I switched to a cellular Apple Watch just to confirm I don't need one

I use my Apple Watch all day every day, but the cellular connection is unnecessary for me and possibly for you too.

- JASON CROSS

I've been using an Apple Watch for almost the entire time there has been an Apple Watch, and since the big upgrade with the Series 4 I've worn one all day every day. But I've never gotten the cellular-equipped model, because I figured I probably didn't need it. Yes, there are lots of things the Apple Watch can do without an iPhone (fave.co/3ZrVqQh), but it can of course do those things with an iPhone nearby as well, and many of them don't require a cellular connection (only Wi-Fi or even no connection at all).

So I conducted an experiment: I got a cellular-equipped version of the Apple Watch Series 10 (read my review, fave.co/3ARav4d) for a change, activated the monthly service, and spent a couple of weeks deliberately leaving my iPhone behind. Here's how it went:

IT'S HARD TO NOT HAVE YOUR IPHONE

Let's start with the obvious: My iPhone goes with me everywhere. It's my car key, my music player, my diet and exercise tracker, my social media pipeline, and of course how I text or call people. Leaving it behind isn't something most people want to do, and when my phone is around the cellular connection is redundant.

I often answer phone calls on my Apple Watch simply because it's convenient (and the sound quality is surprisingly good), which works fine as long as my iPhone is somewhere nearby. Tracking workouts and activity? That works even if the Apple Watch has no connection at all-the data will sync up once you get back within range of your iPhone. Notifications? Again, you get them if your Watch is connected to Wi-Fi, and if not, what am I going to do with a notification from my iPhone if my iPhone isn't around?