Smartwatches with cellular support are now much more commonplace than they used to be, with plenty of top options available for you to pick from.
A smartwatch with LTE/4G connectivity affords you the luxury of untethering from your smartphone, providing access to calls, messages, and apps on the move. Most major devices like the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Google Pixel Watch all have LTE editions.
If you do crave this independent connection, you'll have to pay a little extra per month, but we think it's well worth the outlay.
And to help you out, we've rounded up the top smartwatches with LTE support and provided a little more information below on what you can expect to gain from the feature.
- Want the best overall? Check out the best smartwatches to buy
- No iPhone? Pair your phone with thebest smartwatches for Android
Things to consider with LTE watches
When choosing a smartwatch with LTE, there are a few things you should consider:
- Price: LTE smartwatches can be expensive – they tend to cost more outright, with a monthly data plan also tacked on. Think carefully about whether you will use the extra features.
- Features: Aside from LTE, ensure the smartwatch has the features you need, such as GPS, heart rate monitoring, and health features like ECG.
- Battery life: LTE smartwatches typically have shorter battery life than smartwatches without cellular connectivity.
- Compatibility: Make sure the smartwatch is compatible with your phone - remember Apple Watch only works with iPhones, and Pixel Watch/Samsung only works with Android.
Summary: Best cellular smartwatches
- Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 LTE / Galaxy Watch 6 Classic LTE
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, GPS + Cellular)
- Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
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We rate the Series 8 as the best smartwatch on the market, and a big reason for this is its performance as a standalone device.
It's not the cheapest option on this list, granted, but it is undeniably the top option for those with an iPhone. With it, you can make calls, take them, and receive notifications just as you would on your smartphone - all thanks to the built-in eSIM.
We've even found streaming music over the different generations of Series watches to be very straightforward and satisfying, and that's no different with the Series 9.
It allows you to stay in the loop when out exercising (or just when you don't want to bring your phone along), and we've experienced plenty of occasions when the Apple Watch has outlasted our phone and kept us updated with notifications.
The only other thing to be aware of, really, is the price jump. You'll pay a pretty premium for the addition of cellular support - and that's without mentioning the monthly fee from your carrier.
For everything else, read our in-depth Apple Watch Series 9 review.
Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE
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Google's latest smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 2, has a cellular-enabled version for you to consider. We rate it as the top option for those with an Android phone, though Samsung's watches (below) are also a top consideration.
The LTE experience is broadly the same as on the Galaxy Watch 6 watches, since both run a version of Wear OS 4, and the integration with Google's services - including the likes of Google Maps - worked seamlessly during our testing.
The microphone and speaker during calls also both worked well without being exceptional, which we'd say is par for the course with smartwatches.
Despite its stylish looks, one major consideration with the Pixel Watch 2 is the size - it only comes in a relatively small 42mm case. It might be worth holding out for the Pixel Watch 3 if you do have your heart set on an LTE smartwatch from Google, though, with a bigger case size strongly rumored.
The only other key reason to choose it over a Samsung, we think, is the battery life. Things are much-improved over Google's debut smartwatch, and neither Galaxy Watch blows away the Pixel Watch 2, but it does struggle to make it much past 24 hours with heavy LTE use.
Read our Google Pixel Watch 2 review for all the details.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series / 5 Pro
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If you've got an Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, 6 Classic, and 5 Pro are all great picks for those requiring cellular features.
There are tons of case sizes to choose between across these three models - with five in total ranging from 40mm to 47mm - and the only major consideration between them is the battery life.
The larger Watch 6 Classic models perform better in this regard than the standard Watch 6 devices, but the latest generation still only provides single-day staying power.
If you're a heavy user, we recommend looking at theGalaxy Watch 5 Pro (and its multi-day battery) over the Watch 6 series.
The cellular experience in either generation, we should say, is identical. All the functions you would expect are unlocked, like enabling calls, streaming music from apps like Spotify and YouTube Music, and receiving notifications from your favorite apps.
Read our Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 / 6 Classic review for a closer inspection.
Huawei Watch 4
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The Huawei Watch 4 (and Watch 4 Pro) features an LTE option so you can untether from your smartphone. You'll need to connect it to an eSIM via the Huawei Health app, and then you can make and receive calls and send messages straight from the wrist.
Unlike Google's Wear OS and Apple's watchOS, there isn't a bustling app store to take advantage of LTE, or any music streaming or podcasting options. However, users can take advantage of Petal Maps (above), Huawei's version of Apple/Google Maps.
Aside from that, the Huawei Watch 4 is an excellent smartwatch – with more health features than your average Android smartwatch. There's capacity for ECG spot-checks, arterial and respiratory health monitoring, blood oxygen features, and excellent fitness tracking.
In terms of an LTE-connected watch, it comes at a decent price. However, using LTE and the always-on display together will decimate battery life from three or four days to two at best.
Have a read of our full Huawei Watch 4 review for more info.
Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS + Cellular)
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If you don't desire the more advanced features, updated design or price tag of the Apple Watch Series 8, the second-gen Apple Watch SE is a great pick - and it comes with the option of cellular support.
Like the more expensive Series devices, the LTE support on the SE will give you access to notifications, calls and music streaming when away from your iPhone.
This makes it a superb value pick for those who are really in the market for a cellular smartwatch - but, remember, you'll still have to pair it with an iPhone for it to work.
Note that you'll also have to pay a decent chunk extra for the GPS + Cellular edition, as well as the monthly cost, and the price naturally varies depending on whether you choose the 40mm or 44mm case.
We think this is a great starter smartwatch for those with an iPhone, but read our full Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) review for the full lowdown and a better idea of what you're missing compared to the Series 8.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Apple's outdoorsy watch comes with LTE support as standard, which, unlike with other Apple Watch devices, means you don't have to pay an added premium for the feature.
You do, of course, still have to shell out a considerable chunk more than any other device on this list, but the Apple Watch Ultra is also much more feature-packed than its rivals.
You're getting a superb smartwatch experience, bolstered by that bigger and brighter screen, while the case design and straps are much more suited to the outdoors than any other LTE smartwatch currently on the market.
Just be aware that you'll receive significant battery drain when using LTE on the Ultra. Though Apple quotes a 36-hour battery life for the smartwatch, this estimation comes down considerably with LTE turned on for a full day.
This is true of every Apple Watch, however, and, interestingly, the Ultra is the only device the company actually reveals details regarding battery life with LTE turned on throughout a cycle.
On its product page, Apple says, "With a service plan, you can keep in touch with up to 18 hours of all-day LTE battery life," and we'd wager that a single day of use is about right based on our testing.
For a broader look at this device, read our Apple Watch Ultra 2 review.
Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE
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For the most part, Garmin has opted against offering LTE versions of its sports watches or smartwatches. The exception to this rule, however, is the impressive Forerunner 945 LTE, which is only available in the US.
Having a cellular connection enables many of the safety features, such as LiveTrack and Assistance Plus, which enables you to call for help if you get into trouble or feel unsafe.
There's also live tracking in events, and your contacts can send you encouragement, too, so there's a good reason to jump in. We'd love to see this offered on more of the Garmin range.
Just keep in mind that this was released back in 2021, with the Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 launching since, so you'll have to *really* want these connected features and not mind it being a less capable running watch than newer models.
- Key differences between Garmin Forerunner 945 and Forerunner 955
LTE smartwatches FAQ
If you're in a muddle about what a cellular smartwatch is, get up to speed with the FAQs below.
What can a cellular smartwatch do?
In smartwatch terms, having one with a 4G/LTE cellular connection allows you to link to your carrier's data plan without the connection of your phone.
This means you can take calls, listen to music, use apps, send messages, and take part in all the other usual smartphone frivolities, just, you know, without your phone being present. Some watches embrace that standalone connectivity for different reasons, too, such as Garmin's Forerunner 945 LTE.
For a smartwatch to mimic your phone, it has to be able to connect to the same network carrier. And if you want to take calls, you're also required to link the same number as your smartphone.
Do I need to switch my SIM card over?
No. Instead of carrying a SIM ejector around with you and dealing with a physical card, almost all watches use eSIM technology, which is essentially an embedded variant that can't be moved from the hood.
The benefit of this tech over regular SIM cards is the smaller size – companies are already trying to reduce the size, so this is a natural step – and the efficiency of sharing your number between phone and watch through software.
Do you have to pay a monthly fee?
This all depends on the carrier you decide to go with, but, usually, yes.
However, deals will often be bundled with a smartphone, since you need to be rocking the same network and the two go hand in hand.
Does using LTE affect battery life?
Deciphering which sensors and what activities affect your battery is always a tough game, but the answer is, loosely, yes – using LTE will generally sap your battery faster than if you weren't using it.
What we often see from devices with LTE is a bigger battery (and a bigger build) to offset the power it's taking up.
If you're looking to save battery and get a few more hours in the day, simply switching to a feature-slimmed mode on your device should help you out on that front.
