Cricket Carrier and the new Apple Watch Series 11

It means Cricket does not support standalone cellular for Apple Watch. The watch would still connect over Bluetooth to your iPhone and work as expected using the iPhone as its data path. In fact this is the default route even for cellular enabled Apple Watch, and standalone cellular is only used as the last resort when the paired iPhone and WiFi are both unavailable.

Bottom line, there is probably no point spending the extra for a cellular version Apple Watch. Get the GPS version and save $100, it will do everything except connect to internet when your iPhone is out of range

BrentonWisniewski wrote:

I actually have a similar issue, but with US Mobile. The primary problem is actually that Apple has the main cellular companies under NDA, so when new connection technology comes out, MVNOs don't have access to be able to configure or test anything until products actually launch. I have been in contact with Us Mobile about this, and they are now working with Verizon to be able to support the new 5G modem and eSIM. It will take most MVNOs extra time to get the new watches working. US Mobile is estimating within a month.

There are MVNO's that support the Apple Watch. It all depends on whether or not the MVNO is willing to pay more to the actual carrier for supporting a 2nd phone line on iPhone accounts that include an Apple Watch. For example Xfinity and Spectrum and MVNO's that also support the Apple Watch.

The problem with This is that most MVNO's get business by offering a less expensive cellular plan, but getting a contract with the cellular provider increases costs, which undercuts the MVNO's low price offerings.

Nancy Spoolman wrote:

Thank you for your input and advice. The Apple Watch I have now works fine with Cricket, and we get calls on it.

Two things to consider there if your current watches is the cellular version.

First, check whether your existing watches have working cellular. Or are they simply working through your iPhone and WiFi? Two ways to check this, are you paying extra for your watch to have cell service, and/or do the watches continue to work if you shut down the iPhone or leave it at home. If they are working on cellular standalone, without your iPhone nearby, that is a good indicator they will probably have support soon for the new models.

The second thought is to simply ask Cricket if they plan to support the new Series 11 in the near future. It might be they have the intention but it isn’t up and working yet. However, don’t base buying decisions on a promise, wait until you see it working for real.

I actually have a similar issue, but with US Mobile. The primary problem is actually that Apple has the main cellular companies under NDA, so when new connection technology comes out, MVNOs don't have access to be able to configure or test anything until products actually launch. I have been in contact with Us Mobile about this, and they are now working with Verizon to be able to support the new 5G modem and eSIM. It will take most MVNOs extra time to get the new watches working. US Mobile is estimating within a month.