The GPS vs. Cellular decision hinges on one question: do you want to use your watch without your iPhone nearby?
The Cellular model costs $100 more upfront ($499 vs $399 for the 42mm), plus approximately $10/month for a carrier plan. Over two years, that totals roughly $340 in additional cost.
When your iPhone is within Bluetooth range, the GPS model provides the complete Apple Watch experience:
The watch uses your iPhone's cellular connection seamlessly.
The Cellular model enables all features when your phone stays behind:
Series 11 upgrades: 5G connectivity replaces LTE for faster data speeds. Apple redesigned the antenna system for improved signal strength in challenging coverage areas.
Exclusive feature: Emergency SOS via satellite functions only on Cellular models, providing emergency contact capability even without cell coverage.
Cellular usage impacts battery life significantly. When actively using cellular data:
Choose GPS if: You typically keep your iPhone nearby, want to minimize costs, and prefer maximum battery life.
Choose Cellular if: You regularly exercise without your phone, value satellite emergency features, or simply want the freedom to leave your iPhone at home.
Compare Apple Watch Series 11 prices across retailers to find the best deal on either model.
To use an Apple Watch Series 11, you need an iPhone 11 or newer running iOS 26. Android phones are not compatible with any Apple Watch model.
Any iPhone from 2019 onward works with the Series 11:
To check your iPhone model: Settings → General → About → Model Name.
Your iPhone must run iOS 26 or later. Update by going to Settings → General → Software Update and installing any available updates before attempting to pair your watch.
Apple Watch requires an iPhone for both setup and ongoing functionality. You cannot set up any Apple Watch model with an Android phone. The watch depends on iPhone for:
This limitation applies to all Apple Watch models, including cellular versions.
The GPS+Cellular version can operate independently for calls, texts, and music streaming when away from your iPhone. However, an iPhone remains necessary for:
The cellular model adds independence for activities like phone-free runs, but doesn't eliminate the iPhone requirement entirely.
Check Apple Watch Series 11 prices to find the best current deal.
Yes, you can swim with the Apple Watch Series 11. It carries a WR50M water resistance rating, meaning it handles pool and ocean swimming without issue.
The Series 11 is designed for:
The watch includes dedicated swim workout tracking that automatically counts laps and measures distance.
Water resistant doesn't mean dive-proof. The 50-meter rating reflects pressure resistance for shallow activities, not deep submersion capability.
Skip wearing it for:
After pool or ocean swimming:
Salt and chlorine buildup can cause problems over time, so rinsing is worth the few seconds it takes.
Water resistance degrades gradually through normal use and exposure to salt water, chlorine, soaps, and sunscreen. This is true for all water-resistant devices, not just Apple Watch.
Band choice matters too. Leather and stainless steel bands aren't water resistant. Use Sport Bands or silicone options for swimming.
If you need genuine diving capability, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers 100-meter water resistance with EN13319 recreational diving certification and includes a dedicated depth gauge app.
Compare Apple Watch Series 11 prices to find the best current deal.
If you're wondering whether the Apple Watch Series 11 can make it through a full day, the short answer is yes, and then some.
Apple officially rates the Series 11 at 24 hours of battery life, a notable jump from the 18-hour rating on every Apple Watch before it. That 24 hours assumes you're wearing it all day and using it for overnight sleep tracking.
Here's what surprised many reviewers: the Series 11 often lasts significantly longer than 24 hours. Independent testing showed the watch lasting nearly 70 hours under lighter use. For typical daily use with the always-on display running, expect to wake up with around 15% battery remaining. That's a substantial improvement if you've ever started your morning staring at a nearly-dead watch.
The Series 11's charging speed is genuinely useful:
Even if you forget to charge overnight, a quick morning top-up has you covered for the entire day.
Your actual battery performance depends on usage patterns:
Cellular without iPhone: Using the watch independently drains battery about twice as fast as when your phone is nearby. Streaming music or podcasts over cellular consumes the most power.
GPS workout tracking: Continuous outdoor workouts with GPS active are rated for approximately 8 hours. That's sufficient for most activities, but ultramarathon runners or all-day hikers should plan accordingly.
Always-On Display: Keeping the display always visible does consume additional power, though the impact is less pronounced than on older models thanks to the efficient LTPO3 display technology.
The Series 11 finally feels like a smartwatch you don't need to stress about charging constantly. It comfortably handles a full day and night of use with room to spare, which represents meaningful progress for the Apple Watch lineup.
Check current Apple Watch Series 11 prices at major retailers to find the best deal.
So you just got your AirPods Pro 3 and want to know how long you'll be waiting around for them to charge? Good news - they're pretty quick.
The Quick Answer: Getting your earbuds from dead to full takes about 45 minutes to an hour in the case. But here's the really cool part - if you're in a rush, just 5 minutes of charging gives you a solid hour of listening time. That's saved me more times than I can count when I've forgotten to charge overnight.
What About the Case? The case takes about 1-2 hours to fully charge. You can use USB-C, MagSafe, regular Qi wireless chargers, or even your Apple Watch charger in a pinch. When everything's topped up, you're looking at around 24 hours of total listening time.
Here's Something Users Noticed: The Pro 3 case seems to drain faster than the Pro 2 did. Those new health sensors (like the heart rate monitor) apparently use more juice. A lot of people are finding they need to charge the case every day or two now, whereas the Pro 2 could sometimes go a whole week. Just something to keep in mind - you might want to make charging part of your nightly routine.
Quick Tip: The little status light tells you what's going on - amber means it's still charging, green means you're good to go. I usually just drop them on my wireless charger when I get home and they're always ready by morning.
Charging Specs at a Glance:
AirPods Pro 3 require iOS 18.1 minimum, with iOS 26 needed for hearing health features.
Minimum Requirements:
| Device | Version | |--------|---------| | iPhone | iOS 18.1 (iPhone XS or later) | | iPad | iPadOS 18.1 | | Mac | macOS Sequoia 15.1 |
Features by iOS Version:
| Feature | iOS 18.1 | iOS 26 | |---------|----------|--------| | Pairing, playback | ✅ | ✅ | | ANC, Transparency | ✅ | ✅ | | Spatial Audio | ✅ | ✅ | | Heart rate monitoring | ✅ | ✅ | | Hearing test | ❌ | ✅ | | Hearing aid feature | ❌ | ✅ |
Check Your Version: Settings > General > About > iOS Version
Update: Settings > General > Software Update
Important:
Depends on what kind of gaming you're doing and on what device. Let me break it down.
For iPhone and iPad Games: They work great. Apple has optimized the connection for minimal lag. Spatial Audio adds immersion in supported games. For mobile gaming, you won't have complaints.
For Mac Gaming: Pretty decent with Game Mode enabled in macOS. This prioritizes the Bluetooth connection and reduces latency. Good enough for most games.
For PC Gaming - The Catch: AirPods use Bluetooth AAC, which introduces about 126ms of delay. Compare that to gaming headsets with 2.4GHz dongles at 20-30ms. In competitive shooters, this difference matters.
Latency Comparison:
| Setup | Latency | |-------|---------| | AirPods on PC | ~126ms | | Gaming headset (2.4GHz) | ~20-30ms | | Ideal for gaming | Under 60ms |
Tips for PC Gaming:
Where They Work Well:
Bottom Line: Great for casual gaming, especially on Apple devices. For competitive PC gaming where reactions matter, stick with a dedicated gaming headset.
Your AirPods Pro 3 will inevitably get gross from ear wax. Here's how to clean them properly without damaging anything.
Cleaning the Ear Tips: Pull them off at the base where they connect. Rinse with water only (no soap). Dry completely with a lint-free cloth before reattaching.
Cleaning the Speaker Mesh: This is where wax affects sound quality. Be careful here.
After Workouts: Wipe AirPods with a dry cloth before putting them in the case. Sweat is salty and causes problems if left to dry.
What NOT to Do:
Cleaning Schedule:
| When | What | |------|------| | Every few uses | Quick wipe-down | | Weekly | Thorough cleaning | | After workouts | Immediate wipe |
Recommended Tools:
Pro Tip: Regular ear cleaning reduces how much wax ends up in your AirPods. If you're constantly dealing with buildup, it might be worth getting your ears checked.
AppleCare+ for AirPods Pro 3 costs $49 for two years of coverage. Here's what you get and whether it's worth it.
What's Included:
What's NOT Covered:
Cost Comparison:
| Scenario | Without AppleCare+ | With AppleCare+ | |----------|-------------------|-----------------| | Replace one AirPod | $89 | $29 | | Replace case | $89 | $29 | | Battery service | $49 | Free |
Is It Worth It?
If you damage one AirPod:
Second incident saves another $60.
Important: Must purchase within 60 days of buying AirPods Pro 3.
Who Should Get It:
Who Can Skip It:
There are three different ways to use Siri with AirPods Pro 3, and two don't require touching anything.
Voice Activation (Easiest): Say "Hey Siri" while wearing your AirPods. Your phone can stay in your pocket.
Common commands:
Stem Press Method: Press and hold the stem on either AirPod until you hear a chime, then speak your command.
Customize in: Settings > Bluetooth > [your AirPods] > Press and Hold
Head Gesture Controls (New): When Siri announces a call or notification:
Perfect for meetings or quiet environments. Enable via:
Tip: If Siri isn't hearing you well, check your ear tip seal. Do the Ear Tip Fit Test in Settings. Bad seal = bad microphone pickup.
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