Hashtag Premium Connectivity

What Is Premium Connectivity?

Both the smart #1 and smart #3 come equipped with a built-in cellular eSIM. While the basic Standard Connectivity Package is permanently free for core vehicle services, the Premium Connectivity Package adds the necessary cellular data and licensing to unlock the car’s full infotainment, entertainment, and live navigation capabilities.

New vehicles include a one-year free trial of the Premium package, which operates as a paid subscription thereafter. It is linked directly to the car itself (meaning any driver using the vehicle benefits from it).
The specific breakdown of what features are covered by the Premium tier versus what stays on the Standard tier includes:

Premium Connectivity Features

These are the data-heavy and live-updated features unlocked by the Premium subscription:

1 – Over-the-Air (OTA) Downloads via Cellular: Unlocks the ability for the car to seamlessly download and install major firmware, OS, and feature updates directly over its built-in 4G/5G connection anywhere, without needing you to connect the car to a home Wi-Fi network.

2 – In-Car Audio Streaming Apps: Provides the cellular data required to use integrated native infotainment dashboard apps like Spotify, Amazon Music (supporting Dolby Atmos where applicable), TuneIn Radio, and Radioline without tethering a mobile phone.

3 – Regular & Automatic Map Updates: Continuously patches the native navigation system’s background map data automatically so new roads and layouts are updated on the fly.

4 – In-Car Games: Access to playable cloud and built-in video games directly on the 12.8-inch central touchscreen while the vehicle is safely parked (e.g., during a charging stop).

What Remains in the Standard (Free) Package?

If you let the Premium subscription lapse, the car reverts to the Standard package, which still includes essential connected vehicle features:

1 – In-Built Network Connectivity (Basic): Keeps the car connected to the internet for fundamental telemetry and remote app functions.

2 – The “Hello smart” Mobile App Remote Features: Standard connectivity covers remote preconditions like adjusting climate control, activating seat heating, checking battery status/range, setting up charging schedules, locating the car, and utilizing Digital Key sharing (up to 5 keys).

3 – Intelligent Voice Assistant: The native AI voice assistant (including choosing/using your Fox or Cheetah avatar companion) remains fully active to adjust climate or basic settings.

4 – Offline Map Navigation & Online Weather: You can still use the native navigation using previously downloaded offline map data, and access basic live weather forecasts.

5 – OTA Update Notifications: You will still receive pop-up alerts on the dashboard when a new software update is available, but you will be required to connect the car to a Wi-Fi hotspot to physically download it.

Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Because Apple CarPlay and Android Auto run off your smartphone’s data plan rather than the vehicle’s internal eSIM, wireless smartphone mirroring works independently of your smart Premium Connectivity subscription status.

Price

€99
£84 (can fluctuate depending on the strength of the Euro)

Free Trial

Smart say that the 1st year is free but many early adopters received a 3 year package. For those people, that renewal time is coming in 2026.

OS 1.7.0

The sudden request for renewal came immediately after people updated their car to the newest firmware at the time, 1.7.0 and smart did state in their firmware release that it was to aid renewal but it looks like it was to activate renewals.

This is why so many people are getting the reminder at the same time.

I have a Brabus #1 still on 1.3.2 so I will keep you up to date if it ever asks for a renewal payment.

Renewal Issues & Unknowns

Some people have tried renewing and it hasn’t worked or they have had to wait a long time for it to work. It’s an early system by smart so expect it not to run smoothly.

Some people have said that, if you don’t renew within 1 month of expiry, you won’t be able to renew it at all. This is false.

What people are actually misinterpreting is a piece of standard legal and technical phrasing in the smart terms of service regarding the “reservation” or “grace period” of your configuration.
Here is how the system actually works if you choose not to renew right away:

• The 1-Month Grace Period: When your 3-year or 1-year trial expires, smart keeps your Premium settings and data profile “on ice” for exactly 30 days. If you renew within that first month, the premium features just click back on instantly without any setup required.

• What happens after 30 days: If you let a month pass without renewing, the system officially unlinks the premium package from your profile to clear out the data routing on their cellular network.

• Can you renew later? Absolutely. If you go six months or even a year without it and then change your mind (or sell the car to a new owner who wants it), you can buy the Premium Connectivity Package through the smart store at any time. The only catch is that because the connection has been fully deactivated, it can take up to 24–48 hours for the car’s built-in eSIM to re-provision and wake those features back up over the air.

You will never be permanently locked out of your car’s features just because you missed a deadline or wanted to test out living with the free Standard tier for a while.