I want to buy an apple watch 10 GPS version in hong kong, since here there are no taxes on such items, but I live in Germany. Will there be any issues if I buy the watch here in HK but use it back home in Germany?
A GPS only Apple Watch works anywhere your iPhone works. It does not care about carriers, or other things, except the software installed will always be country of origin specific.
watchOS - Feature Availability - Apple
will tell you if the Hong Kong version has all the same features as the Germany version.
The warranty is country specific.
A GPS only Apple Watch works anywhere your iPhone works. It does not care about carriers, or other things, except the software installed will always be country of origin specific.
watchOS - Feature Availability - Apple
will tell you if the Hong Kong version has all the same features as the Germany version.
The warranty is country specific.
An Apple Watch GPS is not country specific and could receive warranty service at an Apple Retail Store. Authorized Apple Service providers may refuse service.
Have a look at this related Apple Support page, which features are supported in these countries:
watchOS - Feature Availability - Apple
My biggest concern would be the warranty, which may be restricted to the country of purchase by Apple.
The similar watch in the German Apple Online Store would cost about 80€ more.
The watchOS is also country specific. An Apple Watch bought in the Hong Kong will always install the watchOS version and all available features for this country, including restrictions for some features.
Also remember, that the warranty for an Apple Watch may be restricted by Apple to the country of purchase.
In case of a warranty claim, you will have to bring the watch back to the country of purchase, Apple Support does not ship internationally.
Carriers no, but features are country specific.
For example the U.S. model will not support the O2 sensor, and taking the watch to another country will not enable it.
Some countries restrict FaceTime.
ECG is not approved in all countries.
I checked, actually it would cost around 100 euros less here in HK, so I wanted to use the opportunity, as I need a new watch :)
But in the end, I will not do that because of the potential issues with warranty and limited/different features.
You're welcome 🙂
And, if your watch costs more than 430€, you will have to pay tax when returning to Germany:
Traveler Allowance Customs Germany
The software limitations do not preclude warranty services. The patients that Apple infringed expire in 2028 and will be able to be updated to provide blood oxygen measurements at that time. I don’t specifically know if Apple would do that for a Watch purchased in the US if serviced overseas.
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/12/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-sensor-software/
Thanks for your reply, that is what I was also suspecting and thus the question.
Thanks! But will the watch work in Germany (or Sweden)? Is there an issue to have a hong kong specific watchOS?
Buying an Apple Watch 10 GPS in Hong Kong, but I live in Germany/Europe.
