Apple Watch GPS vs Cellular: Key Differences Explained

Apple Watch 10 series

Apple Watch Series 10 GPS

For

Much cheaper
Better battery life
No monthly costs

Against

Requires iPhone for music and communication
No Series 10 titanium option
No Apple Watches for your kids

Apple Watch 10 series

Apple Watch Series 10 GPS + cellular network

For

Streaming content
Call and send text messages without iPhone
Lighter

Against

More expensive
Monthly costs
Cellular network drains your battery

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

Whether you’re shopping for a new Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra, or Apple Watch SE, the choice between cellular and GPS will have quite a big impact on the functionality of your Apple Watch, as well as the price.

The GPS Apple Watch provides almost all the functionality of a cellular model at a fairly reduced price, which is often a difference of $100/£100/AU$100 or more. However, the Cellular model will give you the most freedom to use your Apple Watch on the go, especially without your iPhone.

The cellular Apple Watch uses carrier data just like an iPhone, allowing you to make calls, send texts and even stream music directly to your wrist. Of course, the cellular Apple Watch is initially more expensive, but you may have to pay more in monthly data costs on your chosen iPhone plan if you opt for the GPS version.

Apple Watch Cellular vs GPS: price and availability

Experiences with Apple Watch Series 10

(Photo: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

Apple Watch Series 10 launched in September 2024. Prices start at $399 / £399 / AU$649 or $499 / £499 / AU$809 for the Cellular model.

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

Apple Watch SE prices start at $249 / £219 / AU$399, but the cellular version costs $299 / £289 / AU$479, which adds around $50 / £70 / AU$80 to the price.

Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 are only available in the cellular version. There is no GPS-only model.

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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
Ultra2	Not applicable	$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 shop for the best Apple Watch deals. Roughly speaking, the cellular version of any model is about $100/$100/$150 more expensive than the GPS equivalent. If you want to use cellular features, you’ll likely have to pay additional monthly iPhone subscription costs of around $10/£10/AU$10.

Apple Watch Cellular vs GPS: Specifications

With the arrival of the new 10 Series design, Apple has ditched the customary red ring on the digital crown of the cellular Apple Watch. This means that there are no physical differences between the Apple Watch Cellular and GPS in terms of design, except for weight. Here are the most important specifications:

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Apple Watch Series 10 GPS vs. cellular network
Eyepiece	GPS	Cellular
Price	From $399 / £399 / AU$649	From $499 / £499 / AU$809
Mobile transmission	NO	Yes
Family setup	NO	Yes
Apple Watch for your kids	NO	Yes
Making calls	NO	Yes
Send messages	NO	Yes
Libra	30g	29.3 g

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Straps and Finishes

Side view of Apple Watch Series 9

(Photo: Future / Britta O’Boyle)

When it comes to choosing an Apple Watch Cellular or GPS, there are almost no limits to the material and finish you can choose, or the bands you can use with the watch. Apple Watch Series 10 is available in all aluminum and titanium colors in both 42mm and 46mm sizes. However, while the aluminum is available in Cellular or GPS, the titanium finish is only available in the Cellular option, and there is no GPS-only model.

You can buy Apple Watch SE in any color, strap and size, in GPS or GPS + Cellular.

Like the Series 10 titanium models, 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 source: Future)

You can use your Apple Watch to make and receive phone calls and send and receive messages. If you have a GPS model, you must be connected to and within range of your iPhone to do this. However, with the Cellular model, you can connect with friends and family without the presence of an iPhone. This is useful if you accidentally left home without your iPhone or want to go for a run or hike without your iPhone. If you’re connected to a cellular network on your cellular Apple Watch, you can send calls and texts. You can also contact emergency services using your cellular Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: Music and Podcasts

Apple Watch 10 series

(Image source: Future)

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

Apple Watch Cellular vs GPS: Apple Watch Setup for Kids and Family

Apple Watch setup screen on iPhone

(Image source: Future)

Apple Watch For Your Kids is one of the biggest advantages of the Cellular Watch. If you buy your child a cellular Apple Watch, you can set it up for them even if they don’t have an iPhone. Children can be added to a cellular plan at no additional handset cost. They’ll be given their own phone number that they can use to make calls, send messages (to approved contacts), request help, and share their location with you. They can also listen to music, make Apple Cash payments (US only), and track their activity. Apple Watch For Your Kids is not available on any GPS-only Apple models.

Apple Watch Cellular vs GPS: Battery Life

Experiences with Apple Watch Series 10

(Photo: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

Apple largely rates its cellular and GPS models for 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 Low Power Mode, but its tests of the Cellular model include 14 or 28 hours of connected time to an iPhone, respectively. Use your Apple Watch over cellular for longer and you’re bound to notice a drop in battery life. The same goes for the Apple Watch SE, which is rated to last six hours of outdoor training with GPS, but only five hours with 4G LTE. So if you want the longest battery life on your Series 10 or Apple Watch SE, buy the GPS version.

Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS: which one to buy?

Apple Watch Series 10, Maps app

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

As you can see, there are some pretty significant differences between the cellular and GPS versions of the Apple Watch. If you want the cheapest option possible, always choose GPS over cellular as you will save on upfront outlays and monthly payments. Likewise, if you want the best battery life possible, the GPS version is for you.

While more expensive, the cellular Apple Watch offers several benefits to those who are willing to pay extra. You’ll be able to make calls, send and receive text messages, and stream media wherever you go, without using your iPhone. A cellular Apple Watch is also required for those who want to use Apple Watch features for their children, so it may be useful for larger families.

Not sure? Remember that you can buy a cellular Apple Watch without using a cellular plan, so if you’re not 100% sure but don’t want to cut yourself off from cellular functionality, you can always choose a more expensive model and use it just like you would an Apple Watch with GPS.