User:Brando/cellwatches

In September 2017 Apple announced Apple Watch Series 3, available in two models; cellular Apple Watches being marketed as GPS+Cellular, while Watches lacking cellular capabilities are marketed as simply GPS. Until August 2020, all Apple Watches required, during initial setup, that the owner have an iPhone in order to complete the setup of the Watch.

Starting September 2020, Apple introduced an exception that allows cellular Watches (GPS+cellular models) to be purchased and used by someone who doesn't own an iPhone. The Watch owner must be part of a Family Group, and their family member must own an iPhone. Neither the phone nor the watch needs to have a cellular plan in order to set up the Watch--a cellular plan can be added later, or the user can use the watch offline/on WiFi networks only.

Stand alone cellwatches

The following models are capable of "family setup" since Sept 2020, provided the model is GPS+cellular (GPS-only models are not permitted to use family setup):

year		initial price (USD)	Display	ECG	int'l emer- gency calling
2018	S4	40mm: $499 44mm: $529		yes
2019	S5	40mm: $499 44mm: $529	Always On	yes
2020	S6	40mm: $499 44mm: $529	Always On	yes	yes
2020	SE	40mm: $329 44mm: $359		no	yes

Cellular plans for standalone cellwatches

Truphone was selected by Apple as the first multi-country carrier to offer cellular plans for standalone Apple Watches. Truphone offers this service in the following countries:

full list of carriers: https://www.apple.com/watch/cellular/#table-family-setup

countries in which carriers offer standalone plans for cellwatches:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Poland
• Switzerland
• Japan
• Thailand
• Taiwan
• Hong Kong
• China