From what I have read the extra space on LTE is for Apple Music caching when streaming.

I've been thinking about getting one to replace my Kickstarter Pebble. I expect I'll always have my phone with me. Would that mean the smaller memory of the non-LTE version will be enough?

geekiegeek:

 

From what I have read the extra space on LTE is for Apple Music caching when streaming.

 

An extra 8GB seems like a lot mobile data to use up for caching, especially given that the curated playlists refresh every week. Maybe I'm missing something here? Even if it was necessary, it would been just as useful in the non-LTE model.

I would never have thought that 8GB would be too small for a Watch, even in 2017, and especially for someone with a relatively small playlist of their own music. I am also picky about what apps are installed on my Watch. Given my experience, I would advise caution if storing your favourite playlists on your Watch is important to you.

Shadowfoot:

 

I've been thinking about getting one to replace my Kickstarter Pebble. I expect I'll always have my phone with me. Would that mean the smaller memory of the non-LTE version will be enough?

 

If you always have your phone with you, then yes I would say go for non-LTE and the lesser space should be enough since you'd be streaming music from your phone rather than watch in most cases anyway. Apps don't seem to take up too much space on the watch.

I purchased the LTE version, via Australia. I'm hoping the carriers in NZ will support it soon and that it will work in NZ. I upgraded from a series 0.

Would there be anything stopping you from using the data sharing feature that NZ telcos offer? I guess it would mean that you couldn't receive phone calls on your watch, but it might be okay to live without that if it saves upwards of $10 a month.

My understanding is that eSIM is designed to work only with your existing connection? Either way you won't be able to use an Apple Watch with as a standalone device as it must be setup via an iPhone (and share the same number).

I too have seen differing opinions on whether a watch would work in a country other than country of origin. I think people may be confusing this with the fact that they won't support roaming. According to this thread here https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/lte-in-apple-watch-series-3-models-only-works-in-country-of-purchase.2067891/page-10 my Apple watch purchased in AU will work in NZ, when our carriers support it. That's if they don't carrier lock the watches.

That's a shame. Thanks for clarifying.

Has anyone with an LTE version tried to go through a setup process with Spark? Spark support the eSim system used by the Samsung Gear S3. I wondered if Apple's eSim was comparable.

I chatted to a Spark rep. today and they wondered if it was possible. However, they felt that the Apple Watch device's ICCID number would need to start with "64050021". I'm pretty sure this is incorrect logic-wise though as people in the USA going through the setup process have said that the ICCID number is dynamic and applied during the setup process, rather than being a pre-requisite for success. It is however suggestive that even if it is possible, it might not be an easy process to work out.

PaddyPatPat:

 

Has anyone with an LTE version tried to go through a setup process with Spark? Spark support the eSim system used by the Samsung Gear S3. I wondered if Apple's eSim was comparable.

 

I chatted to a Spark rep. today and they wondered if it was possible. However, they felt that the Apple Watch device's ICCID number would need to start with "64050021". I'm pretty sure this is incorrect logic-wise though as people in the USA going through the setup process have said that the ICCID number is dynamic and applied during the setup process, rather than being a pre-requisite for success. It is however suggestive that even if it is possible, it might not be an easy process to work out.

 

I thought the issue with trying to use them in NZ was that no carrier here supports having the same number on the eSIM as is on the phone itself.

Brumfondl:

 

 

 

I thought the issue with trying to use them in NZ was that no carrier here supports having the same number on the eSIM as is on the phone itself.

 

Okay. If that's true then fine. In comparison does the Samsung Gear S3 use a different number than it's parent phone?