A few years ago, I bought a Galaxy Watch 5 and essentially got it for free from T-Mobile, contingent on a two-year contract. That meant I was stuck with an LTE-enabled smartwatch, simply because I didn’t want to pay $279 upfront for a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model. Now, several years later with the contract expired, I’ve finally canceled that line, effectively reverting my smartwatch to a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi only device.
It’s only been a few days since making the change, but it feels…identical. Except now, I’m saving money while still enjoying most of my smartwatch’s features. Frankly, it’s made me realize that I don’t actually *need* a smartwatch with data connectivity, and I suspect most people probably don’t either.
T-Mobile Tried (and Failed) to Keep My Line Active
When I called to cancel, the T-Mobile representative understandably made a strong effort to persuade me to keep the line. She highlighted the ability to use my watch without my smartphone nearby, making calls and texts, streaming music during runs, or navigating with Google Maps.
It all sounds appealing, but the reality is, I almost always have my phone with me. Most of those features remain accessible without LTE, rendering the data connection unnecessary. I can still make calls or send texts from the watch, play music downloaded from YouTube Music and Spotify, and even use offline maps. I only consider using those features *on* the watch when I don’t want to reach for my phone – which, as I said, is rarely.
I did experiment with the LTE connectivity when I first got the watch, going for runs without my phone. But, to be honest, I dislike running outdoors, and even a 30-minute run felt unsettling without my phone. That’s probably more a reflection on me than the technology, but it was the only real-world scenario where I considered the LTE connection useful.
I also frequently use smartwatches for workout tracking. Alongside the Pixel Watch 3 LTE, I also use Garmin watches like the Venu 4, which don’t offer LTE and are perfectly adequate for my needs.
LTE Has Its Place on a Smartwatch, If You’re Willing to Pay
I’m not arguing that LTE on a smartwatch is useless; I’m simply saying it wasn’t useful *for me*. For example, the Pixel Watch 4 offers satellite SOS, available only on the LTE model. This allows you to send emergency messages when you’re outside of cellular range.
Emergency satellite messaging is becoming available on some Pixel phones, but isn’t yet universal across Android phones or carriers. In such a scenario, an LTE Pixel Watch could be a potentially life-saving device.
However, a smartwatch line on a major U.S. Carrier typically costs around $10 per month, meaning I was paying roughly $120 annually for a feature I didn’t utilize. While less expensive than a typical smartphone line, I simply couldn’t justify the cost any longer.
my Pixel Watch 3 functions just as well without the LTE connection, and I haven’t noticed its absence.
That said, experiences vary. Do you find LTE on a smartwatch useful, or do you prefer Bluetooth/Wi-Fi only? Let us know in the comments below!
