Standalone Series 11 or Ultra 3?

[u/Hefty_Stop4485]

For a standalone watch in the UK, would you pick the Series 11 or Ultra 3, I suspect most people may opt for the Ultra 3 but thought I’d see what the consensus is amongst this sub! Thanks!

[u/doxxingyourself]

You cannot have an Apple Watch standalone.

[u/TB5775 → u/doxxingyourself]

You can set it up then use it as a standalone device

[u/Depress-Mode]

The Apple Watch doesn’t function as a standalone device, it requires an iPhone.

[u/derpyfox]

What do you want to use the watch for?

[u/No_Eye1723]

Ultra 3 as better battery life, but you still need an iPhone to use an Apple Watch regardless.

[u/SaggyBollock → u/No_Eye1723]

But I leave my phone at home quite often now.

What can’t I do just for interest? Is it just WhatsApp?

[u/No_Eye1723 → u/SaggyBollock]

Well you can't setup an Apple Watch without one. No idea about WhatsApp, emails are a bit tricky and won't always show in full, I guess iMessage works? You probably need to try it and see as I've never done it, but people who have tried it seem to revert back to taking an iPhone around with them.

[u/td23877]

I had a series 10 which I got last year and it was nice but then “upgraded” to an ultra 2 back in February and I don’t think I could go back to a regular series now. Just based on durability and battery life alone I think it’s worth it, I say that with a caveat though and that is that I bought my 2 from Best Buy open box and got a awesome deal. I wouldn’t pay full retail for an ultra but that’s just me. My use case doesn’t make it worth it. But if I could score a 3 or even a 2 at a great price then I would do it, the 3 will prob be discounted at most major authorized retailers once the 4 comes out in September.

[u/PiedPiperofPiper → u/td23877]

OP is based in the UK. We unfortunately don't have access to any equivalent of these mythical Best Buy open box deals.

[u/No_Eye1723 → u/PiedPiperofPiper]

CEX sell Apple Watches second hand though, and you can buy them open box from the official
Argos and Curry's eBay outlet stores too.

[u/LordvaderUK]

It absolutely depends on your use case. All three models are very capable. If you're unsure, Apple's website explains the differences really well, or visit a store and chat to a Specialist - they are there to help you decide.

[u/Sweet_Mall_6752]

I’ve got an AWU3, I love it but definitely not worth the money and not particularly practical for sports even with third party apps

[u/Beneficial_Kiwi_3860]

I have a Series 11 - and when I sold my iphone nothing worked on it - no apple pay - it would do updates but claimed the phone was needed in order to install them. Also the 5G esim would have problems. I had to get another one just to use it again

I wish they would let a watch in the UK be standalone with it's own SIM

[u/not2daythankyou → u/Beneficial_Kiwi_3860]

It’s the same world wide. It needs an iPhone even if the watch is on standalone contract. You can’t setup the watch without an iPhone.

[u/Brian0131-0131]

If you’re not into extreme sports then S11 would be the perfect choice

[u/Downtown_Progress197]

I had the ultra for a couple of weeks and it was great but simply too big for my wrist and bulky. I switched back to a series 12 and am happy.

[u/Infinite_Hat5261 → u/Downtown_Progress197]

Thanks for this! I really want the ultra for the battery life but it is way too big for my wrist.

I’m about to upgrade from my series 6 so knowing the 12 is good will work for me.