Apple Smartwatches

Since 2015, the Apple Watch has been on the market. During this time, there have been significant developments in the models, and Apple has established itself with strong products in the smartwatch sector.

As is typical for the manufacturer, the price of the Apple Watch tends to be in the higher segment. For the third generation from 2017, you still pay at least 200 pounds on average. The Apple Watch Series 5, introduced in September 2019, is priced in a range from approximately 500 pounds to around 800 pounds.

Features of an Apple smartwatch at a glance

An Apple Watch offers a range of functions and sensors, similar to what you know from other smartwatches. In particular, the range of usable apps depends on the version of the installed watchOS – Apple's proprietary operating system for its smartwatches.

• Time display:
• As expected from a watch, you can of course read the time on an Apple Watch. With various designs for the watch faces, you can customise this interface to your liking. Additionally, timers, alarms, stopwatches, and world times are included.
• Messages via iMessage:
• Receive and send messages via iMessage directly on your watch. For replies, you receive pre-made suggestions or you can formulate your response using voice input.
• Voice assistant Siri:
• When it comes to voice input, Siri is, of course, a must-have for Apple. Use the voice assistant to operate your apps, call contacts, or perform searches.
• Sensors for your activities:
• Thanks to various sensors, the Apple Watch is also suitable as a sports band. For example, track your jogging route via GPS or measure your heart rate. An accelerometer is also integrated.
• Check emails and calendar:
• With your Apple Watch, you can retrieve, delete, or respond to your emails directly. The watch also shows you upcoming appointments from your calendar.
• Remote function for Apple TV:
• As an owner of Apple TV, you have the option to use your smartwatch as a remote control for it. Additionally, you can also control the music playback or camera of your iPhone with the watch.
• Smart home control:
• You can also control the main functions of your HomeKit via the Apple Watch. This way, you always have control over your smart home right on your wrist.
• Always-on display (from Series 5):
• The fifth generation of the Apple Watch offers a new display technology that continuously shows you the time while still being energy-efficient. In previous generations, an additional touch or movement was necessary to display the time.
• Magnetic charging cable:
• At some point, the watch needs to be charged. For the fifth generation, Apple states a battery life of 18 hours with regular use. The smartwatch is charged via a magnetic charging cable, which you simply attach to the back of the watch.
• Additional apps:
• In addition to the already mentioned applications and functions, you can use the apps on your Apple Watch to check the weather forecast, receive calls, access maps for navigation, or retrieve tickets and passes via the Wallet app.

For individualists: the different materials of the watch and bands

An Apple Watch impresses overall with a minimalist design typical of the manufacturer. Yet, you have several options to customise the watch's exterior to your liking. Apple offers several case materials for this purpose:

• Aluminium
• Stainless steel
• Titanium
• Ceramic

Along with the wide selection of bands, you can create your own look for your wrist and change it as you please. These materials are currently available from Apple for the smartwatch bands:

• High-performance fluoroelastomer (sport band)
• Nylon fabric (sport loop)
• Lightweight fluoroelastomer with perforations (Nike sport band)
• Nylon fabric with quick-release (Nike sport loop)
• Leather with magnetic or stainless steel closure
• Hermès leather band made of calfskin
• Stainless steel alloy (Milanese or link bracelet)

The various case and band options give you plenty of room for combinations. Some bands are also compatible between different model generations. However, note that the smartwatches have overall become larger. While you could choose between sizes 38 and 42 millimetres with the Apple Watch Series 2, the fifth generation offers sizes 40 and 44 millimetres.

Is an Apple Watch worth it without an iPhone?

Are you more of a passionate Android user but still considering an Apple Watch? Then it is certainly interesting to know whether the watch can also be used with non-Apple products. Short answer: No. Although the Apple Watch is paired normally via Bluetooth, it is programmed to communicate only with other devices from the manufacturer. You need the corresponding app on the iPhone just to set up your watch.

Accordingly, you cannot use the smartwatch properly without an iPhone, as it is also used for data transfer. Newer models of the smartwatch do have an eSIM function, but continuous LTE operation solely via the watch is not practical – the battery would otherwise be empty in no time. Thus, the iPhone is needed both for data provision and for more complex evaluations, such as measurements during sports.

Apple Watch performs well in tests

At the end of 2019, Stiftung Warentest issued a verdict on 13 different smartwatches. Only two of the watches managed to achieve a "good" rating. The Apple Watch 5 shares the podium with a model from the manufacturer Garmin.

The test highlights the reliable tracking of fitness data by the Apple Watch. Thus, the gadget is ideal as a companion for sports. However, you should carefully consider the purchase for this purpose due to the price. In this case, it is better to take an additional look at our category of fitness trackers.

Furthermore, the Apple Watch impresses with its phone function, when reading and writing messages. Deductions are primarily made for the battery and the processing of personal data.

Get the Apple Watch cheaper: Are there good offers for the price-stable Apple products?

Overall, Apple products are very price-stable, which also applies to the Apple Watch. A model series only becomes relatively inexpensive when a new generation is released. This may be an alternative for you if you are relatively content with not having the latest technology. Of course, you tend to get the most features only with the latest version.

If you want to buy the Apple Watch on sale, it is worth waiting for popular shopping days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Around Christmas and other holidays, there are also occasional bargains. However, since this is not a guarantee for good offers based on experience with Apple, our price alert is definitely worth it so you don't miss the best price.

Trivia: Why the Apple Watch is not called iWatch

iPod, iPhone, iPad: Why is the manufacturer's smartwatch not actually called iWatch? Apple certainly tried to protect this name as a trademark. However, there were issues with the Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch.

Swatch had already registered the trademark iSwatch in 2007. To avoid possible confusion, the Swiss promptly reacted and took legal action against Apple, which is why there was never an official introduction of an iWatch (at least not by name).

Conclusion

In summary, with an Apple Watch, you get a good device with a quality that is typical for the manufacturer's products. The gadget combines all the known functions of smartwatches and fitness trackers with a smooth user interface, good evaluation options for personal data, and additional features that other watches in the segment may not perform as well.

For many, the price is certainly a main argument against an Apple Watch, even if it is reflected in the quality of the watch. Moreover, the smartwatch is only really useful if you already use Apple products. Otherwise, you will not enjoy the gadget.