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Verizon has introduced prepaid plans for cellular smartwatches. While there has been no official announcement or press release, the carrier‘s website lists a couple of prepaid options for smartwatches with cellular connectivity. The plans probably went live recently.
Verizon users can now get prepaid plans for their smartwatches
Cellular smartwatches have been around for a long time now. They allow you to stay connected even when your phone isn’t around. You can keep the phone at home during morning runs and gym sessions while remaining connected to a cellular network.
While this sounds great, carriers have been reluctant to offer prepaid plans for smartwatches. You need to get a postpaid connection to enjoy cellular connectivity on your wrist wearable. Verizon is changing that with its new prepaid options, called Prepaid Connected Smartwatch plans.
First spotted by 9to5Google, Verizon is offering the same plan in two variants—Number Share and Standalone. As you might expect, the former option shares the same phone number you use on your smartphone. You will receive and make calls from both devices. The devices must have the same prepaid plan and run the same operating system, i.e. you cannot pair an iPhone with a Wear OS smartwatch or an Android phone with an Apple Watch.
The Standalone option, on the other hand, gives you a separate phone number for your smartwatch. The wearable will be completely independent of your smartwatch as far as cellular connectivity is concerned. Both options are priced at $10 a month (plus taxes and fees) and offer the same features. You get unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data with a 15GB high-speed cap and unlimited talk and text.
Most watches are compatible with these prepaid plans
Verizon’s website notes that prepaid accounts cannot add more than ten phone lines, including smartphones, basic phones, tablets, and Mobile Hotspots. With smartwatch plans, the maximum limit is 30 lines. The carrier also states that the Apple Watch Series 3 isn’t eligible for a standalone smartwatch repair plan. Last but not least, Palm devices and Hum aren’t eligible for prepaid service.
Apart from these, Verizon doesn’t mention any other major limitations. You can bring your own compatible Wear OS or Apple watch and activate a prepaid plan. The Google Pixel Watch 2, which is currently selling under $300, should be eligible for Verizon’s new prepaid smartwatch plans. If you are purchasing a new cellular smartwatch from the carrier, you can pick a plan at the time of purchase.