Being able to take calls when you simply can’t keep your phone handy is a sought-after capability that 4G smart watches offer. You don’t always have to rely on your smartphone while engrossed in a sweaty workout, hiking, jogging, or riding a commute.
These LTE smartwatches keep you connected in many places when WiFi or Bluetooth doesn’t work, or your connected smartphone is not in range. You’ll be able to send messages and receive calls even when your phone is far away.
But not every smartwatch boasts 4G/LTE connectivity. However, major brands in the market all offer 4G smart watches. You can choose between two ecosystems, the Google Wear OS and Apple WatchOS.
If you want to get the best LTE smartwatch overall, check our review of the best 4g smart watches based on our testing of latest models. In this review of the best 4g smart watches, we’ve covered everything from the specs to features and functionality.
#1 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Specs and features
- 1.9in Retina LTPO OLED display with 484 x 396 resolution.
- WatchOS 9.0.
- Embedded eSIM technology.
- Support A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC, LTE, and UMTS connectivity.
- WiFi and 5.3 Bluetooth connectivity.
- Supports Google Pay, Playstore, and Voice Assistant.
- Advanced heart rate tracking, blood sugar monitoring, and fitness features.
- Crash detection, sleep tracking, ECG, and temperature sensors.
- Incident detection feature
- IP6X 50m water and dust resistant.
- 18 hours of short battery life in LTE version.
Review
Apple Watch Series 8 is a powerhouse regarding its cellular connectivity, advanced health tracking, and fitness features. The latest version of the Apple watch comes with embedded eSIM technology, meaning it doesn’t require a physical SIM.
The cellular connectivity is more refined, so you’ll be able to receive phone calls, text messages, and push notifications regardless of the place. But you’ll have to check your cellular plan to get the suitable model of the Watch Series 8.
In addition, while running outside or when you are off the grid, the GPS will track your location accurately. You can also stream music on your watch if you have AirPods connected to your smartphone.
Moreover, this smartwatch is IP6X water resistant, so you can take calls while splashing around in up to 50m of water. The only downside that comes with the Apple watch, whether LTE or non-LTE version, is the mediocre battery life of 18 hours. Regardless of the short battery life, the Apple Watch still stands tall in the list of best 4G smart watches and you should definitely think of getting one.
#2 Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Specs and features
- 1.4in Super AMOLED display with 450 x 450 resolution.
- Wear OS 3.5.
- Embedded eSIM technology.
- Support A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC, and LTE connectivity.
- WiFi and 5.2 Bluetooth connectivity.
- Call, text, streaming music, and notifications support.
- Light sensor, ECG sensor, heart rate, and blood pressure monitoring.
- Google Assistant, Google Pay, and Playstore support.
- IP68 water resistant.
- 18 hours of battery life with daily LTE use.
Review
IF you are looking for 4G smartwatches and you don’t want the Apple eco-system, then the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is for you. If you have an Android phone, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is perfect for your 4G/LTE connectivity needs. However, you’ll get even more benefits if you pair the Galaxy watch with your Samsung Galaxy phone.
This LTE watch provides all cellular functions, such as phone calls, text messages, and notifications. You can also stream music on the Galaxy watch from YouTube Music and Spotify apps.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch features sapphire glass that is scratch resistant, comfortable to wear, and loaded with smart features, Google Assistant, and maps for Android users. Additionally, the Galaxy watch also comes equipped with Samsung Pay and a health monitoring app.
Moreover, the Samsung Galaxy Watch provides GPS tracking, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity. A blood oxygen sensor on the Galaxy watch monitors oxygen levels, a fitness app tracks stead-paced workouts, and a heart rate monitor takes and records ECG readings.
Moreover, the Galaxy watch offers a battery life of 18 hours if your LTE connection is on. However, it is a bit lacking in sports and workout tracking, but it does provide access to third-party apps.
#3 Google Pixel Watch (LTE Variant)
Specs and features
- 1.2in AMOLED display with 450 X 450 pixels.
- Wear OS 3.5.
- Embedded eSIM technology.
- 4G/LTE and UTMS connectivity.
- NFC, GPS, GLONASS, WiFi, and 5.0 Bluetooth connectivity.
- Calls, messages, and notification support.
- Emergency SOS and international emergency calling support.
- All-day activity, sleep, and heart rate monitoring.
- ECG measurements, Fitbit health, and fitness integration.
- 5ATM water resistant.
- 12 hours of battery life with daily LTE use.
Review
Google Pixel Watch boasts a unique design and, paired with Fitbit features, delivers a premium fitness experience than you can expect from a Wear OS watch. You can pair the LTE watch with any non-Pixel phone, and all the features will still work.
The LTE smartwatch version allows activation of a 4G/LTE plan to connect it to a compatible smartphone. You can make and receive calls, texts, and notifications from any place.
A Fitbit app integration tracks sports and workouts while you can also enjoy Fitbit’s premium health features. Precisely, it can take ECG readings, track your heart rate, and 40 workout types.
This cellular smartwatch provides 12 hours of battery life with the GPS, LTE, and fitness app turned on. However, the blood sugar monitoring feature is inactive in this LTE smartwatch.
#4 Apple Watch Ultra
Specs and features
- 1.92in Retina LTPO OLED display with 502 x 410 resolution.
- WatchOS 9.0.
- Embedded eSIM technology.
- Standard 4G/LTE support and emergency SOS.
- A-GPS, GLONASS, WiFi, and 5.3 Bluetooth Connectivity.
- Temperature, siren, heart rate, blood sugar, and sports tracking features.
- 18 hours of battery life with daily LTE use.
- NFC support for cashless payments.
- 5ATM water resistant up to 100 meters.
- 18 hours of battery life with daily LTE use.
Review
Apple Watch Ultra is the best LTE smartwatch for outdoorsy people. One of the biggest perks of thus LTE smartwatch is its big and bright display, which offers 2000 nits peak brightness for easy readability of texts and notifications.
Another best thing is that it comes with standard 4G/LTE support, meaning you won’t have to pay a premium to use this added feature. Packed with slick features, this LTE smartwatch offers emergency SOS support and a siren that can be heard 600 feet away.
You can wear this LTE smartwatch while indulging in water sports, as it allows you to submerge up to 100 meters of water. This LTE smartwatch offers improved features for runners and hikers and accurate heart rate monitoring.
A dual-frequency GPS mode tracks movements precisely while a backtrack feature guide you back to your starting point. With LTE turned on, you can use it for around 18 hours daily. However, Apple Watch Ultra can be a bit chunky for petite wrists.
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#5 Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE
Specs and features
- 1.2 transflective display with 240 x 240 resolution.
- 4G/LTE connectivity with live tracking.
- Added emergency assistance for (IERCC).
- Cellular support for spectator text and voice messages and live event tracking.
- WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS, and onboard maps.
- Advanced athletics tracking and safety features.
- Health monitoring and fitness features.
- Built-in Garmin Pay feature.
- 5ATM water resistant.
- Battery life of up to 10 hours with daily GPS and LTE use.
Review
Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE smartwatch delivers the best in its cellular support for safety and live event tracking. It offers phone-free safety features to share your live location with your family and send text and audio.
You can also receive messages from your friends and families in real time. In addition, it supports sending messages to your emergency contacts or directly to the international emergency response center (IEERC).
Moreover, this smartwatch is slim and lightweight and houses a staggering range of advanced athletics tracking, outdoor recreation modes, full-color maps, and wireless tools.
It also offers a sleep tracking tool, a built-in Garmin Pay wallet for cashless payments, and optical heart rate monitoring. Also, the battery can last for 10 hours with music streaming and GPS.
#6 TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE
Specs and features
- Wear OS.
- 1.39in AMOLED display with 400 x 400 resolution + + FSTN LCD.
- 4G/LTE cellular support with Verizon’s network.
- WiFi, GPS, GLONASS, and 4.2 Bluetooth connectivity.
- Google Pay, Playstore, and Voice Assistant support.
- PPG heart rate sensor, off-body sensor, and e-compass.
- In-built TicHealth AI activity tracking and Google Fit.
- Smart and Essential Mode.
- IP68 water resistant.
- Compatible with Android and iOS.
- 1.5 days with the display turned on.
Review
TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE comes with a solid build, an impressive battery life, and a low-power LCD display. In fact, it has dual-layered screens, with the top FSTN LCD kicking in whenever the battery levels are low in Essential Mode.
However, it is not the only mode that this smartwatch offers. You can also switch on the Smart Mode to extend battery life.
TicWatch partners with the Verizon network to offer 4G/LTE cellular support for calls, texts, and notifications. You can still receive notifications through cloud sync even if you don’t have a corresponding app for Whatsapp or Gmail on your watch.
It has a built-in GPS, NFC support for cashless payments, and its own AI-powered TicHealth suite for tracking heart rate and workouts.
However, you may miss the sleep tracking function as Ticwatch Pro 4G/LTE offers none. Also, your phone must have the same network as Verizon because this Wear OS smartwatch only supports it exclusively.
#7 Fossil Gen 5 LTE Smartwatch
Specs and features
- Wear OS.
- 1.28in AMOLED display with 416 x 416 resolution.
- Built-in speaker and mic.
- 4G/LTE connectivity supports Verizon’s network.
- GPS, GLONASS, NFC, WiFi, and 4.2 Bluetooth support.
- Heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and blood oxygen measurements.
- Supports apps by Google LLC.
- 3ATM water resistant.
- 1.5 days of battery life with LTE, WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Custom battery modes.
Review
If you are an Android and a Verizon user Fossil Gen 5 LTE smartwatch is a good option. You can use your existing Verizon line and don’t have to use different numbers on your phone and these 4G smart watches.
Phone calls are crisp from the built-in speaker and mic, and you can receive text and notifications reliably on these 4G smart watches while disconnected from Bluetooth and WiFi.
In addition, this smartwatch offers enhanced custom battery modes that you can tweak to extend its battery life and sleep tracking. Even with the display and all connections switched on, it delivers 1.5 days of battery life.
Fossil Gen 5 LTE also features a heart rate monitor and blood and oxygen tracker. However, it is not compatible with iOS, has an aging Wear OS and is only Verizon exclusive.
4g Smart watches: The Verdict
As you’ve probably gathered from our review of the best 4g smart watches, it depends on each user’s specific needs for an LTE smartwatch.
But when it comes to 4g smart watches with robust LTE features, stunning aesthetics, and advanced health and fitness tracking, Apple Watch Series is a definite winner. It also happens to be the best among 4g smart watches for iPhone users.
Besides LTE connectivity, the 4G smart watches from Apple offer a premium design, available in different sizes and are packed with temperature, fitness, heart rate, and sleep tracking features.
You’ll also get access to functionalities such as blood sugar monitoring, crash detection, emergency SOS, and location tracking features. Moreover, the Apple 4G smart watches offer contactless payments and built-in support for Google Assistant and Playstore.
Do check Smartwatch Republic for similar comparisons and latest reviews.
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4g Smart Watches: Frequently Asked Questions
Do smartwatches have 4G?
Not all smartwatches come with 4G/LTE connectivity. But many major brands offer 4g smartwatches in the same model. Therefore, to get a 4G smartwatch, you’ll have to check if the model you wish to use offers LTE connectivity.
Which is the best 4G smartwatch?
Apple Watch Series 8 is the best among 4G smart watches due to its advanced 4G/LTE capabilities. You can make or receive calls and send or receive emergency SOS messages and notifications with these 4G smart watches. Plus, you don’t have to have your iPhone with you to stream music on these 4g smart watches. You can do that with your Apple AirPods.
What is a 4G smartwatch?
4G smart watches comes with LTE-supported features allowing you to link to a cellular plan without needing your smartphone. However, for the 4G smart watches to be able to take calls and receive messages, you’ll have to connect them to the same plan that you use on your phone.
Do 4G smart watches need a SIM card?
4G smart watches need a SIM card for cellular connectivity. Though, some of the latest 4g smart watches come with in-built eSIM technology, which doesn’t require a physical card.