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Sticker shock! $$ for cell phone plans… Looking for advice.
- Thread starter Saturn007
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Didn't read the whole thread, so I could be repeating.
Anyways, the OP has it pretty much right. I'm on an ATT prepaid plan and to get the watch on ATT I'd have to change plans and the result is basically doubling my monthly bill. I also seem to remember that Verizon had a BS fee on their plan that wasn't taxes so, they jack the $10+taxes+BS fee, plus, having to go on their plans. Regardless, it all adds up to double in my case.
Comcast, if you have cable with them, offers a legitimate $10 plan. T-Mobile also has a reasonable plan but their coverage isn't great in these parts.
I'd love to try cell but it's ridiculous.
Anyways, the OP has it pretty much right. I'm on an ATT prepaid plan and to get the watch on ATT I'd have to change plans and the result is basically doubling my monthly bill. I also seem to remember that Verizon had a BS fee on their plan that wasn't taxes so, they jack the $10+taxes+BS fee, plus, having to go on their plans. Regardless, it all adds up to double in my case.
Comcast, if you have cable with them, offers a legitimate $10 plan. T-Mobile also has a reasonable plan but their coverage isn't great in these parts.
I'd love to try cell but it's ridiculous.
Nice.
T-Mobile in the US charges $10 for unlimited high speed data watch plan, or $5 for 500MB high speed data (unlimited low speed) per month. That’s a flat rate inclusive of all taxes and fees.
Coverage in the places I go is great.
OpenSignal literally shows blank for T-Mobile where I live, and no, it's not Montana. The single best use case for cell is working out (running, hikes, etc...) and for me at least, it would only get worse on T-Mobile.
Can you do the T-Mobile plan at just $10/mo for the watch or do you need one of the other plans too? In other words, phone on ATT prepaid and watch on T-Mobile? I'm not concerned about getting calls but having data access for streaming or adding reminders would be worth $10/mo to me, at least to test it.
Gotta choose the carrier with service where you are.
Apple Watch needs to be on same carrier as phone best I know. We’re already on the TMO 55+ plan so that was an easy choice. I’m unaware of any TMO watch only plans but haven’t looked.
Apple doesn’t neglect to say this. They’re very clear about it. In your case, buy the GPS-only watch. You don’t need to change your cell phone plan or tell the carrier.
If you have a GPS-only watch, it can do everything a watch with cell service does, by using the phone via Bluetooth. Which gets many of us to ask whether the GPS+Cellular option is worth it.
If you’re already on an essentially free plan, everything is going to cost more. T-Mobile has a Magenta 55+ plan which is $35 per month if you are 55 or older. They add the watch service for only $5 or $10 a month. This requires a more expensive watch model, and seems to be a benefit only if you don’t have your phone with you. For instance, if you go running or biking and don’t want the weight of the phone, the watch can track where you are and it can send and receive calls without the phone nearby. But if you’ll have the phone, as far as I know, there’s no reason for the GPS+Cellular watch and it’s added monthly fee.
This is also my experience. It's unfortunate because the Watch is such an awesome idea for hiking.
My iPhone choice is a 13 Pro Max, so even in the winter I'd really rather leave it at the office or at home and walk and hike with the Watch.
In my case, it could be that T-Mobile LTE is part of my problem, because there's an LTE band that is not on the Watch.
T-Mobile 5G and 5GUC seems to be great, but if you're in an area where you need an LTE band for the Watch, especially if they're on a high frequency older band instead of one of the newer 600 MHz or 850 MHz LTE bands, you just won't connect very well and you will lose connection more frequently.
I wonder whether the original poster's expectations might be a little too high. I hope the poster finds plans priced the way that they want, but in my experience T-Mobile is that their overall comprise is the best.
Especially if you are an older person like me, their all-encompassing plans are the best plans for the money. IMHO.
“Apple neglects to say that the Watch and iPhone must be paired, with iPhone AND Bluetooth on, and iPhone cell phone service on!”
Alameda, here's what I mean about Apple's lack of information:
Use Emergency SOS on your Apple Watch
With Emergency SOS, you can quickly and easily call for help and alert your emergency contacts from your Apple Watch.
Here's how it works
To use Emergency SOS on an Apple Watch that doesn't have cellular, your iPhone needs to be nearby. [Note: NOTHING HERE ABOUT PAIRING, CELL SERVICE, ETC.] 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.
and
Here's how it works
When you make a call with SOS, your iPhone automatically calls the local emergency number.
Nothing about pairing, Bluetooth, cell service being on, etc.If you know where they explain all this properly that would be helpful to read.
I'm still hung up on Apple‘s big disclaimer that emergency calling from the Watch make not work without prior activation and configuration for cellular, which they state involves an “eligible cellular service plan with a supported carrier” (see quotes earlier in the thread).
In any event, don't mean to flog a dead horse (as the off-putting saying goes), just wish that Apple would be clearer than mud about all this!
The bottom line is that if one wants to leave their iPhone at home, or off, or unpaired, then a cellular Watch is needed for automatic Emergency Calling, which should work, but may not! ?
——————————————
P.S. Meant to express my appreciation to everyone who chimed in on this topic. It's been informative and your comments welcome. Thanks!
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If you are using an Apple Watch without cellular, then it would already be paired with an iPhone, because that is the first step you do when you set up a watch. A cellular watch can be set up to work without being paired to an iPhone (by Family setup), but a non-cellular watch can't be used that way. Therefore, saying that a watch must be paired to an iPhone is redundant by the time most users are reading about Emergency SOS.
Similarly, in order for the iPhone and Watch to pair, sync and otherwise exchange commands and data, WiFi and Bluetooth must be turned on on both devices. That is also something that people would discover early in their Watch use, so again, it's not something that needs to be repeated here.
You are trying to understand a rather advanced feature without first experiencing the more basic features of the watch, and are therefore missing information that Apple assumes people would know already by the time they get to reading about Emergency SOS.
I do think there are many instances where Apple could explain thing better, but you jumping into the deep end without going through the basics doesn't help.
@Night Spring nailed it on the head. You have skimmed over the basic Apple Watch requirements. Here is a supporting document: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204562
No, even Family Setup requires the target Apple Watch to be paired to the "Host" iPhone used for Family Setup. As of today Apple still requires all Apple Watch devices to be paired to an iPhone to function.
Apple Family Setup Support: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211768
Also a non-cellular Apple Watch can also be setup and used by the Family Setup tool but since the Apple Watch is not Cellular the functions are very limited.
This restriction is to allow the "Host" iPhone used for Family Setup to manage the child's or older parent
s watch to apps, limits and authorize purchasing.
Summary: All Apple Watch devices must be paired to an iPhone. Apple may change this requirement in the future but not as of today.
Dave
On the page you linked to, it says that you need:
- An Apple Watch Series 4 or later with cellular,* or Apple Watch SE with cellular, with watchOS 7 or later.
Appreciate the comments!
I realize that my quest for info on all this may seem to be like jumping into the “deep end”, but fall detection and Emergency calling are a major selling point of the Watch. So, prospective buyers like me want to know how this stuff works BEFORE buying one — and to help them decide whether to go GPS only or GPS + cellular.
PMKoch, your link was quite helpful! Thanks for that!
1. It seems that the GPS-only Watch can do fall detection and make Emergency SOS calls as long as the Watch is paired via Bluetooth with the iPhone. That Wi-Fi doesn't even have to be on. Is that right?
2. Also, does the Bluetooth pairing happen automatically? Or, must one select the Watch on the iPhone each time, the way I have to manually select a keyboard or other Bluetooth device on my iPad?
3. I assume that the iPhone doesn't have to be turned on back at home base for Watch cellular emergency calling to work. Is that right? (This is all sans Watch cell plan.)
Bottom line at this point: It seems a cellular Watch is the better way to go for us. No need to have the iPhone with me; no need to turn it on, turn on Bluetooth, and pair it with the Watch via BT (if that's required); and, most critically, I can loan the Watch to my spouse for solo hikes for fall detection and Emergency SOS calling. With the GPS only model, I’d have to also loan my iPhone along with the Watch.
In any case, thanks for hanging in there with me as I explore all this and try to figure it out!
I realize that my quest for info on all this may seem to be like jumping into the “deep end”, but fall detection and Emergency calling are a major selling point of the Watch. So, prospective buyers like me want to know how this stuff works BEFORE buying one — and to help them decide whether to go GPS only or GPS + cellular.
PMKoch, your link was quite helpful! Thanks for that!
1. It seems that the GPS-only Watch can do fall detection and make Emergency SOS calls as long as the Watch is paired via Bluetooth with the iPhone. That Wi-Fi doesn't even have to be on. Is that right?
2. Also, does the Bluetooth pairing happen automatically? Or, must one select the Watch on the iPhone each time, the way I have to manually select a keyboard or other Bluetooth device on my iPad?
3. I assume that the iPhone doesn't have to be turned on back at home base for Watch cellular emergency calling to work. Is that right? (This is all sans Watch cell plan.)
Bottom line at this point: It seems a cellular Watch is the better way to go for us. No need to have the iPhone with me; no need to turn it on, turn on Bluetooth, and pair it with the Watch via BT (if that's required); and, most critically, I can loan the Watch to my spouse for solo hikes for fall detection and Emergency SOS calling. With the GPS only model, I’d have to also loan my iPhone along with the Watch.
In any case, thanks for hanging in there with me as I explore all this and try to figure it out!
I suppose you could turn Wi-Fi off, but I don't know why you'd want to. The watch battery easily lasts a day with both wifi and bluetooth turned on. And since your use case involves leaving your phone at home, it doesn't matter if your phone's wifi is on or off, because it'd be out of range.
Once you pair your watch with your iPhone, they automatically connect when they are near each other, provided the Bluetooth and wifi are on on both devices. I think maybe wifi doesn't need to be on, but I'm not sure about that, because I just never turn wifi off on my phone or watch.
As I said before, if the phone is out of range, it doesnt matter what state it is in.
That sounds right, provided you find a cellular plan for your watch that doesn't cause sticker shock, as in the title of this thread.
Thanks for taking my comment the way it was intended -- I'm glad you are figuring this out!
You have it correct.
I think the confusion has been terminology: Apple Watch with GPS, versus Apple Watch with Cellular versus Apple Watch with Cellular Service.
In the US, T-Mobile charges much less than AT&T to add a watch. So your decision may depend on which cellular carrier you use, and you should ask them the rates of their plans.
keep it simple.
Buy the cellular version take it for a test out on a hike with no phone.
check the emergency features. they either work or they don't.
if they don't work, return the watch.
Buy the cellular version take it for a test out on a hike with no phone.
check the emergency features. they either work or they don't.
if they don't work, return the watch.
Say, thanks again for all the follow-ups!
I like Alameda's distinction of AW with GPS, AW with Cellular, and AW with Cell Plan! Apple should steal that and pay A. royalties!
Uh-oh. Just when I thought I was getting a complete handle on all this, Night Spring made this pithy comment.
I'm wanting to use Fall Detection with automatic Emergency SOS calling WITHOUT a cellular plan at all. My carrier, Tracfone, doesn't support the Watch. That's why Apple's statement alarmed me!
An Apple Watch appears to be incompatible with Tracfone. But, again, this is likely due to my misunderstanding of what "compatible" means and what "set up for cellular service" means!
Oh, as to WiFi and BT, my iPhone is almost always off and when any of my i-devices are on, they are in Airplane Mode, with WiFi and BT off, to save battery life.
Break is right -- getting and trying a Watch is now the course I'm on...
OTOH, Break, how does one test the emergency features of the watch? I do NOT want to call 911. In many places, you are fined for making false 911 calls.
I'll try contacting Tracfone at some point, but knowing what customer service is like with cell phone companies, I'm not sure I can trust the answer!
I have much greater confidence in the collective wisdom of MacRumors commenters!
I like Alameda's distinction of AW with GPS, AW with Cellular, and AW with Cell Plan! Apple should steal that and pay A. royalties!
Uh-oh. Just when I thought I was getting a complete handle on all this, Night Spring made this pithy comment.
That sounds right, provided you find a cellular plan for your watch that doesn't cause sticker shock, as in the title of this thread.
I'm wanting to use Fall Detection with automatic Emergency SOS calling WITHOUT a cellular plan at all. My carrier, Tracfone, doesn't support the Watch. That's why Apple's statement alarmed me!
“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
An Apple Watch appears to be incompatible with Tracfone. But, again, this is likely due to my misunderstanding of what "compatible" means and what "set up for cellular service" means!
Oh, as to WiFi and BT, my iPhone is almost always off and when any of my i-devices are on, they are in Airplane Mode, with WiFi and BT off, to save battery life.
Break is right -- getting and trying a Watch is now the course I'm on...
OTOH, Break, how does one test the emergency features of the watch? I do NOT want to call 911. In many places, you are fined for making false 911 calls.
I'll try contacting Tracfone at some point, but knowing what customer service is like with cell phone companies, I'm not sure I can trust the answer!
I have much greater confidence in the collective wisdom of MacRumors commenters!
oh, right, sorry. Forgot about that part.
I think you are overthinking Apple's disclaimers. You are in the continental US, correct? From what I understand, those disclaimers are meant to cover situations that people might encounter overseas. I'm pretty sure Apple Watch's cellular function is compatible with all US cell phone networks, but that some carriers just don't offer account plans for watches.
This I just don't understand. Are you on some kind of extremely limited electricity access? You can only charge your iPhone once a week? Or are your devices old, and the battery don't last long anymore? Because in my experience, iDevices with a healthy battery easily last all day with wifi, Bluetoth and cellular data all on.
THAT'S TRUE, BUT occasionally I forget to grab my phone when leave the house. I've ignored the Apple Watch since it came out with the cellular option. A $100 more and $10 a month. My wife bought a non cellular model and I decided to get one as well although cellular.
And yes, I'm still forgetting my phone occasionally but now I have a "Dick Tracy" watch phone. Is it worth $10 a month and $100 more? I'm not sure. I guess if I ever have an emergency I'll know. I am very surprised at how good the speaker volume is in the phone mode.
If you're that concerned about getting "in trouble" for a false 911 call...Say, thanks again for all the follow-ups!
I like Alameda's distinction of AW with GPS, AW with Cellular, and AW with Cell Plan! Apple should steal that and pay A. royalties!
Uh-oh. Just when I thought I was getting a complete handle on all this, Night Spring made this pithy comment.
I'm wanting to use Fall Detection with automatic Emergency SOS calling WITHOUT a cellular plan at all. My carrier, Tracfone, doesn't support the Watch. That's why Apple's statement alarmed me!
“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,orif isn’t set up for cellular service.” https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/make-an-emergency-phone-call-apd4ea933124/watchos
An Apple Watch appears to be incompatible with Tracfone. But, again, this is likely due to my misunderstanding of what "compatible" means and what "set up for cellular service" means!
Oh, as to WiFi and BT, my iPhone is almost always off and when any of my i-devices are on, they are in Airplane Mode, with WiFi and BT off, to save battery life.
Break is right -- getting and trying a Watch is now the course I'm on...
OTOH, Break, how does one test the emergency features of the watch? I do NOT want to call 911. In many places, you are fined for making false 911 calls.
I'll try contacting Tracfone at some point, but knowing what customer service is like with cell phone companies, I'm not sure I can trust the answer!
I have much greater confidence in the collective wisdom of MacRumors commenters!
Then contact your local emergency services and ask them about this curiosity you have.
Hell, just stop by and talk to EMSA or a cop.
OR you can just test it and say "I'm sorry its a false alarm, please disregard this emergency SOS from my Apple Watch" and keep it moving. You questions are answered.
Keep it simple.
its always better to ask those who work and have experience in areas where you have questions.
The general public will be clueless in your specific use case.
I never ask questions about brain cancer in a forum dedicated to cancer products. I ask a brain cancer specialist doctor about my issues.
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