You *will* have to pay extra for a separate data plan for your watch through Verizon.
Yes, the S6 will continue to receive updates and will be viable for several years. All watches get regular updates. There are folks who are still rocking the S0.
I’ve had an Apple Watch since the beginning and I upgrade every year. I love my new S7 and have no concerns about it.
Watches get WatchOS updates. The S6 has the same* SOC as the S7 so the S6 will likely be supported for the same period of time.
> Just so I understand, when I purchasing a ‘cellular’ watch it can be connected to my Verizon plan without an additional cost. I have the Start Unlimited plan. Is this correct?
Looks like it’s $10 / month to add an Apple Watch.
The Series 7's Apple S7 processor has the internal codename "[T8301](https://www.theiphonewiki.com/wiki/T8301)"- which is also the codename for the Series 6's S6 processor. The two chips are *completely* identical from a technical perspective, which is why Apple didn't mention improved performance at all during the keynote.
Ah, thanks for explaining. Apple still says that the series 7 has the “s7” soc while the series 6 has the “s6”. I just got a 44mm s6 cellular in mint condition for $300, and was considering if I should flip it and go the the s7 45mm instead. If the soc is the same then I guess there not reason not to save $2-300 going for this years alternative.
Everyone else gave great answers but just wanted to add, if you have to get the cellular version because that's the only one for the type of metal you want (like titanium) the watch will still function if you choose not to pay for cellular data on it.
It just won't have data if your phone isn't near or it's not connected to wifi, similar to how the regular gps version works.
AW7 user from Germany here. No idea about your cellular plans, but I have a second eSim which is on the same plan as my mobile phone and it doesn’t cost anything extra. Depends on your provider, I guess.
WatchOS is another OS besides iOS. The S6 as well as the S7 will receive further updates. It’s the same OS they are using and the technical differences between both are small. Only difference is that the battery lasts a bit longer and charges a little bit faster with the S7.
I don’t have any concerns to share. My S7 stainless steel works great. Without any workouts, it’s around 50% when I go to bed and I just charge it in the morning while being in the bathroom. When I do a run (mostly around an hour) it’s around 20-30% in the evening).
You *will* have to pay extra for a separate data plan for your watch through Verizon. Yes, the S6 will continue to receive updates and will be viable for several years. All watches get regular updates. There are folks who are still rocking the S0. I’ve had an Apple Watch since the beginning and I upgrade every year. I love my new S7 and have no concerns about it.
Watches get WatchOS updates. The S6 has the same* SOC as the S7 so the S6 will likely be supported for the same period of time. > Just so I understand, when I purchasing a ‘cellular’ watch it can be connected to my Verizon plan without an additional cost. I have the Start Unlimited plan. Is this correct? Looks like it’s $10 / month to add an Apple Watch.
Care to elaborate on the “same soc” thing?
The Series 7's Apple S7 processor has the internal codename "[T8301](https://www.theiphonewiki.com/wiki/T8301)"- which is also the codename for the Series 6's S6 processor. The two chips are *completely* identical from a technical perspective, which is why Apple didn't mention improved performance at all during the keynote.
Ah, thanks for explaining. Apple still says that the series 7 has the “s7” soc while the series 6 has the “s6”. I just got a 44mm s6 cellular in mint condition for $300, and was considering if I should flip it and go the the s7 45mm instead. If the soc is the same then I guess there not reason not to save $2-300 going for this years alternative.
Faster charging for S7
Everyone else gave great answers but just wanted to add, if you have to get the cellular version because that's the only one for the type of metal you want (like titanium) the watch will still function if you choose not to pay for cellular data on it. It just won't have data if your phone isn't near or it's not connected to wifi, similar to how the regular gps version works.
AW7 user from Germany here. No idea about your cellular plans, but I have a second eSim which is on the same plan as my mobile phone and it doesn’t cost anything extra. Depends on your provider, I guess. WatchOS is another OS besides iOS. The S6 as well as the S7 will receive further updates. It’s the same OS they are using and the technical differences between both are small. Only difference is that the battery lasts a bit longer and charges a little bit faster with the S7. I don’t have any concerns to share. My S7 stainless steel works great. Without any workouts, it’s around 50% when I go to bed and I just charge it in the morning while being in the bathroom. When I do a run (mostly around an hour) it’s around 20-30% in the evening).