Apple Watch Series 3 comes with cellular capabilities

THE new iPhone models were the focus of the September 12 Apple event, but it also starred the latest version of the company’s smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 3.

The Apple Watch Series 3, which comes with several significant improvements compared to its predecessor, started preorders on September 15 and will release on September 22.

One of the major changes with the Apple Watch Series 3 compared to previous versions of the smartwatch is that one of its models comes with built-in cellular, dropping the limitation that it needs to be paired with an iPhone at all times to make the most out of the device.

In a press release, Apple noted that the 4G LTE capabilities of the new Apple Watch will allow users to stay connected even without an iPhone nearby.

The device, in combination with the upcoming watchOS 4, will soon allow users to stream Apple Music, receive text messages, and initiate calls entirely through the Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch Series 3, however, will not use a regular SIM card, but rather a builtin one known as the eSIM.

The eSim will be provisioned through the device itself, making it easy to switch between supported carriers but impossible to sign up with one unsupported by Apple.

Cellular capabilities are not the only selling point of the new Apple Watch. Compared to its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 3 features a 70 per cent faster dual core processor and barometric altimeter. It is also waterproof, and has improved power efficiency.

The cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 3, which will have 16 GB of internal storage, will carry a price tag of $399, while the non-cellular version will have 8 GB of internal storage and be sold for $329.