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Singtel confirms launch of LTE Apple Watch Series 3 in Singapore on Feb 9 (Update: NumberShare pricing announced!)

By Ng Chong Seng - on 8 Feb 2018, 11:04am

LTE Apple Watch Series 3 launching in Singapore soon?

Is Singapore getting the LTE-enabled Apple Watch Series 3 soon?

Update, Feb 2, 10:15 AM:

Singtel has announced that NumberShare costs S$6.90/month for a "limited time".

Update, Jan 26, 8:20 AM:

Singtel has confirmed that it’s launching the cellular-capable Apple Watch Series 3 starting Feb 9, 2018.

Singtel:

To help customers get started, Singtel will also launch its NumberShare service which allows Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) customers to use the same number as their iPhone, as well as share data and talk time of their mobile plan. Customers can enjoy a special introductory free three-month trial of the service. [...]

Customers can visit www.singtel.com/applewatch for more information.

If you noticed, Singtel has yet to reveal pricing for NumberShare. But we don't expect it to cost more than S$10/month.

For those who just want to get the LTE Apple Watch (Stainless steel! Hermès edition! Ceramic!), you can order it directly from Apple Store online from Feb 2, for delivery on Feb 9. It goes without saying the most affordable LTE Apple Watch is the regular Series 3 with aluminum case, which starts at S$598 (38mm) and S$648 (42mm).

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First published on Jan 10, 2018:

When the Apple Watch Series 3 launched in Singapore last year, many were (and still are) disappointed that Apple didn't bring in the cellular variant. While some truly want to make calls on the Watch sans a phone, many are bummed because the stainless steel and ceramic cases are only on the cellular models.

However this might change soon, as the folks at SG Apple Times have reported that they found listings of the Apple Watch Series 3 cellular models on the IMDA database (now removed). The model A1889 belongs to the 38mm cellular Apple Watch and the model A1891 the 42mm cellular Apple Watch (regardless of case) meant for sale in Europe and Asia Pacific.

The list of European and APAC countries selling the LTE-enabled Apple Watch Series 3 today.

If true, this suggests the cellular-capable Apple Watch Series 3 is launching in Singapore in the very near future. It’s unknown why Apple didn't launch this version last year, though it’s safe to posit that the telcos weren't ready at the time. While this Apple Watch uses eSIM, Apple’s requirements to the telcos may be different from, say, Samsung, which also has an eSIM-equipped smartwatch in the form of the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier. Based on what the overseas carriers had done, we already know Apple requires the LTE-enabled Watch to use the same number as the iPhone paired to it, which likely means any telco that wants to carry it needs to ready its infrastructure and devise new price plans.

It’s unknown which local telco is going to carry the cellular Apple Watch Series 3. Since Singtel and StarHub have experience with the Gear S3 Frontier (LTE), I’d put my money on either (or even both) making an announcement soon.

Source: SG Apple Times.

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