Choosing the best Apple Watch isn't just about picking colors and bands. You also need to ask yourself whether you need an Apple Watch GPS or GPS + Cellular. No matter which one you choose, you'll have the same key features of the Apple Watch.

Both can monitor your health and track your workouts. But choosing an Apple Watch GPS + Cellular gives you a few extra perks. For instance, maybe you'd like to do more without having to worry about carrying your i Phone with you.

If that's ever crossed your mind, there's a good chance that an Apple Watch with cellular capabilities is the right choice for you. The Apple Watch relies on the i Phone by design, and there isn't really a way to use it without one. But Series 3 introduced cellular connectivity to the Apple Watch.

It was the missing piece needed to make it more independent of the i Phone. The Apple Watch connects automatically to the SIM card in your phone. No complex setup needed.

A cellular Apple Watch gives you pretty much everything from the GPS version. The difference is that you can do all the Apple Watch things without having to carry your i Phone around. Send and receive messages, answer calls, check notifications, stream music.

All of this can be done right from your Apple Watch over 4G or 5G (if you have a Series 11 or later). Having an Apple Watch GPS + Cellular gives you the freedom to leave home without your phone more often. Parents can even set up an Apple Watch for a child using a cellular model.

By doing so, your children can use all the great Apple Watch features without you having to give them an i Phone. It's a clever solution to help your kids stay in touch without exposing them to Tik Tok distractions. Choosing an Apple Watch GPS + Cellular also comes with some trade-offs, and the most obvious one is the price.

In short, you'll pay more for an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity. Upgrading to a cellular model costs an extra $100 for the base Apple Watch models. The higher-end titanium models and the Ultra come with cellular built in.

Your carrier may charge you a fee as well. Then there's the battery issue. Using cellular connectivity on Apple Watch drains the battery much faster.

It's really meant for situations where you'll be away from your i Phone for a short time. Don't think you'll be able to spend the whole day out without your i Phone –- the battery probably won't last that long. Still, if that matters to you, an Apple Watch GPS + Cellular is definitely worth the extra money.