Apple Watch GPS vs. Cellular: Important Differences Explained

Apple Watch Series 10 GPS

For

Significantly cheaper
Better battery life
No monthly costs

Against

Requires iPhone for music and communication
Not an option for Titan Series 10
No Apple Watch for your kids

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple Watch Series 10 GPS + Cellular

For

Content streaming
Make calls and text messages without an iPhone
Lighter

Against

More expensive
Monthly costs apply
The cell phone drains the battery

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when purchasing a new Apple Watch is choosing between GPS and cellular.

Whether you buy Apple’s brand new Series 10, the Apple Watch Ultra, or the Apple Watch SE, the choice between cellular and GPS will make a big difference in the functionality of your Apple Watch as well as the price.

With a GPS Apple Watch, you get almost all the functionality of a cellular model at a relatively reduced price, often a difference of $100/£100/AU$100 or more. However, the Cellular model gives you the most freedom to use your Apple Watch on the go, especially without having your iPhone with you.

A cellular Apple Watch uses your carrier’s data just like your iPhone, so you can make calls, send text messages, or even stream music right to your wrist. Of course, the Cellular Apple Watch is initially more expensive, but if you choose the GPS version, you may also have to pay more monthly data costs on your iPhone plan of choice.

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Price and Availability

Experience with the Apple Watch Series 10

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The Apple Watch Series 10 was launched in September 2024. Pricing starts at $399 / £399 / AU$649 or $499 / £499 / AU$809 for the Cellular model.

The 46mm versions of the Series 10 are slightly more expensive, as are the titanium models. But overall, choosing cellular over GPS costs an additional $100/£100/AU$150.

The Apple Watch SE starts at $249/£219/AU$399, but the Cellular version costs $299/£289/AU$479, which increases the price by about $50/£70/AU$80.

The Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 are only available in Cellular, there is no GPS-only model.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price	GPS	Cellular
Aluminum series 10	$399/£399/AU$649	$499/£499/AU$809
Apple Watch SE	$249/£219/AU$399	$299/£289/AU$479
Ultra 2	N/A	$749/£749/AU$1,279

The cellular version of the Apple Watch will always be more expensive than the GPS-only version, even if you’re looking for the best Apple Watch deals. Roughly speaking, the cellular version of each model is about $100/AU$100/AU$150 more expensive than the GPS equivalent. If you want to use the cellular feature, you’ll also likely have to pay an additional monthly cost to your iPhone plan of around $10/£10/AU$10.

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Specs

With the introduction of the new Series 10 design, Apple has dispensed with the usual red ring on the digital crown of the mobile Apple Watch. This means that there are no physical differences in design between the Cellular and GPS Apple Watch other than weight. Here are the key specifications:

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Apple Watch Series 10 GPS vs. Cellular
Specifications	GPS	Cellular
Price	From $399 / £399 / AU$649	From $499 / £499 / AU$809
Cellular streaming	NO	Yes
Family facility	NO	Yes
Apple Watch for your children	NO	Yes
Make a phone call	NO	Yes
Send messages	NO	Yes
Weight	30g	29.3g

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Bands and Versions

Side view of the Apple Watch Series 9

(Image credit: Future / Britta O’Boyle)

When it comes to choosing between Apple Watch Cellular and GPS, there are almost no restrictions, neither in terms of the materials and workmanship you can choose nor the straps you can use with your watch. The Apple Watch Series 10 offers all aluminum and titanium colors in 42mm and 46mm sizes. However, while the aluminum is available in either Cellular or GPS, the titanium finish is only available as a Cellular option, there is no GPS-only model to speak of.

You can buy the Apple Watch SE in any color, band, and size, in either the GPS or GPS + Cellular options.

Like the Series 10 Titanium, the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 are only available in cellular configurations.

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Calls and Messages

Apple Watch Series 10 keyboard.

(Image credit: Future)

You can use your Apple Watch to make and receive calls, and send and receive messages. If you have a GPS model, this requires you to be connected to your iPhone and within range. However, the Cellular model lets you connect with friends and family without having your iPhone with you. This comes in handy if you accidentally left the house without your iPhone or want to run or hike without your iPhone. As long as you have cellular coverage with your Cellular Apple Watch, you can send calls and text messages. You can also contact emergency services using your Cellular Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Music and Podcasts

Apple Watch Series 10

(Image credit: Future)

Both the cellular and GPS models of the Apple Watch have internal storage that can handle podcasts and music for listening on the go. The advantage of a cellular model is that you can also stream music and podcasts directly over your cellular connection when your iPhone is nearby. This means you can listen to an extensive music library or any podcast you want, rather than having to limit yourself to what’s stored on your watch’s relatively small hard drive.

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Setting up Apple Watch for your kids and family

Apple Watch setup screen on iPhone

(Image credit: Future)

The Apple Watch For Your Kids is one of the Cellular Watch’s biggest selling points. If you purchase a Cellular Apple Watch for your child, you can set it up for them even if they don’t have an iPhone. Children can be added to your cell phone plan without incurring additional cell phone charges. They get their own phone number that they can use to make calls, send messages (to approved contacts), call for help, and share their location with you. You can also listen to music, make Apple Cash payments (US only), and track your activity. Apple Watch For Your Kids is not available on any of Apple’s GPS-only models.

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Battery Life

Experience with the Apple Watch Series 10

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Apple largely rates its cellular and GPS models with the same battery life, but using data on your wrist inevitably uses more power. Apple rates the Series 10 at 18 hours of normal use and 36 hours in power saving mode, but the cellular model’s tests include 14 and 28 hours of connection to the iPhone, respectively. If you use your Apple Watch over cellular for longer, you will definitely notice a decrease in battery life. The same applies to the Apple Watch SE, which is designed for six hours of outdoor training with GPS, but only for five hours with 4G LTE. So if you want the best possible battery life on your Series 10 or Apple Watch SE, buy the GPS version.

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Which Should You Buy?

Apple Watch Series 10, Maps app

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

As you can see, there are some pretty big differences between the cellular and GPS versions of the Apple Watch. If you want the cheapest option, you should always choose GPS over cellular as it will save you the initial cost and monthly payments. If you want the best possible battery life, the GPS version is for you.

While the Cellular Apple Watch is more expensive, it offers several benefits for those willing to pay more. You have the ability to make calls, send and receive text messages, and stream media anywhere without your iPhone. The Cellular Apple Watch is also necessary for those who want to use the Apple Watch For Your Kids feature, so could be valuable for larger families.

Not sure? Remember, you can buy a cellular Apple Watch without using the cellular plan. So if you’re not 100% sure but don’t want to miss out on cellular functionality, you can always buy the more expensive model and use it like you would a GPS Apple Watch.

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