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Do I need cellular/LTE on my Apple Watch Series 11 or Galaxy Watch 7?

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: March 20th, 2026

1 min read

Last Updated: March 20th, 2026

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Cellular lets your smartwatch work independently without your phone nearby. Here's when it's worth the extra cost.

Cellular Pricing

Apple Watch Series 11:

GPS: $399 (42mm) / $429 (46mm)
Cellular: +$100
Titanium: $699 (cellular included)

Galaxy Watch 7:

Bluetooth: $299 (40mm) / $329 (44mm)
LTE: +$50

Ongoing costs: $10-15/month carrier fee ($120-180/year)

When Cellular Makes Sense

Get cellular if you:

Exercise without your phone (running, cycling, swimming)
Want emergency SOS available everywhere
Frequently leave your phone behind
Need to stay reachable during workouts

When to Skip Cellular

Skip cellular if you:

Always have your phone with you
Work out at home or gyms where your phone is nearby
Intentionally disconnect during exercise
Don't want the monthly carrier cost

Apple Watch 5G vs Galaxy Watch 4G

The Series 11 introduces 5G cellular (first Apple Watch with 5G). The Galaxy Watch 7 uses 4G LTE. For smartwatch tasks like calls and texts, 4G is sufficient. You won't notice the difference.

Battery Impact

Cellular drains battery faster on both watches. If battery life is already a concern, GPS-only versions last longer per charge.

Bottom line: Most people don't need cellular. If you're unsure, start with GPS-only. You can always upgrade to cellular next time.

How we researched this

Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and a look at hundreds of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.