Apple Watch GPS vs Cellular – Comparison of All Models

Noor May 20, 2022

If you’re trying to decide whether to get the Apple Watch GPS or the Apple Watch GPS + Cellular, there are a few key differences to keep in mind.

Difference between Apple Watch GPS vs Cellular

Apple launches every smartwatch series in two variants; GPS and Cellular. Although there’s no difference in the looks and built-in features of both versions, they still differ because of cellular connectivity, price range, and Apple family setup. For your ease, let’s check out these deciding parameters in detail.

Cellular connectivity

The main difference between Apple Watch Gps vs Cellular is that Apple Watch GPS can only connect to the internet via a Wi-Fi connection whereas Apple Watch Cellular has its own cellular data connection. This means that Apple Watch Cellular does not require a nearby iPhone to stay connected to the internet.

So, the Apple Watch GPS is best for people who want to use their watch primarily for fitness tracking, and health monitoring and don’t need to be able to make calls or send messages without their iPhone. On the other hand, Apple Watch GPS + Cellular is best for people who want to use all the features of their Apple Watch, even when they don’t have their iPhone with them.

Family setup

Apple introduced this feature in Watch OS 7 and iOS 14, where if your family member doesn’t have an iPhone, he/she can still be able to use the Apple watch through Family setup. As we all know, Apple Watch is an accessory of the iPhone and is designed specifically for that, which means there’s no way you can set up a watch, and use it without having an iPhone first.

Now, for example, if you want to gift an Apple watch to your kid or someone who doesn’t have an iPhone, they can use it without having to stay connected with an iPhone. You can also monitor their locations, and activities through it as well. However, this feature only comes in the cellular version.

Pricing

The Apple Watch GPS is a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch GPS + Cellular, so if you’re not sure that you’ll need the cellular connection, it’s probably the better option. However, if you think you might want to be able to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone, then the Apple Watch GPS + Cellular is the way to go.

Now, whether we talk about the recently released Apple Watch 7, its predecessor Apple Watch 6, or any other old models, they all come in two variants; GPS and GPS + Cellular. So, it would be valid for someone to ask “which is better?” or “which style I should go for”? To find out this we have compared every model below.

Apple Watch Series 7 GPS vs. Cellular

The latest Apple Watch in the game right now is Apple Watch 7, which was released on 15th October 2021, and just like every other Apple Watch, it’s loved by the iPhone users. This Apple Watch 7 came up in two new case sizes; 41mm and 45mm, which was quite a change since the 45mm model is the biggest Apple watch introduced yet.

Apple made some changes regarding the display size, which is 20% bigger than Apple Watch 6, 50% bigger than Apple Watch 3, and has 40% smaller borders as compared to its predecessor. With all this room in the display, you can now text on the QWERTY keyboard as well. Watch 7 comes with the most crack-resistant glass, IP6X certification, and 33% fast charging than Apple Watch 6.

Just like the previous models, Apple Watch 7 comes in two variants; GPS and GPS + Cellular. Both the models have no difference whatsoever in the looks, display, and features except the connectivity. With Apple Watch 7 GPS + Cellular model, you would be able to enjoy the perks of a standalone smartwatch, where you can leave the phone behind and make calls, send messages, etc.

While the Apple Watch 7 GPS variant bounds you to have distance-bound communication, which means you need to stay connected to your iPhone and Wi-Fi to use all its features of it.

Apple Watch Series 7 GPS vs. Cellular: Battery life

Apple is yet to come up with a watch, which has an improved battery life compared to its previous models. Upon testing, ideally, both the GPS and Cellular versions of the Apple Watch 7 can last for 18 hours, with the GPS version having a slight edge over the Cellular one in terms of battery life.

Of course, if you’re going to use the cellular features more often then it would drain the battery more quickly. Apart from this, Apple Watch 7 can go from 0-80% in 45 minutes, and get charged 33% faster than Watch 6. Also, if you charge the watch for 8 minutes before sleeping, then it can 8 hours of sleep tracking, which might come in handy in many ways.

Apple Watch Series 7 GPS vs. Cellular: Pricing

Apple Watch 7 Cellular costs more than the GPS version because of obvious reasons, plus you need to pay $10 every month for the network carrier you’d be using. However, the price difference might not be a problem for someone who needs cellular connectivity on their wrists all the time.

Apple Watch Series 6 GPS vs. Cellular

Apple released the Apple Watch 6 in late 2020. Apple Watch 6 came in two sizes 40mm and 44mm, and two variants: GPS only and GPS+Cellular.

When we compare Apple Watch 6 GPS only with Cellular models, we found no difference in their styles. For instance, If an Apple Watch 6 is laying around you, you cannot distinguish whether it’s GPS only model or a cellular + GPS one.

So, is there any difference at all? Well yes.

As the name “cellular” depicts, it has something to do with your smartphone or being the smartphone itself, which is true. With the Apple Watch 6 Cellular version, you will be able to make/receive calls, send text messages, listen to Apple podcasts and do anything you want, without your iPhone in range.

You will be using an Apple Watch 6 just like your mini-iPhone, allowing you to leave the phone behind. This is something that you cannot do with the Apple Watch 6 GPS only variant because it has to stay connected all the time with your iPhone or Wi-Fi to work.

Apple Watch 6 GPS vs. Cellular Battery life:

Both these variants come with the same battery type and life, and according to Apple, they can last for about 18 hours after getting fully charged. However, with the LTE technology in the cellular version, it is destined to drain the battery more quickly than the GPS one.

Apple Watch Series 6 GPS vs. Cellular Price:

Cellular watch costs considerably more than the GPS only, and it’s not just that. You will have to pay extra bucks for the cellular network in the cellular version each month. On the other hand, you don’t have to do this in the GPS version and will be your one-time investment.

Recommended Read: Garmin Venu 2 vs Apple Watch 6: The Battle Of Titans

Apple Watch SE (Aluminum) GPS vs Cellular

Alongside Series 6, Apple introduced this new SE watch as well, which is identical to series 6 in almost every feature, but it costs considerably less than that. It also came in two sizes; 40 and 44mm, along with two styles; GPS and GPS + Cellular.

With Apple Watch SE Cellular variant offers a standalone feature so you can make phone calls, send text messages, check weather updates, listen to Apple Podcasts, and do whatever you want without being connected to iPhone. On the other hand, for the Apple watch SE GPS only, your phone needs to stay connected for two-way communication.

Apple Watch SE (GPS vs Cellular) Battery life:

If your main focus relies on the battery life, or you’re that sort of a person, who likes to travel and cannot afford to charge your watch often, the GPS version will be perfect for you, as it might last more than the cellular version.

Apple Watch SE (GPS vs Cellular) Price:

This watch doesn’t belong to the main Watch series Apple, and that’s exactly why it costs less than Series 6. Even its cellular version doesn’t cost much, which in the case of other series does. However, if you don’t want to burn a hole in your wallet, you should go with the GPS version, and if the price doesn’t bother you, then the cellular variant can be a good option as well.

Apple Watch Series 5 GPS vs. Cellular

Apple Watch Series 5 came in two sizes; 40 and 44mm, with two styles; GPS & GPS + Cellular, and was released in Sept 2019. Like the Apple Watch Series 6, the cellular version of the Apple Watch 5 comes with an eSIM, which makes sure you can make calls, and send text messages without making any link with your iPhone. While the Apple Watch Series 5 GPS only version requires you to have your phone or Wi-Fi connectivity all the time to work properly.

Apple Watch 5 GPS vs Cellular Battery life:

Just like its successor, the Apple Watch Series 5 cellular variant would drain the battery faster than the GPS-only version. So, if your usage requires you to have a somewhat long battery life, you should go with the GPS version.

Apple Watch 5 GPS vs Cellular Price:

Apple Watch 5 Cellular variant costs almost double the GPS only, along with the monthly charges you have to pay for the carrier network.

Apple Watch Series 4 GPS vs Cellular

In 2018, Apple launched Apple Watch 4 in GPS and Cellular variants along in two different sizes 40 and 44mm. The GPS version makes phone calls, sends messages, and receives notifications just fine when it’s connected to the iPhone, which makes it a distance-bound communication per se, but this can be eliminated in the cellular version. You can freely make calls, and listen to Apple podcasts right from your wrist without needing your phone after getting paired.

Apple Watch 4 GPS vs Cellular Battery life:

The GPS variant might go on longer than the cellular version, because of the LTE features, which drains the battery the most.

Apple Watch Series 4 GPS vs Cellular Price:

GPS version costs less amount of money and is a one-time investment, which is not the case with the cellular variant, as you need to pay extra bucks each month to the network providers as well.

Apple Watch Series 3 GPS vs Cellular

Apple Watch Series 3 can be termed as a pioneer in Apple Watches because it changed the whole perspective of a smartwatch for iPhones. iWatch 3 was released in 2017, in two sizes; 40 and 44mm, and two styles; Apple Watch 3 GPS and GPS + Cellular.

Although it’s an old watch, there’s no point in spending money on its cellular version, which is becoming rare as well. But if you have queries about both styles, let’s see the difference.

The main difference in both these styles is the same as its successor, as you can make and receive phone calls, send text messages, listen to podcasts and use it freely without the constant need of staying connected to your iPhone. However, in the case of GPS only, you can still do all these features, but you’ll need to stay connected to your iPhone or Wi-Fi network.

Apple Watch 3 GPS vs Cellular Battery life:

If you’re using the cellular variant, it will drain out more quickly because of the LTE features. On the other hand, the GPS version might stand more, with mixed usage.

Apple Watch Series 3 GPS vs Cellular Price:

From the price perspective, the cellular version would cost more than the GPS variant. So, if you’re low on budget, you might want to consider the GPS version, because it costs considerably less.

Related Articles:

• Apple Watch: Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel
• How to Unpair an Apple Watch

Apple Watch GPS vs Cellular: Which one is better for you?

As you have seen the comparison between all Apple Watches available till now, and one thing is for sure that both the variants have their pros and cons. You cannot vaguely decide which one is better, but what you can do is ask yourself “What do I need?”

The ultimate difference relies on the word “cellular”, where you can freely make phone calls, send text messages, listen to podcasts, stream Apple music, and check whether, and whatnot. You won’t have to stay connected to your iPhone or Wi-Fi network at all. While the GPS model doesn’t have this feature, although you can do all these things while staying connected makes it a distance-bound communication.

Now if your usage doesn’t require you this standalone feature, there’s no point in spending money and compromising battery life over something you won’t or barely use. But, if do want to use the watch as a mini-smartphone, you should go for it.

The GPS version might give last for a little longer than the Cellular one, as the LTE features drain the battery the most. This eventually goes down to your preference again, that if you want your watch to have a considerably good battery life, you should go with the GPS variant, and if it’s not the case, and you’re happy with getting it changed often, you should go with the latter.

Before we get to the price range, there’s one more thing that can be deciding factor for some people, especially parents.

And finally, the GPS version costs way less than the cellular variant, and it’s a one-time investment, unlike the latter. You will have to pay extra bucks each month for the carrier network in the cellular version, which is something that can be avoided in the GPS version.

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FAQS

Is Apple Watch GPS better than cellular?

In terms of connectivity, yes, the cellular Apple Watch is better than GPS only model, providing standalone features right on your wrist.

What is the difference between a normal and cellular Apple Watch?

The main difference between GPS and cellular apple is that the cellular Apple watch allows the user to make calls, and send messages without needing the iPhone connectivity. GPS only model needs to stay connected with iPhone or Wi-Fi connection for making calls, etc.

Do you need cellular on the Apple Watch?

Depending on the type of usage, if you just need to have the standalone features in the watch, then you should go with the Apple Watch cellular. If not, then there’s no need to spend extra bucks every month over something you’d not be using.

Can you text on GPS Apple Watch?

Yes, you can send and receive messages on Apple watch GPS version when your phone is nearby or you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Can you make and receive calls on Apple Watch GPS?

Yes, if the GPS Apple watch is connected to the iPhone nearby, then you can make and receive calls right from your wrist.

How far can your Apple Watch GPS be away from your phone?

Your Apple watches GPS would work just fine under a radius of 10m or 33feet if it’s connected to your iPhone.