2023-08-13 18:29:42
If there are several ranges of Apple Watch approaching all prices, Apple offers two types of configuration in Belgium: a GPS model and a Cellular model. What do Belgian operators offer with esim?
The usefulness of an Apple Watch can be multiple. Beyond not having to constantly take your phone out of your pocket to answer a message or a call, read a notification or follow a GPS route, the Apple connected watch can also replace the iPhone, leaving it at his home.
It is only since 2017 and the Apple Watch Series 3 that Apple offers for purchase a model called “GPS + Cellular”. Unlike the simple “GPS” model, this nomadic Apple Watch allows you to largely do without the iPhone, since in addition to configuring the watch, it is no longer mandatory to have your smartphone constantly at hand so that the watch receives calls or is connected to the network.
But to be able to take advantage of all the functions of this Watch Cellular, your operator must offer the esim service for Apple Watch. And it is clear that operators in Belgium are lagging behind. It’s quite simple, only Telenet offers this service with the Telenet One Number pack, which allows you to activate an esim on the watch while keeping the same phone number as on the iPhone.
But unfortunately, the situation does not seem ready to change anytime soon. Already in 2021, a customer contacted Proximus on Twitter to find out when the esim service for Apple Watch would arrive. The operator then mentioned a vague “2023”, without further details. The year is slowly coming to an end, will we have to wait for the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 9 for Proximus to decide to join the trend?
According to comments reported on the Orange forum by VinkatechFurry, the problem would concern the telephone network in Belgium, whose bandwidth would not be large enough to support the connectivity of connected watches in addition to smartphones. Never mind, we hope that the situation will improve by the end of the year or in the coming months.
However, buying an Apple Watch GPS + Cellular will not only cost you more at checkout, but also in the long run. This is because carriers are likely to charge you extra for adding an esim card for your Apple Watch.
How much does an Apple Watch GPS + Cellular cost?
Of course, at Apple, any additional option has a cost that is not negligible. This is the case of the GPS + Cellular model of the Apple Watch, which costs between 15 and 24% more than the watch in GPS version.
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch SE 40mm GPS : 299€
Apple Watch SE 40mm GPS + Cellular : 349€ (+17%)
Apple Watch SE 44mm GPS : 339€
Apple Watch SE 44mm GPS + Cellular : 389€ (+15%)
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminium 41mm GPS : 499€
Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminium 41mm GPS + Cellular : 619€ (+24%)
Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminium 45mm GPS : 539€
Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminium 45mm GPS + Cellular : 659€ (+22%)
The Apple Watch Series 8 in stainless steel (from €849) and the Apple Watch Ultra (from €999) both only offer a GPS + Cellular configuration by default. The price here is therefore partly justified by this esim, Bluetooth and WiFi compatibility.
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