Apple Watch Cellular available in Ireland with Vodafone

Amanda Nelson, CEO of Vodafone Ireland. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Adrian Weckler

The Apple Watch Cellular edition, which allows a user to call, stream, text and otherwise stay connected online without having a phone nearby, has launched in Ireland.

It is being offered solely with Vodafone through its OneNumber plan, which costs €5 per month extra on some of the operator’s more expensive 24-month bill pay plans. It is currently being offered with a three-month free trial.

The service works with any Apple Watch Cellular edition from the Series 4 model up, using at least WatchOS 10.5 and with an iPhone that uses at least iOS 17.5. The current Apple Watch is the Series 9.

The Watch Cellular editions cost more to buy than the GPS editions, but are popular in other countries with runners and outdoor activists who want connectivity or music and podcasts on-the-go without having to carry a phone.

The technology underpinning the service is eSims, which was provided for by the telecoms regulator in 2021.

There is no indication that other Irish mobile operators will offer Apple Watch Cellular support in the near future.

“As the first operator to launch OneNumber cellular watch connectivity for Apple Watch in Ireland, we are delighted to give customers the freedom and security of staying connected wherever they go,” said Amanda Nelson, CEO at Vodafone Ireland.

Vodafone launched the cellular service with Samsung Watches last year.

The move comes after a slew of updates to the Apple Watch through WatchOS 11, announced this week. These include health updates, Apple Fitness+ upgrades, menstrual cycle tracking improvements and more customisation.