A number of years in the past, I purchased a Galaxy Watch 5 and obtained it basically totally free from T-Cellular, with the kicker being that I needed to get it on a two-year contract. Which means I used to be caught with an LTE-enabled smartwatch, solely as a result of I did not wanna lay down $279 on the spot for a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi mannequin. Now, nevertheless a few years later it has been since then, and with the contract up, I’ve lastly canceled that line, basically reverting my smartwatch to a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi mannequin.
It is solely been a number of days since I made the change, nevertheless it does not really feel any completely different, besides that now, I am saving cash whereas nonetheless having the ability to reap the benefits of most of my smartwatch’s options. Frankly, it made me understand that I do not want a smartwatch with information, and I really feel like most individuals in all probability do not, both.
T-Cellular tried and did not get me to maintain the road
Once I referred to as to cancel the road, the T-Cellular consultant understandably tried her darndest to persuade me to maintain it. She advised me that I’d use my watch while not having my smartphone close by, nonetheless in a position to make calls and texts, stream music whereas on a run, or navigate with Google Maps.
That sounds all good and dandy, however the factor is, I all the time have my telephone with me. So just about all of those options are nonetheless usable with out LTE, making it a non-issue. I could make calls or ship texts from the watch, play offline music I’ve already downloaded from YouTube Music and Spotify (or transferred from my telephone), and even use offline maps in Google Maps, if, for some motive, I haven’t got my telephone. And I solely must do these items on my watch if I do not wanna pull my telephone out of my pocket, which is the place it nearly all the time is.
Granted, I did really attempt to reap the benefits of the LTE connectivity once I first obtained the Galaxy Watch, happening runs in my neighborhood whereas leaving my telephone at dwelling. However, to be trustworthy, I hate operating exterior, and I nonetheless felt uncomfortable not having my telephone with me for even half-hour (which in all probability says quite a bit about me). And to be trustworthy, happening runs with out my telephone was actually the one use case I have been in a position to provide you with for conserving the smartwatch information line.
I additionally largely use my smartwatches to trace my exercises. Along with the Pixel Watch 3 LTE, I additionally use Garmin watches just like the Venu 4, which do not include LTE connectivity and are greater than ample to do what I want them to.
I advised the T-Cellular consultant as a lot, and he or she nonetheless tried to persuade me to maintain the road, however finally, I couldn’t consider a single motive to maintain spending cash on it.
LTE has its makes use of on a smartwatches, in case you’re keen to pay for it
I am not saying LTE on a smartwatch is not helpful; I am simply saying it isn’t helpful sufficient for what I want it for. For instance, the Pixel Watch 4 has satellite tv for pc SOS, which is barely obtainable on the LTE mannequin. This allows you to ship emergency messages while you’re in an space the place you do not have entry to a cellular community.
Emergency satellite tv for pc messaging could also be obtainable on Pixel telephones, nevertheless it’s not ubiquitous throughout Android telephones and even carriers. This could make an LTE Pixel Watch a doubtlessly lifesaving gadget if you end up in a sticky spot.
Nevertheless, a smartwatch line on main U.S. carriers often prices round $10 a month, which means I used to be paying round $120 a yr for a number of years for a characteristic that I do not use. It is not as a lot as a typical smartphone line, which makes the price manageable for many individuals, however I simply can’t justify the value anymore.
Even so, my Pixel Watch 3 works simply in addition to it did earlier than I eliminated the LTE connection, and I do not miss it in any respect.
That stated, not everybody feels the identical method. Do you discover LTE on a smartwatch helpful, or do you like to simply use Bluetooth/Wi-Fi? Tell us within the feedback under!
