Written by Robyn
Edited on
29 August 2025
·
11:33
What's the Apple Watch Cellular (4G)?
The Apple Watch 4G (also known as the Apple Watch Cellular or Apple Watch LTE) is a smartwatch with the option of a digital SIM card. With an eSIM in your Apple Watch, you can use the internet on your smartwatch without needing your iPhone. That means you can also call via your watch if you don't have your iPhone on you. In this article, we'll tell you more about the Apple Watch Cellular.
How does it work?
There's no SIM card slot in the Apple Watch 4G. If you want to use the internet on the smartwatch, you need a digital SIM card. These are also known as an eSIM. You purchase an eSIM via your mobile provider. You pay for a phone plan, just like you do for the SIM card in your smartphone. After you activate your digital SIM card, you'll always have internet on your Apple Watch. Even if you don't have your iPhone on you. That means you can make and receive calls without an iPhone nearby.
How it benefits you
You can connect the Apple Watch to your mobile network or a WiFi network via your smartphone. In order to receive WhatsApp messages or receive and make calls, you need to have your smartphone on you. With the Apple Watch Cellular, that's no longer necessary. Since the watch has an internet connection, you're not restricted to WiFi networks or your smartphone. That means you can listen to your playlists on Spotify and receive messages on your wrist while you're out for a run. You can easily leave your iPhone at home during your run.
eSIM providers
There aren't a lot of mobile providers that offer eSIM data plans yet. In the Netherlands, T-Mobile and KPN offer eSIM data plans for the Apple Watch. In Belgium, only Telenet offers eSIM data plans for the Apple Watch. In Germany, you can take out an eSIM data plan for your Apple Watch from Vodafone, O2, Telekom, and 1&1. Make sure you check if your provider supports eSIM before you purchase your Apple Watch 4G. Without an eSIM in the Apple Watch 4G, you can still use all of the functions of the watch. You'll just need your smartphone for some of the functions.
Article by Robyn
Smartwatch Expert.
