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Apple Watch E-SIM Mobile Plan (Unlimited Data, Calls & Text) $9.99 a Month or $99.99 a Year @ Truphone

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I was looking up at upgrading my current Apple Watch and came across this esim plan. Seems interesting, but can’t see what network they use. They also offer 7 days trial.

My understanding is that you can add the Apple watches to your original plan (so I’m assuming if you already have a Apple Watch connected to a main provider you can add plans for your kids for example)

From website:

AFFORDABLE CELLULAR WATCH PLANS
Our unlimited Apple Watch bundles are designed especially for your Apple Watch family. One flat fee. No contract. Pay on an annual or monthly basis.

MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION
$9.99 / Month or $99.99 a year
7 days free trial for first subscription
Unlimited Data, Voice & SMS
Phone number included
No lock-in contract
Fast 4G data speeds
Voice calls
Free eSIM included

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  • +3

    Wait a minute… I never knew that you could have 2 different plans on iPhone and Apple Watch.

    FYI, apparently there is a foreign fee as part of payment but not sure if this is still valid.

    "Note that AUD pre payments are put through a London bank and attract 'foreign fees' in my case $1.50 for each $50 prepayment."

    https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/truphone-australia

    Edit: OK, it looks like it's done via Family Setup… which makes sense and I didn't;t really explore Family Setup closely before… Not sure if you are a single person using a single watch would you still be able to get this service…

    https://www.truphone.com/au/about/newsroom/how-to-add-a-mobi…

    With a new feature launched today – Apple Watch Family Setup – customers can now use their iPhone to set up multiple Apple Watches for family members. Each Watch can then make or receive calls and messages, use Siri, use Maps, and more—with their own number and account.

    With Watch OS 7, Apple Watch supports two modes. The first is paired to iPhone where the iPhone and Watch share the same mobile and billing contract. The second mode, Family Set-up, which Truphone offers mobile plans for, is where the Apple Watch is set up as a standalone device with its own mobile number and not linked to the mobile operator used for the iPhone. This second mode is designed for family members.

    • Yes it’s a brand new feature with watch ios 7. I am going to add more details to deal tonight (as off to work) once I find out more.

    • +2

      Not sure if you are a single person using a single watch would you still be able to get this service…

      I think its the mindset, that Apple probably assumed that carriers (as in the US) offer esim access as part of a normal plan.

      Here in Oz, they use this as a "premium" offering. Whereas the cheaper services like Boost etc dont.

      So effectively Apple has assumed that since you can "normally" get esim access on your base plan, that families are the only ones who would want this other number feature.

      So if you just think of your wrist as an other member of your family, then you can get your head around this.

      • +1

        Yup, understood, thanks!

        This means that if you want to use this service for a single person, you need a different Apple ID for the Apple Watch. And it seems not all features are available - not sure what that means…

        "Not all features will be available if Apple Watch is set up through Family Setup."

        https://www.apple.com/au/newsroom/2020/12/family-setup-on-ap…

        I think on my end I would prefer to maintain the same Apple ID for the Watch as it makes more sense - SMS notifications, ECG Health, face mask/macbook unlock, etc for an individual.

        But if some individual desperately needs a mobile plan for the Apple Watch because the current mobile plan does not have Apple Watch esim, I guess this is a way to get one.

  • +1

    Network appears to be Optus

    https://www.lightreading.com/truphone-signs-up-optus/d/d-id/…

    Just another bit of info

    Your Apple Watch plan is limited to one country only. If you intend to connect your Apple Watch(s) in another country, you will need to buy a separate plan. Service will not be available while roaming and international calls and sms are unavailable. Premium rate numbers and services are also blocked.

  • Why wouldn’t you just use the same number as your phone as an add on ?

    • I suppose this is cheaper ($99.99 unlimited a year?)

      • -1

        if you’re on Telstra/Optus/Vodafone it’s only $5 a month so this isn’t cheaper.

        • +5

          If you are on a Telstra/Optus/Vodafone branded postpaid plan, and your employer is not paying, please turn in your OzBargain membership.
          It has been nice to know you, and we wish you the best in your future endeavours.

        • +1

          So you mean your current overpriced plan plus $5

          • @asa79: Mine is $25, and I still have 3 free data share sims

    • +1

      You can only get it as an add on if you're through Telstra/Optus/Vodafone directly, rather than through one of their much cheaper resellers. It effectively turns a $5-10 a month add-on into $40-70 more a month you need to pay to be on one of those providers and connect a watch.

    • In Australia, the networks have make phone eSIMs a very expensive proposition.
      Instead of paying $10 per month to Belong with occasional data boost, the cheapest eligible Tesltra plan is $55/month, and $5 for OneNumber - that is an extra $500/year plus.

      Optus and Voda may be a bit cheaper, but not much.

      So $100/year would be good, except you lose the iphone integration, which is what makes it worth having.

      Another option is to use wifi when you don't have the phone, e.g. at the gym.
      At the beach you could carry a pocket wifi modem, or leave it in the car if in range.
      (To make voice calls you need carrier wifi calling? Or a VPN to the same LAN as your phone?)

  • Wow, this sounds great, has anyone tried it?
    It was dissapointing to find out that there are only 3 options for eSIM in Australia (Telstra, Optus or Vodafone), but this seems like a much cheaper option!

  • I suppose that I couldn't use my Boost prepaid number with the esim?

    • +2

      With Unlimited calls you can forward your Boost calls on no answer, or other conditions, to any other mobile (or landline) number at no cost.

      Since Boost doesnt offer the esim feature this would be an alternative solution to changing suppliers.

      • Thanks, will have a look on how to do all that

  • This has been available for some time now, I don't see this as a deal.

    As an aside, it's the only provider in Australia that supports family setup for the watch - so if you want to give an Apple watch to a kid (or someone else without an iPhone) this is your only option.

  • I did the 7-day trial, it was a real pain, my wife had to set up family sharing on her iPhone, then allow my iWatch, not all features were available on my watch, really stupid it should allow me to use my own iPhone, the cancellation was real easy as your credit card is not charged till after the 7-day trial expires

    • That sounds painful, I suppose the trial is good then especially as easy to cancel. So if you are not part of a family group you can't access this?

  • +1

    Will this work in other esim devices?

  • +2

    I did this for mum for fall detection but she doesn't have an iPhone.

    You do lose out on the ECG etc but you can still call and receive text via the watch's own mobile number. Running purely on esim and not paired to the phone means battery life does take a little bit unless you are using wifi at home/work.

    Adding it to my own vodafone plan means mum will get my calls and SMS on her watch which wasn't ideal. She uses a cheap aldi prepaid and an old android phone so wasn't an option.

    Truphone uses Vodafone not optus unless it's changed since I did it a few months back

    • +1

      This will be exactly how I hope to use the Apple Watch I’ve sent to my Dad (fall detection) so I really appreciate your post.

      He’ll mostly be on wifi at his house so we will try the 7 day trial and if it’s decent, do the full year for $100.

      Thanks again

      • +2

        Since then I've upgraded her to a cheap iPhone as the battery drain on cellular for the watch meant it didn't last long at all

  • I’ve got this Truphone plan X3 for my 3kids’ Apple Watches. Pain in the butt. It’s the only option for the new Family Sharing option. But if one of the kids lock the device and needs it re-set, you lose the phone number (esim). It’s happened to two of the three numbers already 🤦🏽‍♂️
    To switch the kids to Telstra or Vodafone mean having a postpaid plan (min $49/mth), plus the extra $5/month for the esim. No chance.
    Currently I have each child on a separate:
    1) 3x Truphone 10/month plan. Unlimited Calls, text and data. (Can’t tether data)
    2) 3X Belong $10/month (grandfathered with unlimited calls and text and 1GB data)
    Any tips would be appreciated.

    • Have you tried talking toTruphone support

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