Apple Watch Connoisseur needs DESPERATE HELP with my Versa 2

[Thornbury150]

Back story - I've been an AVID iPhone user for almost a decade. I edit on my Mac, use my Apple Watch like it's a computer on my arm..you get the picture. Well, after my Apple watch was knocked off the table by my so perfect kitty (eh hem), it shattered, and long story short - it wasn't covered, unless I wanted to pay another $400.

Fast forward 2 days, and I am now the proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (with a new carrier). I LOVE this phone, but was REALLY missing my Apple Watch. Im not sure about you, but I used that thing for EV-ER-Y-THING! I went and bought the Versa 2, and waited every so impatiently for it to arrive. Here are the apps I want on there:

Cell (all calls)

Text messages

FB Messenger messages

Ring Doorbell

What do I get? Absolutely NOTHING! It tracks steps, and that is it. I've reset it several times; I've changed the permission to make sure it can access every little thing on my phone. At this point, I'm so frustrated I want to either return it for a Galaxy Active 2 watch, or a Garmin. 

Help me, please! 

Lost in Tennessee

[lorraineg]

I have the original Versa and an iphone. I just ordered the Samsung Active 2 and will put up with limited capatibility with the iphone/Samsung combination instead of dealing with the Versa any longer. The HR is inaccurate (do a search here) and my bank never got on board so I can't use the Fitbit Pay. There have been a slew of issues every time there's an update devices are ending up bricked. Since you already have a Samsung phone (my next purchase), I'd opt for the Active 2.

[Thornbury150]

Thank you for the candid and honest feedback. I was trying to save money, so went with the Versa 2, over the Samsung Active 2. However, this Versa 2 was still $200 (I didn't get it on the cool sale this past week). Will gather up another $150 and swap over to the Samsung Active 2.

[lorraineg]

Active2 40mm (BT/WiFi) without LTE is 249.00 right now at Best Buy, Walmart and Samsung.com. Amazon too!

Sent from my iPhone

[Thornbury150]

This is where I get frustratingly confused. I loved my Apple watch...set it, sync it and go. This one? No idea.

Do I need LTE in order to be able to sync my calls, texts, and app's such as The Ring and FB Messenger?

[lorraineg]

You need LTE if you want to use your device without a phone. If you’re just syncing messages, FB, mail THROUGH your phone, you don’t need It.

Also if you were going to be content with Fitbit you'd be going non LTE, they don't offer it.

“Smartwatches that include an LTE radio connect on their own to cellular networks. They use apps and receive and send messages, even if your phone is far away. In addition to requiring an LTE radio, a smartwatch must connect to the same carrier as your phone. Because the radio, antenna, and battery are smaller in a smartwatch than in a smartphone, you may find that the wrist device doesn't perform as well in marginal cellular connections.
Carriers generally provision LTE-capable smartwatches with a separate data plan and a dedicated phone number”


Sent from my iPhone

[Thornbury150]

Thank you so much for the information. I do not necessarily want to INITIATE a phone call, but if it rings while I'm exercising (phone is always in my pants), I want to be able to answer via my bluetooth headphone . Additionally, I want to be able to voice text to respond to a text via watch. 

As with my Apple watch, I always had my iphone with me. 

Given that, do you think a non-LTE work? 

[lorraineg]

You should be fine. Your Apple Watch just synced with your phone (you’d be aware if you were using LTE on it).

Sent from my iPhone