Apple Watch Series 3 is available with built-in cellular capabilities, allowing you to make phone calls, send and receive text messages, stream music, get directions with Apple Maps, use Siri, and more without a paired iPhone.

apple watch series 3 splash
The freedom comes at a cost, however, as Apple Watch Series 3 models with cellular are priced $70 higher than those with Wi-Fi and GPS only. Also, to access LTE, the watch must be added to your phone bill as an additional monthly charge.

Here's a breakdown of how much participating carriers plan to charge. Some carriers have yet to announce their plans.


Verizon

Verizon said it allow customers to add an Apple Watch to an eligible plan for $10 per month. Verizon will reportedly waive its $30 activation fee, and is offering the first three months of service for free. The watch and iPhone share the same phone number via Verizon's NumberShare feature.

AT&T

AT&T has announced that customers can add an Apple Watch to an eligible plan for $10 per month. AT&T is offering a $25 activation fee credit, and a $30 service credit for adding an Apple Watch, within three bills. The watch and iPhone share the same phone number via AT&T's NumberSync feature.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile has announced that customers can add an Apple Watch to a plan for $10 per month with AutoPay. T-Mobile will reportedly waive its $25 new SIM card kit fee, and is offering the first three months of service for free. The watch and iPhone share the same phone number via T-Mobile's DIGITS feature.

Sprint

Sprint has announced that customers can add an Apple Watch to an eligible plan for $10 per month. Sprint will also offer a special introductory three-month cellular plan trial. The carrier has yet to specify whether its activation fee of up to $30 per line will be waived as well, but it would seem likely.

Bell (Canada)

Bell has announced that customers will be able to add an Apple Watch to an eligible plan for $5 per month. There is a one-time $10 activation fee. Bell will also offer a special introductory three-month cellular plan trial. The watch and iPhone share the same phone number via Bell's NumberShare feature.

Bell will not support the Apple Watch's cellular capabilities in Manitoba or Saskatchewan due to the carrier's lack of VoLTE in those provinces.

EE (UK)

EE has announced that customers can add an Apple Watch to an eligible SIM only or pay monthly plan for £5 per month, with the watch and iPhone sharing the same phone number. The carrier hasn't confirmed if it will be offering an introductory three-month trial, or if there will be an activation fee.

If you purchase your Apple Watch Series 3 directly through EE, the total monthly cost could reportedly be as high as £25, including unlimited data and the price of the watch. A tipster informed MacRumors that the unlimited data will only be for the first six months, with a limit of 10GB per month afterwards.

Deutsche Telekom (Germany)

Deutsche Telekom has announced that customers can add an Apple Watch to an eligible plan for up to €4.95 per month, with the first six months free of charge. The watch and iPhone share the same phone number via Deutsche Telekom's MultiSIM feature. The carrier didn't specify if there is an activation fee.



Apple Watch Series 3 models will be available to order starting tomorrow, September 15, at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time. In-store availability begins September 22. LTE-enabled models start at $399 in the United States.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

jclardy Avatar
82 months ago
$10/month for a watch, that will be tethered to a phone 90% of the time. No video, only audio streaming (Much of which will be cached anyways) and a handful of short phone calls at most. No thanks, come up with something more reasonable please.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rayban Avatar
82 months ago
Is there any reason this is $5 more per month than other cell watches? Just Apple tax?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jakexb Avatar
82 months ago
I like my Apple Watch and I was on the fence about this functionality, but I think I just realized that I don't care enough about it to pay $10 extra a month. I always have my phone with me anyhow.

I know a lot of people really wanted the watch to work independently from their phone, so we'll see if they're willing to pay more for it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thisisnotmyname Avatar
82 months ago
All these companies are within their rights to charge whatever they want for this but I'm disappointed they've decided to set the rates as high as they have for what amounts to very little overhead for them. I'll pay the fees but I'd like to see someone (T-Mobile?) become a market leader and drive the price down via competition.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdawgnoonan Avatar
82 months ago
Well, $10 per month is too much for a connected smart watch accessory for my phone. If it was $5 I would be onboard. So I guess that my first Apple Watch will be the GPS model. Hopefully Apple is aware that carrier greed is holding this back.

I am seriously confused why connecting the watch should cost the same amount as my LTE enabled iPad.

I am not a sucker for the 3 free month and waived connection fees.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hlevolve Avatar
82 months ago
I would think about it if it were $0.99 a month. This requires virtually nothing from the carrier and its not like the watch is going to be hogging data. This is basically just free money for them. I'm sure the carriers LOVE the LTE apple watch more than anyone else. I think it would be great to have on the rare occasion I can't take my phone but now that the phones are water resistant there is virtually no place I wouldn't take it anyway. Sure if this was free or super cheap per month I would intentionally leave my phone and just use the watch for some things but there's no way I'm paying that much for that tiny convenience.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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