Same watch. The extra is for eSIM.
Short answer
Series 12 42 mm GPS + Cellular - LTE, 5G RedCap and eSIM, slightly lighter (31.5 g). Series 12 42 mm GPS - the same for those whose iPhone is always nearby.
Key differences
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 12 42mm GPS | Apple Watch Series 12 42mm GPS + Cellular |
|---|---|---|
| Display | OLED, 374×446 | OLED, 374×446 |
| Chip | Apple S11 | Apple S11 |
| 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 27 | watchOS 27 |
| Compatibility | iPhone 11 / iPhone SE 2 / iOS 27 | iPhone 11 / iPhone SE 2 / iOS 27 |
| Dimensions, weight | 42×37×9.7 mm, 32.2 g | 42×37×9.7 mm, 31.5 g |
| Price | current prices | current prices |
Specs come from the device pages on Smartphone.ua.
What's the same
Apple S11, 64 GB, 374×446 display, up to 24 h, SpO2, NFC, Ceramic Shield 2, 9.7 mm.
Connectivity
Cellular calls and gets messages without a phone. Without an iPhone nearby the GPS version only works over Wi-Fi.
Who it's for
Run without a phone or want to be reachable at the pool - Cellular. Otherwise GPS is plenty.
Verdict: who should buy which
- Connected without a phone - Series 12 42 mm GPS + Cellular.
- Saving money - Series 12 42 mm GPS.
FAQ
Is the display the same?
Yes, 374×446.
How heavy are they?
32.2 and 31.5 g.
Which is cheaper?
The GPS version.