Apple Watch

Apple Watches are a line of internet enabled Wearable tech with a range of Health and Fitness tracking and lifestyle features. Whilst an Apple Watch has many similar features already in an iPhone or other smart devices, its form factor makes it more convenient to use in many instances to work well as an iPhone companion.

Apple Watches come in a variety of models and styles but all feature a small watch-like device with a touch screen interface that can be strapped to your wrist. You can customize the watch face to display different information like alarms, weather, world clocks, local time, activity levels, reminders, news and more. Make it as information rich or as minimalist as needed.

With built-in GPS and heart rate monitors, the Apple Watch is a great tool for health and wellness tracking. The included Workout app can monitor walks, runs, cycling, workouts, swimming and more.

An eSIM is a small SIM Card chip that is permanently soldered to the device. This chip takes up less space inside a device than what is needed for even the smallest removeable SIM. A eSIM allows a device to communicate wirelessly using a mobile network like other SIM Cards, but unlike normal SIMs the information stored on an eSIM is rewritable allowing quick plan or network switching without needing to swap out a physical SIM.

Newer smart products including Apple Watches use eSIMs. Cellular compatible models are more expensive than those without an eSIM, but will allow an Apple Watch to make use of internet connected services without needing to connect to an iPhone.

Before deciding on an eSIM model, check your provider has electronic SIM supported plans. Bills may cost extra but it’s a handy feature to stream music or podcasts without having to carry a phone out.

Although an iPhone is recommended to get the most out of an Apple Watch, it's not strictly necessary. The features available without an iPhone depend on the Apple Watch's model and if a Wi-Fi or Cellular connection is available. Do however take note that Apple Watches cannot be connected to non-iPhones (Androids) at all.

Normally an Apple Watch would be paired with an iPhone to access mobile network data, but some models include an eSIM that can connect to a mobile network independently. This allows making and answering calls, use of Siri, streaming music and plenty more features.

Without a direct network connection via cellular or an iPhone, an Apple Watch needs a Wi-Fi connection. It still won’t be able to receive SMS messages but will enable use of Siri, iMessage, audio streaming and selected apps provided it's within Wi-Fi range. Without internet access many of the Fitness Tracking features will still work and any audio locally on the watch can be played.

It is highly recommended to have an iPhone to get the most out of an Apple Watch. When deciding on an Apple Watch, keep in mind later Apple Watch models from the Watch 5 to the Watch 7 only work with an iPhone 6S or later. An Apple Watch 3 requires an iPhone 5S running iOS 11 at a minimum.

The Apple Watch 8 features fast charging which fully charges it in around an hour. Whilst the battery capacity of Apple Watches has been improving over recent years, the devices themselves have also be getting larger and brighter screens. Also included are GPS GLONASS chips for position tracking, sleep tracking, ECG and blood oxygen monitoring along with much more.

If you are dedicated to fitness and health tracking, the Apple Watch 8 has the widest array of features across Apple's best iteration of the Fitness app to date. Check out the Series SE for a budget friendly option, the Series 8 for a mid range option and the Series Ultra for the feature complete premium experience.