What to Know
- Most carriers charge $10/month for an Apple Watch cellular plan.
- If you need multiple Apple Watch cellular plans, consider Family Setup to save money.
If you want to buy a cellular Apple Watch, there are two costs to consider. First, an Apple Watch model that supports cellular service. Then, a cellular plan for your Apple Watch. Below, we'll discuss what each Apple Watch cellular plan costs for the Series 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Ultra, and SE. We'll also answer your top Apple Watch data plan questions!
Jump To:
- How Much Does a Cellular Apple Watch Cost?
- Cost of Apple Watch Cellular Plans
- Apple Watch Family Setup
- Apple Watch GPS vs. Cellular Questions
How Much Does the Apple Watch Cost with Cellular Service?
If you're looking to purchase a cellular Apple Watch, you'll see two models listed: Apple Watch (GPS) and (GPS + Cellular). We've covered the difference between GPS and cellular Apple Watches in the section below, but basically, a GPS-only model needs to be near your iPhone to text, call, and stream music, while a GPS + Cellular Apple Watch doesn't. While you'll need a GPS and cellular model in order to have cellular service, we've listed the GPS-only prices below to help you easily compare the difference. Keep in mind that the cellular Apple Watch cost does not include the cost of a cellular plan for your Apple Watch; the additional cost only reflects the device's cellular capability.
Now, let's get started learning which is the cheapest data plan for an Apple Watch. For more great Apple Watch tutorials, be sure to check out our free Tip of the Day!
How Much Does the Apple Watch Series 8 with Cellular Cost?
The cellular model of the Apple Watch Series 8 cost:
- Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS): Starts at $399.
- Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular): Starts at $499.
How Much Does the Apple Watch SE with Cellular Cost?
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, we recommend the second-generation Apple Watch SE, which is the least expensive model currently sold by Apple.
- Apple Watch SE (GPS): Starts at $249.
- Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular): Starts at $299.
How Much Does the Apple Watch Ultra with Cellular Cost?
The Apple Watch Ultra is the most expensive model:
- Apple Watch Ultra (GPS + Cellular): Starts at $799.
- The Ultra doesn't offer a GPS-only option.
How Much Is a Cellular Plan for an Apple Watch?
Good news! The monthly cost for an Apple Watch cellular plan is nearly the same for all carriers. The price is usually $10/month to add cellular to your Apple Watch. As long as $120 a year is worth it for you and your budget; it’s incredible to have an Apple Watch that can go iPhone-free.
AT&T Apple Watch Plan
The AT&T Apple Watch cellular plan is quite simple: $10/month to add to any unlimited plan. If you don't already have a plan, you'll need to pay for cellular iPhone service, plus $10 a month for your Apple Watch AT&T plan. Prepaid plans do not support Apple Watches.
C Spire Apple Watch Plan
The C Spire Apple Watch cellular plan is $10 per month. As an added bonus, there's no activation fee.
T-Mobile Apple Watch Plan
A T-Mobile Apple Watch cellular plan costs either $10 or $15 per month to add your Apple Watch cellular option to your iPhone's plan. A one-time $35 activation applies.
U.S. Cellular Apple Watch Plan
A U.S. Cellular Apple Watch cellular plan doesn't require an iPhone to be connected as well, and costs $10 per month.
Verizon Apple Watch Plan
The Verizon Apple Watch cellular plan is pretty straightforward; it costs $10 per month for your cellular Apple Watch with any Unlimited plan.
Xfinity Wireless Apple Watch Plan
Family Setup isn't supported by Xfinity Mobile, but the Xfinity Apple Watch cellular plan in only $10 per month.
Pro Tip: Once you get set up with a carrier, your Apple Watch will have its own phone number for billing purposes. Learn how to find your Apple Watch phone number here.
Family Setup
Another thing to consider when trying to decide the best Apple Watch data plan for you and your family is Apple's Family Setup. Starting with watchOS 7, you can pair other users' Apple Watches with your iPhone in what Apple is calling Family Setup. This means members of a household or family can have their own Apple Watches while connecting to one iPhone, and, therefore, one cellular plan. Besides being a great way to save on monthly costs, this also allows parents to monitor their children's Apple Watch use and even location, offering new ways to keep children safe in a world of increased technology. The carriers with Family Setup support are:
- AT&T
- C Spire
- T-Mobile
- Sprint, now part of T-Mobile
- US Cellular
- Verizon Wireless
Apple Watch Cellular FAQ
- How much is does cheapest data plan for a cellular Apple Watch cost? The lowest Apple Watch cellular plan cost at this time is from US Cellular, because you can get a $10/month plan without the requirement of a connected iPhone.
- Can you still text on an Apple Watch without cellular service? Yes, but only if your iPhone is connected, within range, and has service. Without a cellular plan of its own, your Apple Watch is essentially a wearable extension of your iPhone and only has service through it.
- What’s the difference between Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS? A cellular Apple Watch can call, text, and use data without a synced iPhone nearby; its cellular service makes it like a mini wearable iPhone. An Apple Watch with only GPS relies on your iPhone and sometimes an internet connection.
- Can you use an Apple Watch cellular without a cellular plan? An Apple Watch with cellular doesn't have to have a cellular plan; they can use data and cell service from your iPhone. If you don't intend to use cellular with your Apple Watch, though, it makes sense to go with the cheaper Apple Watch GPS.
- What can my Apple Watch do without my iPhone? Without your iPhone nearby, functionality will be quite limited unless you have an Apple Watch with a cellular plan. Apple has a great resource to explain the things you can and can't do on your Apple Watch without a cellular connection, Wi-Fi, or your iPhone paired.
By now you've probably settled on an Apple Watch cellular service provider! To explore more features of your Apple Watch, be sure to read How Accurate Are Apple Watch Calories?, and The Complete Apple Watch Icons & Symbols Guide.
