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Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) GPS vs Cellular – Which is Right For You?

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Apple Watch Series 6 is the latest smartwatch from Apple and perhaps the best smartwatch right now on the market. The Watch 6 succeeds Apple Watch Series 5 and was released alongside Apple Watch SE – a lower-end version. New on Watch 6 is blood oxygen and sleep tracking alongside the new family setup, memoji apps, cycling map, handwashing app, and more that come with the newly released Watch0S 7 – the operating system that henceforth powers Apple smartwatches. Just like its predecessor, Watch 6 comes in two models; GPS and Cellular, the difference is the presence of an eSIM that enables cellular features and by extension other features that need cellular connectivity to work. In this post, I compare the specs and features of Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) GPS vs Cellular to find out the differences and to help you make the right choice.

Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) GPS vs Cellular – Full Specifications Compared

Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) (GPS)Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) (Cellular)
Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS) specsApple Watch Series 6 specs

ABOUT DEVICE

Device nameApple Watch Series 6 (44mm) (GPS)Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) (Cellular)
Device typeSport/Fitness smartwatchStandalone/Fitness smartwatch
PredessesorApple Watch Series 5Apple Watch Series 5
Successor----
Released dateSeptember, 2020September, 2020
Ideal forUnisexUnisex

DISPLAY

Display typeLTPO OLEDLTPO OLED
Display size1.78 inches (44mm)1.78 inches (44mm)
Display resolution448 x 368 pixels (44mm)448 x 368 pixels (44mm)
Pixel density----
Input typeTouchscreen
1 Physical button plus
Digital Crown with haptic feedback
Touchscreen
1 Physical button plus
Digital Crown with haptic feedback
Always-onYesYes
Customizable watch faceYesYes

BODY

ShapeRectangular/curvedRectangular/curved
Dimension44 x 38 x 10.4 mm (44mm)
40 x 34 x 10.4 mm (40mm)

44 x 38 x 10.4 mm (44mm)
40 x 34 x 10.4 mm (40mm)

Weight36.5 grams (GPS)36.5 grams
Casing materialAluminumStainless steel
Aluminum
Titanium
Strap/band materialSolo loop
(silicone)

Braided loop
(Silicone and Polyester)
Solo loop
(silicone)

Braided loop
(Silicone and Polyester)
Bezel MaterialCeramicsCeramics
Strap size125 - 210mm125 - 210mm
Interchangeable band YesYes
Screen protectionIon-X glassIon-X glass (aluminum)
Sapphire (Stainless steel & Titanium)
Water resistant/ProtectionYes, IP68, 5ATMYes, IP68, 5ATM
Swim-proofYes, recommendedYes, recommended
Color(s)(Aluminum)
Space gray
Gold
Silver
Red
Blue
(Aluminum)
Space gray
Gold
Silver
Red
Blue

(Stainless Steel)
Gold PVD
Graphite
Silver

(Titanium)
Space black
Titanium

MEMORY

RAM1GB1GB
Internal storage32GB32GB
Memory card slotNoNo

CONNECTIVITY

BluetoothBluetooth v5.0Bluetooth v5.0
Bluetooth callingYesYes
Wi-FiYesYes
NFCYesYes
Payment systemApple PayApple Pay
GPSA-GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSSA-GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSS

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY

TechnologyNo2G/3G/4G
SIMNoe-SIM
BandNo__

NOTIFICATIONS

Email alertYesYes
SMS alertYesYes
Calls alertYesYes
Event reminderYesYes
WeatherYesYes
Third-party appsYesYes
Text responseYesYes

FITNESS TRACKING

Sleep apneaNoNo
Sleep trackingYesYes
StepsYesYes
Floors climbedYesYes
Heart rate monitoringYesYes
CaloriesYesYes
DistanceYesYes
StressYesYes
VO2 Max.YesYes
Blood oxygenYesYes
Blood pressureNoNo
Menstrual cycle trackingYesYes
Swim trackingYesYes
Under-water heart rate tracking____
Preloaded mapsNoNo
On-screen workout modesNoNo
Triathlon modeYesYes
ECG TrackingNoYes
Preloaded sport modesYesYes
Safety trackingYesYes

MEDIA

Audiomp3/mp4mp3/mp4
Music streamingYesYes
Bluetooth musicYesYes
RadioNoNo
LoudspeakerYesYes
MicrophoneYesYes
CameraNoNo

SENSORS

PLATFORM

Operating system (OS)WatchOS 7WatchOS 7
ChipsetApple S6, 64bitApple S6, 64bit
CPUDual coreDual core
GPUPowerVRPowerVR

BATTERY

Type of batteryNon-removable Li-ion batteryNon-removable Li-ion battery
Battery capacity ----
Battery lifeMixed usage: 18 hrsMixed usage: 18 hrs
Charging typeMagnetic chargingMagnetic charging
Charging timeAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hours
Battery saver modeYesYes
Solar powerNoNo
Rapid chargingNoNo

CLOCK FEATURES

Time/DateYesYes
StopwatchYesYes
AlarmYesYes

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Control cameraYesYes
Music controlYesYes
Find phoneYesYes

MISC

Compatibility iPhone 5s+
iOS 12+
iPhone 5s+
iOS 12+
Companion appApple watch APPApple watch APP
Voice commandYesYes

BOX CONTENTS

Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm)Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm)
StrapsStraps
Magnetic charging cable + USB adapterMagnetic charging cable + USB adapter
Quick start guideQuick start guide
NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error.
Official SiteOfficial Site

The difference between the GPS and Cellular model of the Apple Watch 6 is that the latter comes with an embedded sim that enables cellular connectivity. As a result, it’s a standalone smartwatch that allows you to make and receive calls directly from the watch independent of your iPhone, and by extension has features like family setup, incidental fall detection, international emergency calling, and find my app which the GPS model lacks. But the GPS model is cheaper.

Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) GPS vs Cellular – Features Compared

FEATURESApple Watch Series 6
(GPS)
Apple Watch Series 6
(Cellular)
Display1.78 inches
2.5x brighter than SE
1.78 inches
2.5x brighter than SE
Share Watch FacesYesYes
Add Widget to Watch FaceYesYes
Always-On DisplayYesYes
MaterialsAluminum
Stainless steel
Titanium
Aluminum
Stainless steel
Titanium
Storage32GB32GB
Memoji App
Allows you to send emojis as sticker in messages or use it as your watch face.
YesYes
Family Setup
Allows family members who don't own an iPhone to still enjoy all the features of an Apple Watch by adding and assigning numbers to different Apple Watches which can be managed from a single iPhone.
NoYes
Smart Money With Apple CashYesYes
Find my App
A feature that lets you know the location of family members.
NoYes
Cycling Maps
A feature that guides cyclists by showing direction, suggesting lanes, and more.
YesYes
Hearing Protection
Alerts you when you have reached the maximum recommended listening dose for the week, and also allows you to set maximum volume for your headphone.
YesYes
Handwashing App
Guides you to wash your hand for up to 20 seconds recommended by WHO. Also reminds you to wash your hands when you get home.
YesYes
Sleep TrackingYesYes
Incidental Fall DetectionNoYes (Cellular)
International Emergency Calling
Allow you to call emergency contacts almost anywhere in the world.
NoYes (Cellular)
Blood Oxygen Tracking
Monitors your blood oxygen to determine how well your blood absorbs oxygen.
YesYes
ECG tracking
Allows you to take an electrocardiogram test on your wrist that's capable of detecting irregular heart rhythm and can help you prevent atrial fibrillations.
YesYes
Fitness+
Apple introduces a fitness service that features workout plans and coaching from professionals around the world. $9.99/month after the first 3 months.
YesYes
ProcessorS6 chip dual-core processor and W3 wireless chip

20% faster than S5
S6 chip dual-core processor and W3 wireless chip

20% faster than S5

As you may have observed from the tables above, the Cellular model of Watch 6 is a standalone smartwatch that allows you to make and receive calls directly from the watch without connecting to your iPhone. It’s available in stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium materials, unlike the GPS model that’s only available in aluminum.

The Cellular model features Family set up – a feature that allows other members who don’t own an iPhone to enjoy all the benefits of an Apple Watch, so you can add multiple Apple Watches to one iPhone and manage all from one place. Remember, the newly released WatchOS 7 supports Apple Watch Series 3 up to 6.

There’s also the “find my app” feature that alerts you when a family member gets home or can be used to know the exact location of a family member.

Other features include incidental fall detection which sends out a call if the watch detects a fall and you’re unresponsive for 60 seconds. There’s also the SOS emergency feature and international emergency calling feature that was introduced last year.

The GPS model lacks the aforementioned features, but still, a sophisticated smartwatch that has every other feature the Watch 6 can offer.

Which is Right For You?

Clearly, the Cellular model is a more comprehensive smartwatch that allows you to enjoy all the features of the Watch 6, it’s a better bargain. It’s the best choice for seniors, business individuals alike who want to give their phones some breathing space, and families looking for more ways to stay connected. However, it’ll cost you more.

On the other hand, the GPS model is a modest choice. It’s cheaper, yet feature-rich.

Prices

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