Apple Adds Built-in Cellular With Apple Watch Series 3

The new iPhone X is impressive but the biggest changes from yesterday's press event came to Apple Watch. Apple Watch Series 3 brings cellular to the Apple Watch. It will no longer be necessary to also have your iPhone with you in order to get your emails, texts and other data when using your Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) features a full LTE and UMTS cellular radio. It automatically switches seamlessly to cellular when it is away from the iPhone. The watch will have the same phone number as your iPhone. People will be able to make cellular calls directly with the watch. It uses a built-in eSim that is over one-hundredth the size of a traditional SIM card. This is how Apple added cellular to the watch without having to make it larger.

Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, says in the announcement, "We believe the addition of cellular will transform the way people use Apple Watch, providing a new sense of freedom since they can stay connected with or without their iPhone. Apple Watch Series 3 combined with the power of watchOS 4 is the ultimate device for a healthy life."

The Apple Watch Series 3 runs on the S3 architecture which features a faster dual-core processor. Siri can speak through the watch's built-in speaker. Apple also added a custom wireless chip called W2 that boosts Bluetooth and Wi-Fi speed and efficiency. The new watch also features a barometric altimeter.

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) will be available in gold, silver or space gray aluminum, or silver or space black stainless steel paired with a variety of bands starting at $399 (US). There are two different case sizes, 38mm and 42mm. It will be available for pre-order starting on Friday, September 15.

Here's a review of the Series 3 from Engadget. Take a look: