US Apple Watch 5

[MichaelHorn]

Hi all,

I’m thinking of buying a US version of the Apple Watch 5, and I’m wondering if I’ll be able to use the cellular version on O2 in the UK. I’ve checked the LTE bands that the US version supports, and they’re identical to the UK version, apart from missing band 20, which is one of the bands O2 uses. Will I still be able to use the cellular functions of the watch and just have patchy service where towers are using band 20, or will the watch not work at all?

[MI5]

@MichaelHorn 

It's highly unlikely that you'll get satisfactory service.

We know of people who have bough us versions of the iPhone and they haven't worked well at all over here. 

[MichaelHorn]

Thanks. Do you know of a map that shows which bands are used where across the country? What’s really tempting me into buying one in the US is that it works out so much cheaper. The cellular version there is only £20 more than the GPS version here.

[MI5]

The Open Signal website is pretty good. Might help you.

[Bambino · Accepted solution]

@MichaelHorn What you save in cost you may lose in terms of reliability and connectivity. Also be aware that you would most likely have no warranty on the device in the UK, and would probably have to send it back to the US should you need any repair. You should speak to Apple UK about that before you make your purchase.