Smartwatches and mobile data

moocowone

Hi all

i’m looking to get a new Apple Watch with cellular data, but I’m confused about the data aspect.

i currently have a Vodafone 12 month plan via mobiles.co.uk cashback - i have about 6 months left on my contract.

So, how do i get mobile data on a watch? Does the watch’s sim have to be on the same network as my phone? If it’s not, I presume my watch won’t be able to answer phone calls when separate from my phone?

I’ve had a look at Vodafone onenumber (https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/onenumber) which seems to be what I want, but contract lengths are either 12 or 24 months. Am I right in thinking that this would, in practice, also mean I couldn’t move my phone away from Vodafone for that same length or time?

are there any other dedicated eSIM packages aimed at smartwatches?

I can’t be the only person thinking about a cellular smartwatch whilst mid phone contract!

thanks!

john1

I have a Vodafone onenumber plan (Pixel watch) and was sold it on the understanding that it ran alongside my main plan but had a minimum tern of 1 month which I could start and stop as required My contract suggest this is correct

Contract start	22-Jun-23
Minimum commitment end	22-Jul-23
Standard UK minutes	Shared with primary number
Standard UK texts	Shared with primary number
Data	Shared with primary number
			Monthly Connectivity Plan cost (excluding any discounts)† £7.50

flaneurs_lobster

What @john1 said. The Vodafone OneNumber proffer is the most comprehensive available for smartwatch connectivity in terms of making the watch's 4G connectivity truly independent of your phone while using the same plan for data & calls. This means you can make/receive calls while the phone is turned off (not true of the other networks, at least a year ago when I last checked).

The downside is, as you say, it ties you to a Voda PAYM contract. If you are using mobiles.co.uk cashback deals (as I am) and are happy with the price/service then you are unlikely to find a cheaper deal elsewhere on another network.

My OneNumber contract is a rolling 1 month but it's been running for over a year, can't remember the original terms, you might have to confirm the terms of new contracts with Voda. Cost goes up with the annual April price hike.

moocowone

Thanks both.

At the risk of taking this thread off on a tangent, what did you do at the end of your discounted 12 months? Can you switch straight on to another Vodafone/mobiles deal or do you have to move away for a month?

flaneurs_lobster

moocowone said:

Thanks both.

At the risk of taking this thread off on a tangent, what did you do at the end of your discounted 12 months? Can you switch straight on to another Vodafone/mobiles deal or do you have to move away for a month?

New deal via mobiles, but you are looking at an "upgrade" (even if keeping same deal or downsizing). No SIM swapping or PAC codes required, service just continues as is with new contract. I've timed it so that my min term ends in March, new deal will include hiked price, haven't had a price increase in 2 years (current one went down by 50p/month, full fat Vodafone RED 100GB £7.60/mth).

moocowone

Good info, thank you. My upgrades are in April, so not too bad either from a mid contract price hike point of view 👍