Right now the Cellular version costs almost twice as much. Is eSIM worth that?
Short answer
Series 11 42 mm GPS - the same watch for far less. Series 11 42 mm GPS + Cellular - eSIM, LTE and 5G RedCap for calls without an iPhone.
Key differences
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 11 42mm GPS | Apple Watch Series 11 42mm GPS + Cellular |
|---|---|---|
| Display | OLED, 374×446 | OLED, 374×446 |
| Chip | Apple S10 | Apple S10 |
| Memory | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Battery life | up to 24 h | up to 24 h |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | 5G RedCap, LTE, eSIM |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou (L1) | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou (L1) |
| NFC | yes | yes |
| Sensors | heart rate, SpO2, barometer, compass, gyroscope, temperature | heart rate, SpO2, barometer, compass, gyroscope, temperature |
| Protection | 50 m / IP6X | 50 m / IP6X |
| OS | watchOS 26 | watchOS 26 |
| Compatibility | iPhone 11 / iPhone SE 2 / iOS 26 | iPhone 11 / iPhone SE 2 / iOS 26 |
| Dimensions, weight | 42×36×9.7 mm, 30.3 g | 42×36×9.7 mm, 29.7 g |
| Price | current prices | current prices |
Specs come from the device pages on Smartphone.ua.
What's the same
Apple S10, 64 GB, 374×446, up to 24 h, SpO2, NFC, 50 m and IP6X, 9.7 mm.
Connectivity
Cellular gives calls and messages without a phone. Handy, but not the watch's main job.
Price
With such a gap I'd rather take the GPS version or the Series 12 42 mm GPS + Cellular, which is currently cheaper.
Verdict: who should buy which
- For almost everyone - Series 11 42 mm GPS.
- Only if eSIM is essential - Series 11 42 mm GPS + Cellular.
FAQ
Is it the same watch?
Yes, only the modem differs.
How heavy are they?
30.3 and 29.7 g.
Which is cheaper?
The GPS version.