Apple Watch SE3: GPS or cellular?

[Sy_]

Apologies if this has been asked already, but I want the opportunity for follow up questions unique to my circumstances.

According to my emails, I have the SIM 20GB 24M £10 T plan since December 2024, although I think it has morphed into something else since then and I pay like £13.50 now.

I have an iPhone 13. I want to get a secondhand Apple Watch SE3 as sufficient for my health monitoring. I understand there are two types: GPS and cellular. I understand that cellular that’s require the proximity of a phone to work and is thus a little more expensive.

When I am doing activities that does not require my phone, I like to keep it off. I’m inclined to GPS only as adequate for my needs. If I am running without my phone, the stats will be updated on my phone once I am back with it, correct?

Would it be worthwhile getting the cellular version and is my phone and EE plan compatible?
Am I correct in understanding that if I go for a cellular plan, then I will need to pay EE extra per month?

Thank you for the attention.

[Chris_B · Accepted solution]

@Sy_  To have a cellular watch on contact it’ll cost you £7 per month and it’s a 30 day rolling contract and you’ll get 10Gb of data just for the watch (. This is way way more than you need ).   A cellular watch is great for when you don’t want your phone with you ie when you go for a run as you can still make/receive call/texts.  
A none cellular watch needs a phones network connection to work for calls/texts but it will track your run via GPS.     You can get a cellular watch and then choose if you want to have a cellular connection for it.   You can start stop it when ever you like with 30 days notice.   

I’ve got a cellular Apple Watch and I don’t have cellular plan for it as my phone is always with me.  But it’s nice to know that I could have a plan for it if I choose too.       Your phone has to be on iOS 26 in order for the SE 3 to pair with it.   

it’s the GPS version that requires a phone to have a data connection.     The watch will function perfectly fine away from the phone it just will not have a data connection unless you’ve connected it to WiFi.  Both cellular and none cellular can connect to WiFi it’s just the cellular version is like having a phone on your wrist when out and about if you don’t have the phone with you. 

[Sy_]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I have better clarity now to choose. I cross-referenced some of the details provided. I query minimum iOS capability, however please do not let that diminish from my appreciation of your giving your time and efforts to help me. Best wishes.