Some smartwatches can connect to mobile networks, allowing them to recieve calls and texts away from your phone (sometimes even synced to your phone’s number). Verizon has charged $10 per month for that feature, but now, it’s going up in price.
Verizon has announced that its smartwatch plan is going up in price significantly. Now, instead of $10 a month, keeping your smartwatch connected to Verizon’s network will now set you back $15 each month. It’s a $5 increase, which on paper is not that bad, but given that the price was previously just $10, this is a whopping 50% increase in price. In an email, Verizon noted to customers that “to continue improving our industry-leading network and services, the price of select Smartwatch data plans will change as of June 3, 2024. In addition to all watch plans giving you the freedom to stay connected, unlimited plans using number share now also include unlimited calling, texting, and data to, from, and within Canada and Mexico.”
The new price will enter effect on June 3rd, so you have a little over a month left to enjoy the old pricing while it lasts. You also need to pay additional taxes on the increased plan, so it actually turns out to be a bit more than $15 as well. The silver lining here is that if you happen to be taking advantage of any discounts to your smartwatch line, such as discounts that are tied to certain phone plans, those discounts will also apply to the new pricing as well, so the price hike won’t affect you as badly. But if you want out because of it, some of you might be out of luck, as you’ll still be forced to continue paying for the line for as long as you owe a balance on your watch.
On other hand, it’s just $5, regardless of how much of a percentual increase it already is. On the other hand, though, it’s a problem just like the $2/$3 increases in streaming services are a problem—they start adding up, and when you least expect it, your expenses have increased considerably for stuff you already had.
Source: Android Authority
