Smartwatches Still Fall Short of Replacing Smartphones After Nearly 10 Years of Cellular Upgrades
Updated
Updated · Boy Genius Report · May 27
Smartwatches Still Fall Short of Replacing Smartphones After Nearly 10 Years of Cellular Upgrades
2 articles · Updated · Boy Genius Report · May 27
Nearly 10 years after cellular Apple Watches debuted, daily phone-free use still breaks down on battery life, weaker assistants and missing or limited apps.
Cellular models can handle short outings well—payments, music, maps, calls and transit—but longer use exposes the gaps once messaging, social media or extended calls become central.
Apps such as WhatsApp and 2FA tools have improved standalone use, yet key tasks like ordering an Uber, using many bank apps or taking photos still require another device.
The result is that a smartwatch works better as a temporary escape from constant phone use than as a true smartphone replacement for everyday life.
Is the true destiny of the smartwatch to be a medical device, rather than a replacement for our phones?
With AI glasses from Google and Meta arriving, is the Apple Watch's dominance in wearables at risk?
Will smart glasses finally let us leave our phones behind, or just add another device to our daily charging routine?