Apple Watch Series 3 makes official debut with built-in cellular connectivity
Today Apple held its big fall event, and the first device announced by the company was the Apple Watch Series 3.
The biggest addition to the Apple Watch Series 3 is built-in cellular connectivity. With it, you can send and receive calls and texts from your watch, use maps, and more. Calling and texting with the new Apple Watch Series 3 uses the same number as your phone. Apple says that it’ll also offer Apple Music on the Apple Watch Series 3, letting you stream music directly to your watch.
The Apple Watch Series 3 uses a new dual-core processor that Apple says offers up to 70 percent better performance, as well as a new Apple W2 chip that’ll get you up to 85 percent faster Wi-Fi and 50 percent better battery efficiency. Also included with the Apple Watch Series 3 is a barometric altimeter and an electronic SIM card.
Despite having cellular connectivity built-in, Apple says that the Apple Watch Series 3 is the same size as the Apple Watch Series 2. The Apple Watch Series 3 will be available for pre-order starting September 15th, with a launch scheduled for September 22nd.
When it comes to pricing, Apple Watch Series 3 will start at $329 for a non-cellular model. The Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular will start at $399. Apple plans to keep Apple Watch Series 1 around for $249.
T-Mobile has confirmed that it’ll offer the Apple Watch Series 3. Customers can get three months of free talk, text, and data with Digits when they buy an Apple Watch Series 3. After those three months, Apple Watch Series 3 owners can get unlimited talk, text, and data with Digits for $10 per month with Autopay.
If you’ve already got an Apple Watch that you’re happy with, then there’s some news for you today, too. Apple says that it’ll release the watchOS 4 update to existing Apple Watch models on September 19th.
Now that the Apple Watch is getting built-in cellular connectivity, will you be springing for one?