Best 4G/LTE smartwatches: Untether with our top cellular picks

Smartwatches with cellular support are now much more commonplace than they used to be, with plenty of top options available for you to pick between.

A smartwatch with 4G/LTE connectivity affords you the luxury of untethering from your smartphone, and getting access to calls, messages and apps on the move. Most major devices like the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Google Pixel Watch all have LTE editions.

You'll have to pay a little extra per month for cellular support, but, for some, it's well worth the outlay.

We've rounded up the top smartwatches with LTE support, and provided a little more information below on what you can expect to gain from the feature.

• Want the best overall? Check out the best smartwatches to buy
• No iPhone? Pair your phone with the best smartwatches for Android

Things to consider:

When choosing a smartwatch with LTE, there are a few things you should consider:

• Price: LTE smartwatches can be expensive – and usually cost more outright, before you consider the monthly data subscription. Think carefully about whether you will use the extra features.
• Features: Aside from LTE, make sure the smartwatch has the features you need, such as GPS, heart rate monitoring, and health features like ECG.
• Battery life: LTE smartwatches typically have shorter battery life than smartwatches without cellular connectivity. 
• Compatibility: Make sure the smartwatch is compatible with your phone - remember Apple Watch only works with iPhones, and Pixel Watch/Samsung only works with Android.

Summary: Best cellular smartwatches

• Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 LTE
• Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, GPS + Cellular)
• Google Pixel Watch LTE
• Apple Watch Ultra

Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)

Wareable

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We rate the Series 8 as the best smartwatch on the market, and a big reason why is how it performs as a standalone device.

It's not the cheapest option on this list, granted, but it is undeniably the top option for those with an iPhone. With it, you can make calls, take them, and receive notifications just as you would on your smartphone - all thanks to the built-in eSIM.

We've even found streaming music over the different generations of Series watches to be very straightforward and satisfying, and that's no different with the Series 8.

It allows you to stay in the loop when out exercising (or just when you don't want to bring your phone with you), and we've experienced plenty of occasions when the Apple Watch has outlasted our phone and kept us updated with notifications.

The only other thing to be aware of, really, is the price jump. You'll pay a pretty premium for the addition of cellular support - and that's without mentioning the monthly fee from your carrier.

For everything else, read our in-depth Apple Watch Series 8 review.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (LTE)

Wareable

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If you've got an Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the best pick when it comes to LTE.

Samsung's latest is an Android-only offering and also runs Google's ever-improving Wear OS 4.

It comes in a single size 45mm case, so it's not the best for slim wrists. If that's a concern, look at the Galaxy Watch 6, which comes in a 40mm version.

So why are we recommending the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro over the newer Watch 6?

It has a much better battery life, with around three days away from the charger, compared to just one day on the Galaxy Watch 6. Given that LTE will deplete battery life faster than normal, it makes the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro the best pick in our experience.

LTE on a Samsung device will unlock all the functions you would expect, like enabling calls, streaming music from apps like Spotify and YouTube Music, and receiving notifications from your favorite apps.

Read our Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review for a closer inspection.

Huawei Watch 4

Wareable

The Huawei Watch 4 (and Watch 4 Pro) both feature LTE option, so you can untether from your smartphone. You'll need to connect it to an eSIM via the Huawei Health app, and then you can make and receive calls and send messages straight from the wrist.

Unlike Wear OS and watchOS, there isn't a bustling app store to take advantage of LTE, and there are no music streaming or podcasting options. However, users would be able to take advantage of Petal Maps (above), Huawei's own version of Apple/Google Maps.

Aside from that, the Huawei Watch 4 is an excellent smartwatch – with more health features than your average Android smartwatch. There are ECG, arterial and respiratory health checks, as well as blood oxygen and excellent fitness features.

In terms of an LTE-connected watch, it comes at a decent price. However, using LTE and the always-on display together will decimate battery life from three or four days down to two at best.

Read our full Huawei Watch 4 review.

Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS + Cellular)

Wareable

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If you don't desire the more advanced features, updated design or price tag of the Apple Watch Series 8, the second-gen Apple Watch SE is a great pick - and it comes with the option of cellular support.

Like the more expensive Series devices, the LTE support on the SE will give you access to notifications, calls and music streaming when away from your iPhone.

This makes it a superb value pick for those who are really in the market for a cellular smartwatch - but, remember, you'll still have to pair it with an iPhone for it to work.

Note that you'll also have to pay a decent chunk extra for the GPS + Cellular edition, as well as the monthly cost, and the price naturally varies depending on whether you choose the 40mm or 44mm case.

We think this is a great starter smartwatch for those with an iPhone, but read our full Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) review for the full lowdown and a better idea of what you're missing compared to the Series 8.

Google Pixel Watch LTE

Wareable

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If you're not quite sold on either of the LTE editions available through Samsung, Google's debut smartwatch also has a cellular-enabled version for you to consider. 

The LTE experience is broadly the same as it is on Samsung's watches, since both run a version of Wear OS 3, and the integration with Google's services - including the likes of Google Maps - worked seamlessly during our testing.

The mic and speaker during calls also both worked well without being exceptional, which we'd say is par for the course with smartwatches.

And, overall, we'd rate the Pixel Watch as the best-looking LTE smartwatch out there for Android users - even if it does only come in one relatively small 42mm case size. 

The only reason we don't rate it above the Galaxy Watch 5 series is due to the battery life. It's pretty bad even without LTE enabled, giving you barely 24 hours of use, and this only takes more hits if you decide to employ it as a standalone device. 

Approach with caution, we'd say, and with a charger on hand at all times. 

Read our Google Pixel Watch review for all the details. 

Apple Watch Ultra

Wareable

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Apple's new kid on the block comes with LTE support as standard, which, unlike with other Apple Watch devices, means you don't have to pay an added premium for the feature.

You do, of course, still have to shell out a considerable chunk more than any other device on this list, but the Apple Watch Ultra is also more feature-packed than its rivals.

You're getting a superb smartwatch experience, bolstered by that bigger and brighter screen, while the case design and straps are much more suited to the outdoors than any other LTE smartwatch currently on the market.

Just be aware that you'll receive significant battery drain when using LTE on the Ultra. Though Apple quotes 36-hour battery life for the smartwatch, this estimation comes down considerably with LTE turned on for a full day.

This is true of every Apple Watch, however, and, interestingly, the Ultra is the only device the company actually reveals details regarding battery life with LTE turned on throughout a cycle.

On its product page, Apple says, "With a service plan, you can keep in touch with up to 18 hours of all-day LTE battery life," and we'd wager that a single day of use is about right based on our testing.

For a broader look at this device, read our Apple Watch Ultra review.

Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE

Wareable

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For the most part, Garmin has opted against offering LTE versions of its running watches. The exception to this rule, however, is the very impressive Forerunner 945 LTE, which is only available in the US.

Having a cellular connection enables many of the safety features, such as LiveTrack and Assistance Plus, which enables you to call for help if you get into trouble or feel unsafe. There's also live tracking in events and your contacts can send you encouragement too – so there's a good reason to jump in. We'd love to see this offered on more of the Garmin range.

However, it's no longer the latest version in the line, with the Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 now available, so you'd have to *really* want these features to spend $500 on an out-of-date sports watch.  

However, thanks to regular Garmin updates like this one, it performs almost identically to a Forerunner 955, so it's still getting the latest features. 

• Key differences between Garmin Forerunner 945 and Forerunner 955

LTE smartwatches FAQ

If you're in a muddle about just what a cellular smartwatch actually is, we've got the key details you need to quickly get you up to speed.

What can a cellular smartwatch do?

In smartwatch terms, having one with a 4G/LTE cellular connection allows you to link to your carrier's data plan without the connection of your phone.

This means you can take calls, listen to music, use apps, send messages and take part in all the other usual smartphone frivolities, just, you know, without your phone being present. There are some watches though that embrace that standalone connectivity for different reasons, too, such as Garmin's Forerunner 945 LTE.

In order for a smartwatch to mimic your phone, it has to be able to connect to the same network carrier. And if you want to take calls, you're also required to link the same number as your smartphone.

Do I need to switch my SIM card over?

No. Instead of having to carry a SIM ejector around with you and deal with a physical card, some watches use eSIM technology, which is essentially an embedded variant that can't be moved from the hood.

The benefit of this tech over regular SIM cards is the smaller size – companies are already trying to reduce the size, so this is a natural step – and the efficiency of sharing your number between phone and watch through software.

Do you have to pay a monthly fee?

This all depends on the carrier you decide to go with, but, usually, yes.

However, deals will often be bundled with a smartphone, since you need to be rocking the same network and the two go hand in hand.

Does using LTE affect battery life?

Deciphering which sensors and what activities affect your battery is always a tough game, but the answer is, well, yes – using LTE will generally sap your battery faster than if you weren't using it.

What we often see from devices with LTE is a bigger battery (and a bigger build) in order to offset the power it's taking up.

If you're looking to save battery and get a few more hours in the day, simply switching to a feature-slimmed mode on your device should help you out on that front.