Apple Watch Series 3 Review: Great, But You Don't Need LTE

The Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE is the first Apple device I've used that does not just run out of the box. And though I finally made it, other issues and the high price make this connected clock harder to sell than the non-LTE version.

The promise and reality of LTE

A smartwatch should facilitate access to your smartphone on the wrist. But cellular connectivity has the potential to completely remove the phone from the equation. Apple Watch early critics understood that he relied too much on the phone for basic tasks. Software updates and faster processors have made it a minor problem. Now the clock can run native applications and access the Wi-Fi networks your iPhone was connected to in the past. But your phone still needs to be your relay device for phone calls and notifications, and it can not do much if your iPhone is out of reach and Wi-Fi networks are not known.

The Apple Watch Series 3 LTE was designed to fill that gap, but that's about it. This is not an iPhone replacement. If you plan to leave your phone for a long time and use the clock for all your tasks, you will be disappointed. This disappointment diminishes after adding cost: $ 399 for the 38-millimeter model or $ 429 for the 42-millimeter version, then $ 10 more on your monthly mobile bill so that the watch can come out of your bucket data that and it can not even last a whole day.

But although I knew that the watch could not replace my iPhone, I still had high hopes. These floated to the ground as soon as I unpacked the plane.

Activation: a frustrating process
The 3 Series is installed in the same way as the previous generations in your iPhone, with a dynamic image on the dial that scans with your iPhone's camera. This part is as perfect as ever. But then I arrived at the point where I had to activate the clock's mobile connection.

Mobile connection: Battery Killer

I quickly discovered the limitations of the LTE 3 Series when I left my iPhone at home. I started the day 3.5-mile.5 mile run, during which I aired the Apple Music Pop Workout radio station for 37 minutes. When I got home for breakfast, I checked the battery of my watch. It was 60% exhausted after each suction of the battery was performed simultaneously. I managed to squeeze it again at 12.5, not doing much of the rest of the day.

Design: unchanged, good

Apple's ability to bring a larger cellphone modem and a larger battery into Series 3 without dramatically increasing its size is impressive. The clock is a bit thicker than Series 2, says Apple, about two sheets of paper, but not so noticeable. The Apple Watch Series 3 38mm is the only LTE smartwatch that looks good on my wrist. The 3 Series also comes in a larger size of 42mm for people with larger dolls.

Tracking movement: better than ever
Exercise is the only use for which an Apple Watch LTE is perfect. There's nothing like tying my shoes, combining my AirPods with my watch and banging on the sidewalk without the phones weighing me. (I like my iPhone 7 Plus, but it's like a giant goose connected to my body when I run). Knowing that I can still receive important SMS and notifications on my watch is reassuring.

The two models of the 3 Series, one with cellular and the other without, have a new barometric altimeter, which is a new data point useful for altitude measurement. This is useful for hiking and skiing as well as for real climbing.

Music transmission: The missing piece falls on the square
Apple has promoted the Series 3 music playback features in a series of TV commercials prior to launching the device. However, the transfer of Apple Music took weeks to reach the screen. The good news: Now that it's here, streaming Apple Music on the phone is an incredibly unique feature that really makes me feel like I could one day leave my phone. Apple has packed the streaming service into two applications: Apple Music, which requires a $ 10 monthly subscription, and Radio, a free monitoring app that anyone can use to stream music. The transmission of music makes the experience of smartwatch almost -magical.

Telephoning: Better with Bluetooth headphones
Of course, you can call home from your watch. But you really want? Making or receiving calls from your wrist is something new, and you're sure to be fed up. A pair of Bluetooth headphones, like the Apple AirPods, enhance the experience: it's as enjoyable as a phone call.

The first time I checked the clock, the unit began to warm up after a few minutes of conversation. In fact, I had to make a 13-minute call because the clock became uncomfortably hot on my wrist. After updating the software, these overheating problems did not occur.

The call quality of the watch is similar to that of my iPhone and in combination with the Apple AirPods it is easy to talk without worries. You will certainly speak without a phone in your hand, but if you do not mind being uncomfortable with the public, go ahead.

For fast meetings with friends or other important people, the clock will work perfectly.

Why do not you need an LTE?
If your watch is connected to a mobile network, you can make quick phone calls, respond to messages with dictated speech or write scribble text, and enable Siri to answer questions or retrieve addresses. I had trouble downloading emails from my Gmail account in Apple's native mobile messaging app, and there were times when the connection to the phone was unexpectedly interrupted (marked with an X. red at the top of the screen), even if not moved.

Bottom line
The Series 3 with LTE had its problems, such as the Wi-Fi software bug and the backhand of the weekend operator. With a software update that adds music streaming and manual control over cellular and Wi-Fi connections, the clock ha already skyrocketed, so your watch will not get in the way. , A longer battery will remain a battle of this size, though Series 3 has a bigger battery than its predecessors.

There are times when the LTE makes the clock really magical: receive a text message while running alone with Apple Watch and AirPods, or download e-mail without a phone nearby after you leave the office for lunch to have. But these moments are not as common as I would like.

The biggest problem with the LTE 3 Series is that it costs too much for what it is: a complementary device for your iPhone. At $ 399 for the 38mm version and $ 429 for the 42mm version plus $ 10 a month for mobile service, the clock should be more efficient and have better battery life. If you want the 3 Series, you get the non-LTE version, which starts at a much cheaper price of $ 329.

I can imagine a future in which a smartwatch can replace a smartphone for most of the tasks we use it for, but Series 3 with LTE is not this future. At least not yet.