The Apple Watch is the perfect sidekick for your iPhone. With it, you can read messages, answer calls, and play music without picking up your phone. However, if you have a GPS + Cellular Apple Watch, you'll need a cell plan to get the most out of your device.
While lots of plans exist for the Apple Watch, it can be hard to find the most affordable. If you're wondering what a cellular plan costs for an Apple Watch, we're here to help. Here are the best and cheapest data plans on the market.
1. Verizon Wireless
If you're already a Verizon Wireless customer, you're in luck. With the Verizon Connected Device option, you can add your Apple Watch to your existing data plan. It doesn't matter if you have an unlimited or shared data plan; you can add your Apple Watch for a fee of $10 per month.
For $10 per month, you get unlimited 5G nationwide data on your Apple Watch. Your first 15GB is premium data, which is more than enough for 90 percent of Apple Watch users. Once you consume 15GB of data, Verizon throttles your speed to 600Kbps, which is still adequate for an Apple Watch.
The great thing about the Verizon plan is that it adds on to any plan, whether it be an unlimited plan or a prepaid plan. So, you can get this Apple Watch plan as long as you're a Verizon customer. The only downside is that some users report a $20-$40 activation fee.
2. AT&T
If you're an existing AT&T customer, you can add an Apple Watch plan to your existing unlimited plan for only $10 per month. This add-on plan will allow you to use your existing data. There is a setup fee if you decide to go this route, but this is just a one-time fee.
The setup fee seems to vary, but most users claim it's around $25. This may depend on your geographical area or how long you've been an AT&T customer, although we aren't sure. Be sure to check with AT&T before signing up to confirm.
If you don't have an unlimited AT&T plan, the price will be greater than $10. Also, some users have reported their bills being much higher after adding an Apple Watch to a non-unlimited plan. So, until the prices become more transparent, it's best to avoid adding an Apple Watch to anything except an unlimited plan.
If you're shopping for a new network and don't have an Apple Watch yet, AT&T offers great deals on Apple Watches. Some users have reported getting $200 off an Apple Watch when they bought two at once. AT&T also offers the option to finance an Apple Watch.
3. T-Mobile
If you're a T-Mobile customer and not looking to switch, then you can consider T-Mobile's connected device plan. The plan costs the same as the others, at $10 per month. This gets you unlimited talk, text, and data, with the first 50GB being premium data. This plan also works in 11 Central European countries.
T-Mobile also has a $15 per month plan available, and this plan includes more international benefits, like 15GB of premium data in Canada and Mexico and 5GB in 215 countries and destinations outside of the United States.
Previously, you needed a premium T-Mobile plan to access these benefits. Now, you can add these connected device plans to your current plan for a small additional monthly fee.
Not everyone is a T-Mobile customer, but if you're serious about getting an affordable Apple Watch plan, switching could save you $60 a year or more. T-Mobile also gives subscribers a free year of Paramount+, which could be another incentive to switch. However, it's important to know that T-Mobile has had issues with customer data security in recent years.
4. Google Fi
Google Fi isn't known for being a popular network yet. However, with a great price and many benefits that compete directly with the top networks, Google Fi is something to consider.
These days, it seems many mobile carriers tack on lots of hidden fees and throttle your data if you pay for a cheaper plan. However, with Google Fi, you can get a great plan with unlimited talk, text, and data starting at $50 per month for one line, which includes 5GB of hotspot data.
One benefit that many don't know about is the smartwatch feature. You can add any smartwatch to your plan for free. You can use your connected devices on your current plan for no extra monthly fees.
Google Fi also uses Verizon's cellular towers, meaning you won't be cutting back on call quality or data access. So, do your fair bit of research and see if Google Fi is worth it.
The $10 Per Month Club
Aside from the other Apple Watch plans mentioned, many other carriers offer the same $10 per month option when you add an Apple Watch to an existing plan. However, these carriers might not have the same coverage or deals as the big carriers. If you aren't looking to switch to a new carrier, consider talking to your existing one; it might likely offer an Apple Watch plan.
Carriers like US Cellular, Xfinity Mobile, and Spectrum Mobile offer a $10 per month plan. However, these plans have activation fees, which vary, so be sure to check with your carrier first.
If you're on a prepaid plan like Cricket, you won't be able to get your Apple Watch connected. Other prepaid plans from Tracfone, Net10, and Mint Mobile also don't offer smartwatch connections. So, unless you get a plan only for your Apple Watch, you won't be able to use a prepaid carrier.
What Is the Best Apple Watch Cellular Plan?
With so many plans available, picking the best one can be challenging. For now, it seems like every plan is $10 per month, and you must be an existing customer to get a plan.
Google Fi seems to be offering the best deal at the moment for Apple Watch owners. Although not one of the most popular networks, the fact that you can add a smartwatch to your current plan for no additional charge is a huge benefit.
Furthermore, Google Fi has plenty of international benefits already included in the plan, and you don't need to pay extra for that on your Apple Watch. For example, with T-Mobile, you would end up paying $15 per month for the same international benefits.
Since Google Fi uses Verizon towers, you can expect better coverage across the United States than T-Mobile. However, Verizon and AT&T are the top two contenders in the $10 per month category.
While these plans are the same price as almost every other plan, they have features others don't. For example, Verizon is the only carrier that doesn't charge extra for adding an Apple Watch to a non-unlimited plan. While you need an unlimited plan with AT&T, you can get a great discount on an Apple Watch from the AT&T store.
Picking the Right Apple Watch Data Plan
Before getting a cellular plan for your Apple Watch, be sure to watch out for activation fees, which seem to change frequently. Almost all carriers offer a $10 per month option, but this doesn't include the activation fee. For example, AT&T has around a $25 activation fee, and Verizon reportedly has a $20-$40 activation fee, though some users can get an in-store discount.
Overall, getting a cellular plan for your Apple Watch will be fairly cheap if you add it to your existing carrier. This is a much better option than looking for a standalone plan. But if your carrier doesn't offer a smartwatch plan, switching carriers is a viable option that could save you money.