This year’s Apple Watches won’t piggyback off your phone’s GPS
by Victoria Song from The Verge - All Posts on (#671NY)
All of the 2022 models will use built-in GPS sensors 100 percent of the time, even if you have your iPhone on hand.
If you're thinking of buying a new Apple Watch, there's something you should know about the GPS tracking. Apple has confirmed that the Apple Watch Series 8, second-gen SE, and Ultra won't piggyback off your iPhone's GPS signal if your phone is nearby. Instead, all three will rely on their built-in GPS sensors. Older models, however, will still use your iPhone's GPS when possible.
While this change wasn't a secret, it flew under the radar because of flashier updates like Crash Detection, temperature sensors, and, well, the Ultra's entire existence. However, DC Rainmaker - a well-respected sports and endurance tech reviewer - spotted that Apple made it official by adding a line to an Apple Watch support page.
* Apple Watch Ultra, Series...