“The Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE has a twist for international bargain hunters,” Sascha Segan reports for PC Magazine. “The US version won’t work on LTE in most countries outside North America.”
“It’s well known that because of import duties, sales taxes, and currency valuations, Apple products tend to be cheaper in the US than in Europe,” Segan reports. “Apple Stores in touristy cities in the US tend to be packed with travelers who pick up iPhones or MacBooks and throw out the packaging before they get to the airport to avoid import duties.”
“That price difference holds with the Apple Watch Series 3,” Segan reports. “The savings is a false economy, though. There are two models of the Apple Watch LTE, a North American one and an ‘overseas’ one. So in Europe, the US version of Series 3 is the the Apple Watch Without Cellular. (The US and Canadian models are the same one.)”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Yes, if you want an Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) to work in Europe, you’ll have to buy the European model and pay the extra taxes.
SEE ALSO:
Ars Technica reviews Apple Watch Series 3: Despite some teething pains, it’s great to use – September 27, 2017
Some reviewers’ Apple Watch Series 3 ‘LTE issues’ due to easily-fixable Wi-Fi bug – September 20, 2017
Jim Dalrymple reviews Apple Watch Series 3: ‘Do yourself a favor and get one’ – September 20, 2017
Some reviewers’ Apple Watch Series 3 ‘LTE issues’ due to easily-fixable Wi-Fi bug – September 20, 2017
Wired reviews Apple Watch Series 3: ‘For the first time ever, I love the Apple Watch’ – September 20, 2017
9to5Mac reviews Apple Watch Series 3: Unlocks new potential with LTE, dramatically improved Siri – September 20, 2017
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple Watch Series 3 LTE models selling much faster than expected – September 18, 2017
Why the carriers must drop the Apple Watch LTE connectivity tax – September 15, 2017
How much Apple Watch Series 3 data plans will cost on Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint – September 14, 2017
Apple Watch, the world’s best-selling watch, can now work without an iPhone – September 12, 2017
New Apple Watch Series 3 delivers built-in cellular with powerful new health and fitness enhancements – September 12, 2017
It’s a shame for those of us who travel a lot, but I’m imagining Apple couldn’t fit all that is needed for the various global carriers in the Series 3.
I agree. The technological expertise and design skills exceed Apple’s capacity. Surely, it is physically impossible for Apple to produce an Apple Watch that can function anywhere on the planet.
I don’t see an /s, but if you’re being sarcastic… have you seen the inside of the Series 3? If so, where do you propose that Apple put the additional chip and antennas needed for global carriers?
Obviously Apple could’ve made the Watch bulkier or reduced the battery life to accommodate global coverage, but is that what people really want?
Just buy two Apple Watches, fanboys.
Clearly Apple doesn’t expect business people who travel internationally to buy the Apple Watch.
Why *would* they?
(obviously I’m still struggling with why anybody wants a remote control for their phone.)
Fragmentation?
No, design failure.
You’re both right. Fragmentation due to design failure.
Nah, just Apple being Apple under Tim Cook’s leadership. Good job, Tim. I wouldn’t expect anything less.