Apple Watch Series 3 Gets LTE Cellular Connectivity

Apple today unveiled its third-gen Apple Sentry, which offers a cellular connection for the starting time time.

Go for a run, have the domestic dog for a walk, or head to the store wearing your Apple Sentry Series 3, and in that location'south no need to bring the iPhone along. Y'all volition, all the same, demand to own an iPhone for the sentry to work— specifically, an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 11 or later.

The iPhone and spotter must also exist on the same carrier. Simply add your smartwatch to your mobile plan; information technology will share the aforementioned number as your iPhone. The big iv mobile carriers volition sell the Serial 3; plan pricing was not revealed, but information technology volition reportedly set you back most $10 per month. Apple will also sell a not-LTE GPS version of the Serial iii.

The waterproof Series 3 device runs a dual-core S3 processor and custom W2 wireless chip, which should provide all-twenty-four hour period bombardment life upwards to 18 hours, Apple tree COO Jeff Williams said at today'southward press event. A barometric altimeter volition measure summit and help rail activity, flights climbed, and outdoor workouts. The Series 3 is too water-resistant upwards to 50 meters.

The device's software also gets an upgrade to watchOS four, which includes an updated Heart Rate app that tin, for instance, notify you if you accept an elevated heart rate but you don't appear to be active. Apple Watch Series 3 Siri volition as well exist more "proactive," according to Apple, and show you things you demand to know. The Workout app also gets a makeover, and GymKit volition permit you connect your watch to supported gym equipment. In the autumn, you can stream Apple Music on the cellular + GPS Series iii—and heed via your AirPods, of course.

Just "the biggest challenge of all was adding cellular," Williams said. "Our little watch is already packed," but for cellular, you have to add antennas, radios, and a SIM card, among other things. "If you don't get it right, it looks like a house arrest bracelet and you won't want to article of clothing information technology," Williams quipped.

Rather than add an antenna, the Series 3 display is a multi-frequency antenna for LTE and UMTS. There's besides an electronic SIM ("even a nano SIM is too large," Williams said), and then Serial 3 ends up beingness the same size is Series 2.

Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular + GPS starts at $399. The GPS version of Series 3 volition run yous $329, while the older Series ane now starts at $249. Pre-orders begin on Sept. 15 and the devices go far Sept. 22.

As usual, Apple tree volition likewise offering new bands, including pricey ones from Hermes, which start at $one,149. A new greyness ceramic Apple Watch Edition volition be $1,299.

About Chloe Albanesius

Chloe Albanesius

Chloe has led PCMag's news coverage for more than 10 years, editing and writing stories nigh the innovations that have shaped the last decade and the companies behind them. She too oversees the site'due south how-to coverage. Earlier joining PCMag.com, Chloe was a reporter covering tech policy on Capitol Hill for The National Periodical'southward Technology Daily and financial Information technology for Incisive Media in NYC. She's held internships at NBC'southward Encounter the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery printing role in London, Roll Telephone call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University in Washington, D.C.