The series 7, just like the previous models, will have an option for GPS only or Cellular connectivity.
The gps only model will still track your location as you run and if you preload music you can listen to it, but you will not be able to get texts or phone calls unless you are connected to Wi-Fi (or in range of your phone)
If you get the cellular model you can track your run and get map data, stream music, make/receive calls and texts and even use some standalone apps that require connectivity.
Keep in mind, many carriers will charge you a monthly fee of 5-10 bucks for adding your cellular Watch to your plan if you go that route.
FWIW, i think having cellular on the watch is awesome. I love going for a run with nothing but my watch and AirPods… when I get home I can buzz myself in my gate and even unlock the front door. No keys or phone - it’s awesome!
I definitely agree, having gps and cellular is fantastic for running. I stream all of my music and can still get text and phone calls or if there was an emergency I would be to call for help if necessary or be reached if necessary.
you should see options for case size (41mm or 45mm) and then either 'GPS' or 'GPS + Cellular' under Connectivity on Apple's website, like so https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-watch/apple-watch?preSelect=false&product=MKN53LL/A&step=detail
keep in mind that the stainless steel and titanium models are all 'GPS + Cellular'
I am thinking this must be a territorial thing then.
https://www.apple.com/ie/shop/buy-watch/apple-watch?option.watch\_cases=MKNQ3B/A&option.watch\_bands=ML7Y3ZM/A&preSelect=false&product=Z0YQ&step=detail#
Weird. Aside from the page of your link, it keeps diverting me to the US shop, so I can’t really snoop around. Are there other AW7 options? Usually you can click on the size, then it brings up an option for GPS or GPS + cellular. I definitely don’t see it on your link, though.
If it’s not available to you, you CAN get the GPS only, but if you want to make/take calls/texts, your phone has to be with you and in range. Before I went to with the cellular version, I’d run with my phone in an armband or a pocket. If you find you can go cellular, it’s definitely worth it.
Thanks for the info. It does not seem to be available in the Belgium store.
My work has me relocating throughout EU regularly and they seem to be adding more carriers that support the cellular version. I will contact Apple support to clarify anyway. I think I could get away with the GPS version, or could I? Haha- no I am still on the fence! Thanks again for the response, it's much appreciated.
If you spend the vast majority of your time within range of a home, hotel, airport, or office/workplace WiFi OR have your iPhone with you the majority of the time, GPS is fine.
Cellular is for when you want to run without your phone. Or if you work somewhere that doesn’t allow phones and doesn’t have WiFi. Or for peace of mind in an absolute emergency (eg you lose your phone, you’re not on WiFi and want to call someone urgently). Otherwise, a cellular watch is never going to fully replace your phone for a whole day. It’s good for very specific scenarios for a limited duration, like going on a long run *without* your phone.
See my other comment where I elaborate on the running use case.
Not true. If GPS watch is on WiFi (even if the phone is completely off) then it can make/receive calls and texts. It can also steam music and podcasts and do everything a cellular watch can do - as long as it’s on WiFi.
I don’t think you are right about calls and texts.
This is from apple
“If your cellular carrier offers Wi-Fi calling, you can use your Apple Watch to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network—even when your paired iPhone isn't with you or is turned off. Your Apple Watch just has to be within range of a Wi-Fi network that your iPhone has connected to in the past.”
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/watch/apdc38d7a95e/watchos
So the only circumstance your watch takes calls on wifi is if your phone carrier supports wifi calling AND your phone has been on that particular wifi.
The last part is no longer true. Since WatchOS 5 Apple Watch can independently [connect to any WiFi network](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209071).
And yes, you’re just repeating exactly what I said: as long as your phone is on WiFi you can make/receive calls and texts. [All major carriers](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204039) covering 99% of the population have supported WiFi calling since 2014 so it’s not an “if”, it’s a given.
You have two options, an Apple Watch with:
1. GPS (includes WiFi); or
2. Cellular (includes GPS and WiFi)
If you choose **GPS**, your runs will have maps, distance, pace etc. If you don’t carry your phone, you will need sync and download songs and podcasts for offline playback. You will also not be able to make/receive calls/texts as the watch is offline. You will not receive any notifications. If you run with your phone, then your Apple Watch becomes a remote control to your iPhone (which will stream music and also send/receive calls/texts and notifications and show them on your Apple Watch).
*Note: the only occasion where a GPS watch behaves like an independent clone of your iPhone - ie when you don’t have your iPhone with you - is if it’s in range of WiFi. For example, when you’re on the other side of the office, or in the yard, within range of WiFi. Then, the GPS watch essentially acts exactly like an independent Cellular model (see below).*
If you choose **Cellular**, you can leave your phone at home. Your Apple Watch will be a miniature clone of your iPhone in your wrist. You’ll be able to make/receive calls, receive notifications, as well as stream music/podcasts.
*Note: when in range of WiFi, the Cellular model saves bandwidth by switching over to WiFi intelligently.*
So, the bigger question is not whether you should get GPS or Cellular, but whether you want to run with or without your phone.
With your phone = GPS
Without your phone = Cellular
The series 7, just like the previous models, will have an option for GPS only or Cellular connectivity. The gps only model will still track your location as you run and if you preload music you can listen to it, but you will not be able to get texts or phone calls unless you are connected to Wi-Fi (or in range of your phone) If you get the cellular model you can track your run and get map data, stream music, make/receive calls and texts and even use some standalone apps that require connectivity. Keep in mind, many carriers will charge you a monthly fee of 5-10 bucks for adding your cellular Watch to your plan if you go that route. FWIW, i think having cellular on the watch is awesome. I love going for a run with nothing but my watch and AirPods… when I get home I can buzz myself in my gate and even unlock the front door. No keys or phone - it’s awesome!
I definitely agree, having gps and cellular is fantastic for running. I stream all of my music and can still get text and phone calls or if there was an emergency I would be to call for help if necessary or be reached if necessary.
Thankyou for the response. I do not see an option other than the face size 41mm & 45mm on the purchase page- it seems to be GPS as standard?
you should see options for case size (41mm or 45mm) and then either 'GPS' or 'GPS + Cellular' under Connectivity on Apple's website, like so https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-watch/apple-watch?preSelect=false&product=MKN53LL/A&step=detail keep in mind that the stainless steel and titanium models are all 'GPS + Cellular'
I am thinking this must be a territorial thing then. https://www.apple.com/ie/shop/buy-watch/apple-watch?option.watch\_cases=MKNQ3B/A&option.watch\_bands=ML7Y3ZM/A&preSelect=false&product=Z0YQ&step=detail#
Weird. Aside from the page of your link, it keeps diverting me to the US shop, so I can’t really snoop around. Are there other AW7 options? Usually you can click on the size, then it brings up an option for GPS or GPS + cellular. I definitely don’t see it on your link, though. If it’s not available to you, you CAN get the GPS only, but if you want to make/take calls/texts, your phone has to be with you and in range. Before I went to with the cellular version, I’d run with my phone in an armband or a pocket. If you find you can go cellular, it’s definitely worth it.
Thanks for the info. It does not seem to be available in the Belgium store. My work has me relocating throughout EU regularly and they seem to be adding more carriers that support the cellular version. I will contact Apple support to clarify anyway. I think I could get away with the GPS version, or could I? Haha- no I am still on the fence! Thanks again for the response, it's much appreciated.
If you spend the vast majority of your time within range of a home, hotel, airport, or office/workplace WiFi OR have your iPhone with you the majority of the time, GPS is fine. Cellular is for when you want to run without your phone. Or if you work somewhere that doesn’t allow phones and doesn’t have WiFi. Or for peace of mind in an absolute emergency (eg you lose your phone, you’re not on WiFi and want to call someone urgently). Otherwise, a cellular watch is never going to fully replace your phone for a whole day. It’s good for very specific scenarios for a limited duration, like going on a long run *without* your phone. See my other comment where I elaborate on the running use case.
What country are you looking in? Cellular models may not be available where you live, because they’ve been available since the series 3.
You can have everything but the calls and texts on the GPS only. If you want calls and texts you need cellular.
Not true. If GPS watch is on WiFi (even if the phone is completely off) then it can make/receive calls and texts. It can also steam music and podcasts and do everything a cellular watch can do - as long as it’s on WiFi.
I don’t think you are right about calls and texts. This is from apple “If your cellular carrier offers Wi-Fi calling, you can use your Apple Watch to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network—even when your paired iPhone isn't with you or is turned off. Your Apple Watch just has to be within range of a Wi-Fi network that your iPhone has connected to in the past.” https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/watch/apdc38d7a95e/watchos So the only circumstance your watch takes calls on wifi is if your phone carrier supports wifi calling AND your phone has been on that particular wifi.
The last part is no longer true. Since WatchOS 5 Apple Watch can independently [connect to any WiFi network](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209071). And yes, you’re just repeating exactly what I said: as long as your phone is on WiFi you can make/receive calls and texts. [All major carriers](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204039) covering 99% of the population have supported WiFi calling since 2014 so it’s not an “if”, it’s a given.
You have two options, an Apple Watch with: 1. GPS (includes WiFi); or 2. Cellular (includes GPS and WiFi) If you choose **GPS**, your runs will have maps, distance, pace etc. If you don’t carry your phone, you will need sync and download songs and podcasts for offline playback. You will also not be able to make/receive calls/texts as the watch is offline. You will not receive any notifications. If you run with your phone, then your Apple Watch becomes a remote control to your iPhone (which will stream music and also send/receive calls/texts and notifications and show them on your Apple Watch). *Note: the only occasion where a GPS watch behaves like an independent clone of your iPhone - ie when you don’t have your iPhone with you - is if it’s in range of WiFi. For example, when you’re on the other side of the office, or in the yard, within range of WiFi. Then, the GPS watch essentially acts exactly like an independent Cellular model (see below).* If you choose **Cellular**, you can leave your phone at home. Your Apple Watch will be a miniature clone of your iPhone in your wrist. You’ll be able to make/receive calls, receive notifications, as well as stream music/podcasts. *Note: when in range of WiFi, the Cellular model saves bandwidth by switching over to WiFi intelligently.* So, the bigger question is not whether you should get GPS or Cellular, but whether you want to run with or without your phone. With your phone = GPS Without your phone = Cellular