible cellular service plan with a supported carrier” is mainly so that the watch can take on the same number as your phone. So if your phone was away or off, calls and texts to your number will still go to your watch.

 

[chabig]

Or as other people have mentioned, a cellular watch can do emergency calling without a plan.

This is correct OP. If you remain skeptical, prove it to yourself with a friend’s Watch or at a store. further talk about it here won’t accomplish anything.

The support document you linked is specifically about setting up a cellular plan. You won’t do that if you are only going to use emergency calling.

Also, you seem to be confused, speaking about “non Watch supporting” carriers. That’s about billing and provisioning, not calling. Emergency calling works everywhere thanks to global standards.

 

[aorr]

Visible can give you an unlimited everything plan for one phone at $25 a month and an apple watch is $5 as an add-on. This is after taxes so you would only be paying $30 total for a watch and phone. They use the Verizon network so service is quite good. I've been happy with them. The key is you need to find a "party" to join which lowers the rate to the $25 a month. There are lots of public "parties" you can find on reddit to get this rate. Shoot me a message or reply if you have any issues and I'd be happy to help.

 

[Wpaulo]

I’ve been deciding which Apple Watch to get. That's been a fun exploration. Fitness functions, podcasts, weather, etc. would be good to have. Would particularly like the emergency calling function.

That’s why I'm focusing on a cellular Watch and exploring cell phone options.

An EKG function would be good, too. A Watch with that would be the 7, which is pricey.

Suddenly, though, I realized that the BIGGEST cost would be for the cell phone service!

Here's the rub. Our phones are now on low-cost prepaid plans, $8/month. (One essentially costs $0 as we can text message donations of accumulated funds to our favorite charities.) My iPhone is attached to a non-Watch carrier. We make very few cell phone calls — and even fewer during the pandemic.

If I understand things correctly, I’d need to have a regular cell phone plan (postpaid) with the iPhone and, then, might have to add a dedicated Watch plan, too.

I've been staggered by how quickly all this adds up. The cheapest cell phone plans I've found are something like $30/month for TWO phone lines — that is, $60 per month! I rummaged AT&T's site for a while and finally found a $65 per month (!) starter plan for a SINGLE line! Verizon's is $70 per month. And, that's not including monthly fees, taxes, etc.

Then, the Watch cell plan added would be another $10 plus line fees and taxes, which could run another $5-7. People often write about $10/month extra for the Watch, but it's more like $15-17. So, I’m up to $80+ a month just to get the Watch's cellular functions working.

Even if I don't set up a Watch plan — supposedly emergency calling should still work — we're still talking a HUGE monthly cost — not just the $65, but fees and taxes to boot. So, say $70+ per month. $840 per year. Or, about $2,500+ over three years! Add in $620 for a Watch 7 plus Apple Care and we're looking at over three grand!!

Besides which, Apple has a big disclaimer about emergency calling from the Watch without prior activation and configuration.

“Some cellular networks may not accept an emergency call from your Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, or Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular) if your Apple Watch isn’t activated, if it isn’t compatible with or configured to operate on a particular cellular network, or if isn’t set up for cellular service.” https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/make-an-emergency-phone-call-apd4ea933124/watchos​

It seems like the Watch is a great proposition if you already have a family cell phone plan but, otherwise, it's an outrageously expensive proposition.

I'm hoping you all can correct my misunderstandings or point me to a cheaper approach to all this! I'd really like to get a Watch, but this cell phone plan biz is now the big obstacle!

Take a look at this website.

BetterRoaming | Your world. Explore it

go.truphone.com

 

[BigBlur]

Take a look at this website.

BetterRoaming | Your world. Explore it

go.truphone.com

Neat idea, but a lot of features aren't available in Family Setup mode. This may or may not matter depending on one's needs...

Apple Pay using a credit, debit, or transit card in the Wallet app is not available with Family Setup.
The following features and apps are also not available: Health data sharing, respiratory rate, irregular heart rhythm notifications, ECG, Cycle Tracking, Sleep, Blood Oxygen, Podcasts, Remote, News, Home, and Shortcuts.

Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support

Family Setup lets family members who don't have their own iPhone enjoy the features and benefits of an Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

 

[Wpaulo]

Neat idea, but a lot of features aren't available in Family Setup mode. This may or may not matter depending on one's needs...

Apple Pay using a credit, debit, or transit card in the Wallet app is not available with Family Setup.
The following features and apps are also not available: Health data sharing, respiratory rate, irregular heart rhythm notifications, ECG, Cycle Tracking, Sleep, Blood Oxygen, Podcasts, Remote, News, Home, and Shortcuts.

Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support

Family Setup lets family members who don't have their own iPhone enjoy the features and benefits of an Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

This was in the link you sent about Family setup...

Turn on other features​

In the screens that follow, choose whether to turn on and set up additional Apple Watch features. These include Location Services for the Find People app, Siri, Apple Cash Family, Messages in iCloud, Health Data, Emergency SOS, Emergency Contacts, Medical ID, Activity, Workout Route Tracking, and Photos.

 

[Night Spring]

I expect that family members would borrow the Watch for their solo hikes

If you lend your watch to other people, their activity metrics would blend in with yours. I don't think there's a way to stop the watch from tracking activity when it's being worn by someone else.

 

[BigBlur]

This was in the link you sent about Family setup...

Turn on other features​

In the screens that follow, choose whether to turn on and set up additional Apple Watch features. These include Location Services for the Find People app, Siri, Apple Cash Family, Messages in iCloud, Health Data, Emergency SOS, Emergency Contacts, Medical ID, Activity, Workout Route Tracking, and Photos.

I'm aware. I'm just pointing out that you can't use everything the watch has to offer when using Family Setup. Some people will care, some won't.

 

[Saturn007]

Big, thanks for the detailed, thoughtful responses.

Cha, “non-Watch supporting” is about calling — you cannot make regular phone calls from your Watch over a prepaid or non-Watch carrier. Have no idea what “provisioning” is!

Emergency calling should work, as you state. Although, as noted, Apple offers a disclaimer:

“Some cellular networks may not accept an emergency call from your Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, or Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular) if your Apple Watch isn’t activated, if it isn’t compatible with or configured to operate on a particular cellular network, or if isn’t set up for cellular service.” https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/make-an-emergency-phone-call-apd4ea933124/watchos​

​

So, emergency calling may not work if the Watch “isn't … configured to operate on a particular cellular network” or “isn't set up for cellular service”. That's my source of confusion. A prepaid, non-Watch carrier may not permit configuration or set up.

Aorr, appreciate the tip; I'll check out Visible.

Paolo, thanks for the heads up on TruPhone.

Nightspring, right you are, unless a third party app can track users separately — or, there's a way of temporarily blocking fitness tracking. But, hey, otherwise, I’ll just take credit for more exercise!

Yes, I may just have to buy a Watch and see what it can and cannot do. Figure that if it can make an iPhone-connected cell call, even on a prepaid, non-Watch supporting carrier, then emergency calling should work. Maybe… ?

 

[Night Spring]

Some cellular networks may not accept an emergency call

I've seen people say that all US networks are required by law to accept emergency calls, and that this disclaimer is there because that's not true in all countries. I don't know the source for this claim.

 

[bluespark]

With the caveat that I haven't read this entire thread, lots of people who plan to get cellular service for their Apple Watches discover that they do not need cellular service to do what they intended. For non-cellular use, it is irrelevant whether your carrier supports the watch, as your watch will interact with your phone, not the carrier directly. If your phone can make a call, you can make that call through your watch (if your phone is with you or in certain situations if it is not). You cannot generally share an Apple Watch with a different family member, as it is tied to a particular Apple ID.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Hate to be that guy but you gotta to play. If you already have prepaid plans and scoff at $60/month for two phones then maybe a $500 watch isn't in your best interest. Are cell plans overpriced, absolutely, but it's reality. Personally I dislike the non cellular version but if that's all you're comfortable paying for then you don't have much choice.

 

[deeddawg]

I've seen people say that all US networks are required by law to accept emergency calls, and that this disclaimer is there because that's not true in all countries. I don't know the source for this claim.

FCC rules.

 

[960design]

I’ve been deciding which Apple Watch to get. That's been a fun exploration. Fitness functions, podcasts, weather, etc. would be good to have. Would particularly like the emergency calling function.

That’s why I'm focusing on a cellular Watch and exploring cell phone options.

An EKG function would be good, too. A Watch with that would be the 7, which is pricey.

Suddenly, though, I realized that the BIGGEST cost would be for the cell phone service!

Here's the rub. Our phones are now on low-cost prepaid plans, $8/month. (One essentially costs $0 as we can text message donations of accumulated funds to our favorite charities.) My iPhone is attached to a non-Watch carrier. We make very few cell phone calls — and even fewer during the pandemic.

If I understand things correctly, I’d need to have a regular cell phone plan (postpaid) with the iPhone and, then, might have to add a dedicated Watch plan, too.

I've been staggered by how quickly all this adds up. The cheapest cell phone plans I've found are something like $30/month for TWO phone lines — that is, $60 per month! I rummaged AT&T's site for a while and finally found a $65 per month (!) starter plan for a SINGLE line! Verizon's is $70 per month. And, that's not including monthly fees, taxes, etc.

Then, the Watch cell plan added would be another $10 plus line fees and taxes, which could run another $5-7. People often write about $10/month extra for the Watch, but it's more like $15-17. So, I’m up to $80+ a month just to get the Watch's cellular functions working.

Even if I don't set up a Watch plan — supposedly emergency calling should still work — we're still talking a HUGE monthly cost — not just the $65, but fees and taxes to boot. So, say $70+ per month. $840 per year. Or, about $2,500+ over three years! Add in $620 for a Watch 7 plus Apple Care and we're looking at over three grand!!

Besides which, Apple has a big disclaimer about emergency calling from the Watch without prior activation and configuration.

“Some cellular networks may not accept an emergency call from your Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, or Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular) if your Apple Watch isn’t activated, if it isn’t compatible with or configured to operate on a particular cellular network, or if isn’t set up for cellular service.” https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/make-an-emergency-phone-call-apd4ea933124/watchos​

It seems like the Watch is a great proposition if you already have a family cell phone plan but, otherwise, it's an outrageously expensive proposition.

I'm hoping you all can correct my misunderstandings or point me to a cheaper approach to all this! I'd really like to get a Watch, but this cell phone plan biz is now the big obstacle!

Sad news:
You seem to have a perfect understanding of the cost of owning a cellular device.

Good news:
Telsa phone may change all that... or not.

 

[mk313]

I’m typing this from my phone or else’s I would search the archives, but there was a post in the last month or so about a new service that allows you to activate a cellular watch with no need for a phone. I don’t recall the specifics, but I’d have to guess it runs about $10/month which would work out to $360 over three years, much less than your initial estimate.

Also, one word about hiking with the watch, I do a fair amount of hiking with mine and I will say that in my experience the cellular works somewhere north of 50% of the time, but nowhere near 100%. I still enjoy it and not having to lug my phone but wanted to give you a heads up from someone. Else with similar interests.